Originally Written May 2021
Grand Marais, MI
Out of all the places, this is probably my favorite small town. My family has been vacationing here for seventeen years and it holds some of my favorite memories. If you are looking for a place to unplug and find some rest and relaxation, Grand Marais is it!
This little town is both rustic and charming. There may not be amusement parks or shopping malls, but there is plenty to do in nature. It’s also the perfect place to do nothing at all! Below are some of my favorite things to do in Grand Marais!
Get your daily coffee at Stella’s
Coffee is an important part of any small town! Stella is an old VW Bus that the owner turned into a coffee shop. It is the cutest little bus and they have seriously good drinks! They make the best Chai Ihave ever tasted and I’ve tasted a lot of Chai! Stella’s sells a plethora of other drinks and smoothies, as well! They use a lot of organic and ethically sourced products which I love! They are usually parked across from the campground from May-October. There is also a cute gift shop right next door that you should definitely check out!
Go “Creeking”
Put on your water shoes, grab a bug net, and head out for an adventure walking down the Sucker River! This is most enjoyable in the late summer months when it’s a bit warmer, but its always fun to take a river walk down the river. You will likely find crawfish, turtles, and maybe a fish or two. There are usually a few swimming holes along the way which are a great place to take a break from walking to refresh and splash around! You can begin your trek in anywhere along the river and walk just a little ways or follow it all the way back into town.
Frisbee Golfing in the School Forest
There is a great disc golf course about a mile into the school forest. This course has great scenery as it goes along the bank of the river and trough the woods. If you go at the right time there will likely be lots of lush blueberries to pick! They make for a delicious snack while disc golfing!
Blueberry Picking
There are a ton of great wild blueberry patches in the woods. The blueberries are usually ripe towards the end of July or early August. Blueberry picking is a super fun activity for people of all ages to do with your family and friends! If you don’t eat too many while you pick, it won’t be long before you have a bunch of delicious berries. There is not much better than a steaming stack of fresh blueberry pancakes made with wild blueberries!!
Be careful to pay attention to where you are though! If you keep your head down long enough, it’s easy to yet lost! The bears are also fans of the berries, so keep an eye out 😉
TOP SECRET: One of the best patches we have found for berry picking was out by Au Sable Lighthouse 🤫 There were soooo many blueberries and they were HUGE!!!
Go swimming!
Grand Marais is right on the shores of Lake Superior. More often than not, the water is freezing cold, but it’s still always so fun to swim in the crystal clear waters of the Great Lake. The bay in town is also a fun beach and is typically quite a bit warmer than the big lake. However, I prefer to swim in Lake Superior.
Be careful swimming in big waves, though! Riptides are a real danger. Spend some time googling to know what to look for and how to swim to safety if you get stuck in one!
Rock Hunting
While you are at the beach, it’s also fun to go rock hunting! There are so many unique rocks! Keep your eyes peeled for agates, too!
Funny Story: I had always searched and searched for the legendary agate, but had never found one. Then one summer I found this gorgeous rock that was about the size of my fists put together. I was convinced it was an agate and was so thrilled! I had finally found one!! I made the mistake of taking it to the rock lady in town and she informed me that it was in fact not an agate and actually just a fossil. I was so devastated.
After I healed from my disappointment, I kept searching and eventually found my first agate two years later haha.
Off-Roading
Whether you rent a quad or UTV in town or bring your own, Grand Marais is a great place to go two tracking! The crazy 8’s provide miles of gorgeous trails to explore. Chances are you mighty get a little (a lot) dirty, but it’s worth it!
Grand Marais Tavern
If you get a little hungry after a long day of adventures, head over to the Grand Marais tavern for a delicious meal! This restaurant is clean and located right in the center of town. The food is so good! My family is fans of their pizza, but you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu! Plus, there is a delicious ice cream shack right across the street for dessert!
The Pickle Barrel
If you are in town and the Pickle Barrel happens to be open, it is worth the stop! It is filled with lots of rich history to learn about. I also recommend taking part in the scavenger hunt for all the tiny people hidden through the place!
Watch the Sunset
When we are in Grand Marais, my mom and I have a rule that we never miss a sunset. They are always so stunning. Sitting on the beach, listening to the waves while the sun sets over Lake Superior is the perfect way to end the day. Literally, Grand Marais sunsets are so gorgeous! I think God puts in a little extra pizazz to make them so good. Every sunset is different, so they never get old!
Have a Bonfire on the Beach
This is one of my favorite things to do! Many of the beaches here have lots of driftwood which usually makes for perfect firewood! Bonfires create a space for deep conversations, storytelling, lots of laughter and good community! Plus, the beach is beautiful, so it’s the perfect combo! There’s nothing quite like roasting a s’more while listening to the waves and sitting under the stars!
P.S. Make sure bonfires are allowed at the beach you are visiting and always put them all the way out before you leave!
Stargazing
Grand Marais is on the upper edge of the upper peninsula, so there is not a lot of ambient light which creates the perfect star gazing location! On a clear night, the stars here are phenomenal! It’s also a great place to watch the Persied Meteor Shower in August! One time my family saw the northern lights here which was so stunning!
A few other places to explore:
Au Sable Waterfall
Au Sable Light house
Hurricane River
Minors Beach
Pictured Rocks
Tahquamenon Falls
Let me know in the comments what is your favorite small town!
Grace Phelps 