Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Greyhound
(
218-722-5591; 4426 Grand Ave)
has a couple of buses daily to Minneapolis
(three hours).
SCENIC DRIVE: HIGHWAY 61
Hwy 61 conjures a headful of images. Local boy Bob Dylan mythologized it in his
angry 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited. It's the fabled 'Blues Hwy' clasping the
Mississippi River en route to New Orleans. And in northern Minnesota it evokes
red-tinged cliffs and forested beaches as it follows Lake Superior's shoreline.
But let's back up and get a few things straight. The Blues Hwy is actually US 61,
and it starts just north of the Twin Cities. Hwy 61 is a state scenic road, and it starts
in Duluth. To confuse matters more, there are two 61s between Duluth and Two
Harbors: a four-lane expressway and a two-lane 'Old Hwy 61' (also called North
Shore Scenic Drive, which morphs from London Rd in Duluth). Whatever the name,
take it. After Two Harbors, it's one wondrous strip of pavement all the way to the
Canadian border. For more information, check the North Shore Scenic Drive at
North Shore
Hwy 61 is the main vein through the North Shore. It edges Lake Superior and passes nu-
merous state parks, waterfalls, hiking trails and mom-and-pop towns en route to Canada.
Lots of weekend, summer and fall traffic makes reservations essential.
ally, the latter two are one and the same; the
Lighthouse B&B
( 888-832-5606;
www.lighthousebb.org
;
r incl breakfast $135-155)
is a unique place to spend the night if you
sandwiches $5-9; 7am-9pm, reduced hours Oct-May)
has a five-layer chocolate tinful
among its rackful of wares.
Route highlights north of Two Harbors are Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse
and Palisade Head. About 110 miles from Duluth, artsy little
Grand Marais
(
www.grandmarais.com
)
makes an excellent base for exploring the Boundary Waters and
environs. For Boundary permits and information, visit the
Gunflint Ranger Station
(
218-387-1750; 8am-4:30pm May-Sep)
, just south of town.
Do-it-yourself enthusiasts can learn to build boats, tie flies or brew beer at the
North
House Folk School
(
218-387-9762;
www.northhouse.org
; 500 Hwy 61)
. The course list is
