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

There will be NO FIREPLACE TOUR in 2021 due to COVID-19

 

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

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, Services, 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: Insider, Grand Marais, Spring, 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, Services, Spring, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW, Lake Superior

Spring is in the air, and it is time to plan a getaway. Whether you’re looking to escape the confines of your everyday life for a few days or even a week, planning can come with a tinge of sadness when it means leaving your four-legged family members behind. Finding a dog sitter or taking family and friends up on offers to keep your dog company while you’re away is all well and good, but up in Cook County, Minnesota, we say bring your fur-babies, too… the more, the merrier!

With so many dog-friendly activities and a wealth of lodging options that welcome canine family members and pet-loving locals everywhere you turn, Cook County is a fun destination on two legs and four.

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

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Winter, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder

5 reasons why you must go cross country skiing this winter

There are several reasons cross country skiing is an excellent winter activity, most notably it gets you outside in the winter. But also, cross country skiing is very versatile, you can do it anywhere there is snow and it is a fantastic cardio workout that can burn up to 500 calories in one hour. What is not to love about that? Here are our top five reasons you should try cross country skiing this winter.

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

Happy anniversary to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (commonly known as the BWCAW/BWCA)! On October 21, 1978 President Jimmy Carter signed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act into law, amending the national Wilderness Act of 1964.

While the 1964 National Wilderness Act included the BWCAW in the National Wilderness Preservation System, the new Act signed in 1978, set the course leading to the wilderness as it is known today. Each year, over 150,000 visitors travel from around the globe to explore the pristine waters that are home to moose, wolves, bears and more.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW