Hiking
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Tennis
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Golf
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Biking
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Canoeing / Kayaking
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Fishing
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Rock Picking
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Sightseeing
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Alpine Skiing / Snowboarding
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XC Skiing
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Snowmobiling
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The Arts
One of our biggest loves includes the
Superior Hiking Trail. Since 2002, Lee had been working on completing the “original” 200 plus mile trail system with her sister, Jan from the Twin Cities. On September 9, 2015, Lee and Jan completed their last segment from Split Rock to Beaver Bay with a twist. Backpacking the 11.3 miles with a one night stay mid section, was a new experience. It has been a true blessing to spend this time together hiking such a unique trail system in our own back yard. Scott on the other hand has run a major portion of the trail. He has participated in a few of the Superior Hiking Trail races. He has completed a couple Moose Mountain Marathons and 50 milers. So, if you want to know where to hike and what our favorites are just ask. Shuttle service is available at a nominal fee to those hikers who would like to hike point to point.
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Another passion lies with tennis. The Cook County Public Tennis Courts are located in Grand Marais by the High School. There are 5 beautiful courts including 3 with lights. The Cook County Tennis Association provides drop in tennis and POP tennis opportunities along with the Fisherman’s Picnic Tournament held the first weekend in August. Visit their website at
www.facebook.com/groups/cookcountytennisassociation.
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We do love to golf. If you golf, pack your clubs and come play the championship 27-hole
Superior National Golf Course . Ask us about our stay and play partnership with Superior National at Lutsen. The 9 hole canyon and river courses have been newly renovated, while mountain continues to offer another challenging 9 holes. Spectacular views of Lake Superior and the Poplar River will take your breath away. Ten miles from us up the Gunflint Trail is the 9 hole course at Gunflint Hills. Another course to test your skills to keep the ball out of the woods.
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The Gitchi-Gami State Trail system is a non-motorized paved recreational trail system that when completed will span 88 miles between Two Harbors and Grand Marais. At present there is over 25 miles of riding or walking pleasure. Visit their website to stay up to date on trail progress at
www.ggta.org/trail.php. A few sections of scenic highway 61 have double wide shoulders that allow a more comfortable riding experience while enjoying a view of Lake Superior. Recently we have been bitten by the gravel and mountain biking bug. We have thoroughly enjoyed exploring the gravel roads, forest service roads and trails in our area. There are a number of biking events in our area from Spring to Winter. Over Memorial weekend, the Le Grand du Nord takes place with a 50 and 100 mile gravel race beginning and ending in Grand Marais. In late June, the “Lutsen 99er” is a mountain bike race that has exploded with participation. The race has 4 distances (19, 39, 69 and 99 miles). This can be a family event because the day after the race, your kids can ride in the "micro niner" race. If you are up for a winter fat tire riding race, come join us for the Fat Tire Classic held on the Norpine Trail system the first weekend in January. Bottom line, don't forget to bring your bike when you head to the north shore. We have loads of biking fun for all.
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Prior to our move to become Innkeepers, our summer vacations included annual trips to the BWCA or the Quetico Provincial Park. We have fond memories of numerous routes in either park that we enjoy sharing or we would love to hear what our guests have to say about the trips they have or will be taking as they pass through. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Park offer miles of the best canoeing wilderness in the world. Kayaking on Lake Superior or one of the many inland lakes is an experience neither of us has yet to enjoy. This is definitely on the “to do list”.
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While staying at Thomsonite Beach Inn, you will see many commercial and private fishing boats from our shoreline. Charter fishing on Lake Superior includes fishing for salmon and trout. Guided inland fishing is available and catches include walleye, lake trout, pike and bass with the assistance of a local guide. If you have your own boat, Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes, so take your pick while here in Cook County.
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Many guests are attracted to our Inn because of the Thomsonite gemstone that is located on our property. Thomsonite is embedded in a section of Lake Superior that is 5-7 miles long and our property is about in the middle. To preserve our beautiful Thomsonite embedded shoreline, we do not allow rock picking. We will offer suggestions on alternative locations to hunt for Thomsonite as well as the Agate. We do have an impressive selection of Thomsonite gemstones and gold/silver Thomsonite jewelry in our gift shop.
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Visit nearby Grand Marais with its harbor and marina, or take in local playhouse events, art galleries, shopping, and museums. Enjoy the Cascade and Temperance Rivers, Gooseberry Falls, Grand Portage, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, and other state parks and historical sites. Lutsen Mountains offers an alpine slide or gondola ride in the summer time for some spectacular views and family fun.
The fall colors on the North Shore are amazing. It can be another opportunity to take a hike on the Superior Hiking Trail, visit the various State Parks while there are many suggested routes to experience. A few of our favorite spots to explore include Oberg Mountain, White Sky Rock, Lookout Mountain and Lake Agnes. We often suggest a road trip to Wild Country Maple Syrup or along the Caribou and Honeymoon Trails across to the Sawbill Trail as a must.
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Lee basically grew up skiing at the Lutsen Ski area. So, downhill skiing is a long time passion of hers. Lee takes the opportunity to hit the slopes when she can so she can provide accurate snow conditions to the winter guests. She loves this part of her job at Thomsonite. Now known as Lutsen Mountains, it offers the highest peaks (1,000+ feet of vertical), longest runs (2 miles) and most skiable space (1,000 acres) of any downhill skiing/snowboarding resort in the Midwest. Lutsen Mountains is located 13 miles south of Thomsonite Beach. Carve your turns on a wide variety of terrain, while taking in the spectacular view of Lake Superior. The four mountains offer a different challenge for all abilities of skiers or boarders. Check our specials section for current ski packages.
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Cook County has the largest cross country ski trail system in North America. Scott loves to take advantage of skiing what he can of the 400 km of beautifully groomed Nordic trails. There are numerous trails for all levels of skiers. XC skiers can take part in the Volks ski challenge at www.volkski.com as part of their North Shore winter experience.
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Here is another winter activity that many visitors flood to the North Shore to feel the thrill as they ride along some of the Midwest’s most breathtaking and mountainous backcountry terrain. Thomsonite Beach is located four to six miles from the closest snowmobile trail access points. Visit
www.visitcookcounty.com/snow/trailconditions.php for the most up to date trail information.
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The
North House Folk School is about celebrating traditional Northern crafts and the joy of learning. Classes include the fiber arts, wood carving, timber framing, boat building and basketry to name a few. The North House also supports various annual events and themed weekends throughout the year such as: The Winters Gathering and Arctic Film Festival, The Wooden Boat Show and Unplugged Music Festival. Check out the link noted to see what might be a reason for you to visit the North Shore and take a class at the North House. As a bonus, all students attending North House classes will receive a 10 % discount on lodging at Thomsonite.
The Grand Marais Art Colony provides hands-on art classes for beginners to professionals, independent studio access for artists, events and exhibits in the visual arts, ceramics, printmaking, glass and more. Visit
www.grandmaraisartcolony.org to see upcoming classes or events to nurture your creativity on your next North Shore getaway.
The
Arrowhead Center for the Arts celebrates and promotes the arts, artists, and the uniquely creative culture of Minnesota's North Shore and Arrowhead regions. The Arrowhead Center for the Arts is a managed by the school and is located in Grand Marais. The Center serves the community and visitors with theatre , music , and an diverse selection of year-round cultural events.
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