Vacation rentals in Larsmont

Located on the North Shore of Lake Superior, Two Harbors and Larsmont greet visitors with a mix of rugged industrial architecture and stunning scenery. As Two Harbors’ name suggests, freighters still dock here to load up on ore from Minnesota’s Iron Range. Larsmont, slightly to the south, is known as a resort area stretching along the lakefront. Both towns serve as a wonderful base for outdoor fun all year round: fishing, hunting, birding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. All along the 25-mile Scenic Drive that follows the lakeshore, you’ll find hiking trails, rocky beaches, and waterfalls. And in winter, snow and ice give the landscape a glittering, magical cast.

People outside the Midwest may underestimate how hot and beautiful summers are in Minnesota. With highs in the high 60 degrees Fahrenheit to the high 70s June through September, pack shorts, T-shirts, and tons of bug spray for the evenings. If you’re hiking in the woods, be sure to wear long-sleeved pants and shirts to ward off ticks.

Northern Minnesota has a short spring and a short fall, with temperatures in the 30s Fahrenheit during the former and in the 50s and 60s during the latter. Both seasons are spectacular times to stay in one of the area’s cottages for rent, but can feel like they only last a few weeks. Winter on the North Shore takes hold in October and lasts through April. The temperatures regularly drop below zero, so make sure your outerwear is suitable for extreme cold and snow, and that you have light, dry layers to change into once you’re back indoors. (If you’re headed to Minnesota in January, of course, you already know that.)

Duluth

Just a half-hour south of Two Harbors and Larsmont is Duluth, one of Minnesota’s most charming cities. Century-old brick buildings hug the shore of Lake Superior, and houses stretch up the surrounding hillside. You could spend the afternoon exploring the shops, cafes, and breweries downtown, enjoy a long lunch on the waterfront contemplating the freighters arriving at port, or climb the tower at Enger Park.

Gooseberry Falls

Located in Castle Danger — yes, you read that right — is the picturesque Gooseberry Falls State Park. In the warmer months, hikers and bikers can ramble along 20 miles of trails here, some of which are paved and wheelchair accessible, past three sets of waterfalls. The falls often freeze over in January, and snowshoes and skis make tracks all over the park. (If you’re hiking on foot, consider ice cleats for your boots.)

Split Rock Lighthouse

Built on a treacherous stretch of Lake Superior’s coast in 1910, this lighthouse has become one of northern Minnesota’s most famous landmarks. It is dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the water, and surrounded by hiking trails that descend to the shore. (Heads-up: The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, but the observation deck at the top of the lighthouse is not.)