Grand Marais, Minnesota has several accolades and titles that are worth bragging rights, including, “America’s Coolest Small Town” by Budget Travel Magazine, Top 10 Beach Getaways by Outside Magazine, and Next Great Adventure Town by National Geographic. In Grand Marais, you can expect creatives and adventurers sharing a beer, fascinating outdoor destinations, and Northern Lights in the dark skies at night. Here’s your guide to Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Centrally located to recreational amenities, including State and National Parks, the Best Western Plus Superior Inn is the perfect homebase for outdoor adventure. Your stay will exude rest and relaxation after a long day of hiking, as the property includes a private cobblestone beach on Lake Superior. There’s also a choice of additional amenities including a whirlpool, a fireplace, or a Renewal Steam Suite with walk-in steam showers and picturesque views of Lake Superior to amplify your relaxing stay. Enjoy a glass of wine or a cold, icy beer at The Cove Lobby Bar and Bistro to end your day.
If you’re looking for local fare, no one does it better than Grand Marais, Minnesota. Because of their location on the North Shore of Lake Superior, many restaurants source ingredients locally, and entrees are served fresh from the saltless sea. Simply amble around downtown Grand Marais and start exploring.
With beer brewed with water from Lake Superior, Voyageur Brewing Company guarantees tasty and refreshing brews. Enjoy the views of the Grand Marais Harbor overlooking Lake Superior or the sunshine from relaxing on the rooftop patio. The brewery also supports local community with charitable donations in the following areas: youth/education, environment, human services, and the arts.
Still hungry? Grand Marais has an ample supply of fish. “We have local fish markets. So fisherman go out each day and catch the local whitefish or lake trouts and come in and have fresh fish baskets, which is really cool,” says Katriana Mehlhaff, the Director of Operations at the Best Western Plus Superior Inn, and local resident of Grand Marais, Minnesota.
Afterwards, head over to the local creamery for ice cream, Superior Creamery. Located in downtown Grand Marais, Superior Creamery creates small-batch ice cream using local dairy and premium ingredients. The result? Delicious flavors that include Salted Honey Comb, Snickerdoodle, (World’s Best) Donut, and Cinnamon Coffee. They also carry gluten-free and dairy-free products as well.
Grand Marais, Minnesota is an outdoor lovers’ paradise year-round. Once you’re there, you don’t have to travel far to experience all the outdoors has to offer.
“For those that want to do outdoorsy adventure things, there’s plenty within 15 miles of the Best Wester Plus Superior Inn. There’s Cascade River State Park, which has a huge waterfall, and is a fun hiking experience. We’re about five miles away from Pincushion Mountain Trail System, which is this huge trail system. There are over 40 trails: snow and cross country in the wintertime, mountain biking in the summertime, hiking all-year long,” says Steve Cowger, the new Director of Experiences. Cowger focuses on creating exceptional and curated experiences for the Best Western Plus Superior Inn guests; he hosts recreation lovers all the time, and is an expert on the area.
The Cascade River State Park is only one of a several Minnesota State Parks and National Monuments in the area. Other notable parks include Temperance River State Park, Judge C.R. Magney State Park, and Grand Protage State Park. Isle Royal National Park is within Cook County as well.
“And then there’s Kadunce River, where you can actually hike up the riverbeds in the huge gorges like straight off – it’s magical. And that’s only ten miles from the hotel. Then, there’s the Gunflint Trail. The Gunflint Trail goes right up into the boundary waters of Canada. It’s about 40 miles, not even, from the first access point to the boundary waters from the Best Wester Plus Superior Inn. Finally, Grand Marias is now designated a National Dark Sky sanctuary. You can view the Northern Lights and the Milky Way from different points in town.”