Lutsen · Historic resort
Lutsen Resort
Minnesota’s oldest resort, on the lakeshore.
Official details for Lutsen ResortMinnesota · Couples · Two nights
Grand Marais & the North Shore
Lake Superior cliffs, waterfalls and a harbor arts town.
The North Shore runs along the rocky edge of Lake Superior, with waterfalls tumbling out of the hills every few miles. Base yourself in Grand Marais, an arts town around a small harbor. Walk out to Artist’s Point, ride the Lutsen gondola, see the Devil’s Kettle falls, drive the Gunflint Trail and eat smoked fish and doughnuts by the water.
Lake SuperiorWaterfallsArts town
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KCKC
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~995 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~6 hr 53 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car
Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.
01 / Aviation & getting around
Land at Grand Marais.
KCKC, Grand Marais/Cook County Airport, is a non-towered field with a 5,000-foot runway in the hills above town, about 15 minutes from the harbor.
The FBO
Roy Aero Service
218-387-3024Grand Marais/Cook County Airport, Grand Marais, MN
Confirm fuel, fees and a rental car or ride before you go. No live fuel price is shown.
Lake Superior weather: fog and low clouds off the cold lake, summer thunderstorms, and long, snowy winters with icing. About 1000 nm from Myrtle Beach: a long cross-country day with two fuel stops. Plan four or more nights, or break the trip with an overnight on the way.
02 / Where to stay
A lakeside resort or a historic lodge.
Rates and availability need travel dates. Summer and fall color weekends book well ahead.
Tofte · Lakeside resort
Bluefin Bay
Lakeside suites and townhomes with hot tubs.
Official details for Bluefin BayGrand Marais · Suites
East Bay Suites
Lakefront suites in the harbor town.
Official details for East Bay SuitesNear Grand Marais · Historic lodge
Naniboujou Lodge
A 1920s lodge with a famous painted dining room.
Official details for Naniboujou Lodge03 / Where to eat
Fish, doughnuts and a painted dining room.
Reserve weekend dinners.
Saturday dinner · Lake fish
Angry Trout Cafe
Lake Superior fish on the harbor, seasonal.
Official details for Angry Trout CafeDinner · Historic
Naniboujou dining room
Dinner or brunch under a vivid Cree-design ceiling.
Official details for Naniboujou dining roomMorning · Bakery
World’s Best Donuts
A Grand Marais tradition since 1969.
Official details for World’s Best Donuts04 / Things to do
Cliffs, falls and the trail.
Mix the harbor with one big drive.
05 / What’s happening
Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.
This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.
Late September–early October
Fall color
Maples and birches above the lake.
Visit Cook County for Fall colorSummer
Harbor season
Long days and the lake at its calmest.
Winter
Snow season
Skiing at Lutsen and snowshoe trails.
Lutsen for Snow seasonConcerts, festivals & local happenings
Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.
06 / Suggested itinerary
Friday in. Sunday home.
A sample long weekend on Lake Superior. This is a long flight; plan four or more nights. No bookings or availability confirmed.
Day trip version
Just for the day
- Arrive
Land at KCKC early.
- Midday
Artist’s Point and the harbor.
- Afternoon
Lunch at the Angry Trout, then back to the airport.
DAY 1
Arrive
- Arrival
Land at KCKC, subject to weather, your fuel stops and your actual flight plan.
- Afternoon
Walk the harbor and Artist’s Point.
- Evening
Dinner at the Angry Trout.
DAY 2
Explore
- Morning
Doughnuts, then the Lutsen gondola.
- Afternoon
Waterfalls along the shore.
- Evening
Dinner at Naniboujou.
DAY 3
One more day
- Morning
A drive up the Gunflint Trail.
- Before leaving
Allow time at the airport.
- Fly home
A long trip south-east; start early and plan your fuel stops.
Longer stay · Add a day
With an extra day
- Morning
The Lutsen gondola.
- Afternoon
Waterfalls along the shore.
- Evening
Dinner at Naniboujou.
07 / Good to know
Keep the weekend easy to change.
These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.
Book in this order
Lodging first.
Long flight
About 1,000 nm. Plan two fuel stops and four or more nights.
Seasonal
Some restaurants close in winter.
Best seasons
June to early October.
Reviewed · Destination 156
Reviewed November 5, 2026.
Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking. Spotted something out of date, or have a favorite we missed? Email us at [email protected].
WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.