When planning your trip up along the North Shore, one of the biggest challenges I hear from people is where to stay. While there are SEVERAL places along the shore to stay, I’m rounding up some information on where and when to start looking and some recommended places to stay. All recommendations are all my own so please take with a grain of salt and book what is best for YOU and your family. 🙂
We’ll start in Two Harbors, MN and work our way up to Grand Marais. Now, Grand Marais is the mecca of the North Shore for me so I have a whole dedicated blog post on where to stay in Grand Marais and up the Gunflint Trail.
If after reading this, you still have questions or comments, my email and Instagram’s DMs are always open! While I haven’t stayed at most of these places, I am familiar with them either via social, visits, or personal recommendations!
Best Tips For Booking
While these are also menitoned in my Grand Marais lodging post, these again are great reminders before booking your trip up the Shore!
- Book Early – Book 2-3 months (at LEAST) ahead if you are planning on visiting during peak times.
- Stick to your budget or evaluate where you can save – Some properties raise their rates for summer season. Find something that’s in your budget, or if you can save in other areas of your trip, consider booking a higher priced room.
- Try visiting during the week or shoulder season – It’s no secret, rooms are cheaper Sunday-Wednesday and even Thursday nights. If you can visit mid week (or shoulder season), you’ll most likely have more options at a lower price point!
- Follow the properties on social media – Most of these hotels, cabins, or lodging properties have a social presence. Follow them on Instagram and/or Facebook and you could score last minute openings or exclusive discounts!
- Use Google Maps for searching – Some of these lodging places don’t pull up when you simply Google search places to stay. They aren’t affiliated with booking sites like Expedia or Hotels.com either, so it can be tricky to find them at times! Use your Google Maps feature and search lodging and just roll it along the shore. It’s amazing what you can find when you do this, ha!
Now let’s get into some options for lodging starting in Two Harbors, but first I wanted to mention a couple of site I use right away when starting my lodging search!
Property Management Companies Along the Shore:
Odyssey Resorts – Odyssey Resorts has 6 breathtaking properties along the North Shore that all have their own identity but also are all cozy and perfect for your next trip north. All locations with a * below is an Odyssey Resort!
Cascade Vacation Rentals – With over 150 properties along the North Shore, Cascade is always a go-to when I’m recommending where to start! You will find some on Airbnb as well as on VRBO, but their website is a great place to start and filter! They also will show dog friendly properties too.
Airbnb – A go-to of course for almost everyone, you can always find some gems with Airbnb! Since most hosts only own 1 place, book soon as these places get snatched up quickly.
VRBO – Mostly private owned homes, this is a great option for larger family trips or extended stays.
Two Harbors – Lutsen
Superior Shores Resort – Two Harbors – Located right outside of the Town of Two Harbors, Super Shores is a great basecamp for all your North Shore Adventures as it’s close to Duluth and also several state parks along the shore!
Historic Lighthouse B&B – Two Harbors – For a unique lodging experience, try the Lighthouse B&B in Two Harbors! It’s the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota!
Breezy Point Cabins* – Two Harbors – From studio to 2 bedroom cabins, Breezy Point Cabins are all newly remodeled and lakeside.
Larsmont Cottages* – Two Harbors – These Odyssey Resort cottages are tucked away in 40 acres of private woods, south of Two Harbors, with 1,300 feet of Lake Superior beachfront shoreline.
Grand Superior Lodge* – Two Harbors – A grand, authentic log resort that hugs the shore of Lake Superior, they have cabins, log homes, lodge rooms and lakeside suites that surround you in a charmingly warm and modern rustic decor.
Wild Pines Cabin – Two Harbors – An A-Frame Airbnb of your dreams! This cozy cabin has incredible lake views with a cozy fireplace, giving you the best off-grid vibes.
Burlwood Cottage – Two Harbors – A remodeled 1955 Cottage, this Airbnb has a charming creek, 240′ of private shoreline, and 7.5 acres to explore!
Cove Point Lodge – Beaver Bay – Find lodge rooms and individual cottages at Cove Point Lodge where you can experience their Northwoods charm and Scandinavian Style.
BlueFin Bay – Tofte – BlueFin Bay is home to 3 luxury options along the North Shore. You have Bluefin Bay, Surfside, and also Temperance Landing all which are along the shores of Lake Superior in between Tofte and Lutsen.
Cobble Stone Cabins – Tofte – Re-opening in June of 2021,Cobblestone Cabins consists of 6 cabins that overlook a cobblestone beach on Lake Superior. They will be celebrating their 47th summer!
Cliff Dweller Hotel on Lake Superior – Tofte – A 22 room hotel on the cliff ledge of Lake Superior, each room at the Cliff Dweller has a walk out balcony with amazing views!
Lutsen Resort – Lutsen An Iconic classic, the Lutsen Resort is amazing for romantic getaways or family weekends. It’s a great location for events and weddings too!
Caribou Highlands* – Lutsen – The last property of Odyssey before you get to Grand Marais, this location is nestled in the Sawtooth Mountains – perfect location for the winter skier!
Mountain Inn – Lutsen – Set at the base off the Lutsen Mountains, this is a newly remodeled, no-fuss hotel and a great jumping off point for all the things Lutsen and Grand Marais have to offer! Read more about my experience staying here in this post!
North Country Cottages – Lutsen – Three picture perfect cabins nestled in the Northwoods in Lutsen, these cottages are the coziest ones amongst highway 61. With a cottage shop opening soon and E-bike rental onsite, book these early as they are a hot commodity!
Cascade Lodge – Lutsen – A popular destination with a great restaurant included, Cascade Lodge has individual cabins along with a newly remodeled Lodge as well and conveniently located right next to Cascade State Park! And it’s my last rec before you hit Grand Marais!
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Whew! If you made is this far, thank you! Did I miss your favorite spot? Let me know below! I hope this is a great jumping off point to start your search for your next North Shore Vacation. And if you do make the trek to Grand Marais, make sure to check out my blog post for all the post for all the things to do in Grand Marais!