Our Favorite Coffee, Food, + Sights In Door County, Wisconsin

Door County is a peninsula nestled between Green Bay, Wisconsin and the crystal clear blue water of Lake Michigan. Scattered throughout the peninsula there are a variety of small towns with adorable little shops and restaurants. We’ve gone the last three years with Josiah’s family and have had a lot of fun exploring. Our must do items include: a fish boil at Pelletier’s, apple picking, and taking the ferry to Washington Island. Door County is such a midwest gem that I didn’t even know about until I was an adult (even though I grew up only a handful of hours away!). Now that we’ve discovered it, we are going to continue with this yearly tradition of visiting every Fall and I am certain we will find more and more to do each year.

Where we stayed

This is the house we’ve stayed in the last two years in Sturgeon Bay. I like staying in Sturgeon Bay because it’s on the most southern part of the peninsula which means it’s a closer drive to get there, but still gives us access to all of the fun things to do in and around door county with the furthest thing being about 45 minutes away. We stayed on Washington Island one year which was cool, but it was so far from everything else. If you’re looking for a remote stay and don’t have many plans to go and explore the rest of the peninsula then the island wouldn’t be a bad option. But if you’re interested in visiting the island (which you should be!) you can still do a day trip and explore everything it has to offer without actually staying there.

Transportation

To be able to explore the peninsula fully you really do need a car. If you are staying in one of the towns and just want to ride around the little town, then you can just bike. If you plan to take the washingont island ferry you could either take your car on the ferry (which is pretty pricey, but also really fun!) or you can just take your bike (or rent a bike once you get to the island).

 

COFFEE

Ephraim Coffee Lab - This was such a fun spot! The owner uses a manual espresso machine which was wild to me. The coffee was smooth and bright — definitely up my ally! The outdoor seating felt like you were hanging in a bohemian inspired backyard — also up my ally! They also have a super fun coffee vending machine out front so you can buy a bag whenever you want.

Lawlss Coffee - This shop was closest to where we stay so we ended up here a few times. I had a meeting one day we were there and the internet was much better at this shop than at the beach house. Nestled in an old bank, Lawlss Coffee had a fun atmosphere and really delicious coffee. They had some unique latte options as well as some fun pour overs. The notes on the house brewed coffee leaned more chocolatey than fruity, but was a good cup all around.

Bearded Heart Coffee - Another really fun coffee shop that was on our way from our beach house to Washington. Their iced latte was really delicious! The house brewed coffee was smooth, but also landed more on the chocolatey side of things.

FOOD

Pelletiere’s Restaurant and Fish Boil - The first year we decided we were going to go to Door County Josiah’s parents raved about the fish boil. I didn’t know what to expect and to be honest, I was kind of skeptical of how good boiled fish would be, but it definitely exceeded my expectations! Not only is the food incredible, but the experience is so fun. Everyone gathers around the giant pot that the fish and potatoes are boiled in and waits for the pot to boil over into a dramatic firey show. It’s a whole event. I really can’t recommend the experience enough! The fish is caught that day in Lake Michigan and the cherry pie dessert is made using Door County cherries — a local delight.

Sonny’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria - Located in Sturgeon Bay Sonny’s Italian Kitchen and Pizzeria had some really great views of the lake as well as delicious salt and the pizza.

Not Yet Licked - Great burgers. Nice outdoor seating around a creek. Playground for kids if you need somewhere to let them run around.

Bad Maravian - Detroit style pizza and majorly vibey. They have limited hours so make sure you plan ahead, but it was a really great find. It also happens to be the same building as Ephraim Coffee Lab — turns out the owner runs a coffee shop by day and a pizza shop by night — such a cool idea.

The Albatross Drive-In - This is the place we always eat when we are on Washington Island. Their burgers are so delicious and the outdoor seating is fun and quirky.

SIGHTS

Outdoor

• Whitefish Dune’s State Park - This park has incredible hiking and really great beaches.

• Apple /Cherry Picking - This is a classic Door County activity. There are tons and tons of orchards scattered throughout the peninsula that offer both apple and cherry picking. It’s one of our top things to do every year!

• Schoolhouse Beach - Probably one of the more unique Door County experiences is Schoolhouse Beach. Located on Washington Island the little beach offers stunning blue water and large, smooth rocks. It’s so beautiful. We could just sit and skip rocks there for hours — and the past three years we have!

Shops

This is by no means comprehensive of all the shops that Door County has to offer and each little town has it’s own unique thing, but these are the shops that we’ve gone to that I loved and hope you love too!

• Skal - A very fun Scandinavian boutique with lots of cookbooks I fell in love with as well as hand made sweaters and then random knick-knack-y things.

• Keeper - Think Anthropologie + Free People — An absolute dream.

• Fred and Co. - Adorable women’s clothing store.

• Sister Golden - An amazing home goods store that also channels that Anthropologie energy.

• Fish Creek Market - Adorable little grocery

• Jackalope Trading Co. - Another cute jewelry, pottery, tapestry type boutique that I loved.

Our Favorite Coffee, Food, + Sights in Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota

Every time I go back to Minneapolis I’m surprised at how “big city” it feels. It kind of feels like a mini Chicago to me — except it’s super clean and doesn’t have the traffic problems — but it still has all the great parts — amazing restaurants, amazing coffee shops, a happening art scene, and just all around cool vibes.

St. Paul, just on the other side of the river is not as talked about but truly, equally as amazing. The cities are so close that every time we visit we end up popping back and forth between the two throughout each day. St. Paul is smaller, but still has it’s own downtown area that is fun to explore — lots of shops, restaurants, and awesome architecture.

One of the things that sets these cities apart from other midwest cities is the access to nature. Not only are there some beautiful parks throughout both cities, there are also places where you can get a legitimate hike in without stepping outside the city limits.

Fall is probably the best time to visit these wonderful cities, but all year round there are plenty of activities going on. Whether you’re looking for a long-weekend getaway or a place to spend an entire week, the Minneapolis and St. Paul both have plenty to offer.

 

Transportation

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul are very bike friendly. If you flew in and didn’t want to rent a car you could still manage to see a lot of the city. However, a car is probably the most ideal way to get around if you have it as an option.

COFFEE

SK Coffee - This roastery focuses on single-origin micro lot roasting which basically just means every time you go here they have limited edition, super interesting beans to try. Once we had a pour over that had peanut butter ice cream tasting notes and it was so fun. If you’re lucky enough to catch the owner, Sam, he’s always down to chat all things coffee. If not, all the baristas we’ve met are super knowledgable and friendly. They have two locations. The one in St. Paul is the original location and is a bit more on the industrial side. The Minneapolis location is a bit newer, but provides the same amazing coffee with some extra pretty light and vintage detailing. Since we discovered this place anytime we are near the twin cities we’ve made this coffee shop a destination. If you have to choose one coffee shop to go to, this is a must.

Wesley Andrews - A third wave shop definitely worth stopping by. Their baristas are very knowledgeable and they offer a variety of single-origin beans including some fermented options.

FRGMNT Coffee - This place was HUGE. If you’re in the North Loop area and in search of a solid cup of coffee that also includes some trendy vibes, here’s your spot. Come for the coffee, stay for the fireplace.

Duck Duck Coffee - This shop was located in Minneapolis. I love the grunge hipster vibe of this shop. They also have great breakfast sandwiches!

Yellowbird Coffee Bar - This shop was nestled in a quiet neighborhood in St. Paul where they had adorable adirondack chairs outside. The coffee was good. Not necessarily mind blowing, but good. It’s a great spot to lounge for a bit.

Nina’s Coffee - This shop was located in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, but made me feel like I was in a European city. The building has such charm. We split a breakfast burrito and really enjoyed taking in the details of the building. It seems like the perfect shop to post up for a few hours studying or just reading.

FOOD/DRINKS

Owamni by The Sioux Chef - This restaurant serves up indigenous cuisine. They prioritize purchasing from indiginous food producers and have avoided the use of colonized ingredients such as sugar, dairy, and wheat flour. The menu changes as the seasons change, but when we were there they had bison asada tacos, maple chili sweet potato crisps, and blue corn porridge. Everything was both beautiful and delicious without feeling too indulgent. They’re generally booked out pretty far, but if you’re willing to sit at the bar you can usually put your name in for lunch and only wait an hour or so. It’s nestled along the riverwalk, so if you put your name in you can just go for a leisurely pre-dinner walk and I guarantee the time will fly.

Young Joni - If you’re looking for woodfire pizzas, fancy AF salads, and even fancier cocktails, this is the place for you. It’s a bit higher end and therefor a bit spendier, but it’s a really great date night spot or celebration spot.

The Anchor Fish & Chips - An Irish Pub with the best fish and chips I’ve ever had in my entire life.

Surly’s Brewery- This place is HUGE. It includes a large beer hall as well as a beer garden big enough to bring a large group. They have food options as well as a significant beer list.

Dangerous Man - This is an awesome brewery with a really great tapp room. My favorite is their peanut butter porter. It can get super busy inside on the weekend, but they also have a really cute alley with tables and string lights to hang out on.

SIGHTS

• St. Paul

  • St. Paul Cathedral - Whether you go inside or not, this cathedral is worth the stop just to take in all it’s beauty.

  • Old Houses on Grand Avenue - After you’re done looking at the St. Paul Cathedral walk down Grand Avenue and take in all of the gorgeous houses that line this historic street.

  • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory - This is a great FREE activity that is super fun for all ages.

  • Golden Fig Grocery - This is such a cute grocer / kitchen store that had some really unique finds. It’s really close to the St. Paul Cathedral and totally worth a sop if you happen to be in the area.

  • Hidden Falls Park - Although when we were there the falls weren’t flowing super strongly, the short hike to the falls was nice. It’s also just a great park to bring a picnic to and hangout.

• Minneapolis

  • Mill City Farmer’s Market - A really great farmer’s market on Saturdays. Check their website for specific times depending on the time of year.

  • Bde Maka Ska Park - This is a great park for walking, running, biking, kayaking, paddle baording, or just hanigng on the beach by the water.

  • Minnehaha Fall Regional Park - I love that this park is just smack dab in the city. This park boasts a 52 foot waterfall, limestone bluffs, and river overlooks. This is definitely worth a stop to fill your outdoorsy heart.

  • Mill Ruins Park - This is another must if you’re in Minneapolis. Mill Ruins Park is a stunning park in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota that is set on the west side of Saint Anthony Falls on the Mississippi River. There is a huge, historic stone bridge that was converted into a pedestrian and bike trail in the 1990’s. As you walk across the bridge you can take in the views of St. Anthony Falls, the only waterfall on the entire Mississippi River. The bridge links Mill Ruins Park on the west and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park on the east bank.

  • Mall of America - I’m not really a huge shopper, but it’s still fun to go to the largest mall in America at least once.

Our Favorite Simple Camping Meals

We’re relatively new to the camping game. We didn’t start camping until COVID forced us to delay an international trip we had planned in 2020. Since we both had the time off we decided to take the two weeks and do a camping trip in Colorado instead. Gutsy, I know. We did one trial run camp before we left just to make sure we didn’t hate it and turns out — we LOVE camping. On our first trip though, I remember being really stressed about the food. I didn’t know what we should make and although I wanted some interesting meals I didn’t have the inspiration and felt easily frazzled at the prospect of cooking at a campsite without my usual resources. We repeated a lot of the same meals that trip and it got a bit repetitive.

Fortunately, We’ve learned a lot since that first camping trip and I’m happy to report that our meals have gotten better! We’re not always eating the most exotic things while camping, but we learned to bring a little more variety and have a lot more fun with it. Most importantly, I feel a lot less stressed about it!

When we camp I try to strike a balance between practical and fun. I absolutely love being creative when cooking — it brings me a lot of joy — BUT when we’re getting back from a long hike I might feel a little less ambitious about what I feel like making. In that moment I might be totally okay with a box of mac and cheese for dinner. In those moments I try to think of ways I can make that simple meal a bit more exciting. My favorite way to elevate that mac and cheese is to add a can of tuna or chicken to make it feel a bit more filling (or even some frozen broccoli!). My goal with our food is to make meals that make us feel good, but are also still fun.

This list isn’t necessarily meant to be a step-by-step, but rather a collection of ideas that will inspire your own camping menu. Enjoy!

Our camp kitchen setup

I want to first give you insight into what we have to cook with while camping. Spoiler, it’s not fancy. Like I said, we’re still pretty new to camping so our setup is relatively basic. I hope that encourages you that some fun and filling camping meals are within reach — no matter how minimal your setup.

• Coleman One Burner Stove - We paid $30 for this stove and have used the heck out of it! It’s very basic, but does the trick. The biggest drawback to it is that the fuel can be kind of difficult to find. We just stock up whenever we see some. We actually even use this on roadtrips sometimes just to whip up a quick meal in the back of the car.

• Cast Iron Skillet - We use this all the time at home so it was a no brainer to bring it camping — It’s so versatile! I have yet to purchase one, but I do think a lid for the skillet would come in handy.

• Enamel Dutch Oven - This is perfect for making soups!

• JetBoil Stove - Admittedly this was a recent upgrade and its ability to boil water at an incredibly fast rate is remarkable, but all these meals can be made without it.

• Cooking Utensil set - This set has everything you would need and it includes a bag to store everything in. Note that the knives in this set are not great so we usually bring one of our regular kitchen knives.

• Barebones Enamelware Set - This was another splurge that you 100% don’t need, BUT gives an asthetic that makes me very happy.

• Eatin’ tool - This deserves a shoutout because we use it all the time and they’re fun.

• AeroPress Coffee Maker - We used to bring our Chemex and then decided something less breakable was maybe a better option.

BREAKFAST

• Oats with freeze dried berries from Trader Joe’s with maple syrup, peanut butter, and whatever other toppings we are feeling (coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, etc.). I like these oats the best.

• Breakfast burritos - I like to roast the potatoes, onions, peppers, and bacon ahead of time and then roll them individually into tortillas with cheese at the campsite. I then wrap them in foil and place them on the grate over the fire until the cheese is melted and they are warm. You can also make them fully ahead of time and just throw them on the grate to heat up if you prefer.

• Pancakes - For convenience, I gravitate more toward the mixes that only require water. I love this brand and this brand.

• Baked Oatmeal - This is a nice option if you don’t want to dirty a pan in the morning. The flavor combinations are endless too.

• Chia puddings with fruit and nut butters - Make a batch of chia pudding ahead of time and put them in individual jars to grab on the go.

• Eggs - Scrambled, fried — however you fancy them! You could also make some hard boiled eggs ahead of time and bring those.

• Potato Hash over the campfire (or on your camp stove if you don’t want to get a fire going) - There really are few things better than onions, peppers, and potatoes cooked on the fire. Once those potatoes are tender feel free to scramble in some eggs to make it a full breakfast.

Lunch / Dinner

For us these meals are pretty interchangeable depending on what time we are coming back from a hike. Sometimes we need something quick and sometimes we feel like lingering around the campsite and making something that takes a bit longer. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but here are some of the meals we’ve had that we find ourselves making again.

• Cheese and crackers - Basic, I know, but this has become our number one lunch for when we roll in from a hike and are ravenous. We like to also serve it with veggies and hummus or ranch to round it out. My favorite cracker options: pretzel crisps, Simple Mill’s Crackers, and Mary’s Gone Crackers.

• Sautéed cabbage with chicken sausage and chickpeas - This is a super simple one that provides protein, fiber, and veggies but comes together in 10 minutes. I buy shredded cabbage to save myself from even having to chop it at the campsite. I heat the cast iron and just cook everything in one pan.

• Mac and cheese - This might sound childish, but adding some canned chicken, canned tuna, frozen broccoli, or frozen peas can elevate this dish and make it feel like a more nutritious meal that can be ready in 10 minutes. This and this are our two favorite mac and cheese brands.

• Salad kits - These were a great, fresh addition to a lot of our meals. It’s so nice to just have everything in a convenient package ready to go. Trader Joe’s has some really great salad kit options.

• Curry - I don’t have a specific recipe to share for this, but curry of any kind with rice or naan is a great cozy campfire meal idea.

• Charcuterie dinner - This is one of my favorites because it feels fancy, but it’s for sure not. Literally just bring all the meats, cheese, fruits, veggies, and fixin’s that you want and have a feast — no cooking required.

• Foil packet dinners - My usual combo is potatoes, onions, peppers, squash, and chicken sausage, but the possibilities are really endless. All you do is chop up the ingredients, drizzle some olive oil, salt and garlic on them and wrap them up individually (use more foil than you think you need to make sure they are really seeled). Then stick them in the fire and let them cook until the potatoes are tender.

• Soups - When the temperatures are just right soup is the perfect camping meal. It only requires one pot and has a lot of flexibility.

• Campfire pizza - This one is super fun. When I did this most recently I just used a pre-made dough from Trader Joe’s, but if you’re feeling ambitious you could make it homemade.

• Campfire Nachos - I like to use an 8x8 disposable pan, place a bunch of chips with cheese and beans (or whatever your protein of choice is), cover the top with foil, and place it on the fire grate until the cheese is melted (be careful the bottom can burn if it’s too close to the fire so check on it periodically). Once the cheese is melted pull it off and top it with sour cream, salsa, cilantro, avocado, etc.

Snacks

• Trail mix - Costco has great options or feel free to make your own.

• Cheese Crackers

• Popcorn - This is my all time favorite store-bought popcorn brand.

• Meat sticks - This brand is great!

• Nuts - Costco has great deals on a wide variety of nuts. I usually reach for pistachios and almonds!

• Fruits

• Veggies - Carrots and celery are great for dipping in peanut butter or hummus.

Beverages

Coffee - When we’re backpacking we do instant coffee (this brand does the trick). For car camping we usually use our aeropress or just make cold brew ahead of time and heat it up.

Sparkling Waters - We love our sparkling water so it would be a shame to head off on a camping trip without at least a few in tow.

Kombucha - It’s nice to have variety and since we aren’t huge alcohol drinkers, kombucha is a really nice option. This is our favorite brand.

Tea - Sometimes it’s nice to have a little tea nightcap so I like to bring a variety of options.

Our Favorite Coffee, Food, + Sights in {And Around} Duluth, Minnesota

If I had to sum up Duluth in one word it would be — underrated. Maybe I’m the crazy one for sleeping on the magic of the Northern Midwest, but truly I was blown away by how cool this little lake city is. Last year we visited for the first time over Fourth of July and were completely smitten. We fell in love with the amount of outdoor activities, emphasis on handmade local goods, stunning scenery, and northern hippy vibe.

We decided to go again for Fourth of July this year and even after that we still feel like we have so much left to explore! One of my favorite things about Duluth is that it’s low-key. The restaurants aren’t fussy (delicious, but not fussy) and the fashion is casual. The people are welcoming and just so happy you’ve come to check out their city. If you get the chance I’d highly recommend a trip up to Duluth. Between hiking, paddle boarding, exploring restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries you will not be short on things to do. And on the off chance you are — just ask a local for some more suggestions and they’ll be happy to weigh in!

 

Getting THere

From Omaha, getting to Duluth is about an 8 hour drive — just a little over 2 hours north of Minneapolis. If you’re planning to fly there they do have a small airport. If you are flying I’d recommend renting a car to get around the city to fully get to experience it.

WHERE WE STAYED

Traverse Hotel - For a dog-friendly trendy motel this Airbnb was okay. We stayed there last year and I liked it enough to book it again, but our experience this time wasn’t as great. The idea of an updated motel it is a bit cuter than the execution — it had a slight musty smell this time that drove me crazy so it worked, but not somewhere we will stay again. Next time I will look into Enger Loft Hotel or Pier B Resort Hotel.

COFFEE

For a city of this size the coffee scene is impressive. You will have plenty of options to explore!

Dream Cloud Coffee - The vibe, the coffee — it’s all so great! Located downtown this shop roasts their own coffee

Dovetail Cafe + Market - This place has a hippy-cabin vibe that I just loved. They have a little market inside where they sell local handmade goods that will just make you smile. Their coffee is solid and roasted on site under the name Almanac Coffee. They also have great baked goods and breakfast/lunch options.

Back Alley Coffee - Full disclosure we didn’t try their coffee, but the VIBEEEE is on point. They mainly operate as a surf shop, but also have coffee options from Underwood Coffee (a local roastery). Literally I felt like we were in SoCal — it was a dream. I am very excited to go back and hang out on their patio.

New London Cafe - They’re pretty focused on breakfast, but they also serve up a solid cup of locally roasted coffee from Underwood Coffee (the same as Back Alley) and while you’re here you might as well help yourself to a yummy breakfast before hitting the trails or driving up the shore!

Fika (not in Duluth, but definitely worth stopping if you drive up the North Shore — which you should definitely do!) - this shop is a tiny little roaster that captured our attention on instagram because of their hygge vibe and welcoming tone toward their community. Unfortunately the day we were there they were super busy (holiday weekend) so we didn’t get to chat with the baristas as much as we would have liked, but the coffee was solid and it was such a cute location.

FOOD

One of the million things I love about Duluth is its focus on farm-to-table cuisine. Every single restaurant we went to claimed to use as many local ingredients as possible and it was very evident that they put a lot of love into their food.

Duluth Grill - They have a wide variety of new American dishes with some twists, but what I love most is their commitment to organic and local ingredients. Great for breakfast or lunch.

Dovetail Cafe and Market - This place stole Josiah and I’s hearts. It has such a northern-hippy-cabin vibe to it. I know I already mentioned it in the coffee section, but they also have great baked goods and an amazing frittata as well as other breakfast + lunch options.

Corktown Deli and Brews - If you’re looking for local deli that serves unique, high quality sandwiches and salads this is your place. I had their Bruss-alo Chicken Salad that had blackened chicken and then fried buffalo brussels sprouts tossed with blue cheese and a variety of fresh veggies. IT HIT THE SPOT. Josiah got a spicy reuben that was so yummy (but it was very spicy so if that’s not your jam then beware.) They have a large menu so be prepared to make a very tough decision.

OMC Smokehouse - This place has a large menu with lots of options to cover all of your BBQ needs. Bonus they have outdoor fire pits you can sit around while you wait for a table.

At Sarah’s Table Chester Creek Cafe - One of our top meals we had while in Duluth was at Sarah’s Table. Their New American menu offers a wide range of options to choose from. I got the beef shawarma wrap with yam fries and it was so delicious! Josiah got the okonimayaki — a Japanese style potato pancake — and it was so flavorful and unique!

Love Creamery - This might be a bold statement, but I think that this is the best ice cream I’ve ever had. I know, bold, but possibly true. We did our The butterscotch brownie, monster cookie, salted caramel with crack cookies, and blueberry cheesecake are actively in my dreams. I’d highly recommend planning to go every day (or multiple times a day!) so that you can work your way through their incredible flavor line-up. Or if you leave enough room after dinner (or want to call it dinner) they have a flight of ice cream where you can try six different flavors for only $10! That’s on my agenda for our next visit. Both their Lincoln Park and Canal Park locations have different flavor options too so definitely worth hitting up both.

Lou’s Fish House - A deli about 30 minutes northeast of Duluth on the scenic highway that’s serving up a wide range of smoked fish. Last year we drove past their sign that said “Our famous smoked fish cheese ice cream” and I laughed because the thought of a fish flavored ice cream sounded gross (and obviously not what they were actually describing) but this year our hunger drew us to stop on our way back from hiking on the North Shore. We got their honey glazed smoked salmon, the smoked salmon dip with crackers, and some cheese curds and called it dinner one night and lunch the next. It was so delicious that I’m only a tiny bit sad that their advertisement was a bit misleading.

New Scenic Cafe - This is a Scandinavian American restaurant along the coast of lake superior that blew us away. I was told ahead of time that this was a must and that it’s a little spendy, but I still wasn’t prepared for how spendy it was going to be. To really have a great experience I’d say expect to spend $$$. It’s a special experience for sure.

Drinks

For a city this size it shocked me that they had such a booming cider and beer scene. Just within a few blocks in Lincoln Park there’s two breweries and two cideries — all bringing something different to the table. A few of the nights that we were there we brought Azul (our new favorite strategy game) and just hung out at the different cideries/breweries. Truly each of them is worth a visit for a different reason.

Bent Paddle Brewing - Pictured above they have a great outdoor space with games and often have live music and food trucks!

Duluth Cider - We had a lot of fun doing their tasting flight and are still kicking ourselves for not bringing back a 6-pack of the coffee cider. That’s right, coffee flavored cider. It was so, so good! They had a pineapple one that was also top notch.

Wild State Cider - This place was so cute inside and had some unique cider options as well!

Shops

If you walk around Lincoln Park on Superior street you’ll hit a lot of cute shops. Here are a few we really liked.

Goat Hill Market Place - Just a cute little kitchen store / high end neighborhood grocer.

North Flora- A dreamy plant store with cute little nic nacs.

Thirteen Main - A high-end home decor shop / interior decorating firm that will have you redesigning your home by the time you walk out.

Frost River - If you want to browse beautiful outdoor gear and feel more outdoorsy than you actual are, this is a great stop.

Ren Market - A zero waste and refill shop that will definitely inspire you.

Moon Market - This shop is further up the shore, but it is worth a stop — even if just to browse.

OUTDOORSY THINGS

This list hardly even begins to cover the long list of things to do in Duluth, but these are some of the places we’ve explored that we have loved!

The Lakewalk - This is mostly located along lake Superior and consists of 8 miles of paved pedestrian and bike trail. It runs from Bayfront Park to Brighton Beach. We parked in front of the Portland Malt Shop and then headed down a flight of stairs tucked behind the shop to get to the trail and then walked west toward the lighthouse. It’s such a beautiful, flat walk.

Sugar Loaf Cove - up the shore a bit. You can do like a 0.5 mile hike and be met with a stunning cliffside views to either side, but with capability to easily climb down and get close to the water. Such a great payoff for a minimal effort.

Superior Hiking Trail - This trail runs for over 300 miles and offers a wide variety of terrain. Some of the trail runs right through Duluth which means you can hop on and enjoy a fantastic hike without even driving too far!

Tettagouche State Park - This park is about an hour north of Duluth and definitely worth the drive.

Gooseberry Falls State Park - Another great park to explore that’s about 45 minutes from Duluth.

Palisade head - the first photo in this post was taken here. Unless it’s super, super busy you can park at the top and just pop out of your car and snag a photo quick. It’s so, so great and a great stop on your way to Tettagouche!