Explore the Tofte / Lake Superior Area
The Great Outdoors
If you like to downhill ski, Lutsen Mountain is right up the road (less than a 10-minute drive) and a fantastic skiing spot with gondolas.
38 locals recommend
Lutsen Mountains
467 Ski Hill RdIf you like to downhill ski, Lutsen Mountain is right up the road (less than a 10-minute drive) and a fantastic skiing spot with gondolas.
If you like to hike, head up to the Superior Hiking trail. There’s over 300 miles of trail right up the road! The Oberg Mountain Loop in particular is a great, easy to moderate 2.3-mile loop with fantastic views.
Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain Loop
Superior Hiking Trail Oberg Mountain LoopIf you like to hike, head up to the Superior Hiking trail. There’s over 300 miles of trail right up the road! The Oberg Mountain Loop in particular is a great, easy to moderate 2.3-mile loop with fantastic views.
If you like to bike, the Gitchi Gami State Trail runs along highway 61 and is accessible right from the Chateau!
Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Gitchi-Gami State TrailIf you like to bike, the Gitchi Gami State Trail runs along highway 61 and is accessible right from the Chateau!
Visit on your drive to Tofte! Awesome photo op and views of waterfalls.
82 locals recommend
Gooseberry Falls State Park
3206 MN-61Visit on your drive to Tofte! Awesome photo op and views of waterfalls.
Tettegouche State Park
5702 MN-61Stunning park - stop and explore on your way to Tofte.
Temperance River State Park
Temperance River State ParkAnother great park to visit up north!
Onion River
Another waterfall worth seeing near our place!
Eagle Mountain is the highest point in Minnesota and a short drive away. The view is worth the hike!
Eagle Mountain
Eagle Mountain is the highest point in Minnesota and a short drive away. The view is worth the hike!
Sightseeing
If you want to see moose, go for a drive up the Gunflint Trail towards Grand Marais and the boundary waters. In the winter the moose like to lick the salt by the roadside right around dusk!
6 locals recommend
Gunflint Trail
Gunflint TrailIf you want to see moose, go for a drive up the Gunflint Trail towards Grand Marais and the boundary waters. In the winter the moose like to lick the salt by the roadside right around dusk!
Split Rock Lighthouse
3713 Split Rock Lighthouse RdAn iconic spot on the way to Tofte. This is a must-see!
A favorite! Walk the grounds and check out the awesome gift shop.
13 locals recommend
North House Folk School
500 W Hwy 61A favorite! Walk the grounds and check out the awesome gift shop.
Neighborhoods
Walk around Artist's Point, which is right in downtown Grand Marais, by the lighthouse. Spectacular during and after a storm when waves are big!
37 locals recommend
Grand Marais
Walk around Artist's Point, which is right in downtown Grand Marais, by the lighthouse. Spectacular during and after a storm when waves are big!
City/town information
Check out the great waterfall on the Canadian Border if you are going up to Grand Portage. Its massive!
Grand Portage
Check out the great waterfall on the Canadian Border if you are going up to Grand Portage. Its massive!
Food scene
In Grand Marais, the Gunflint Tavern has great local craft beer and a great rooftop patio with local musicians.
26 locals recommend
Gunflint Tavern
111 Wisconsin StIn Grand Marais, the Gunflint Tavern has great local craft beer and a great rooftop patio with local musicians.
Another great place to grab a bite. Get some local frozen custard for dessert near Artists' Point!
32 locals recommend
Angry Trout Cafe
408 W Hwy 61Another great place to grab a bite. Get some local frozen custard for dessert near Artists' Point!
Dockside Fish Market
418 MN-61Get some fish here! A favorite of mine.
Up the Gunflint Trail: Check out the Trails Center Lodge (about 30 miles up the Gunflint) and Hungry Jack Lodge for pizza and views of the lake into the Boundary Waters.
Hungry Jack Lodge & Campground
372 S Hungry Jack RdUp the Gunflint Trail: Check out the Trails Center Lodge (about 30 miles up the Gunflint) and Hungry Jack Lodge for pizza and views of the lake into the Boundary Waters.
Really fun nearby brewery with great beer and food, plus a rooftop patio.
26 locals recommend
Voyageur Brewing Company
233 W Hwy 61Really fun nearby brewery with great beer and food, plus a rooftop patio.
It's true! They are open seasonally with limited hours. Worth the wait!
15 locals recommend
World's Best Donuts
10 Wisconsin StIt's true! They are open seasonally with limited hours. Worth the wait!
Blue Water Cafe
20 West Wisconsin StGreat for breakfast - I love their coffee!
My Sister's Place
401 Minnesota 61Cozy spot for pizza and burgers.
Java Moose Espresso Cafe
218 MN-61Great little cafe!
Cascade Lodge
3719 MN-61Order some local walleye here!
Coho Cafe
7192 West Highway 62Great nearby cafe :)
Bluefin Grille
7192 MN-61Good local spot with stunning views. Get the walleye here!
Traveler advice
Book before you go
Activities in the Area
Before heading up, check out the blog North Shore Art Scene at www.northshoreartscene.info and the Cook County website for activities in the area: www.visitcookcounty.com.
Look at the Calendar of Events tab and you’ll see there is always something fun going on, year-round!
Don't miss
Local Radio Station
Tune into 90.7 for more helpful local info.