July has almost come and gone but don’t panic yet! You still have the whole month of August left to enjoy warm weather fun on Minnesota’s North Shore. In case you need a few more reasons to plan one last blast of summertime fun…
See you in August!
If you like to bike and hike then this resort activity is for you! We combined two of our guests’ favorite activities into one and even threw in some waterfall viewing to create the Temperance River Bike & Hike guided activity.
This family-friendly activity starts with a ride along a 2.1-mile section of the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Along the trail, we’ll ride through a northern forest containing birch, balsam, and spruce trees. Once we arrive at the beautiful Temperance River State Park, our activity staff will guide you along a river trail to catch breathtaking views of the many waterfalls the river has to offer. After hiking you’ll enjoy a relaxing bike ride back to Bluefin Bay which is a gentle down sloping path for an easy and rewarding way to finish the trip!
As a guest at Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts, you have complimentary bike rentals or you may bring your own. There are many great bike trails from paved to single-track mountain bike trails to check out all along Minnesota’s North Shore. During your stay, stop by the front desk or the Activity Center for detailed maps and tips for heading out on your own biking adventure.
Another great Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts dining option – with a view of course! Resort guests and the public love this seasonal dining option found at Surfside on Lake Superior. It’s conveniently located just off Hwy 61 in Tofte and is less than one mile from Temperance River State Park! Enjoy indoor or patio dining with Lake Superior views and access to the Gitchi-Gami bike trail just across the road.
The chef-driven menu includes breakfast and brunch/light lunch options available all day from 8 am – 3 pm. It includes delightful options like stuffed French Toast, The All American Breakfast, Cajun Salmon Sandwich, Asian Smoked Fish Sandwich, and a Candied Walnut Strawberry Salad. Check out the entire Waves of Superior Café menu here.
Our new 2018 menu was designed to complement Waves of Superior Spa while offering alternate breakfast and lunch options for guests and the public. Waves Cafe is a nice stop after your spa treatment, workout or hike. Grab something and go or sit in and enjoy the view from our deck!
Hiking really is ‘superior’ in our area. Considered one of the finest trails in the United States, the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail passes through the Lutsen-Tofte area and provides many opportunities to explore trail sections within close proximity of Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts. We offer guided hiking excursions year-round with a variety of distances and degrees of difficulty. Many of our resort guided hikes take advantage of the epic hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail or the spur trails that lead to incredible overlooks, rushing waterfalls and dense forest areas.
Hiking is a favorite activity of our guests and the Bluefin Bay Activities Director is always busy adding new hikes and adventures for all skill levels to the weekly activities line-up. Visit our Activities & Events calendar to browse through the different guided hiking trips we offer. These trips are included as part of your stay and a great way to experience our area trails with an experienced guide. We are passionate about sharing the incredible views and the incredible joy that come with time spent on the trails.
The Superior Hiking Trail has been in the spotlight this summer with the release of a Star Tribune 6-part series about a hiker/writer and her incredible journey hiking the entire distance of the trail. From the start just south of Duluth to the end at the Canadian Border, she captures the immense beauty, varied terrain, and obstacles this awe-inspiring trail provides. Follow along at the Star Tribune – Feeling Superior page.
Visit the Superior Hiking Trail Association website to learn more about the trail, its history and how this Minnesota non-profit relies on dedicated volunteers. This fall they will be part of a Leave No Trace national campaign to help users learn how to lessen our impact and decrease the damage that can happen to trails with increased usage.
‘Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.’ ~John Muir
We’re very fortunate to be located within the beautiful Superior National Forest here along the North Shore. The United States Forest Service manages the wilderness area, using ecosystem management plus multiple uses solutions, for animals and plants to thrive along with human enjoyment and recreation. One of their ways to help educate and excite people about this incredible area is to offer weekly naturalist programs at different locations in Cook County. We’re lucky enough to have them stop by Bluefin Bay two nights a week during the summer for fun and informative talks.
The Wednesday and Friday evening programs at the Bluefin Bay beach are from 7:30-9: 00 pm and come complete with a bonfire and s’mores!
The North Shore Naturalist Programs run through August 25th and you can view a list of all programs in the area on the Superior National Forest website.
You still have time to enter the Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts 24th Annual Calendar Contest! Don’t miss your chance to win a grand prize of a $1,000 resort gift card or one of twelve $200 gift cards plus a spot in the 2019 calendar.
We know everyone is busy having summer fun and adventures so we’ve decided to extend the entry deadline to July 31st. Again this year our contest covers all three Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts — Bluefin Bay, Surfside and Temperance Landing. We’re looking for photos from all three resorts and our beautiful surrounding area. It’s time to look through your fabulous North Shore photos and enter to win!
Visit the Contest Rules & Deadlines for all the details and instructions on entering. Good Luck!
Memories made together last a lifetime. Here at Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts, we are your North Shore home base for memory-making family vacations. We know it’s a combination of the little moments and the big adventures that make a vacation memorable and extraordinary. Quiet time spent sitting on the beach watching the sunset and skipping rocks is as big a part of your vacation as wilderness canoeing or kayaking on Lake Superior. We offer the location, amenities, and activities for you to experience plenty of big and little moments so you can reconnect as a family.
So, what are you waiting for? Family adventure awaits!
‘We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.’ ~ Winnie The Pooh
The 4th of July is almost upon us and as we celebrate our nation’s independence here on the North Shore we also celebrate all things summer – the Big Lake and its cool breezes, the endless miles of trails to explore by foot or by bicycle, kayak and canoe excursions, golfing, fishing, outdoor dining, bonfires on the beach complete with s’mores, and time spent with friends and family making memories. Plus…