Our one-day adventure to the Apostle Islands included finding a waterfall, relaxing on a beach, and seeing the sea caves.

(This was our second day on our trip to explore part of the North Shore in Minnesota and the Apostle Islands.)

We set out in the morning for our drive from Duluth, Minnesota, to Bayfield, Wisconsin, for our boat trip to see the Apostle Islands.

The fog had rolled into the bay as we left Duluth, where we had stayed the night, and was slowly swept away, making for a nice view in the morning.

AMNICON FALLS STATE PARK

Our first stop for the day was Amicon Falls, which is only a few minutes from Duluth.

We took the first right turn after entering the park road and drove until the end.

A short walk on the southeast side of the parking lot leads to Now and Then Falls.

On the west side of the lot, there is a covered wooden bridge that crosses below the Upper Falls of the Amnicon River.

After the river, you enter an island and go to a loop trail. Another bridge crosses the other stretch of the Amnicon River along its rapids.

We did not have time for a longer hike, so we walked the loop.

Snake Pit Falls is on the other side of the island. We stopped briefly to check it out.

Final Thoughts

This short hike to beautiful waterfalls is perfect for letting the kids stretch their legs and enjoy nature.

Admission: $8 for non-residents can be paid at the pay station near the park entrance. Alternatively, there is a QR code at the pay station for online payment.

Address: 4219 County Rd U, South Range, WI 54874

NOTE: When you go to the park off Wisconsin Highway U, look for the first road on your right and follow it to the end to see the waterfalls.

CORNUCOPIA BEACH

After visiting the waterfalls, we drove along Wisconsin Highway 13 and stopped at a Cornucopia Beach.

Located in the heart of Cornucopia, this beach offers beautiful views of Siskiwit Bay and is within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. It also has a picnic area, playground, and artesian well. 

The kids first checked out the playground with its tire swings.

The beach is bordered by shipwrecks, each with a sign displaying its history.

The shallow beach allows kids to go ways out in the water.

Bordering the Beach is The Fish Shed, where we ordered our lunch of pizza and fish tacos.

A nearby picnic shelter provided a shaded spot for lunch, making it a worthwhile stop.

Address: 22670 Siskiwit Bay Pkwy, Cornucopia, WI 54827

APOSTLE ISLANDS: Meyer’s Beach

Our next stop was Meyer’s Beach, where we could relax on the sand and refreshingly swim in the lake.

Meyer’s beach is in one of the Apostle Island’s mainland section’s of the Apostle Islands National Seashore.

This is the spot where kayakers launch to explore the nearby sea caves on the Bayfield Peninsula.

The kids played in the lake. They buried each other in the sand.

I walked along the beach to look closer at the sea caves, but it was a further walk than I thought. As I looked at the different footprints in the sand, I tried to figure out what animals had been on the beach earlier.

I could have gotten better photos if I had a camera with a telescopic lens.

Lakeshore Trail Trailhead

If you want to see the sea caves from the top, you can walk on the Lakeshore Trail.

This trail is a long hike through the woods, 3.6 miles out and back. It has little elevation gain but includes narrow bridges, exposed roots, irregular steps, and slippery areas.

With young kids, we spent our time enjoying the lake instead.

Final Thoughts

If you’re up for a long hike, consider doing the Lakeshore Trail. While the beach was lovely, we found the one at Cornucopia to be better for the kids as it was shallower and less crowded.

Admission: $5

Address: Meyers Beach /Lakeshore Trail Trailhead, Meyers Rd, Bayfield, WI 54814

APOSTLE ISLANDS: Bayfield Headquarters Visitor Center

The park’s headquarters are located in the Bayfield in the old Bayfield Courthouse Building.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters provides orientation, camping permits, museum exhibits, a park film, and the America’s National Parks bookstore. It is open seasonally.

The kids explored the museum, and a Fresnel lens for a lighthouse was in the middle.

We also watched a video and learned the history and formation of the islands.

Address: 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814

BAYFIELD WALK

Next, we toured the town of Bayfield.

Sweet and Salty

The kids and I had some yummy ice cream cones.

Address: 217 Rittenhouse Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814

Marina Park and Playground

The kids played at the playground. The swings are next to the dock, almost like swinging into the lake. A zipline, monkey bars, and slides add to the fun.

Address: Marina Park & Playground, Bayfield, WI 54814

Bayfield Maritime Museum

Near the park is the free Bayfield Maritime Museum.

Here, you can learn about the shipwrecks.

See equipment once used for ice blocks that kept food cold before refrigerators, such as in the movie Frozen.

Old hulls from shipwrecks are on display.

The kids enjoyed pretending to steer a ship from the pilot’s house out front.

Also, you can look inside an old fishing ship.

Address: 131 S 1st St, Bayfield, WI 54814

APOSTLE ISLANDS CRUISE

After exploring the town, we headed to the pier for the Grand Tour of the islands.

The Apostle Islands Grand Tour takes you on a narrated, informative 55-mile scenic cruise. Throughout this cruise, you’ll pass natural scenery, beautiful historic Raspberry and Devils Island Lighthouses, standing rocks, extensive sea caves, and marine wildlife. Also, learn the rich history of centuries of human interaction with Lake Superior.

Start of the Tour

We boarded the boat after waiting on the pier. Despite thinking we might not get a good seat, we could still find one even though we were towards the back of the line. Remember, you are supposed to arrive at least 20 minutes before boarding.

I first took photos of the mainland and Bayfield.

First Islands

Then, we entered the area of the many islands.

You can see broken boulders along Basswood Island, leftovers from when the island was quarried for brownstone building construction.

We also saw a small rock island. This had been part of the sea arch that broke apart on Hermit Island.

On Manitou Island, you can see the remains of an old fishing camp.

Devils Island

Then we came to Devils Island.

This is the island known for its sea caves.

We could still get close to them even though we were on a boat.

Above the sea cliffs is a lighthouse keeper’s house and a lighthouse.

The tour director explained that the caves extend just a short way under the island, with holes on the surface. When the waves are high and hit the island, they can create geysers.

It is a large area of caves. The island is alone out in the middle of the lake, and the lake’s porous surface creates this unique feature.

Raspberry Island

Once more, heading out into the lake, we made one last stop at Rasberry Island, which has a dock, a lighthouse, and a lighthouse keeper’s home. Some Apostle Island Tours stop here, and you can tour the facilities.

Finally, we headed back to port.

Final Thoughts: We had a great time on the tour, and it felt like it lasted less than 2.5 to 3 hours. There is a concession stand and restrooms available on the boat. We stayed on the upper deck for unobstructed views. The cruise line also offers other tours so that you can check their website for more information.

Admission: $51.95 for adults; $30.95 for children 6-12; $1 for children under 6, plus a $2 fee and taxes. Times vary—check the website for the most accurate information. Tours can sell out, especially on weekends.

Apostle Islands Cruise Address: 2 Front St, Bayfield, WI 54814. The boat departs from the main pier in town, at the end of Rittenhouse Avenue.

As we returned to our car, the town was having a band play in the park.

Next, we headed to our hotel in Ashland.

Quality Inn Ashland – Lake Superior

The hotel has a decent pool and a Mexican restaurant next door. They offer a continental breakfast in the morning. I chose a room with a lake view.

Please note that there is no elevator to the second floor; it’s more like a motel than a hotel. It’s a budget-friendly option. Additionally, in the summer, flies at night are attracted to the lights on the back deck.

Address: 30600 US-2, Ashland, WI 54806

MORE MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN ADVENTURES’

Second Day on the North Shore of Lake Superior

Black sand, pebble beaches, and cliffside views were part of our second day along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Going Up to the North Shore of Lake Superior

As we headed to the North Shore of Lake Superior to spend the night, we saw spectacular waterfalls, rapids, and a cliffside lighthouse.

Exploring the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

Seeing the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture highlights a visit to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

The sculpture garden has over 40 works from the Walker Art Center’s collections.