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Waterfall in Tettegouche State Park near Bluefin Bay Resorts
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North Shore Area Attractions

Area Attractions To Entertain & Inspire

Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior is a breathtaking outdoor paradise where the greatest of lakes meets the ancient Sawtooth Mountains. Whether you're seeking carefree relaxation, arts and culture, or an adventure in the forest or on the water, you'll find enough excursions, attractions, and things to do in Tofte, MN to fill a lifetime of vacations with lasting memories. 

A vector map near Bluefin Bay

Interactive attractions map

See a sampling of all that is around our property when you choose to stay with us.

Located just seven miles from Superior National Golf Course, Bluefin Bay is the perfect place to stay on your golf getaway.  Superior National is a 27-hole public resort golf course set between beautiful Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountain Range. This course pairs untamed beauty with unparalleled play.

Sawtooth Outfitters is located just across the road from Bluefin Bay Guest Services. They have clothing as well as any kind of outdoor gear your heart desires. They also offer rental equipment including paddleboards, skis and snowboards. 

You won't have to go far to check out this great shop! Located next to Coho Cafe, Waters Edge has beautiful apparel, jewelry, home goods and more.

Shopping in Grand Marais is a welcome opportunity to browse family-owned shops and galleries, chat with passionate local artisans and discover fine art and one-of-a-kind handcrafted items you won’t find anywhere else.

A great hike along the Caribou River leads to the base of the 40-foot Caribou Falls waterfall, and also provides stunning views of Lake Superior and the Caribou River gorge.

Just before the Canadian border near Grand Portage, MN is the highest waterfall in Minnesota. Take a short 15 minute walk on a nice paved trail/boardwalk up to a couple different vantage points of one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in Minnesota.

The Cascade River in Lutsen, 15 minutes from Bluefin Bay, is a great hike for all ages and is easily accessible. There are several cascading waterfalls along this river. The more adventurous hikers can take the hidden waterfall trail along the river (roughly 2 miles from parking lot) back to an incredible hidden waterfall, just adjacent the Superior Hiking Trail.

Temperance River is truly a Bluefin Bay guest and staff favorite for waterfall viewing because of its beauty and proximity to all three Bluefin Bay Resorts. You can walk to Temperance River State Park from either Temperance Landing or Surfside Resort. The Temperance River carves out a narrow, twisted gorge before it empties into Lake Superior. You can walk around the rim of the gorge and climb down into it. There is parking right along Hwy 61 so it’s an easy stop on the way up or down the shore.

5 minutes north of Bluefin Bay and just off Highway 61 is the Ray Berglund State Scenic Wayside. This short hike features great views of the Onion River as it makes it’s way down the hillside with a series of waterfalls.

Just a few minutes up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, you’ll find the Pincushion Mountain Trailhead. You can’t miss the stunning vista of Lake Superior overlooking the Grand Marais Harbor as you unload and gear up! Not for the faint of heart, Pincushion Mountain’s 7 singletrack trails will give you plenty to improve your riding skills on. Exposed faces of glacial bedrock break up creek bed bridges, rock gardens, and squirrelly switchbacks to produce an endless playground you’ll never forget.

A flowy, fun 14-mile singletrack trail through a maple forest with vistas, stream crossings, jumps, rollers, and big berms. Long climbs are rewarded with fast descents. This point-to-point wilderness trail has only one minor road crossing, so be prepared; bring water, snacks, and tools.

Britton Peak is a system of single-track mountain bike trails including several loops for all skill levels. This is a great spot to start out if you are new to mountain biking.

The Gitchi Gami State Trail is a non-motorized, paved, recreational trail that currently stretches from Temperance River State Park to Lutsen, plus various other sections along the North Shore. The trail is ideal for jogging, walking, roller blading and our favorite, bicycling. The Gitchi Gami State Trail can be accessed directly across Highway 61 from Bluefin Bay Guest Services or Surfside Resort. 

Difficulty: Hard  Distance: 3.5 miles  Lookout Mountain is located within Cascade State Park. This trail is part of the Superior Hiking Trail. A little over three and a half miles, this is one of the more difficult hikes within the park. It’s a gradual incline that rises 600 ft above the lake. This overlook looks out mostly on the backside of the park with a smaller view of the lake. The trail can be a bit muddy and full of tree roots. 

Difficulty: Intermediate Distance: 3 miles This a spectacular hike just north of Lutsen. The Agnes Lake trail head is five miles up the Caribou trail. Park at the Caribou Lake public water access. Expect a steep climb for about .2 miles, after that the trail levels off. The forest is mixed hardwood, with sections of maples and old growth cedars. Once at the lake keep your eye out for beavers, and other wildlife. A good turn around point is the second campsite on the west end of the lake.

Difficulty: Intermediate Distance: 2.2 miles Dyer’s creek is located off Cramer Road just south of Bluefin. This hike meanders through boreal forest and goes to a campsite along the Superior Hiking Trail. A notable feature of the hike an A-frame bridge hand built by a local man.

Difficulty: Hard Distance: 3.1  LeVeaux Mountain is a fun rewarding hike. This hike is one of the original sections the of the Superior Hiking Trail. This hike features two large overlooks at the top of the mountain. Make sure you take a stop at the Onion River to listen to the tranquil flow of these waters. The hike will take you through a rich spruce grove, and then eventually through a section of sugar maples. If you’re looking for fall colors this hike is the hike for you.

Difficultly: Intermediate Distance: 2 miles       This is the most popular hike along the Superior Hiking Trail. It's a great hike to get your legs underneath you, and give you a taste of what this area has to offer. The hike starts with a moderate switchback up to the top of the mountain. Once on top, the trail levels out and gives you seven different overlooks. This hike usually takes 1.5-2 hours depending on your pace and trail conditions.

Difficulty: Hard Distance: 3.6 miles Carlton Peak is one of the more difficult hikes in the area. The trail starts off going through an adler swamp and continues to a slow uphill section of mixed hardwood forest. Carlton Peak is a large piece of anorthosite that was exposed by the last glaciation. There are two panoramic overlooks at the top of the rock that have spectacular views of Lake Superior, and the surrounding forest beyond the shore.

Palisade Head is large rock formation located just north of Silver Bay, MN. More notable for visitors, Palisade Head is an absolutely beautiful scenic overlook. Visitors who make the short, steep drive off Highway 61 rave about its stunning cliff-side views of the Lake Superior shoreline.

Climb and Zipline through the trees at the North Shore Adventure Park in Silver Bay, MN! The North Shore Adventure Park provides family fun for ages 3 and up! The High Ropes Course offers 6 treetop aerial ropes courses with 5 levels of difficulty for ages 7 and up. Ages 3-6 enjoy the Lil' Rascals Playground with creative playground-like obstacles and a fun sit-down zipline This aerial forest adventure is an exhilarating, yet safe experience for all participants. Open May - October.

The Grand Marais Lighthouse and Artists Point is a must see while visiting Grand Marias in the Spring, Summer and Fall. Parking is on a tombolo, which is a piece of land that connects the mainland to an island. In this case, the island is Artist's Point. Once you walk out from the parking area, you can go East toward Artist's Point or West toward the Lighthouse. Artist's Point consists of breathtaking walking trails. The Lighthouse can be accessed via the breakwater, which is a concrete walkway with some rocky sections. The square pyramidal skeleton style lighthouse was built in 1885.

Named one of National Geographic’s “50 Destinations of a Lifetime,” the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) 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 BWCAW. 

Voyageur Brewing Company is a craft beer brewery located in Grand Marais. The brewery features a tap room with a spectacular view of the Grand Marais Harbor with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. 

The North Shore Winery is a favorite stop for many Bluefin Bay guests. The winery offers red, white and rosé wines plus hard ciders. There is a plehtora of indoor and outdoor seating and they often have live music year-round. Check the Bluefin Bay activity calendar as we sometimes offer shuttles for guests at designated times throughout the week. 

Lutsen Mountains is the largest ski resort in the Midwest. Located just eight miles from Bluefin Bay, Lusten Mountains offers the highest mountains, the most snowfall, and a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. In the Spring, Summer and Fall, guests can enjoy the Alpine Slide and Gondola rides to the top of Moose Mountains.

Nestled in a Minnesota State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited spots in the state, with a drama-filled history and breathtaking Lake Superior views. In addition to the lighthouse itself, the state park features a visitor center with a museum store, hiking trails, and historic buildings. 

Learn about the Gunflint Trail’s prehistoric beginnings and people who helped shape today’s unique, rural community, including Native Americans, Voyageurs, miners, loggers, resort owners and current residents. The museum is housed in the historic Chik-Wauk Lodge on beautiful Saganaga Lake on the Gunflint Trail. The center presents the area’s cultural and natural history through interpretive and interactive exhibits.

Travel into the past to discover the present. Explore the partnership of the Grand Portage Ojibwe and the North West Company during the time of the North American fur trade. The national monument features a reconstructed fur trade depot and an Ojibwe Village exhibit. 

Visit the Cook County History Museum, located in Grand Marais. The museum is inside the former lightkeeper's residence, built in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about local history, see exhibits about the military, music and art, maritime history and much more.

Sugarloaf Cove is a 34-acre site located about 10 miles south of Bluefin Bay. Sugarloaf: The North Shore Stewardship Association was created in 1992 to inspire the preservation and restoration of the North Shore’s unique environment. For a $5 parking fee, you can enjoy hiking trails, access to educational programs, and breathtaking views of the cozy Lake Superior cove.
 

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. The best part – the museum is connected to Bluefin Bay via our lakewalk.

The Cross River Heritage Center—known locally as The Heart of Schroeder—was originally built as the Stickney Inn in 1929. There are three floors of historical displays, as well as a travel information center and a gift shop. The gift shop at the Cross River Heritage Center is a a beautiful place to find regional artwork, including gifts created by local artists.

Experience why Bluefin Bay has been named Minnesota’s most romantic and renowned North Shore resort. Choose from a variety of spectacular seaside accommodations with upscale amenities. View Our Property Map

Relax and renew at our newest waterfront retreat with coastal contemporary townhomes and romantic suites. Enjoy spacious, modern accommodations with luxurious amenities. View Our Property Map

Escape to distinctive log home luxury on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Perfect for groups looking to connect and families looking to re-discover how precious spending time together can be. View Our Property Map

Superior National Golf Course
near Bluefin Bay Attraction

Superior National Golf Course

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Sawtooth Outfitters near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Shopping

Sawtooth Outfitters

0.2 mi away
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Exterior view of WatersEdge near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Shopping

WatersEdge

0.4 mi away
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Grand Marais Harbour near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Shopping

Grand Marais

27 mi away
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Caribou Falls near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Waterfalls

Caribou Falls

15.3 mi away
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High Falls at Grand Portage State Park near Bluefin Bay Waterfalls

High Falls

67.7 mi away
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Fall Scenery in Cascade River State Park near Bluefin Bay Waterfalls

Cascade River State Park

18.3 mi away
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Temperance River State Park near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Waterfalls

Temperance River State Park

2.2 mi away
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Low-angle shot of Onion River near Bluefin Bay Waterfalls

Onion River

4.0 mi away
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Pincushion Mountain near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Biking

Pincushion Mountain

29.1 mi away
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Mountain bike parked on a forest road near Bluefin Bay Biking

Jackpot & High Climber

9.7 mi away
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Cyclist riding a bike along a forest road near Bluefin Bay Biking

Britton Peak

2.8 mi away
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People riding bicycles on a track near Bluefin Bay Biking

Gitchi Gami State Trail

0.4 mi away
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A family sitting on a cliff near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Hiking

Lookout Mountain

18.3 mi away
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Landscape view of Agnes Lake near Bluefin Bay Hiking

Agnes Lake

12.1 mi away
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Dyer's Creek wooden sign boards in the forest near Bluefin Bay Hiking

Dyer's Creek

6.7 mi away
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Aerial view of LeVeaux Mountain range near Bluefin Bay Hiking

LeVeaux Mountain

7.8 mi away
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Oberg Mountain range near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Hiking

Oberg Mountain

7.8 mi away
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Carlton Peak near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Hiking

Carlton Peak

12.7 mi away
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Aerial view of Palisade Head near Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts Attraction

Palisade Head

25.4 mi away
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Kids engaged in a high-wire course near Bluefin Bay Attraction

North Shore Adventure Park

28.2 mi away
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Grand Marais Lighthouse & Artists Point near Bluefin Bay Attraction

Grand Marais Lighthouse & Artists Point

27.2 mi away
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Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near Bluefin Bay Attraction

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

23.0 mi away
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A bottle & can in Voyageur Brewing Co. outdoors, Bluefin Bay Attraction

Voyageur Brewing Co.

26.9 mi away
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North Shore Winery sign board near Bluefin Bay in winter Attraction

North Shore Winery

8.2 mi away
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People skiing in Lutsen Mountains near Bluefin Bay Attraction

Lutsen Mountains

9.5 mi away
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Distant view of Split Rock Lighthouse near Bluefin Bay Historical

Split Rock Lighthouse

36.8 mi away
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Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center near Bluefin Bay Historical

Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center

80.6 mi away
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Grand Portage National Monument near Bluefin Bay Historical

Grand Portage National Monument

62 mi away
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Cook County Historical Museum near Bluefin Bay Historical

Cook County Historical Museum

27.1 mi away
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Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center near Bluefin Bay Historical

Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center

9.3 mi away
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North Shore Fishing Museum near Bluefin Bay Historical

North Shore Fishing Museum

0.3 mi away
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Cross River Heritage Museum near Bluefin Bay Historical

Cross River Heritage Museum

3.7 mi away
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