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, Summer, Winter, Grand Portage, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

The pristine waters. The dramatic, glacially-carved landscape. The seemingly unending wilderness. A trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) is a chance to set technology aside and spend days on end out in the elements. Maybe you’ve been wanting to take your family camping in the BWCAW for years but haven’t taken the leap quite yet. Maybe you’re a seasoned BWCAW veteran thinking about taking your little ones in for the first time. Maybe you fall somewhere in-between.

No matter your experience level, a trip into the BWCAW will challenge your family to slow down, work together and to enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. This is the year you transform your family into a Boundary Waters family.

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

Our Top 5 Fun Summer Activities

Although we love Cook County all year round, there’s something inherently special about summer up north. Its sunny and warm (but not too warm, thanks Lake Superior!). It’s peaceful, but there are lots of things to do. We have hundreds of thousands of visitors in Cook County every summer, but somehow, there’s room for everyone to breathe. Everyone can do their own thing and find fun summer activities to experience and enjoy.

Topics: Events, Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

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, 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: Summer

Swimming Hot Spots

It’s getting to be that time of year! The best place to cool off from the summer heat is the water. This post will tell you the swimming hot spots around Cook County.

Topics: Summer, Kids & Family, Outdoors

Summer is finally here and we’re so excited to get out on the water. With the heat rising, it’s important to find ways to stay cool while you’re out having fun. And you’re in luck: Cook County actually boasts more water than it does land, making it the perfect place to cool off from the summer heat. Add some of these water adventures to your summer bucket list:

Topics: Summer, Kids & Family, Outdoors

With an abundance of outdoor activities, historical museums and dining & entertainment options, there’s an adventure for everyone in Cook County all year round. Cook County really comes to life in summer when days are longer and temperatures are warmer. From kayaking on Lake Superior to fishing along the Gunflint Trail, there’s so much to see and do this summer in Cook County. It’ll be Labor Day before you know it, so we whittled the list down to 10 essential summer activities.

Topics: Grand Marais, Gunflint Trail, Scenic Drives, Summer, Art, History & Culture, Grand Portage, Kids & Family, Lutsen Tofte Schroeder, Outdoors

30 Minute Climbs

Topics: Summer, Outdoors

From traditional, hand carved, wooden boat beauties to brightly colored,  buoyant, wave bouncing kayaks, you will find any make, model, and type of watercraft  in Cook County. You name it, we have a dock, gear, paddle, or mooring line for it: canoes, stand up paddle boards, pontoons, sailboats, aluminum fishing sloggers, deep water charter cruisers, schooners, commercial fishing rigs, kayaks, luxury liners, and yes, even house boats!

Topics: Events, Summer, Outdoors