Drum roll. The Best Small Lake Town in America is.....
Grand Marais, Minnesota? The North Shore town on Lake Superior has been picked as the top spot by Travel + Leisure magazine.
The spot far up in the Arrowhead region of Minnesota might be an off-the-beaten path pick by the national publication but for Minnesotans, the charming small town does not come as a surprise.
"Two hours north of Duluth seems like an unlikely spot for most things, much less America’s best small lake town," says Travel + Leisure. "But should you venture to Grand Marais, that’s exactly what you’ll find. In-the-know travelers flock here looking for an increasingly rare vintage seaside vibe, adventures into the state’s famed Boundary Waters, and local-yet-world-class art. Set along the forested edges of Lake Superior, up the state’s North Shore, this is also Minnesota’s artsiest town."
Always known as one of two entry ways into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (along with Ely, MN), outdoors activity is a staple of Grand Marais. And this might be a small town list, but there is nothing small about Grand Marais' lake. Lake Superior, which surrounds Grand Marais nearly on three sides, is the largest freshwater lake in the world.
It's not the easiest destination on the list. Most people get to Grand Marais by driving (four hours) from the Twin Cities. It's about two hours northeast of Duluth. That takes you up scenic Highway 61 up the North Shore which is the appetizer to Grand Marais' main course.
The area has really taken off since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, which launched a renaissance of "staycations" in Minnesota. Grand Marais has never been busier or more popular. It's become difficult to even find a place to stay over the course of the summer and early fall when the colors start to change in the Superior National Forest.
The town got so busy in 2020, town officials started to tell people to clean up their mess, or "stay away".
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There are several staple restaurants, shopping spots and spots to lay your head on the Travel + Leisure list, including World's Best Donuts, the North House Folk School, Blue Water Café, or get some of that fresh Lake Superior Fish at the Fisherman's Daughter.
The magazine missed two of the most iconic Grand Marais stops: The Angry Trout Café and the home of Minnesota's most popular bumper sticker, Sven and Ole's Pizza.
It's not just a warm weather destination either. The area is extremely popular with cross country skiers, snowmobilers and more. You can snowshoe in some of the most pristine wilderness or even take a dog sled ride!
The pick of Grand Marais as the best small lake town comes as part of Travel + Leisure's feature on the Best Small Towns. In order to qualify as one of America’s Best Small Towns, a town must be located in the United States and have a full-time population below 25,000 residents, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data.
"It must also excel in its category and offer a variety of activities, accommodations, and a timely reason to visit — be it a notable new festival, hotel, restaurant, attraction, or tourism initiative," explains Travel + Leisure. "We polled our colleagues and contributors, trusted travel advisors, and more within our network of experts from all over the U.S."
And don't forget your pooch. Grand Marais is one of Minnesota's most dog-friendly towns.
Other towns chosen include:
Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island, Florida as Best Beach Town
Highlands, North Carolina as Best Mountain Town
Kanab, Utah as Best Desert Town
Los Olivos, California as Best Small Food + Culture Town
Dahlonega, Georgia as Best Small Wine, Beer, + Spirits Town
Aurora, New York as Best Small Spa + Wellness Town
You can see the entire list, the runner-ups and why they were chosen, here.