My husband and I randomly picked this place to stay next week -- we know nothing about the area except that it is beautiful. Does anyone know anything about the town (restaurants, shops, etc). We hope to spend most of our time hiking, canoeing, relaxing on the lake but would like to know if there are other things within a few hours drive worth checking out.
Thanks

My DH and I live in North Carolina and we picked the same place for a short trip last year. What a great decision.
Our condo was right on the water, very nicely furnished, comfortable and conveniently located.
We stopped at the Scenic Cafe which is on your right on the Scenic Drive just after you leave Duluth. Excellent food, very fresh and well presented. We went to Two Harbors, interesting little town. We also went up to Grand Marais and did the GunFlint Trail over to the International Wolf Center. In Grand Marais we ate at the ANGRY TROUT, this is one of my all time favorite places. The food was marvelous. They had fresh wild salmon which was out of this world. Highly recommend it. Grand Marais is a cute little town to walk around.
To bike or hike check out the Lake Superior Trail. Do you knit? An amazing little shop in Two Harbors, a real doll house. Bluefin Bay has mountain bikes, kayaks, available and the equipment is in good shape. Gooseberry Falls State Park is wonderful, definitely stop in.
I will check my trip report and see if there is anything else I ought to mention.
You are going to love this trip!

DH and I stayed at the Bluefin Bay last year for our anniversary. A great place. They have their own restaurant, and also the Coho Cafe is a short distance. Tofte itself is nothing. But Lutsen Ski resort is worth going to. Beautiful there. They have a great restaurant and you can take the chair lift ride to the top of the mountain. Grand Marais is only a half hour away. Lots to see and do there. And the Gun Flint Trail is near by. The Split Rock lighthouse, and the Temperance River Park is beautiful for hiking.

Butch, I topped a report from Tiff and mine for you. I hope you find the information helpful. you are visiting a terrific place. Enjoy!

sorry, the Scenic Cafe is on your LEFT as you leave Duluth on the Scenic Drive.

Try swimming where the Temperance River flows into Lake Superior.
Have a latte' at the Java Moose in Grand Marais.
Climb on the rocks at Artist's Point in Grand Marais.
Pick up cool rocks on any Superior beach.
I LOVE the area; hope you will too!!!

Hi Butch - I think you're in for a real treat. The North Shore is one of our favorite places in the country. We go about every other summer (and have gone skiing in Lutsen in winter - well kept secret). First, I'd get a map of the area state parks. There are numerous ones right off 61 - and every one has great hiking trails with easy access from the highway.

We like to stay in Grand Marais area (specifically at Thomsonite Beach Inn just south of GM). GM has lots of shops, restaurants, and some very good local artists who have their own galleries around town. You can also enjoy a sailing trip from there on a 60' schooner into Lake Superior (about 4 - 5 hours). I agree with cmcfong that the Angry Trout has great food. Our favorite place is the Birch Terrace in GM - elegant but casual setting with great views of the Lake.

Gunflint Trail is also a good side trip. We've also stayed at the Gunflint Lodge at the end of the trail - also has restaurant with excellent food (all fresh, including the berries that the staff picks that day).

The Lutsen ski resort is great in the summer. Take lift to the top (3,200' above Lake Superior) for specular views.

We also like to take a day trip to the Canadian border - very scenic - and visit Fort William where there's a state and national park dedicated to history of the area. It was the meeting place in the 1600 & 1700s for the fur trappers from interior Canada who brought their pelts here where they were bought by traders and transported to Europe via the Great Lakes. On the way you'll pass Nanaboujou Lodge. It's worth a stop and has very good restaurant. It was started in the 1920s as a private hunting lodge. The only acces was via the Lake - no roads from the south at the time. One of the original members was Babe Ruth.

Others have mentioned some great places - Split Rock Lighthouse (it's worth a hike down to the beach and look up to the lighthouse about 500' above), all the parks, etc. House of Pies near Two Harbors is also not to be missed. Selection varies depending on what's in season and what they baked that morning. It is also a good restaurant.

It's a very laid back and relaxing area. Think you'll really enjoy it.

Butch - forgot to mention one thing. As you may know, the coastline is very rocky and has lots of cliffs (reminds us a little of Maine). The beaches that exist are rock beaches. The waves have worn the rocks into all kinds of interesting shapes - most look like birds eggs. Several of the local artist use the rocks to create some very fascinating jewelry. My wife always comes back with a couple of pieces and is always getting compliments/inquiries about them.

We are vacationing in Grand Marais right now and it is wonderful. Temps have been perfect and no bugs and just gorgeous sunny days. Bluefin in a very nice location and most everyone who stays there likes it but as other posters have said, there is not much of a town in Tofte, so I suggest doing some exploring between Tofte and
Grand Marais and enjoy time in GM. It isn't a long drive at all. We have been eating our way thru the area and we also have enjoyed Angry Trout, Chez Jude, Java Moose, Dockside Fish, Birch Terrace, Track's at Lutsen,Sven & Ole's for pizza,Lutsen Resort Dining Room and tonight at Naniboujou. I think it was the best meal of them all. It is also a great place to check out as it is so unique. You will love it. As for the name of the Pie Place near Two Harbor's - it is Betty's Pies and it is just north of TH on Highway 61. There is is also a great Donut shop in GM - World's Best Donuts - don't miss it. There are tons of places to hike and also places to canoe and kayak. You can hike Cascade River, Temperance River, Poplar River and many others. Hope you have as great a time as we are having.

This weeks NYTimes Travel section features an article about UP North
http://tinyurl.com/fuht8