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Plan Your Visit

Planning a visit or taking a class at North House? We’re glad you’re coming. Here’s some info to help you get ready for your time on the North Shore!

The North House Campus

Nestled on the Grand Marais harbor, the North House campus is a collection of colorful timber-frame buildings and historic structures that serve as classrooms, community gathering spaces, our School Store and administrative offices. Students check in at the Welcome Center before exploring campus, which includes an outdoor masonry oven and community fire ring, situated amidst a central courtyard. Small, handcrafted wooden boats line the beach, and our 50-foot schooner, Hjørdis, is docked at the water's edge.

A Typical Day at North House

Prior to the beginning of classes, students check in at the Welcome Center then often settle into their classroom and gather to share a cup of coffee or tea, enjoying the morning stirrings on the harbor. Classes typically start with a greeting from North House staff, and then students spend the morning engaged in their respective crafts. A midday break gives students the opportunity to bring their own lunch to a beachside picnic table or to check out one of the numerous eateries within walking distance of the campus. At day’s end, some students congregate to share their learned experiences or take off to rest and rejuvenate for the next day of learning. Often on Friday nights during the summer months, students enjoy wood-fired pizza baked in the harborside wood-fired pizza oven.

Visiting Campus

North House is a beautiful place and vistors are welcome to wander through campus. The School Store in the Welcome Center is a perfect place to start and get up-to-date information on the day's happenings which may include live craft demonstrations and other activites. Our School Store is open daily from 9am-5pm. 

Free campus tours are typically available Saturdays at 4pm and begin at the School Store. Visitors are also welcome to quietly peek in the doors and windows of classes, but are asked to not walk into the midst of class spaces where tools are in use or instructors are actively teaching. Please ask before touching materials or taking photographs of students or instructors. Photographing children is not allowed. Click here for more information about campus accessibility.

Sailing

The sight of the Hjørdis on the harbor is a quintessential experience of a visit to Grand Marais. The opportunity to sail on this iconic schooner with one of our skilled and engaging captains is a special and memorable experience for many. Sails typically run June through September. Book your sail here!

Planning Your Trip

Location

North House is located on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Our campus sits harborside in the vibrant, artistic community of Grand Marais. Lake Superior and its pebbled beaches are steps from our classrooms, and miles of public forests, trails, and shoreline are just a short drive away.

By Car

Most visitors arrive by car via scenic Highway 61. Grand Marais is located approximately two hours north of Duluth and an hour and a half south of Thunder Bay.

Shared Transit

  • Arrowhead Transit intermittently offers a shuttle from Duluth, as well as limited daily  transportation within Cook County.
  • Various shuttles service the Superior Hiking Trail. Find a list of shuttle services on the Superior Hiking Trail website. 
  • Visit Cook County has more information on their website about getting to the area.

By Air

Parking

There is ample street parking within a few blocks of campus including on both sides of Hwy 61. We invite you to enjoy the “pedestrian village” that is Grand Marais!  Click here for more information about accessible parking.

Lodging

Although we do not provide lodging for students on campus, there are many campgrounds, hotels, and B&Bs nearby. We maintain a list of our Lodging Partners, many of which offer a discount for North House students!

Restaurants and Things to Do

Please note: many businesses in Cook County are seasonal or have limited hours October - May. Contact individual businesses for details.

Weather and What to Pack

Lake Superior creates a unique microclimate, and weather can change quickly. Temperatures along the lakeshore are often quite different from those just a few miles inland, so we recommend dressing in layers year-round, especially if your class takes place outdoors or your plans include sailing aboard the Hjørdis.

During the summer, conditions can range from cool, foggy mornings to warm afternoons. Snow, frost, and freezing temperatures are possible from October through May. In winter, expect temperatures anywhere from the 20s to below zero, occasionally dropping below -30°F, particularly inland. Please note that North House rarely cancels classes due to weather. If you're traveling during the colder months, allow extra time for potentially challenging driving conditions.

If you plan to explore local trails in the Superior National Forest, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, or one of the many nearby state parks, be prepared for changing conditions, wildlife, and insects, including mosquitoes, black flies, and ticks during the warmer months.

Taking a Class

Our Students

Students are as diverse as the course offerings themselves. Many are discovering a new craft for the first time, and others are continuing to pursue a lifelong hobby or trade. From bread baking to knitting, basket making to woodcarving, we invite curious minds of all levels and ages to take part in North House. Many courses are open to all levels, but some may be geared toward intermediate or advanced students, which is noted in course descriptions. Unless otherwise noted, courses are open to students 18+.

Registering for a Class

Excited  to register for a class? We can't wait to welcome you!

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