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Northshore Honeymoon Help!

Minneapolis...
2 posts
Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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Hey everyone,

My fiance and I are getting married this coming July.

We'll be taking a week-long honeymoon up the Northshore.

I have a few questions about planning the experience:

First, we'll stay at Bluefin Bay. How long should we plan to stay? (7 days total, a few of which will be spent in Duluth proper to shop, etc)

We'd like to kayak, swim, and hike. No camping for us -- we'll take beds and showers, thank you! :)

Second, we'll spend the last day or two in Duluth. I want to take her sailing/ swimming/ etc and get some shopping and walking in.

Any suggestions for unique/ fun things to do in Duluth? I want to avoid the mall and find the little nooks and crannies to explore.

Thanks for your advice!

Minneapolis...
Destination Expert
for Minneapolis, Minnesota
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1,950 posts
238 reviews
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1. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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What a great place to spend a honeymoon, good call! I think 3-4 days on the northshore should be sufficient to see it all.

Are you firm with Bluefin Bay? I ask because I'd suggest Grand Marais. Even better, if you can book Sweetgrass Cove, that's my #1 secret spot up there. We just spent 2 days in heaven there. Right on the shore so you can launch a canoe/kayak there. It is up by Grand Portage... but then I would spend 1 whole day heading from Duluth to GM, 2-3 days at SGC, then 1 whole day heading back down to Duluth. 2 days in Duluth should suffice... Of course the state parks are the jewels of the north shore, along with the Gunflint Trail.

Duluth is a fun town, of course check out Canal Park and the lake path. Skyline Parkway and 7 Bridges Road are gorgeous. I enjoyed the extended tour of Glensheen Mansion. Beaners Central and Pizza Luce have great local music. And Jay Cooke State Park is breaktaking for hiking and biking.

Swimming of course will depend on the temperatures. And I'm sure you're aware the bugs can be pretty bad that time of year also?

Minneapolis...
2 posts
2. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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Thanks for the fast response!

We are not firm on Bluefin Bay. It was choosen because it was an hour less to drive than to Sweetgrass Cove (coming from Minneapolis).

Swimming should be great -- we're hoping to wade into some waterfalls, etc. And yes, we are all too familiar with the mosquitoes of the northwoods :)

Is SGC worth the extra hour drive? If so, why? What sets it apart from Bluefin?

Dallas, Texas
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58 reviews
65 helpful votes
3. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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33 years a bit ago we Honeymooned up there. Stayed at Lutsen in the old lodge on the lake shore. We also spent a night in Thunder Bay, to go see Kakabeka Falls (the Niagara of the North) but that was back before passports were required to get into Canada. Lutsen was very cozy and romantic and in June was not busy. Bluefin Bay probably much the same even in July.

In Duluth check out Enger Park and Tower with trails in the gardens. Great place for a picnic lunch.

http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth-engerpark.html

Hanging out around the Lift Bridge area can be fun in the late morning with charter fishing boats come back in from morning charters. Especially on Saturdays.

http://www.superiortrails.com/duluth_lake-2.html

Burnsville, MN
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539 posts
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
4. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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I think Bluefin Bay is a great idea for your honeymoon; the majority of your nights there, finishing up with a couple in Duluth. You mentioned that you like to swim, and Bluefin has a great outdoor heated pool. Sweetgrass sounds more like a spa/sauna retreat, and doesn't have a swimming pool. Also, Tofte is just a little beyond the midpoint between Duluth and Grand Portage so if you want to drive around more, that's your choice. You're not forced into driving more due to where you're staying.

Duluth, Minnesota
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468 posts
104 reviews
155 helpful votes
5. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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While in Duluth, there are some pretty walking/hiking trails at Lester Park (on east end of Duluth, just before you drive onto old Highway/scenic Hwy 61. And you can get some of your swimming holes in, waterfalls and all, along those Lester Park trails. Great breakfast spot -- Chester Creek Cafe (aka "At Sara's Table"). Enjoy exploring the little shops on Canal Park. Have a margarita on Little Angie's deck people-watching on Canal Park. Rent bikes and go along the Lakewalk which will be extended from Canal Park all the way out to Lester Park by the end of this Fall!

Woodbury, Minnesota
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399 posts
37 reviews
26 helpful votes
6. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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Tour The William

http://www.decc.org/omnimax-irvin/william-a-irvin.html

Take a dinner cruise on Lake Superior

http://vistafleet.com/dining-cruises/

Take a train ride!

http://www.northshorescenicrailroad.org/Home/Home.asp

Davie, Florida
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11,187 posts
2 reviews
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7. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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i seem to remember some amethyst mines up around thunder bay but that was a long time ago.

Chicago, Illinois
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8. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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I would like to suggest a romantic dinner place in Duluth. http://www.jjastorrestaurant.com is a revolving restaurant on the top floor of the Radisson. There is no better view of the city and the lake and the atmosphere is amazing.

Saint Cloud...
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9. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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Kakabeka Falls and the amethyst mines are both fabulous (as is Fort William) in Thunder Bay, but it doesn't sound like you want to put on that many miles. Do get up to Temperance River State Park. The gorges are lovely, as is a tram/gondola ride up to Moose Mountain at Lutsen. You can have a drink or lunch at the chalet overlooking the mountains and the lake.

I second the Chester Creek Cafe/At Sara's Table. It's a wonderful cafe. Hell's Kitchen in Duluth is another one we like (although they may not be serving breakfast there :( ) and the Coho Cafe for breakfast in Tofte.

If you're looking for some casual but swank dining, there's the Scenic Cafe or Nokomis. If they're serving their assortment of homemade ice cream at Nokomis, get it! Or grab a hand-dipped ice cream bar at Great Lakes Candy Company in Knife River. (http://10000likes.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-chocolate-cravings.html).

Sounds like a heavenly honeymoon--way to go!!

Lisa

Duluth, Minnesota
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468 posts
104 reviews
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10. Re: Northshore Honeymoon Help!
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Hell's Kitchen (renamed Hell's Burgers) actually recently just closed. Scenic Cafe is one of our all-time favorites and Ledge Rock Grille, both between Duluth and Two Harbors.

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