Winter on Minnesota’s North Shore: A Conversation with the Quiet

Photo credit: Stephanie Drew

Q: What draws you to Minnesota’s North Shore in winter, when most people are looking for warmer places to escape to?

A: Winter strips the North Shore down to its essentials. The crowds disappear, the landscape

softens under snow, and Lake Superior feels more honest— more powerful. I’m drawn to the rawness of that honesty. Winter invites you to slow your pace and pay attention. It’s not about chasing experiences; it’s about letting the land reveal itself in smaller, quieter ways.

Q: How does winter change the way you experience the landscape?

A: Everything feels more intentional in winter. Each step on a snowy trail, each stop along the shoreline, feels earned. Sound carries differently. Light is softer and more fleeting. You notice details you might otherwise miss—the way ice forms along rock faces, or how animal tracks crisscross a frozen path. Winter doesn’t dull the North Shore; it sharpens it.

Photo credit: Stephanie Drew

Q: What kinds of outdoor experiences feel most meaningful during the colder months?

A: I gravitate toward experiences that encourage stillness. Walking through the forest and

standing at the edge of the lake watching waves build ice along the shoreline force me to slow

down. Winter quiet feels different. The snow insulates sound creating a peace that cancels the constant noise and distractions.

Q: Which natural landmarks feel especially powerful in winter?

Gooseberry Falls is unforgettable once winter takes hold

A: The waterfalls don’t stop—they transform, layering ice into sculptural forms. Tettegouche State Park feels dramatic and

expansive, with cliffs overlooking a frozen landscape. These places feel less like scenic stops

and more like quiet sanctuaries in winter.

Q: How do towns along the North Shore contribute to the winter experience?

A: In winter, towns feel more personal. Places like Grand Marais take on a slower rhythm,

where small businesses and gathering spaces become part of the journey. Warming up inside a local coffee shop or restaurant, sharing space with artists, locals, and fellow travelers, feels just as meaningful as time spent outdoors. These moments of warmth and connection balance the solitude of the landscape.

Q: Are there specific places you always stop to warm up and reset?

A: I have a few that come to mind. I’m a sucker for a great slice of pie and a cup of coffee. Two Harbors offers a couple of winter stops that feel especially comforting when the cold sets in. Betty’s Pies has been a North Shore staple since the 1950s, originally starting as a small roadside stop before becoming a destination in its own right. The restaurant is best known for its handmade pies, with recipes that have remained largely unchanged over decades. Rustic Inn has also served travelers along Highway 61 since the early 1950s and is one of the longest-running roadside restaurants on the North Shore. Known for hearty meals, and from scratch pies, it’s the perfect place to refuel before continuing north to more remote stretches of shore. Java Moose in Grand Marais is one of those winter stops that feels essential rather than optional. Located right along the harbor, it’s an easy place to duck into after time near the lake. In winter, it becomes a natural pause point—a place to thaw out and watch the lake before heading back out into the cold.

These places endure for a reason—they offer warmth, consistency, and a sense of tradition that pairs perfectly with a winter journey along the shore. Stops like this become part of the journey, not just a break from it.

Q: What does the journey feel like as you travel farther north toward the Canadian border?

A: The farther north you travel, the quieter everything becomes. Cell service fades, traffic thins, and the land feels increasingly untamed. Stops like Cascade River State Park offer frozen waterfalls tucked into quiet forest corridors. Grand Portage State Park offers a view of High Falls. Even in winter, its power is breathtaking. Finally, a stop at the Border Store marks a sense of arrival. After stopping for souvenirs and a snack, it’s time to turn around and head back down the shore.

Photo credit: Stephanie Drew

Q: Are there any understated spots that feel especially rewarding in winter?

A: Artist Point in Grand Marais feels entirely different in winter. Snow and ice reshape the shoreline, and the lighthouse stands in quiet contrast against the frozen lake. When the harbor freezes, the ice cracks and pops, shifting into a massive jigsaw puzzle. On calm days it feels meditative; during storms it becomes quietly awe-inspiring. During the winter months, walking out onto the rocks or to the lighthouse can be quite treacherous. Be sure to use traction devices on your footwear and take lake conditions into account; the break wall does not have a railing or guard and there have been instances of people being knocked into the lake by a rouge wave.

Q: What should travelers keep in mind when exploring the North Shore in winter?

A: Winter travel here requires respect and preparation. Conditions can change quickly,

especially with lake-effect snow and wind. I build extra time into each day and let daylight guide my plans. Good winter tires, warm layers, proper footwear (including traction) and a full tank of gas are essential, particularly as services become more spread out farther north. I keep snacks and water close and stay mindful of Lake Superior’s power—watching waves from a safe distance and letting conditions dictate how close is close enough.

Q: What do you carry with you after leaving the North Shore in winter?

A: A deep sense of calm. Winter here reminds me how little is needed to feel grounded—snow, water, light, and quiet. The North Shore doesn’t ask you to consume or perform. It simply asks you to be present. And that feeling lingers long after the road turns south again.

Story submitted by Stephanie Drew. To learn more, visit Stephanie's Instagram @sdrew_photo