Two Harbors

Two Harbors, Minnesota

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In the late 1800s, the area of Two Harbors was actually divided into two separate communities, Agate Bay and Burlington. In 1907, the two communities merged together and became incorporated and were uniformly known as Two Harbors.

Had it not been for the discovery of iron ore in nearby areas, Two Harbors may not have existed. In 1907, the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad was built, and the railroad continued to expand its operations. An international highway between Duluth and Grand Portage began construction in 1921. Two Harbors is the county seat of Lake County, Minnesota, and has a population of around 3,500 people.

A Hub For outdoor activities

The town is a section on the Superior Hiking Trail, which features 300+ miles of trails alongside Lake Superior. The city also features paved walking and bike trails. It’s also home to two of Minnesota’s most visited state parks: Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse.

The town hosts the Lake County Fair, The Two Harbors Fall Art Festival, and Heritage Days, a weekend festival held in July. It’s also one of the checkpoints for the Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and the start line for the Grandma’s Marathon and the NorthShore Inline Marathon.

As a port town, it regularly sees massive ore tankers get loaded with Iron Ore at the iconic Ore Docks. Just a short detour off HWY 61, turn down Waterfront Drive to explore its charming downtown and scenic waterfront.

Take a stroll along the Two Harbors Breakwall down to the lighthouse at the end of the pier and take a lovely view of Agate Bay or possibly catch a large ore boat loaded up at the docks.

Two Harbors attractions

iona's beach natural and scientific area two harbors mn

Iona’s Beach Scientific & Natural Area

Iona’s Beach Scientific & Natural Area, located just north of Two Harbors, was named after Iona Lind, who owned Twin Points Resort (it formerly occupied ...

The Two Harbors Band Shell

The Band Shell, located in the heart of Two Harbors, reflects the rich tradition of providing summertime music to its citizens since 1937. Check our ...

Edna G

The tugboat, Edna G, once worked the Great Lakes and is now preserved as a museum ship. Edna G was built by the Cleveland Shipbuilding ...

Little Red School House

The Little Red Schoolhouse of Larsmont, established by Swedish and Finnish settlers in 1914, reflects a unique piece of history on the North Shore and ...

burlington bay campground on lake superior north shore two harbors mn

Burlington Bay Beach

Burlington Bay is a laid-back bay North Shore beach offering rocky & sandy shorelines. In the summer, it’s a perfect spot to launch a kayak ...

Peter Toth Indian Head

The Peter Toth Indian Head is still in place, in relatively good shape, and is easy to spot while driving into town near the R.J. ...

Agate Bay Beach

Agate Bay is a rocky lakeside beach with a long pier leading to a lighthouse. It offers a newly renovated boat ramp with some of ...

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Gaze upon miles of North Shore coastline at the daring height of 130 feet off the Split Rock Lighthouse cliffside. Take in the charming architectural ...

North Shore Scenic Railroad

The North Shore Scenic Railroad is a heritage railroad that operates between Duluth and Two Harbors, Minnesota, along 28 miles of the Lakefront Line, once ...

Crystal Bay Beach & Sea Cave

Just north along 61 and past the HWY 1 junction, the cobblestone Crystal Bay Beach provides a scenic view of one of Lake Superior’s largest ...

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Gooseberry Falls State Park earns its popularity for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, and Lake Superior shoreline. Additionally, it features Civilian Conservation Corps log, stone ...

Mile Marker Bear

The hand-carved Mile Marker Bear landmark located downtown Two Harbors has been giving the passerby directions for decades. It stands right next to the Dairy ...

Two Harbors Breakwall

Two Harbors Breakwater Lighthouse stands at the end of the breakwater at the entrance to Lake Superior’s Agate Bay. First established in 1895, it first ...

Split Rock Lighthouse

Split Rock Lighthouse stands as a North Shore icon perched on the cliffs of Lake Superior. The historical lighthouse became a National Historic Landmark in ...

Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur

As you drive north on HWY 61 into Two Harbors, you can’t miss Pierre the Pantsless Voyageur! The giant canoe-paddler statue reflects a time when ...

Anchor Memorial

While taking in the variety of activities, shopping, and food Two Harbors has to offer, don’t miss out on getting a glimpse back in time ...

3M Museum

Did you know that 3M company originated in Lake County? The 3M Museum in Two Harbors resides in the original Dwan Law Office Building. The ...

Agate Bay Boat Launch

Agate Bay Boat Launch in Two Harbors, MN, features public water access located within the commercial harbor and the future site of a safe harbor ...

Two Harbors Carnegie Library

The Two Harbors Carnegie Library was built in 1909 with a $15,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, along with more than 3,000 libraries in 47 states ...

Lake County Historical Society

Organized in 1925, the mission of the Lake County Historical Society is to preserve the history of Lake County, Minnesota through the preservation, study and ...

The Ore Docks

Made of steel, more than 1300 feet long, and seven stories tall the Two Harbors Iron Ore Docks allow ships to pull alongside some 112 ...

The Duluth and Iron Range Depot Museum

The Duluth and Iron Range Railroad played a vital role in the development of northern Minnesota’s economy and its iron ore industry, serving passenger and ...

Coca-Cola Mural

Folks in Two Harbors love the giant Coke Sign that’s been around for decades, maybe because it’s just cool or maybe because it makes the ...

agate beach at gooseberry falls state park

Gooseberry Falls State Park – Agate Beach

Agate Beach is a rocky Lake Superior pebble beach located within Gooseberry Falls State Park. Hike along the Gooseberry River down to the mouth as ...

Superior Hiking Trail

The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) spans 300+ miles from Jay Cooke State Park to the Canadian border. It recently joined the North Country Trail system’s ...

The Big Chair

In 2017, the North Shore’s gigantic Adirondack chair was built by Two Harbors High School shop class students and placed at the R.J. Houle Visitors ...

Lake County Courthouse

The Lake County Courthouse, the first original courthouse of Lake County, originated as a wooden building built in Two Harbors in 1887. In 1904, it ...

Two Harbors Light Station & Museum

The Two Harbors Light Station remains the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on Minnesota’s North Shore. Overlooking Lake Superior’s Agate Bay, the Light Station is located ...

Thompson Beach

At Thompson Beach, located about 15 miles north of Two Harbors, you’ll find a pebbly, secluded Lake Superior shoreline. This beach is only accessible by ...

Large Rooster

The large fiberglass rooster statue was once snatched by vandals and thrown off a bridge. It now resides at Weldon’s Gifts in Two Harbors.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail features a paved, non-motorized biking and walking trail along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Once completed, the route will stretch ...

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