One of our favorite day trips from Bluefin Bay is to the quaint harbor village of Grand Marais. Take a gorgeous summer drive up North Shore Scenic Drive about 25 miles to experience the art, culture, dining, shopping, and the harbor itself.  Stroll to the edge of the lighthouse for a closer look at the moored sailboats.  Hike Artist's Point for a different perspective.  Skip stones on the cobblestone beach or enjoy a Cappacinno' at an eco friendly cafe.  Shop the amazing art galleries and studios (14+) that dot this seaside village.  Or, take a class at the North House Folk School and learn a new northern craft. 

Grand Marais is known for its festivals and events, such as Arts Festival, Dragon Boat Festival or Fisherman's Picnic.

Listen to the voices of Lake Superior fishermen. Witness the moody personality of Lake Superior. Explore a time when the lake was better understood than the land. Experience the North Shore’s unique maritime heritage. The Tofte Historical Society invites you to come and discover a cultural landscape from the fjords to Superior's shore at the North Shore Commercial Fishing Museum.

Bluefin Bay offers easy access to four spectacular state parks featuring waterfalls, rivers, and pristine forests. They are: Tettegouche, Temperance River, Cascade River, and George Crosby Manitou. These state treasures can be explored year-round and offer limitless opportunities for adventure seekers—from hiking, biking and fishing to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and wildlife viewing. Each has its own personality and unique areas to explore.

In addition to the parks in Bluefin Bay’s backyard, we encourage stops at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and Gooseberry Falls State Park. Both are located south of Bluefin Bay on Scenic Highway 61. If you’re traveling from Minneapolis - Saint Paul or farther south, they are great places to stretch your legs.

Named one of National Geographic’s “50 Destinations of a Lifetime,” the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is home to over a million acres of untamed backcountry, more than 1,000 pristine lakes and streams, over 1,500 canoe routes, and abundant wildlife. Just 25 miles inland up the Sawbill Trail, Sawbill Canoe Outfitters offers an entry point to the BWCA. Let Bluefin Bay serve as your base of operation for exploration and adventure throughout this extraordinary area which has always been a national treasure.

Heritage, history, and entertainment abound in neighboring Grand Portage. Experience Ojibwe and Anishinabe culture on Minnesota’s northernmost Indian reservation; explore the rich history of the North American Fur Trade; witness the power of “High Falls”, Minnesota’s highest waterfall; or relax, sit back and take in the live entertainment and gaming at the local casino. Grand Portage is located about 1 ½ hours from Bluefin Bay and is a beautiful scenic drive along the shore.

The wild, quiet country of the Gunflint Trail allows you to step away from the “wired” world and enjoy the area’s untamed wilderness to the fullest. Drive along the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway while enjoying wildflowers, Boreal forest, pristine lakes, and a glimpse or two of the area’s wildest residents. Or, step off the trail to experience the legendary fishing, cross-country skiing, mushroom hunting or wild berry picking.