Visit Grand Marais, Minnesota

Get to know Grand Marais!
Spend a little time getting to know Grand Marais, while you are here for Moose Madness Weekend. The activities and events begin on Friday, so before they start, we’ve got ideas for you that will make Grand Marais your home on the North Shore.

Artists’ Point: It’s a great walk through a small forest! Easy climbing, crawling, rock stacking and throwing, wave watching, dog walking – and it takes you to a beautiful vista of East Bay and Lake Superior. The path starts at the Coast Guard Station, the building at the parking lot where Broadway Ave. ends. (Adult supervision needed.)

Lighthouse: At the Coast Guard Station, you also have the option to walk out to the lighthouse, and have a great view of the Grand Marais Harbor, downtown Grand Marais, and of course, the Big Lake. (Adult supervision needed.)

Playgrounds: 1) Sawtooth Elementary School, located at Co. Rd. 7 (W. 5th St.) and E. 1st Ave., behind the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. 2) Cook County Community Center, Co. Rd. 7 (W. 5th St.) and W. 3rd Ave. 3) Grand Marais RV and Rec Park – on Highway 61, take W. 8th Ave. past the municipal pool - the playground is next to the recreation building.

Skateboard Park: Located next to the Cook County Community Center, Co. Rd. 7 (W. 5th St.) and W. 3rd Ave. Includes a 4’ x 18’ mini-ramp, a 4’ x 8’ wide step bank, 4’ x 18’ x 18’ Mission Control w/Euro, Planter, Rail, and more. Murray the Moose has no idea what this means, but it was designed by the kids, for the kids – awesome!

Tennis Courts: Five of ‘em, right by the skateboard park at Co. Rd. 7 (W. 5th St.)
and W. 3rd Ave.

Grand Marais Municipal Pool: Highway 61 and W. 8th Ave. Enjoy the large pool, wading pool for the young ones, hot tub whirlpool, sauna, Aquaclimb poolside climbing wall, locker rooms and showers. Open swim Mon. – Thurs., 3:30 – 8pm, Fri. 3:30 – 9pm (dollar evening!), Sat. 2 – 9pm, Sun. closed. A daily pass is $3.75/person or $14/family + tax – kids under 5 yrs. are half price.

Grand Marais Library: Located at Hwy 61 and W. 2nd Ave. There’s a great kids’ area and a special moose book section! If you need to use a computer, sign up – for a word processing computer, Internet access and free WiFi. If Mom or Dad needs a quiet reading room, we’ve got that, too. Hours are Mon. – Fri., 10am – 5pm, and Sat., 10am – 2pm.

Bike and Kite Rental: Visit Superior North Outdoor Center at 13 So. Broadway Ave. (next to Beth’s Fudge & Gifts) for bikes for the family – and terrific kites!

Anderson Aero: Call SkyDan to arrange for a magical flight above and around Murray’s favorite part of Minnesota – Cook County. Spectacular scenery, wildlife – maybe a view of Murray’s relatives! Get rates, information at 218-370-0645 and 218-387-1687.

Moose Quest Driving Routes: Check for the map and route descriptions in the Moose News and Tribune.

Easy Hikes (need adult supervision): 1) Pincushion Mt. and Overlook – Gunflint Trail 2 miles to Pincushion Dr., Co. Rd. 53, turn right, 2) Kadunce Creek – 9 miles east on Hwy. 61, and walk up the creek, 3) Cascade River State Park – 10 miles west on Highway 61, for lots of waterfalls, 4) Grand Portage State Park – 40 miles east in Hwy. 61 at the Canadian Border, Minnesota’s tallest waterfall, and the walk in is handicapped accessible.

Best Rock Tossing/Finding: Thegrand Marais Harbor, East Bay, Artists’ Point, Paradise Beach (13 miles east on Hwy. 61 at mile marker 123), Cut Face Creek Wayside Rest (5 miles west on Hwy. 61).

But wait! There’s more...

Shops: Many of our shops are kid-friendly, and have merchandise meant for children. Visit Joynes Ben Franklin, Drury Lane Books, Beth’s Fudge & Gifts, Lake Superior Trading Post, Birchbark Books and Gifts, Moose Tracks – and visit Flint the Moose and Gunflint Mercantile!

Cafés: All are kid-friendly and have choices they’ll love, with smaller portions and menus. So many choices - this is the one weekend that Murray isn’t a vegetarian!

Have fun! For assistance, visit Moose Central, 13 No. Broadway Ave. (Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail Visitor Information Center). Mon. – Thurs., 9am – 5pm, Fri. – Sat., 9 am – 6pm, Sunday 9 am – 2pm.