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Minnesota's North Shore: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Drive
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The 5-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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5
days
230 km
distance
7.4 h
driving
23
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.3 hours of daylight in September — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- Superior warms just enough for the brave, waterfall state parks line the shore road, and the Gunflint Trail leads into moose-and-loon canoe country.
- Light day: day 5 has one stop and time left over. Local tours and day trips are the way to fill it — each day links to what is bookable in its own town.
Day 1 Duluth
- Transit
- 2h14
- Finish
- ~17:25
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–19.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:10
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 …
open: Summer: 9AM-5:30PM daily (first tour at 9:30AM, last tour at 4PM). Winter: Sa-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM (first tour at 10AM, last tour at 3PM), M-F by reservation only
13:55
Encounter hundreds of animals and exotic species in a year-round setting.
50 min · Duluth
open: 10AM-4PM
15:35
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
16:25
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: M-F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa Su 11AM-2AM
Overnight here
e.g. Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel · Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast
Day 2 Around Duluth
- Transit
- 0h47
- Finish
- ~17:05
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–19.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
Ride along Lake Superior's shoreline on a scenic train journey.
90 min · Duluth
10:40
Get up close to aquatic life in a massive two-story tank.
50 min · Duluth · $9-15.50
open: 10AM-6PM Daily
11:40
13:20
Karpeles Manuscript Museum karpeles.com map ↗
Discover rotating exhibits showcasing unique manuscripts and artifacts.
50 min · Duluth · Free
open: Th-Su noon-4PM
14:20
The Edge duluthwaterpark.com map ↗
Splash around a tropical waterpark with an exploding volcano.
90 min · Duluth
open: Daily 8AM-10PM
16:15
Overnight here
e.g. Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel · Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast
Day 3 Around Duluth
- Transit
- 0h38
- Finish
- ~17:50
- Temperature
- 9.7°C–19.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:00
Duluth Huskies Baseball northwoodsleague.com map ↗
Cheer for the Huskies as they compete in the Northwoods League.
90 min · Duluth · $6-30
open: May-August
11:00
Adventure Zone adventurezoneduluth.com map ↗
Challenge yourself in laser tag, batting cages, and arcade games.
90 min · Duluth
open: Memorial Day-Labor Day: Su-Th 11AM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight; rest of year: M-Th 2PM-10PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM
12:40
Duluth Family Sauna duluthsauna.com map ↗
Relax in a historic sauna that has been open since the 1920s.
90 min · Duluth · One person $17, two people $23.50, three people $36, seniors (65+) and veterans $11.50. Only cash is accepted
open: Daily noon–10PM
14:20
Vista Fleet Sightseeing & Dining Cruise vistafleet.com map ↗
Sail past lighthouses and ships on a relaxing cruise with dinner.
90 min · Duluth
open: Daily May-October
needs booking ahead: permit, timed entry or a guide details
16:00
16:50
Bellisio's bellisios.com map ↗
Enjoy great pastas and gnocchi in an upscale Italian setting.
60 min · Duluth
open: M-Th 5PM-9PM; F 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM; Sa 11:30AM-10PM; Su 11:30AM-9PM
Overnight here
e.g. Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel · Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast
Day 4 Grand Marais
- Transit
- 2h55
- Finish
- ~16:00
- Temperature
- 8.2°C–18.3°C
- Rainy days
- ~12
- Daylight
- 12.3h
11:45
Sawtooth Mountain Stables search
Ride horses through the Superior National Forest on guided trails.
90 min · Grand Marais
open: May-Oct W-M
13:30
Superior Hiking Trail shta.org
Hike scenic trails along the beauty of Lake Superior.
90 min · Grand Marais
15:00
World's Best Donuts search
Grab freshly made donuts before they sell out.
60 min · Grand Marais
open: only summers
Day 5 Grand Portage
- Transit
- 0h49
- Finish
- ~10:40
- Temperature
- 10.9°C–16.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~10
- Daylight
- 12.3h
09:50
Time to spare on this day
One stop and a free afternoon. We don't book activities, but these partners do.
🔍 Check before you book
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.