Minnesota
Last updated March 12, 2026
Grand Marais is the North Shore's cultural anchor — a small harbor town with an outsized arts scene, a lighthouse at the end of a rock breakwater, and a main street of galleries, bakeries, and outfitters. It is where the Gunflint Trail heads inland toward the Boundary Waters.
For travelers based in Lutsen, Grand Marais is the natural day trip: a place to wander, eat well, and watch the harbor before heading back to the woods.
Where to Stay
Stilla
Spread out by day. One table by night.
Twelve people, and nobody drawing the short straw. Five bedrooms and a game room across eight wooded acres, ten minutes from the Lutsen lifts, with one long table for the evenings.
Lutsen, MinnesotaSleeps 125 bd3.5 ba
Grand Marais is roughly a half-hour drive up the shore from Lutsen, making it an easy day trip from Nordhus Lodge.
