Two Harbors Attractions

Top Things to Do in Two Harbors, MN

Things to Do in Two Harbors

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What travellers are saying

  • Carey Rose
    Kansas City, KS9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Parking was very crowded but we didn't mind having to walk a bit further. The visitor center had a lot of neat exhibits and educational displays. A nice gift shop as well, although we didn't purchase anything. Nice detailed maps are posted with trail descriptions as well as difficulty level. Such beautiful tall trees and wildlife surrounds you. Once you get to the falls its mesmerizing. The sounds/visuals are fantastic. You can climb around the rocks and get into the water in some areas. Was a fantastic place to visit and I'm glad we stopped!
    Written 14 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Katie M
    8 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Always breathtaking views. Nice that there is not admission charge this time of year. I like reading about the history of the area and building the lighthouse.
    Written 18 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Grover R
    Pensacola, FL18,062 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    To illustrate how amazing Minnesota's North Shore is, this was my fifth favorite State Park during my short visit between Duluth and Grand Portage. It's beauty and views of the shoreline make it an amazing attraction and something you should definitely see on your visit.

    However, it did not have the hiking or natural features other state parks did in the area. There is one good hike from the lighthouse and museum going west down the bluff. It has a long boardwalk with what feels like a thousand stairs, but it also has great viewing platforms to the see the lighthouse.

    The park can be a little confusing as well. There is a pay station when you first enter the park, but it is more for people who are camping. In an abundance of caution, I bought the state park pass because I knew I would be visiting at least 6. With that said, no one really checked for my pass or payment at any of the parks. Still it was modest price, and for the six parks I saw, I was happy to pay the state for the public places that were provided.

    However, to really see the lighthouse and lakeshore, that things that brought you here, you have to purchase a lighthouse ticket, separate from the park, either for the lighthouse or grounds. I was pressed for time and only bought the grounds as I saw all I needed with that ticket. Still if you really like lighthouses and want to go inside, it is a good purchase. I was able to hike to the shore and get great views of the cliff and lighthouse with just a grounds ticket. Either way you will get admission to a nice museum just before the lighthouse on the bluff.

    Again, this is a great park with beautiful views of the lake and lakeshore as well as the iconic lighthouse. However, it has some confusion with tickets and passes, and I think there are better parks and attractions along the North Shore if you time is limited to less than 3-4 days. Still the view of the lighthouse is great and well worth the ground's admission ticket.
    Written 26 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • AJMidwest
    Iowa16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We often go to the North Shore and this is a must stop. We are not huge fans of craft beer but this is the best we have found. Don’t forget to grab a box of white cheddar pretzels. In the summer months there are food trucks and plenty of outdoor seating. Games for the kids as well while the adults have a quick drink.
    Written 17 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • maura
    Minneapolis, MN7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    For context I am 53, healthy but not fit and have a bit of arthritis in one foot due to a bad break about 10 years ago. This is a wonderful hike and I will do it again. I added several photos to try to show a representative sampling of trail terrain. Some clear flat dirt but mostly rocky and rooty, lots of ups and downs - some very steep. Trickiest part was short steep decent to Bear Lake. I likely wouldn’t have managed that little bit without my hiking poles. This is a quick detour off the main trail and can be avoided easily. The poles were quite helpful overall especially on the steeper descents. My 16 year old daughter was with me and didn’t have hiking poles and likely didn’t miss them a bit. By choice and necessity ( for me) we took our time and enjoyed the views. We spent about an hour down at the shore of Bear lake eating and swimming. We left the parking lot at 2:15 and returned at 8:40. We really took our time on the way out - but from the start of the loop trail back we were kind of racing sunset so more or less hiked straight back with a couple very short water breaks. We planned to get an early start but life got in the way. Give yourself plenty of time, whatever that means for you - the views are great. Note, no restaurants open after 8:30 in the area. A couple bars were open. Good public restroom about three miles from the trailhead on Lax Lake Road right before intersection with 61 in Beaver Bay. We did this hike Aug 4, 2022 and probably saw fewer than 25 people total.
    Written 5 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • cenzt
    Iowa5,821 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good trip. We arrived at approximately 9:45 am and made our way towards the entrance of the lighthouse. We first decided to walk towards the light signal at the end of the breakwater. It was about a 5 minute walk each way, but we were surrounded by water on all sides, and the environment was quite peaceful. After viewing the light signal, we made our way towards the lighthouse. The main building was where we bought our admission tickets, and there was a small gift shop located inside as well. We then proceeded to tour the various buildings on the site. We first went to the pilot house, where there were several informational plaques detailing the history of the boat the pilot house belonged to, along with a brief history of its demise. We then walked over to the assistant lighthouse keepers quarters, where there were several more informational plaques about several shipwrecks and storms that occurred in the area. We were also able to tour the downstairs quarters, and saw several pieces of original furniture. We then walked over to the lighthouse itself, and proceeded to climb up several flights of stairs to the very top. Along the way, there were more informational plaques, detailing the history of the lighthouse. We made our way to the top, and were able to look outside through the windows to the water and green grass below us. Unfortunately we could not climb all the way to the top, due to high voltage activity from the existing light. We then walked around the grounds for a bit, where there was a nicely maintained garden, waterfall and oil house, that was not open to the public.

    Tip: I recommend spending an hour here if you truly want to see everything.
    Written 12 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • blessedsights2c
    Ridgeway, WI35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Our whole family enjoyed stopping at this unique beach! Great for skipping rocks. Definitely recommend stopping here on a drive up the MN north shore.
    Written 11 September 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lori A
    Grand Rapids, United States4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place is awesome and it’s been in a number of movies for a good reason. Be careful and keep your kids close by. It’s a long way down.
    Written 2 December 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dmaxwel
    Plainfield, IL27 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nice spot to sit and gaze on the north shore of Lake Superior. Perfect spot but expect to get your car floor dirty. Road/parking area can be damp and easy to track into car. You need to keep a little one in hand for safety here to avoid slipping into crevice or tripping on rocks.

    Bummed because I lost my Fitbit there, but that was my own fault. Hopefully, someone found it and can get some use out of it!
    Written 20 August 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kevin A
    Park City, IL1,283 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Visiting the Historical Society was a very interesting place to visit. It had some history and I would recommend this place.
    Written 30 July 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Amy DiFranco
    Duluth, MN11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This place never disappoints. From the walk along the breakwall down to the lighthouse at the end, or if you want to sit on a beach below the lot to having a picnic on one of the picnic tables, you will certainly enjoy every bit of it. Sunsets are the best time to go. The color of the sky reflects on the water. Sometimes you can see a ship doc in the ore docs to be loaded with ore. Along the trails you can find some GeoCaching spots. Look closely or you might miss it.
    Written 3 October 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jay L
    Minneapolis, MN158 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iona's Beach is beautiful and unique, well worth a visit so drive slowly when you get a few miles north of Two Harbors so you don't miss it.
    Written 5 March 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • susanphough
    Two Harbors, MN7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    With a 3k loop and a 5k loop plus multiple interconnections, you can put together almost any length outing you like. Although it shares space with the golf course, your views are mainly of trees, with the occasional deer or moose to break things up. Most of the path choices are easy, though there are some alternative paths that allow you to play with hillier terrain. Grooming may not be immediate after a snowfall.
    Written 12 December 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Rick F
    1 contribution
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Both interactive displays were out of order (not working) and some artifacts were displayed without any description or explanation. Could be so much better. Only took about a half hour.
    Written 31 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • B. Richard
    Bellevue, WA310 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We travel alot and all too often visitor centers are just brochure distribution points. Not here, a fellow named Keith earlier this week spent time to help us take advantage of the north shore we planned to drive and just knew what we really wanted to know - hikes with maps, special beaches, where to eat, update on the effects of drought in area, He showed us samples of the agates he tumbles, gave us a travel packets that broke the drive into managable pieces and highlighted the essential stops. First rate experience.
    Written 18 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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