Lodging and things to do in the North Shore’s biggest small town
Two Harbors is the first real town on the North Shore heading north from Duluth, about 27 miles up Highway 61, and it is the practical basecamp for the lower shore. It grew up around the ore docks on Agate Bay, and thousand-foot lakers still load taconite there today.
You get groceries, restaurants, a brewery and a hospital along with the lakefront — which is why a lot of visitors stay here and day-trip north to the state parks. Gooseberry Falls is 13 miles up the road, Split Rock Lighthouse 20.
Minnesota’s oldest working lighthouse, the breakwater, and a front-row view of ore boats loading at Agate Bay.
Pebble beach, a lakeside campground and the start of the Sonju Trail walk along the water toward town.
Betty’s Pies north of town is an institution, Castle Danger Brewery pours in a lakeside taproom, and there are solid breakfast and supper-club options downtown.
The paved shoreline trail runs north from town toward Gooseberry Falls — the easiest bike ride on the shore.
Gooseberry Falls 13 mi, Split Rock Lighthouse 20 mi, Palisade Head 40 mi, Duluth 27 mi south. Everything on the lower shore is inside an hour.
Superior Shores Resort on the waterfront for families and groups; The Harbors for luxury villas, A-frames and lakeside domes.
Two Harbors has Minnesota's oldest working lighthouse and the Agate Bay ore docks, the Burlington Bay pebble beach and campground, the Gitchi-Gami trailhead, and a real downtown with restaurants, a brewery and groceries. It's the practical basecamp for the lower North Shore.
About 27 miles northeast on Highway 61 — roughly a 30-minute drive.
Superior Shores Resort is the full-service lakefront option for families and groups, with pools, dining and event space on the waterfront. The Harbors offers luxury villas, A-Frames and lakeside domes with private hot tubs a few minutes from town.
About 13 miles northeast on Highway 61, roughly 15 minutes. Split Rock Lighthouse is 20 miles, and Palisade Head is about 40.
