Get the app
City lakes to Lake Superior cliffs
Route preview
Minnesota North Shore is a 6-day curated route with 3 destinations and 8 suggested stops. Preview stops and timing, then find it in TripsCircle Explore.
Destination 01
Bike paths, beaches, and a green start inside the city
nature
Design shops, restaurants, and converted warehouse blocks
food
A broad collection in an easy-to-navigate museum
culture
Destination 02
Watch lake freighters pass beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge
sight
A ridge drive with city and Lake Superior panoramas
nature
Lakefront architecture and gardens along the North Shore
culture
Destination 03
Basalt shoreline and harbor views steps from downtown
nature
A forest-and-lake scenic road into the Boundary Waters region
adventureRoute highlights
Trip guide
Lakes, then a much larger lake, define this route. Minneapolis is the warm-up, with bike paths around the Chain of Lakes and dinner in the North Loop. Duluth is the turning point, where freighters pass beneath the Aerial Lift Bridge at Canal Park and Skyline Parkway looks out over the city and Lake Superior. Grand Marais sits at the far end, with the basalt shoreline of Artist's Point and the forest road of the Gunflint Trail.
Good for Nature-minded groups who like lakes and scenic drives
June through October offers open trails, long daylight and reliable driving on the shore road. Summer is the busiest and warmest, while September and early October bring cooler air and strong fall color. Winter has its own appeal, but conditions change the plan completely.
Driving is the standard way to move up the shore, and the scenic road along Lake Superior is part of the experience. Minneapolis is easy to enjoy without a car, but you will want one from Duluth onward.
