Great Lakes Getaway: 10-Day Girls' Road Trip from St. Paul to Mackinac Island

St. Paul, MN → Duluth, MN → Two Harbors / Split Rock Lighthouse → Grand Marais → Ironwood, MI → Marquette, MI → Pictured Rocks / Munising → Tahquamenon Falls / Paradise → Sault Ste. Marie → Mackinac Island. Step-by-step stops selected for scenic North Shore, Upper Peninsula waterfalls, and island time.

Route Overview

• Day 1: St. Paul to Duluth (2 hours 15 min)
• Day 2: Duluth to Grand Marais via North Shore (1–2 hours driving between stops)
• Day 3: Grand Marais to Ironwood (3 hours)
• Day 4: Ironwood to Marquette (2.5–3 hours)
• Day 5: Marquette to Munising / Pictured Rocks (45–60 min)
• Day 6: Munising to Tahquamenon Falls / Paradise (2 hours)
• Day 7: Paradise to Sault Ste. Marie (2 hours)
• Day 8: Sault Ste. Marie to Mackinaw City; Ferry to Mackinac Island (1–1.5 hours + ferry)
• Days 9–10: Mackinac Island stay and return as desired

Day 1 — St. Paul to Duluth

8:00AM: Depart St. Paul, MN

Drive north via I-35 (~2 hr 15 min, fuel ~$25). Stop at scenic overlooks en route. Arrive in Duluth for afternoon exploration.

10:30AM: Canal Park & Lakewalk (Free, 2 hours) — Stroll the Lakewalk, see the Aerial Lift Bridge, visit shops along Canal Park.

1:00PM: Lunch at Duluth Grill (Entrees $12–20, 1 hour) — Farm-forward menu and local beers, great for groups.

3:00PM: Glensheen Mansion (Admission ~$15, 1.5 hours) — Historic estate tour with lake views and gardens.

6:30PM: Dinner at Va Bene Caffe (Pasta & pizza $12–25, 1.5 hours) — Casual Italian near the waterfront.

Hotel: Fitger’s Inn or Hotel Indigo Duluth (Estimate $140–220/night). Total day cost est.: $200–300 incl. fuel, meals, admissions, hotel.

Day 2 — Duluth to Two Harbors to Grand Marais (North Shore)

8:30AM: Depart Duluth for Two Harbors

Two Harbors Lighthouse & Agate Beach (Free, 1 hr) — Beach combing and lighthouse photos, short walks.

10:30AM: Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (Parking $7–10, 1.5–2 hrs) — Iconic lighthouse, visitor center, overlooks.

1:00PM: Lunch at Betty’s Pies (Lunch $8–15) near Silver Bay — Famous pies and comfort food.

3:30PM: Arrive Grand Marais; visit Artist’s Point and harbor (Free, 1.5 hrs) — Scenic cliffs, paddleboard/kayak options.

6:30PM: Dinner at Angry Trout Cafe (Entrees $15–30, 1.5 hrs) — Fresh fish and regional cuisine.

Hotel: Harbor House Inn or Devil Track Inn (Estimate $130–200/night). Total day cost est.: $180–280 incl. park fees, meals, hotel.

Day 3 — Grand Marais to Ironwood (via Gunflint Trail optional)

9:00AM: Morning coffee & harbor walk

Lake Superior Baking Co. & harbor stroll (Coffee $4–8, 1 hr). Visit local galleries on 3rd Ave.

11:00AM: Drive toward Ironwood with scenic stops (3–4 hrs driving total with breaks) — Stop at Cascade River State Park overlooks (Free, 45 min).

4:00PM: Arrive Ironwood; visit historic downtown and the Ironwood Theatre (Free to window-shop, 1–2 hrs).

6:30PM: Dinner at The Workshop (Entrees $12–25, 1.5 hrs) — Local gastropub favorites.

Hotel: Copper King Hotel or Holiday Inn Express Ironwood (Estimate $110–160/night). Total day cost est.: $150–230 incl. fuel, meals, hotel.

Day 4 — Ironwood to Marquette

8:30AM: Depart Ironwood for Marquette

Stop at scenic overlooks and Elder Park/Black River Falls along route (Free, 30–45 min). Arrive Marquette mid-afternoon.

1:30PM: Lunch at The Vierling Restaurant & Marquette Harbor Brewery (Entrees $15–30, 1.5 hrs) — Waterfront dining with craft beer.

3:30PM: Presque Isle Park (Free, 2 hrs) — Hiking, lighthouse views, sunset possibilities.

7:00PM: Dinner at Donckers (Desserts & light fare $8–20, 1 hour) or a full meal at Braise Restaurant (Entrees $18–35).

Hotel: Landmark Inn or Hampton Inn Marquette (Estimate $120–200/night). Total day cost est.: $180–260.

Day 5 — Marquette to Munising & Pictured Rocks

8:00AM: Depart for Munising (50–60 min)

9:30AM: Pictured Rocks Boat Tour (Boat tour ~$35–60, 2–3 hrs) — Dramatic cliffs, sea caves, and waterfalls seen from Lake Superior.

1:30PM: Lunch at The Island Lake Inn or The Brownstone Inn (Lunch $12–20) in Munising.

3:00PM: Visit Miners Castle overlook & Munising Falls (Free, 1–1.5 hrs) — Short hikes and scenic overlooks.

6:30PM: Dinner at The Dogpatch Restaurant (Entrees $12–20). Hotel: Best Western or local inns in Munising (Estimate $100–150/night). Total day cost est.: $170–260 incl. boat tour.

Day 6 — Munising to Tahquamenon Falls & Paradise

9:00AM: Depart Munising for Tahquamenon Falls State Park (approx. 2 hrs)

11:30AM: Upper & Lower Falls visit (State park parking $7–10, Free trails, 2–3 hrs) — Walk boardwalks to both falls; famous amber water and large cascades.

2:30PM: Lunch at Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub in Paradise (Pub fare $10–20, 1 hr) — Local beers and hearty meals.

4:00PM: Explore Whitefish Point (Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum ~ $10–15, 1–1.5 hrs) if time allows en route to Sault Ste. Marie next day.

Hotel: River’s Edge Motel or locally recommended lodgings in Paradise (Estimate $100–150/night). Total day cost est.: $150–230.

Day 7 — Paradise to Sault Ste. Marie

9:00AM: Drive to Sault Ste. Marie (approx. 2 hours)

11:30AM: Lunch at The C.W. Voss or Dockside (Entrees $12–25, 1 hr) — Views of the Soo Locks.

1:30PM: Soo Locks Boat Tour or observation (Boat tour ~$20–30, 1–1.5 hrs) — Watch freighters transit; visit the locks visitor center.

3:30PM: Walk River of History museum or Roberta Bondar Park (Free to low cost, 1–1.5 hrs).

6:30PM: Dinner at Mill 37 Restaurant & Brew Pub (Entrees $15–30). Hotel: Delta Hotels by Marriott or Sault Ste. Marie inns (Estimate $110–180/night). Total day cost est.: $150–240.

Day 8 — Sault Ste. Marie to Mackinaw City → Ferry to Mackinac Island

8:30AM: Drive to Mackinaw City (approx. 1 hr)

9:30AM: Ferry to Mackinac Island (Shepler’s or Star Line; round-trip ferry ~$20–30, bikes allowed for extra fee, 20 min)

10:30AM: Arrive Mackinac Island; check into hotel or B&B. Explore Main Street, shops, and historic downtown.

12:30PM: Lunch at The Pink Pony (Entrees $12–25, 1–1.5 hrs) — Waterfront dining on the island.

3:00PM: Rent bikes or take a horse-drawn carriage tour (Bike rental ~$10–20/hr; carriage tour ~$30–40, 1–2 hrs) — Circle the island and visit Arch Rock.

6:30PM: Dinner at The Yankee Rebel Tavern or the Grand Hotel’s dining (Reservations recommended; entrees $20–50). Hotel on-island options: Grand Hotel (splurge $300–700/night), Island B&Bs (Estimate $150–300/night). Day cost est.: $120–500+ depending on lodging choice.

Day 9 — Full Day on Mackinac Island

8:30AM: Breakfast at hotel or Joann’s The Straits (Breakfast $8–15)

9:30AM: Fort Mackinac & Butterfly House (Fort admission ~$12–16, Butterfly Conservatory ~$6–8, 2–3 hrs) — Historic fort with reenactments and museum exhibits.

12:30PM: Lunch at Café Flore or The Village Inn (Entrees $10–20) — Cozy island cafes.

2:00PM: Explore Arch Rock, British Landing, and shoreline by bike or on a scenic walk (Free to low cost, 2–3 hrs).

6:30PM: Sunset drinks at the Round Island Lighthouse viewpoint or waterfront restaurants (Drinks $8–15). Total day cost est.: $80–200 depending on activities and food.

Day 10 — Morning on Mackinac Island & Return

8:00AM: Morning carriage ride or last walk

9:30AM: Brunch at The Grand Luncheon Buffet (if staying at Grand; buffet $30–50) or local cafés (Brunch $10–20).

11:30AM: Ferry back to Mackinaw City and drive toward St. Paul (approx. 6–7 hours driving); consider overnight stop if desired.

Cost estimate for return travel: fuel ~$50–70; tolls and incidentals vary. Total day cost est.: $100–200 depending on return schedule and meals.

Cost Summary (per person, estimates)

• Accommodation (9 nights): $900–2,000+ (shared double occupancy varies)
• Meals: $300–600
• Fuel & driving costs: $150–300
• Activities & admissions: $150–400
• Ferry & island rentals: $40–200
• Estimated total per person: $1,540–3,500 (depending on lodging choices and activities)

Check hotel and flight prices: Compare stays & flights on KAYAK

Hidden Gems and Local Favorites

Seek out offbeat stops: the small pottery & art shops in Grand Marais, secluded Lake Superior beaches near Schroeder, the Lake of the Clouds overlook in Porcupine Mountains, local craft breweries in Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, and late-afternoon soft-serve at Far Corner on Mackinac Island. Locals love sunrise at Presque Isle and quiet evening walks around the island carriage roads.