Grand Marais, Minnesota Is One Of The Best Small Towns In America
By Trent Jonas|Published May 09, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
When I first visited Grand Marais, I could hardly believe it was in Minnesota, let alone the Upper Midwest. It looks more like a New England fishing village than a Midwestern county seat.
This charming town, backed by Pincushion Mountain, wraps around a natural harbor on Lake Superior. Its setting was a magnet for creative types, and it was home to an artist’s colony before it became the year-round tourist destination that it is today.
But tourism also brought opportunity, and today, Grand Marais is home to many thriving businesses beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Java Moose, for example, opened as a seasonal coffee stand next to the venerable Lake Superior Trading Post more than 30 years ago. Now it’s a year-round, line-out-the-door coffee shop.
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Shook - a stand that serves up sublime smoothies and delicious açaí bowls - is one of my favorite new Grand Marais businesses, and I hope it enjoys the same kind of success its next door neighbor has!
Go to one of the old-school spots like Blue Water Cafe or South of the Border Cafe for a hearty breakfast and to catch up on all the happenings in town.
Grand Marais is a fascinating mix of old and new. North House Folk School, for example, which has grown from a small building to a sprawling harbor front campus, teaches crafts that range from candle making to boat building.
Among the anglers’ customers is The Fisherman’s Daughter, where, thanks to the local fishing boats, you can order up some of the freshest fish in the state.
The town’s shopping district is anchored by the stalwart Joyne’s Department Store, a Ben Franklin that has served the town for decades and continues to stock a range of products that exhibits the diversity of its customers, who range from local residents and visiting families to Boundary Waters paddlers and Superior Hiking Trail thru-hikers.
A constellation of other boutiques and shops complement Joyne’s offerings. Like Gunflint Mercantile, which is my go-to spot for satisfying my sweet tooth when I’m in town. Its fudge is amazing!
Angry Trout Cafe, an institution in town and probably the most scenic eatery in the state, makes incredible use of the natural setting that attracts folks to the area.
And ultimately, that’s the reason that I, and so many others, love this little town: the combination of people and place. It’s directly on Lake Superior, and it’s a jumping off point for the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters, and the Gunflint Trail - which has become a destination unto itself.
Moreover, the town and its residents embrace and celebrate its setting. Their enthusiasm for Grand Marais and Cook County is inviting and infectious.
And it only underscores why Grand Marais is one of the best small towns in Minnesota – and America.
What do you think? Do you agree that Grand Marais is one of the best small towns out there? Is there another town you would have added to Travel + Leisure’s list? Let us know in the comments!
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