Travel

Steve Isola

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Best of the Lake: 2020

We invite you to enjoy here the advice of nearly 1,500 people who responded to this year's Best of the Lake survey from around the country and by the shores. Read more

Jul 29, 2020 12:26 PM Travel

KRISTOPHER GRUNERT / CP

Christmas Spirit Rides the Rails

Before Santa's arrival comes the CP Holiday Train, marking for many the start of the season. Read more

May 20, 2020 2:54 PM Molly Hoeg Ontario

JON OKERSTROM

The Story of Lake Superior’s Golden Treasure

In 2020, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore marks its golden anniversary. Read more

May 20, 2020 2:50 PM Neil J. Howk Wisconsin

Landmark Conservancy

Developer Takes the High Road

When the Town of Bayfield's planning commission declined his subdivision plans for a property high on Fire Tower Road, Bob Davidson ended up working to make it a public recreation space. Read more

Jan 30, 2020 12:45 PM Wisconsin

Best of the Lake: 2019

We wrap up another amazing year for Best of the Lake picks featuring many longtime favorites and quite a few surprise new winners. Read more

Aug 15, 2019 1:24 PM Travel

DAVID JOHNSON / EXPLORE MINNESOTA

Fisherman’s Picnic, Grand Marais’ 90-year-old festival still acts like a kid

The scent of fizzled fish and fried donuts clung heavy in the air – an odor both delightful and distracting. With the sun hidden behind a thick layer of Lake Superior mist, I took comfort in knowing the day was not lost to the clouds. A large, cement Read more

Aug 2, 2019 11:59 AM Joe Friedrichs Minnesota

COURTESY BLUE WAVE INN

Familiar Places, Fresh Faces … New Owners at Favorite Spaces

When taking a spin around the Lake to check in with longtime businesses that have changed ownership this past year or so, a common thread emerges: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Read more

Mar 21, 2019 4:40 PM Michael Creger Travel

ALAN JOHNSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Rural Idyllic: Some of the Best Marriages May Be Born in a Barn

Jill and Kirk Clemmer are a dangerous match. She has exquisite taste and big ideas. He has a hammer and nails and knows how to use them. Read more

Mar 21, 2019 4:36 PM Holly Kelsey-Henry Wisconsin

JENNIFER JOHNSON

Lake Superior Journal: Peninsula’s Final Voyage A Water Workhorse Sails Home

It started earlier this year with a phone call from Stan Johnson, president of the Marathon & District Historical Society in Marathon, Ontario. Read more

Nov 12, 2018 1:47 PM Gerald Graham Ontario

JILL JONES

For These Local Treasures … Stop the Car! Put Benoit Cheese Haus & Tetzner’s Dairy on Your Wisconsin Itinerary

Driving in the Ashland/Washburn area, plan two stops for a true taste of Wisconsin with regional cheese at Benoit Cheese Haus and couldn’t-be-fresher ice cream and milk at Tetzner’s Dairy and its self-serve store Read more

Nov 12, 2018 1:46 PM Bob Berg Wisconsin

AmberBeth VanNingen / MINNESOTA DNR

10 for the Road Trip Discover the Rare Features in These Scientific & Natural Areas

FYI on SNAs: On Sugarloaf Point near Little Marais, a rugged shoreline testifies to basalt lava flows dating more than 1 billion years ago. On part of Minnesota Point in Duluth, red and white pines 150 to 270 years old dominate a unique nearly forgo Read more

Nov 12, 2018 1:44 PM Bob Berg Minnesota

RHONDA SILENCE / WTIP RADIO

Having a Blast in Red, White & Blue, Food, Fireworks, Fun & the Neighbors Make Fourth Traditions

Many Options for Holiday Events: Oohs, aahs and whistles from fireworks fans will be heard in waves along the western shores of Lake Superior on the Fourth of July. But perhaps the best part of celebrating independence is parading with the neighbors. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:47 AM Bob Berg Minnesota

BEATRICE RINGENBACK

Sassy & Classy. Pine Mountain Music Festival Enters Its Next Generation

In his first season as executive director of the Pine Mountain Music Festival, Doug Day realizes he’s inherited a lot of history for the organization born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, in 1991. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:45 AM Konnie LeMay Michigan

BOB BERG / LAKES SUPERIOR MAGAZINE

Thompson Hill’s ‘Wow Factor’, Come for Visitor Information, Leave Astonished by the View

A Scenic Overlook to Start Your Trip: Many visitors stop at Thompson Hill Welcome Center off Interstate 35 near Spirit Mountain to pick up some information for their trip to Duluth or the North Shore. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:41 AM Bob Berg Minnesota

BOB BERG / LAKE SUPERIOR MAGAZINE

A Feel for Water, Interpretive Center Immerses Us into an Estuary

Hands-on in Superior: An interactive exhibit at the Lake Superior Estuarium on Barker’s Island encourages you to reach into cups hiding objects from nature. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:41 AM Bob Berg Wisconsin

BOB BERG / LAKE SUPERIOR MAGAZINE

Exploring a Different Kind of Beach, Silver Bay Welcomes Beachcombers to Once-Private Shore

Unusual Landscape: For years, locals and tourists visited Black Beach near Silver Bay to hang out on the cool spot with the distinctive charcoal-colored sands despite the beach being privately owned by Cleveland-Cliffs. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:40 AM Bob Berg Minnesota

LAKEHEAD TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM SOCIETY

A Coast Guard Veteran is Finally Home, Workhorse launched in 1958 Comes Full Circle

Local Hero: Step aboard the retired Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker Alexander Henry in Thunder Bay’s Marina Park and check out the view from the wheelhouse or explore the captain’s quarters. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:36 AM Bob Berg Ontario

PETRONELLA YTSMA

Creativity on the South Shore, Two Artists in Studio Tour Talk About the Lake’s Influence

Meet the Artists: At Sara Mustonen’s studio in Herbster, you’ll see handwoven wool rugs, cotton towels and scarves made of Tencel (a fiber made from wood pulp), bamboo and silk. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:30 AM Bob Berg Wisconsin

AARON PETERSON

3 Days in Marquette Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Enough Time

Preparing for a few days rest and recreation in Marquette, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the options in and around this modest-sized city that happens to be the largest U.P. metro. Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:29 AM Konnie LeMay Michigan

TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK

A Harvest of Fun at Tahquamenon Falls Hayrides with Smokey, a Camper Chili Cook-Off & More Treats

Harvest Fest Fun: If you plan to camp at Tahquamenon Falls State Park on October 13, you’re in for a few treats (and you might want to bring a few to give away, too). Read more

Oct 15, 2018 11:28 AM Konnie LeMay Michigan

The Travel Guide

Planning a Big Lake trip? Updated annually by our editors, this mile-by-mile guide covers the entire Lake Superior Circle Tour, including side trips, and comes with a handy tear-out map. 136 pages, magazine format. $9.95.