Taking a newbie up to the BW this spring . i usually just drive straight to Grand Marias , with the exception of stopping at the Cross River, But being her 1st trip up. i want to take in more of the sights on the drive up. Does anybody have any other suggestions to stop at , that isnt too far of a hike from #61. Thank you all in advance.

- Of course the state parks (but they can be crowded)
-Palisade head, drive right up
- Father Baraga's Cross, drive right up
- Artists Point in Grand Marais
- drive up to Lutsen Resort just to check it out.
- take old highway 61 from Duluth to Two Harbors (the old logging camp is neat).
- Beaver Bay has some neat shops.

Thanks TB your the best !

Driving the scenic route on old Hwy. 61 is mandatory for me - whenever my wife is not in a hurry.

When you get to the aforementioned logging camp, make a hard right onto Stoney Point Drive toward the lake. This will take you close to the water before returning to the highway. There’s a wide spot just before the highway where you might see otters, lakers (ships, not fish), salties (ships again), surfers and the occasional solo lunatic kayaker:










And this North Shore icon:

Gooseberry falls is a must stop! Also nice restrooms and a good spot to stretch your legs.

Sugarloaf cove is a hidden gem as well and is an easy pull off of the main road.

Gooseberry Falls is really nice.
Temperance River is another nice stop.

Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors is a really neat place with awesome outside seating. We try and eat dinner here on the way home.

"My Sister's Place" in Grand Marais is really good.
Trail Center is a great stop as well. Great food, neat location.

We just like Grand Marais a lot and will stop there for dinner and walking along the big lake before heading back the Gunflint Trail.

We have a 13 hr drive up from Indiana, so usually we just don't have time for many stops...especially on the way up.

Caribou Falls (my personal favorite) - short hike
The Rock Shop in Beaver Bay is neat - lots of amazing agates
Palasaide Head - amazing Superior overlook, you can drive to
Devils Kettle - just past grand marais - short hike

Temperance River where you can park along the highway. Hike up to see Hidden Falls and the scour holes or cross the highway and go down to the lakeshore. Both short hikes

Palasaide Head is a must.

If you can get north of Grand Marias, hike up the Kadunce River Trail.

cowdoc: "Temperance River where you can park along the highway. Hike up to see Hidden Falls and the scour holes or cross the highway and go down to the lakeshore. Both short hikes"

+1 both short Temperance River hikes are beautiful!

Green Door. Thank me later...

Great list already. I second the “scenic rt” on 61. We also usually pack a lunch and spend some time down on Black Beach near silver bay. No place like that in MN that I’ve been.

Take the North Shore Scenic Drive from Duluth to Two Harbors. Stop at the scenic overlooks and pull offs, walk on the lake shore. Check out any of the rivers and waterfalls. I can easily spend a day driving up and back and exploring along the way, so much to see. Heck a day is just a start.

I second Black Beach and would add White Sky Rock, off the Caribou not far from Lutsen. A short hike.

What's the best place along the north shore to look for agates, or rocks worth grinding? I'm bringing along a senior friend and his wife grinds rocks for a hobby, I thought I'd surprise him, and make a stop someplace so we can all look for an hour.

Iona’s Beach. Illgen Falls, on the Baptism River, just a mile or two up Hwy 1. Breakwall in Two Harbors.

If you have a little extra time, go about 14.5 miles beyond Grand Marais and check out the Nanaboujou Lodge - worth the stop to see this historic building. Another mile up 61 is the Devil's Kettle, in Judge Magney State Park (a short hike).

analyzer: "What's the best place along the north shore to look for agates, or rocks worth grinding? I'm bringing along a senior friend and his wife grinds rocks for a hobby, I thought I'd surprise him, and make a stop someplace so we can all look for an hour."

I'm happy you're still around. The best places are actually gravel pits and roads in the vicinity. Believe me. I have lots, but found very few on the beach. When I told my next door neighbor what I knew, he started showing me what his family found. The biggest and best were the ones he found right here in Oakdale in that new development close to Lake Elmo. He changed his thinking after I showed him the tennis ball sized agate I found in Walton Park after they buried the drainage ditch.

thegildedgopher: "We also usually pack a lunch and spend some time down on Black Beach near silver bay. No place like that in MN that I’ve been."

Wonderful place. I was totally surprised an incredibly controversial tailings dump site could be so appealing. It makes one think...

inspector13: "

analyzer: "What's the best place along the north shore to look for agates, or rocks worth grinding? I'm bringing along a senior friend and his wife grinds rocks for a hobby, I thought I'd surprise him, and make a stop someplace so we can all look for an hour."

I'm happy you're still around. The best places are actually gravel pits and roads in the vicinity. Believe me. I have lots, but found very few on the beach. When I told my next door neighbor what I knew, he started showing me what his family found. The biggest and best were the ones he found right here in Oakdale in that new development close to Lake Elmo. He changed his thinking after I showed him the tennis ball sized agate I found in Walton Park after they buried the drainage ditch.

"

Hi, and "WOW". I live right off of 50th and Hadley, just a little north of that new development.

analyzer: "Hi, and "WOW". I live right off of 50th and Hadley, just a little north of that new development."

That's the one. He did contract work there and picked dozens of golfball sized agates from that site. Glaciers plowed lots of good ones south. Moose Lake even has a festival. Just don't hunt for them in sandy soils.