For generations, we have been a welcoming destination for friends near and far looking to get away. That will never change. However, due to COVID-19 regulations, there are a few things you’ll want to know to prepare for your upcoming visit. 

 

Topics: Spring, Summer, Outdoors, BWCAW, Lake Superior

Tell Us A Story - Surviving social distancing through storytelling and imagery 

During this time of social distancing and isolation, let's join together to share stories of your favorite times in Cook County. Tell us a story about the time you encountered a moose on the Gunflint Trail, or when you taught your kid how to skip rocks in the Grand Marais harbor. Tell us about that time you learned to ski at Lutsen Mountains or about how all of your senses were heightened the first time you felt the raw power of nature crash down High Falls in Grand Portage. 

Topics: Spring, Outdoors, Northern Lights & Night Sky, BWCAW

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

 

In 2018, we started 

Topics: Spring

Cook County Minnesota is the ultimate training ground for any outdoor fitness enthusiast at all levels. The varied terrain, limited traffic, and spectacular scenery make working out a reward not only for the body but also the mind. 

There are at least a bazillion, with a B, great resources on the internet for planning the perfect training schedule. However, after viewing several great blogs and websites on cycling and running, I was quickly completely overwhelmed with too much information. Ultimately,  I found clarity in going back to basics.

Topics: Events, Spring, Summer

 

Similar to peak fall colors, the exact peak of waterfall flowage can be difficult to predict. However, the lake and rivers break-up every spring after several days of warm weather and can last at peak flow for several weeks. We're checking in at some of our favorite waterfalls this spring to check-in on their spring breakup status. 

 

Topics: Spring

Spring! The Perfect Training Ground

Spring. Spring is here. Spring into action! Maybe those of us who are gluttons for self-induced physical punishment are a rare breed, but that doesn’t mean we can’t all go on vacation together! Some of us feel best when we’ve had a chance to tackle an ambitious workout to burn off the craziness, the overbooked, the overworked, the constantly spinning minds and lives so many of us lead. When it’s over, we can finally kick back and enjoy relaxing for the remainder of our day. A week-long family vacation need not derail one’s event training schedule since many routes start right from your lodging back door. Grab a few friends for a midweek day of hooky and check out the ever-growing systems of single track trail or an hours-long mud and gravel grind that ends with the winner enjoying a friendly wagered beer from the other finishers! Or surprise your honey with a weekend getaway for hiking or cruising the gentle paved path on the Gitchi Gami State bike trail along Lake Superior. Or race that sweetheart on a Superior Hiking Trail run!

Topics: Spring, Summer, Outdoors

Sweetwater season. March and April are known as the sweetest times of the year, when the days grow long and the sap starts flowing. The air is thick with the smell of maple syrup. 

This story is shared with us by our administrative manager, Molly O'Neill. Photos by the other resident syruper at Visit Cook County - Kjersti Vick, marketing manager.

Topics: Spring, Outdoors

Talking Tourism with Linda Jurek - Hygge and the DMO Life

I love traveling.  It doesn’t matter if I’m driving a local backroad that I’ve never encountered before or if I’m in Duluth waiting for my plane to taxi down the runway and take me away.  I’m writing this blog from Chicago’s O’Hara.  I just eavesdropped on an entire conversation of a young couple and a dad returning from a ski trip to the Canadian Rockies.  Oh how I wanted to tell them to go to Lutsen.  : )

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Lodging, Scenic Drives, Services, Shopping, Spring, Summer, Winter, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, News, Outdoors