A Duluth Honeymoon
By mk on Mar 31, 2010 in Help Wanted
A friend from down south (heh- Madison, WI) sent me this message below. Strangely, I’m having a hard time coming up with any answers to his questions. It must be because I live here and don’t need to vacation here. I thought the talented pool of PDD readers would definitely have some feedback.
I’m writing to ask for some help from my friends to the north. Nicolle and I are getting married this summer, and would like to spend a week or so afterward up in the Duluth area. I’m looking for some recommendations from the locals on a good place to go. We’re looking for (ideally) a small cabin on a body of water. Mostly, we just want to avoid hotels. Any thoughts about a cute little place in the Duluth area where some newly weds could spend a quiet, relaxing week? Any help is appreciated. Thanks a million!
Also, I clarified with him and he’s open to places on the Big Lake as well as inland lakes. I used to think Wonderland Resort was the bomb (tiny old-school cabins on the Big Lake) but that property has since been purchased and on it sits a private home.
There are several potentials listed on vrbo.com.
What is “the Duluth area”? If that is extended to the North Shore — cobblestone cabins in Tofte.
I DJ’d a wedding once at the Deep Lake Lodge in Iron River and I can’t vouch for it but it reminded me of those old mom and pop somewhat rustic fishing and camping experiences. This was over 10 years ago, but I got a really good feeling about the place. Not sure why it jumps to mind, but it would be an easy day trip to Duluth-Superior and or the shore and also Apostle Islands/Bayfield. On the WI side you get more sand oh and there are the tubing and canoeing opportunities on the Brule. Here’s the website that I found.
http://deeplakelodge.com/
Cascade Lodge near Grand Marais is wonderful:
http://www.cascadelodgemn.com
In Duluth proper: AG Thompson House
http://www.thomsonhouse.biz/
Madeline Island might work, over by Bayfield. I know someone who rented a nice house there a couple years ago and enjoyed it. Not sure of the name but could find out if interested.
Ditto on Cascade Lodge. And they make the BEST walleye in the world at their restaurant.
Soleil Pines
I’ve stayed at “Park Point Carriage House” (a VRBO place) and it’s *very nice*. It’s within easy walking distance of all the Park Point touristy stuff and downtown. It’s beautifully decorated and very nicely appointed with cooking gear if your friends would prefer to save some money by making their own meals. It’s on the lake side of Park Point and the view from the living room is really wonderful. There’s a fire pit out by the beach for romantic nights by the water. It’s just really nice and relaxing and classy without being pretentious.
VRBO stands for vacation rentals by owner … in case anyone was wondering.
There is a great little apartment RIGHT ON The Lake, & Superior St. obove Va Bene Retsaurant. Only one apt that is rented by the week/nightly. Not many know about it, so it would be a perfect place for a honeymoon, yet its right in the middle of the summer action-right on The Lake, next to Fitgers, yada, yada, yada. Not a cabin, but….Contact Antonio at the Italian pottery shop at730 East Superior St. He owns it. Also owns Sir Ben’s.
Know the owner of the carriage house too. Cute and private place. Good suggestion. Also Duluth’s wonderful B&B’s!
There’s a set of cabins up at Tettegouche that I’ve always wanted to stay in.
That Park Pt Carriage House sounds GREAT and I second the apartment above Antonino’s shop. A great location near the Portland Malt Shoppe. I know there’s various cabins around Grand Marais/Lutsen/Tofte, we stayed at one once around there. Maybe the Grand Marais website would have more information — as would the Duluth tourist glossy magazine, the one Visit Duluth puts out, you can find it at the Depot. We once stayed at a cabin on Burntside Lake in Ely, it was right on the water and there was a lot to do at the resort there, maybe called Burntside Lodge? I highly recommend it. I am sure your friend will find something, it’s not too hard!
If you want quaint and private, and quiet, clean and old fashioned…no granite counter tops here— then I like the Kee Nee Tah Cabins just south of Grand Marais. I noticed in their guest book that there have been many honeymoon couples staying there. The cabins are set in the woods and have rock fireplaces, the real kind. And although they are not right on the rocks of the lake, there is private access (you have to inquire) to the rocks and water. No Highway 61 noise which is what I like.
Park Point, http://www.cottageonthepoint.com
Another great place is Bob’s Cabins, up in Two Harbors. (You can find their web site easily with Google.) I’ve stayed up there a couple of times and it’s WONDERFUL. The cabins are very simple: no TV or microwave, but you’ve got what you need to make simple meals. They’ve got a great little library that you can borrow from while you stay there. The owners have made a point of keeping the place simple, clean, and quiet. It’s right on Lake Superior. Actually, this sounds like EXACTLY the kind of place the newlyweds would love!
In true honeymoon fashion, if you are looking for solitude, consider the hike-in cabins at Tettegouche. The walk-in is brutal. It is a massive hill on a dirt road that is entirely driveable, but they don’t allow cars. Once you get to your cabin, though, it is literally heaven. You are on a small chain of lakes with access to canoe rental, fishing, etc. You cook all of your own meals. The cabins are nicely furnished. And, there’s just something about the place that is magical. An entire week might be a bit much but if you blend that with something a little more contemporary… say a night at the Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield or a B&B in Duluth, etc. it’d balance things out. Also, the Cable Nature Lodge in Cable, Wisconsin has the B&B feel without the Innkeeper/you have lots of privacy. They really rave about their menu/I wasn’t overly impressed but the location is awesome! Especially if you enjoy the outdoors at all!!!
The Cabins at Tettegouche are very nice, have stayed there a few times. Getting reservations for summer months may be tricky, as the cabins are pretty popular and summer seems prime time to be there. I (personally) wouldn’t call them solitude, as there are 4 cabins and a hiking trail that runs right by them, so there is traffic. But, it is a lot quieter than the city and the stars are magnificent.
If they want to be in town, Fitger’s Hotel is pretty romantic. Hot tubs. Lake views. Though maybe not the best for a honeymoon, as the walls are thin.
Gardenwood Resort has small cabins on Senic North Shore Drive, in Duluth. For that up-at-the-cabin feel! Great walking paths along the Lake.
http://www.pinehurstinn.com
Right near Big Top Chautauqua and a very very nice sand beach.
Madeline Island rocks, I love going there. The Inn on Madeline Island rents out apartments and condos, we once rented an apartment from them that was over the post office — which overlooks the ferry boat landing — it was great.
Lots of nice options on beautiful Lake Vermilion. Fishing, day trips into BWCA, Ely nearby, etc.
http://www.lakevermilionresorts.com/
This month’s issue of Mpls-St. Paul magazine has a great report on places to stay, places to go, in Duluth and up the shore. I highly recommend you buy an issue and send it to your friends.
The power of PDD. Amazing stuff. I have sent them the link to this post so they can take notes.
Thanks, everyone!
I second the Cobblestone Cabins in Tofte. Quiet, on the lake, private, and reasonably priced.
I’d strongly recommend Fenstad’s Resort in Little Marais. The shoreline there is rugged and beautiful and it is very private and well maintained.
My grandparent’s owned Wonderland and I spent a lot of time there when I was a little girl! Haha, that’s awesome that you mentioned it!
Ahhh, congratulations to the soon to be couple! Yeah, staying at hotels is great and there are even some that allow for more privacy than others, but I hope you find the perfect setting for your honeymoon getaway.