5 KID-FRIENDLY SUMMER ACTIVITIES
July 12th, 2021
There is almost nowhere more beautiful than Minnesota’s North Shore, especially in the summer. If you are looking to book a summer getaway in Northern Minnesota with kids, look no further than the North Shore! There is an assortment of activities that the whole family can enjoy, including visiting museums, hiking, shopping, and much more. The team at Cascade Lodge has compiled a list of our favorite North Shore kid-friendly activities. Check them out below and start planning your North Shore adventure today!
1. Hike Cascade River State Park
While staying on the North Shore, you must visit Cascade River State Park. The Cascade River Falls Trail is a half-mile loop, making it the perfect mini-hike that’s ideal for families. Some highlights of this year-round trail include cascades and waterfalls, tiny wildflowers, and its convenient location on-site at Cascade Lodge.
2. Stop for a Yummy Treat with a View
A trip to Duluth is incomplete without a stop at The PortLand Malt Shoppe. It’s an old-fashioned ice cream shop in a beautiful building with a walk-up window only. They offer malts, shakes, cones, sundaes, and more. Once you grab your treat, you can walk a few steps away and enjoy it while overlooking Lake Superior. Sydney’s Frozen Custard in Grand Marais is a nice alternative!
3. See Lake Superior from Above
When visiting the North Shore with kids, we recommend starting your day off with a visit to Enger Tower (located within Enger Park). Enger Tower stands at an elevation of 531 feet above Lake Superior, providing panoramic views of Lake Superior and Duluth’s west end. After strolling around the beautifully landscaped gardens of the park, be sure to climb the many staircases of the historic Enger Tower. If you’d rather obtain a bird’s-eye view of Lake Superior the old-fashioned way, hike to the top of Oberg Mountain, located only a short distance from Cascade Lodge.
4. Get a Thrill at Spirit Mountain Adventure Park
Open seasonally during the warmer months, kids will be excited to visit Spirit Mountain Adventure Park. With kid-friendly attractions, such as an alpine coaster, zipline, mini-golf, disc golf, and scenic chair-lift rides, there is enough adrenaline here for your whole family of thrill-seekers. Spirit Mountain also offers hiking and mountain biking, so be sure to plan ahead if adding this to your list of things to do in Duluth with kids!
5. Experience Everything that Canal Park Has to Offer
Located directly in the harbor of Lake Superior, Canal Park is the cornerstone of any family getaway to the city of Duluth. Canal Park is the conversion of an old warehouse district into a variety of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and indoor and outdoor cafes. Other fun-filled attractions include the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and the Great Lakes Aquarium. Muchlike Canal Park, Grand Marais’s shopping district is a high-quality shopping alternative!
Luxurious Lutsen Accommodations for the Whole Family
After a day exploring the North Shore with the kids, relax and unwind in your elegant lodgings at Cascade Lodge. Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city is easy in one of our accommodation options, which include guest rooms in the Main Lodge, comfy cabins, and luxurious homes. Located between Grand Marais and Lutsen inside Cascade River State Park, our property is quite literally steps away from seemingly endless outdoor recreation in the adjacent state park, including hiking, mountain biking, birding, and more.
To book an unforgettable family vacation in the North Shore with Cascade Lodge, please check availability online or give us a call today at 218-387-1112.