Understand
Grand Marais is a small village built along the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Grand Marais is situated on a doubled-harbor stone outcropping of the shoreline. It is 110 miles 177 km northeast of Duluth and 40 miles 64 km southwest of the Canadian border along Highway 61, an All-American road and national Scenic Byway. Fully half of the full-time residents of Cook County, Minnesota live in Grand Marais - that's about 1,300 people.
"Grand Marais" is from the French: "big swamp," to distinguish it from the town of Little Marais, which is about 60 miles 96 km down the road and apparently was built on a smaller swamp. This is apparently boosterism run amok, "You think you have it bad, we have it worse!" Never fear, the town is no longer swampy.
Grand Marais offers a great deal to multiple kinds of visitors. Whether you are interested in getting into the outdoors, shopping while your husband fishes or getting a great bite to eat, there is a lot to be had in this small town.
Please keep in mind that many restaurants and shops are only open seasonally. Call ahead or you may be disappointed.
