Cook County Blog

The annual Minnesota Walleye Fishing opener is on Saturday, May 14, 2022! This long and snowy winter is sure to supercharge spring walleye activity. However, due to a late ice-out, and in some cases still ice on the lake, it will be important to be cautious this fishing opener. 

 

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Summer, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

Enjoy the fine art of Hygge at its finest. Through the month of February, you can cozy up by a roaring fire with your nearest and dearest at some of the most spectacular fireplaces in the region. Take the Cook County Fireplace Tour this February and discover the best winter vacations.

 

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

For the third year in a row, Visit Cook County has asked local business owners and managers to nominate staff members who exemplify extraordinary hospitality service within their organizations.   

Typically this award is announced during the annual Fall Gala celebration that Visit Cook County co-hosts with the Cook County Chamber. Unfortunately, the 2021 annual Fall Gala that was scheduled to occur on October 30 at Grand Portage Lodge and Casino was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.  However, it was overwhelmingly agreed that it was important to continue the recognition of the individuals who work so hard to keep our local economy moving forward. Great service creates guest loyalty, something that is clearly the case in Cook County. 

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

UPDATED Saturday, October 2nd, 2021

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Summer, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

Grand Marais, MN is much-loved by community members and visitors alike. Nestled between the Sawtooth Mountains and the iconic harbor, the town’s natural assets have withstood the test of time.  However, like many towns across the U.S., Grand Marais’ infrastructure is aging and in need of major improvements. What many of our visitors might not realize is that this much-needed road reconstruction and downtown improvement project also includes the cleanup of a large area of soil contamination from petroleum. 

Topics: Grand Marais, Scenic Drives, Summer

Typically each autumn, Visit Cook County and the Cook County Chamber host an annual Fall Gala Celebration.  This year due to covid-19, the annual celebration was cancelled.  The celebration, which celebrates the end of a busy summer season, certainly was missed this year. Over 200 of our business and community friends typically join together for a night of celebration and recognition of achievements. However, Visit Cook County feels strongly about recognizing our hospitality employees and  did not want to forego the Heart of Hospitality Awards. In 2019, Visit Cook County launched the new award. Nominations  are accepted from each tourism community: : Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Grand Portage and Lutsen/Tofte/Schroeder. 

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

The perfect winter adventure awaits you in Cook County, where in one place, you can find the largest cross-country skiing network in North America, 450 miles of impeccably groomed snowmobile trails, and the rugged Sawtooth Mountains rising above Lake Superior offering alpine skiing and snowboarding at the Midwest’s largest ski resort, Lutsen Mountains. 

Topics: Grand Marais, Winter, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

Beware the Gales of November

Fall is a tumultuous time of year along Minnesota’s North Shore. We’re battered by huge, icy swells that pommel our shoreline. Every day is a gamble. Will the Gales of November make it impossible to take to the water? Or will the lake be still as a sheet of glass? Every year, Lake Superior sees about 30 inches of precipitation, most of which falls May through October. Over the years, we’ve had some truly incredible storms pass through the region, wreaking havoc, sinking ships and making the news.

The Minnesota Sea Grant has conducted extensive research into why, exactly, so many epic storms develop around Lake Superior. It all has to do with climate, and what is going on in the air above the big lake. The experts explain that “collisions between belts of low and high pressure from the Gulf of Mexico and Canada generate the region's wildest storms and blizzards.”

During November, the winds really start to pick up. This is caused by low-pressure systems passing over the lake, bringing on the Gales of November. During this time, wind speeds can easily reach 50 miles per hour, and gusts can exceed 100 mph. In Cook County, this natural phenomenon is a cause to celebrate.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

Not only is Cook County MN drop dead beautiful, but it happens to be home to many delicious drive-worthy food destinations. On Fridays for the month of May, we are featuring a unique foodie pairing experience only found in Cook County.  Please tune in weekly to see the latest #FoodieFridays pairing.

Topics: Grand Marais, Summer, foodie

In honor of this wonderful season, we’ve compiled a list of 19 awesome springtime adventures you won’t want to miss.

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Scenic Drives, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW, Lake Superior