Situated at the start of the Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais is a popular gateway to the Boundary Waters, as well as a destination for people looking to enjoy Lake Superior, learn traditional crafts at the North House Folk School, or experience the many arts and restaurants opportunities.
It’s a destination for many Minnesotans, but now it’s poised to get national recognition. The town is currently the front-runner in Budget Travel magazine’s “Coolest Small Town in America” contest. Voting is open until Feb. 25. In its listing on the voting website, accessing the BWCAW is the first asset listed:
Get your canoe on! Here on the north shore of Lake Superior, the Boundary Water Canoeing Area is one of the world’s perfect paddling destinations, with miles of waterways to navigate. Whether you’re craving a romantic getaway or a real adventure, Grand Marais has a little something for everyone, including cozy B&Bs, a vibrant arts community, an annual Fisherman’s Picnic, Lake Superior National Forest, and restaurants whose names say it all: Angry Trout Café, Crooked Spoon, and Sven and Ole’s pizza!
As of this morning, Grand Marais had 24.3 percent of the vote. The next runner-up is Chincoteague, VA with 21 percent. Other towns in the running include places in North Carolina, Washington, and Hawaii. The voting system allows one vote per person every 24 hours. Interested individuals can vote here.
Ely, Grand Marais’s counterpart on the other side of the wilderness, won the contest in 2010 with a decisive victory.
The voting site also included this video highlighting all the outdoor opportunities in Cook County:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4nm2fHNukI