North Shore Minnesota Getaway
By Louis Mueller • Apr 20, 2026Want an itinerary built around your preferences?
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Free to useDay 1
Jul 24
Airbnb Rental
- Late-afternoon departure from Des Moines
- Drive: Des Moines → Duluth (~5.5–6.5 hrs + stops)
- Check in Duluth Airbnb (Chester Park)
- Dinner stop en route + 1 quick playground break
- Settle in + bedtime routine
Day 2
Jul 25
Airbnb Rental
- Duluth full day (no long driving)
- Morning: stroller-friendly waterfront + playground time around Canal Park
- Late morning: hands-on exhibits at Great Lakes Aquarium
- Midday: nap back at Airbnb
- Early dinner + bedtime routine
Day 3
Jul 26
Airbnb Rental
- Checkout Duluth Airbnb (Chester Park)
- Morning: trains + indoor energy burn at Lake Superior Railroad Museum
- Early lunch
- Drive: Duluth → Beaver Bay (~45–60 min)
- Nap-window drive: aim to be rolling ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Check in Beaver Bay Airbnb + simple dinner + early bedtime
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Day 4
Jul 27
Airbnb Rental
- Beaver Bay day 1 (easy, close-by)
- Morning: waterfalls + short walks at Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Optional quick stop: Two Harbors breakwater/lighthouse area for kid-friendly rocks + views
- Midday: nap at Airbnb
- Early dinner + bedtime
Day 5
Jul 28
Airbnb Rental
- Beaver Bay day 2 (big morning)
- Morning: lighthouse + beach-combing at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
- Drive: Beaver Bay → Split Rock (~20–35 min)
- Nap-window plan: early lunch, then short scenic drive during 1:30 AM–2:30 PM window
- Afternoon: downtime / beach / easy play
- Early dinner + bedtime
Day 6
Jul 29
Airbnb Rental
- Beaver Bay day 3 (big morning)
- Morning: short family hike + overlooks at Tettegouche State Park
- Drive: Beaver Bay → Tettegouche (~15–25 min)
- Nap-window plan: early lunch, then easy drive loop starting ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Afternoon: calm beach/rocks + pack a bit for tomorrow
- Early dinner + bedtime
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Day 7
Jul 30
Airbnb Rental
- Checkout Beaver Bay Airbnb
- Drive: Beaver Bay → Lutsen (~1 hr–1 hr 15 min)
- Nap-window drive: aim to be rolling ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM (after an early lunch)
- Check in Lutsen Airbnb (your wife’s favorite)
- Late afternoon: easy lakeshore time + early dinner
- Bedtime routine
Day 8
Jul 31
- Lutsen day 1: Grand Marais + rocks (low driving)
- Morning: head into Grand Marais for harbor stroll
- Don’t miss Artists' Point for rock hopping + lighthouse views
- Drive: Lutsen → Grand Marais (~30–40 min each way)
- Midday: nap/quiet time back at the cabin
- Early dinner + bedtime
Day 9
Aug 1
- Lutsen day 2 (bigger morning): Devils Kettle day
- Morning: start early at Judge C.R. Magney State Park
- Drive: Lutsen → Judge C.R. Magney (~45–60 min each way)
- Nap-window plan: picnic/early lunch, then drive back starting ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Afternoon: downtime (beach / quiet time)
- Early dinner + bedtime routine
Day 10
Aug 2
- Checkout Lutsen Airbnb
- Drive: Lutsen → Bloomington / Mall of America area (~4.5–5.5 hrs)
- Nap-window drive: aim to be rolling ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Check in Bloomington break-up night
- After check-in: choose ONE easy kid win (keep it short)
- Indoor: Nickelodeon Universe
- Or: SEA LIFE at Mall of America
- Or: Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- Simple dinner + early bedtime routine
- Next morning (Aug 2): optional 60–90 min at Mall of America®, then drive Bloomington → Des Moines (~3.5–4.5 hrs + stops)
- If you need a nap on the way: lunch, then drive again starting ~1:30 AM–2:30 PM
- Arrive home with buffer for bedtime
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