ITINERARIES North Shore & Duluth ENJOY FOREST BATHING Visitors never forget their fi rst drive up to Duluth, the lakeside city that serves as the stunning gateway to such North Shore essentials as Gooseberry Falls , Split Rock Lighthouse and Tettegouche State Park . Swing by Northern Waters Smokehaus for a Guy Fieri-approved Cajun Finn sandwich (house-smoked salmon, green onion cream cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini and lettuce, stuffed into a sturdy stirato roll). Duluth SAVOR HAND-CRAFTED (AND HAND-FORAGED) DRINKS Just down the road, visit Vikre Distillery , another Duluth favorite in the lakefront Canal Park neighborhood. Its cocktails feature hand-foraged botanicals and experimental takes on gin, whiskey and aquavit. The Broken Arrow begins with toasty Øvrevann Aquavit, then slips in some maple syrup, bitters and a birch bark pretzel garnish. Similar in spirit is Spill the Tea Leaves, which spotlights Vikre’s dragonfruit-infused Spruce Gin, Herbal Liqueur and jasmine bitters. For craft beer, Bent Paddle Brewing is a standby of Duluth’s Craft District, a.k.a. Lincoln Park . There’s something in the water of Lake Superior that keeps their brews crisp and consistent, whether it’s their Bent Hop IPA, Cold Press Black coffee ale or seasonal releases. Duluth MAKE SOMETHING MAGNIFICENT Also in Duluth, Lake Superior Art Glass is a studio/gallery that showcases the radiant work of more than 60 Midwest glassblowers. Since the studio’s furnace is cranked up 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it hosts a wide range of classes. Start by making something as simple as a pendant necklace, icicle ornament or prismatic paperweight, then move onto more complex pieces like multicolored vases, gorgeous wine goblets or avant-garde fl ower arrangements. As Chereen and Rob found out, it’s the perfect cross-section of craft and science, a way of making the earth’s natural materials come alive through an entirely new lens. Beaver Bay GO GLAMPING ON THE WAY TO GRAND MARAIS Before checking into your tricked-out glamping tent, stop in at the secluded, storybook-y Cedar Coffee Company . Hidden in the hushed backwoods of Two Harbors, it offers light bites and craft drinks next door to sister businesses ( Spokengear , Cedaero ) that revolve around bike rentals, repairs and gear. Speaking of supplies, beloved “glampground” North Shore Camping Co. in Beaver Bay takes care of all your grilling and chilling needs, from rechargeable lanterns and solar power stations to fi rewood bundles and enamel dishware. You also get 24-hour access to a base lodge complete with clean restrooms and showers. It’s glamping at its best — a prime spot for listening to bird calls and soaking up natural beauty. North Shore Camping Co. in Beaver Bay 88 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2025 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 88
