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Minnesota North Shore: Duluth to Grand Portage: 4-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive

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The 4-day version for September: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 3-day plan · 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.

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4
days
230 km
distance
8.3 h
driving
19
curated stops

💡 Good to know for this plan

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This is a planning draft. Check these changing details for your dates before booking or travelling.

Day 1 Duluth

6 curated stops
Transit
1h52
Finish
~17:05
Temperature
9.7°C–19.4°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
12.3h
09:00
Duluth public lakefront-and-heritage circuit dot.state.mn.us map ↗
Use public lakefront and heritage; cruises, scenic trains, sport and gambling remain separate.
50 min · Duluth · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
10:00
S.S. William A. Irvin Boat Museum decc.org read more map ↗
Step aboard this historic ship and learn about its maritime legacy.
50 min · Duluth · Adults $12, students and seniors $8
open: 10AM-4PM daily. Summer: 9AM-6PM daily
11:00
Lake Superior Railroad Museum lsrm.org read more map ↗
Explore one of the Midwest's largest collections of railroad treasures.
50 min · Duluth · Adults (age 14+) $14, children (age 3-13) $6
open: 9:30AM-6PM daily
12:00
Aerial Lift Bridge read more map ↗
Witness the iconic vertical lift bridge towering over the harbor.
50 min · Duluth
13:10
Glensheen Mansion d.umn.edu read more map ↗
Tour the grand rooms and explore the beautifully landscaped grounds.
50 min · Duluth · Expanded tour $26 adults, $24 seniors, $15 children 6-12; standard tour $15 adults, $14 seniors, $9 children 6-12; grounds-only tour $5 for everyone; children 5 and under are free on any tour
open: Summer: 9AM-5:30PM daily (first tour at 9:30AM, last tour at 4PM). Winter: Sat-Sun 9:30AM-3:30PM (first tour at 10AM, last tour at 3PM), Mon-Fri by reservation only
15:15
Jay Cooke State Park dnr.state.mn.us read more map ↗
You will see lush forests and dramatic river bluffs along scenic hiking trails.
50 min · Duluth
open: Daily 8AM-10PM. Office typically open 10AM-4PM
16:05
Grandma's grandmasrestaurants.com map ↗
Savor beloved Italian and American classics in Duluth's most famous spot.
60 min · Duluth
open: Memorial Day-Labor Day: 11AM-2AM daily; rest of year: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2AM, Sat Sun 11AM-2AM
Overnight here
e.g. Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel · Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 2 Around Duluth

5 curated stops
Transit
1h27
Finish
~15:50
Temperature
9.7°C–19.4°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
12.3h
09:00
Enger Tower and Park engertowerduluth.com read more map ↗
Enjoy sweeping views from the observation tower and discover lush gardens.
50 min · Duluth
10:00
Great Lakes Aquarium glaquarium.org read more map ↗
Get up close to aquatic life in a massive two-story tank.
50 min · Duluth · $9-15.50
open: 10AM-6PM Daily
11:25
Lake Superior Zoo lszooduluth.org read more map ↗
Encounter hundreds of animals and exotic species in a year-round setting.
50 min · Duluth
open: 10AM-4PM
13:00
Karpeles Manuscript Museum karpeles.com map ↗
Discover rotating exhibits showcasing unique manuscripts and artifacts.
50 min · Duluth · Free
open: Thu-Sun noon-4PM
14:00
Leif Erickson Park search map ↗
Admire the rose garden and glimpse the Viking ship over Lake Superior.
50 min · Duluth
14:50
Bellisio's bellisios.com map ↗
Enjoy great pastas and gnocchi in an upscale Italian setting.
60 min · Duluth
open: Mon-Thu 5PM-9PM; Fri 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM; Sat 11:30AM-10PM; Sun 11:30AM-9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel · Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 3 Grand Marais

3 curated stops
Transit
3h42
Finish
~17:40
Temperature
8.2°C–18.3°C
Rainy days
~12
Daylight
12.3h
12:20
Grand Marais public shore-and-trail circuit dnr.state.mn.us map ↗
Use public shore and suitable trail access subject to current weather and conditions.
50 min · Grand Marais · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
13:25
Artists’ Point shore walk harborfriends.org
Explore the rocky shore at Artists’ Point beside Grand Marais harbor. Keep back from waves and icy edges.
90 min · Grand Marais
15:10
Superior Hiking Trail shta.org
Hike scenic trails along the beauty of Lake Superior.
90 min · Grand Marais
16:40
World's Best Donuts search
Grab freshly made donuts before they sell out.
60 min · Grand Marais
open: only summers
Overnight here
e.g. Harbor Inn · Hungry Hippie Hostel
Find a stay → Tours & tickets for the evening →

Day 4 Grand Portage

2 curated stops
Transit
1h18
Finish
~12:05
Temperature
10.9°C–16.2°C
Rainy days
~10
Daylight
12.3h
10:10
Grand Portage public monument-and-voyageur-heritage circuit nps.gov map ↗
Use public monument and voyageur heritage subject to seasonal Heritage Center and historic-site opening.
50 min · Grand Portage · Public areas; confirm current admission and opening before entry
11:15
Grand Portage National Monument nps.gov read more
Walk the historic fur trader trail by Lake Superior.
50 min · Grand Portage

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Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.

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