Top Things to do in Grand Portage
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Top 8 Things to do in Grand Portage, Grand Portage
Discover the best top things to do in Grand Portage, United States including Grand Portage National Monument, Grand Portage State Park, High Falls, Ryden's Border Store, Pigeon River, Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Lines, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Middle Falls.
1. Grand Portage National Monument
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 323 reviews
On a hot sultry day in mid-July 1802, partners of the most successful fur trade company in North America, the North West Company, met in their majestic Great Hall at Grand Portage and voted to move their summer headquarters from the protected shores of Lake Superior’s Grand Portage Bay 50 miles north to the mouth of the Kaministquia River. Almost from the time the vigorous Anglo-Scot Nor’Westers had organized at Grand Portage in the mid 1780’s an emerging United States wanted them out. The July vote would mean that 18 buildings constructed from native squared spruce, pine and birch and over 2,000 cedar pickets surrounding them would be torn down, transported north in company schooners and used in constructing the new Fort William far from U.S. soil. As early as 2,000 years ago, Indian Nations probably used Kitchi Onigaming “the Great Carrying Place” to travel from summer homes on Lake Superior to winter hunting grounds in the interior of Minnesota and Ontario. In 1729 Cree guide Auchagah drew a map for some of the first French fur traders showing them how to reach the "western sea" of Lake Winnipeg. Other Europeans would follow, in time, Grand Portage became the gateway into rich northern fur bearing country connecting remote interior outposts to lucrative international markets. Reopened in 1951 as Grand Portage National Historic Site, designated a National Monument in 1958, its nearly 710 acres lying entirely within the boundaries of Grand Portage Ojibwe Indian Reservation, the reconstructed depot celebrates fur trade and Ojibwe lifeways. Today as yesterday, the people, the cultures and the land have much to share.
Reviewed By Annagrams587 - Eagan, United States
Wow - this is a must do if you are in the area! Highly recommend hiking up to the lookout (great view of the bay as well as Isle Royale) as well as visiting the historic fort on the shores of Lake Superior. The historically-attired staff told us interesting stories about the history of the trading post, and we got to explore the historical buildings and learn more about the history of the fur trade and of the local Anishinaabe people. Highly recommend stopping here.
2. Grand Portage State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 198 reviews
Managed by the Ojibwe tribe, this area leads to Minnesota's tallest waterfalls.
Reviewed By jmpncsu - Raleigh, United States
Grand Portage State Park is located on the Canadian border in the extreme northeast corner of Minnesota. We visited for a hike with our dog to see the waterfalls. The border was closed so this was a far as we could go. High Falls, the highest waterfall in Minnesota, is a short hike on a paved trail to multiple viewpoints of this impressive waterfall. The longer Middle Falls Trail splits off and makes a loop around Pigeon River to two smaller waterfalls. There is also a great viewpoint along the trail of Lake Superior and looking into Canada. Overall, a really beautiful place and definitely worth a visit.
3. High Falls
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 161 reviews
Minnesota's tallest waterfall at 120 feet.
Reviewed By 123fun1232016 - Hillsborough, United States
We enjoyed our trip to these falls which are part of Grand Portage State Park. It is well worth the walk. Enjoy the scenery on this easy trail to pretty waterfalls.
4. Ryden's Border Store
5. Pigeon River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
Site of High Falls, Minnesota's tallest waterfalls.
Reviewed By JohnTDDD - Minneapolis, United States
Make sure you take your camera and give yourself a couple of hours to hike all the trails. Well worth it.
6. Grand Portage Isle Royale Transportation Lines
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 60 reviews
7. Holy Rosary Catholic Church
8. Middle Falls
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