A Weekend on the North Shore

Duluth may be a bit far to make a day trip, but it makes for a wonderful weekend trip. Additionally, its neighboring city across Lake Superior, Superior, Wisconsin, is home to Pattison State Park. Both Duluth and Pattison are about a five-hour drive from the Fargo-Moorhead area. There are tons of Airbnbs and hotels that can accommodate guests, but my personal preference is camping across the North Shore. I chose Spirit Mountain Campground on the Duluth side of Lake Superior. Not only does this campground have access to hot water — which is a big plus — but it is not far from any of the main attractions in Duluth, such as Canal Park and the Great Lakes Aquarium, plus much more. Spirit Mountain Campground also has a mini adventure park with a rollercoaster, zip line and more attractions on its grounds.

The first thing I did after arriving at the North Shore was stop at Canal Park and sit by Lake Superior to take in both the wind and the smell of the water. There was a long strip of shops and restaurants that made for a great way to kill time and get food. The best place I could recommend in that area was Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake, which had phenomenal food, especially their bruschetta. Sir Benedict's also had great soups, salads and sandwiches on their menu. For breakfast, Uncle Loui’s Cafe is another great option. This restaurant has homemade French toast, pancakes, eggs, coffee and more. There may be a line during the tourist season, but the wait is never too long and absolutely worth it. My favorite from Uncle Loui’s was their chocolate chip French toast.

Some more things to do in this area can be found while driving along the North Shore. Stopping at Split Rock Lighthouse, which is about an hour away along the shore, is a must-do. Here, visitors get phenomenal cliffside views of Lake Superior and get to learn the history of that particular area. Nearby, there is Black Sand Beach and Gooseberry Falls State Park. An entire day can be made out of driving along the North Shore, as I did. There are also places to stop for food along the way, such as Betty’s Pies right off the highway; it is a highly recommended stop for sweets on your way to or from Duluth.

One of the main reasons I went to the North Shore was to stop in and visit Superior, Wisconsin, specifically Pattison State Park. Though never a crowded or busy park, Pattison is home to three waterfalls and a cliffside hiking trail, making it a fun place for hikers to explore. Water is accessible to visitors, and the area offers great places to sit and take in the sights of the park’s waterfalls. The hiking trail near the park’s largest waterfall takes hikers to the base of the stream it's connected to. This was the highlight of my trip. I found myself sitting at the base of the waterfalls for almost an hour and just letting the falls’ mist hit my face. Pattison is a must-see if you are ever in the area, even if just for a few hours to explore the trails and different viewpoints that the waterfalls offer.

Overall, there’s plenty to do if you ever find yourself in the North Shore area of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The region is definitely a worthy way to spend a weekend.