North Short Drive -when to go in Sept?
 

My husband and I want to go to Minnesota in September. We want to visit Voyageurs National Park and take the North Shore Drive, also would like suggestions on what else to see and do? We want to go when the fal foliage is colorful. When in September would be the best to go. We probably plan to be there for 10-2 days? Thanks.<BR>Ruby

North Shore drive: Start and spend a couple of days in Duluth. Stay at Fitgers an old brewery renovated into a high end hotel with reasonable prices. Visit the canal park area, Glensheen mansion and the fresh water acquarium. Drive up highway 61 (N.Shore) and stop at Gooseberry falls, split rock lighthouse.<BR>Spend a night in Grand Marais. Take a side trip up the beautiful Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais. We then stayed at Bearskin lodge about 25 miles up the trail and it was beautiful. Mid-September would be a great time for leaves at their peak.

I totally agree with the above. We have been there in both mid Sept and late Sept. and the leaves have been beautiful and the weather has been great too. We always spend some time in Duluth and then head up the shore and stop at the places mentioned and then go toGrand Marais for a couple days and up the Gunflint Trail. We really enjoy Grand Marais. Some neat little shops and a pretty location with nice people. Fitgers is nice in Duluth, but we usually stay at Inn on the Lake. Think you will be satisified with either. We also love the Pickwick Restaurant which is next to Fitgers. It's very old and very good. Have a great time.

I second the nominations of Fitgers and the Pickwick, but urge you to reserve as far in advance as possible. We've had trouble getting reservations, at least on weekends, from mid to late September.

Hi : When we were living in Thunder Bay Ontario we made sure we took the North Shore Dr. trip to Duluth a couple of times every fall. Presently we live about 2 hours north of Toronto near the Muskoka Lake area. Every fall bus loads of people come here to look at the leaves...boy they do not know what they are missing. The hills in Lutsen Minnesota are the most spectacular blaze of colour I have ever seen. Make sure to go off the highway and stop for a drink at the ski resort. One year we thought we were to early as the North Shore dr seemed to be lacking in colour and we turned off to the ski area and it was so amazing, breathtaking. This is one of the most beautiful places and home to some of the friendliest people, the little shops on the highway are wonderful. We never tired of this drive spring summer fall or winter there was always something, deer, waterfalls, beautiful leaves or the eerie Lake Superior on a cloudy early winter morning. It is a really beautiful spot, I miss it. Karen