Grand Portage National Monument

Located nearly three hours north of Duluth, MN, this small border town is home to lots of natural beauty. The Larger jewel in the town's crown is the High Falls of the Pigeon River, but a lesser known and no less awesome place is Grand Portage National Monument. Ran by the national park service as a living monument, the park reminds visitors of a time from the mid 18th century to the early 19th where Grand Portage was major stop on the fur trading route from Canada to early America. The North West Company from Scotland set up shop and controlled the movement of furs, and there was an annual celebration every summer, where the owners of the company would make their way all the way to Minnesota's North Shore and plot the next year's moves.

Seeing the outpost for the natural beauty and historical aspects alone are worth it, but since you're in the neighborhood: Hike Mount Josephine, which is a couple of miles behind the monument and boasts gorgeous views of Lake Superior, or you could hop on a ferry and head over to Isle Royale National Park for the feeling of "getting away from it all." Another great option if you came all the way to the border and want some authentic poutine, grab your passport and head into Thunder Bay, Ontario.  And finally, no trip to Grand Portage is complete without seeing the High Falls, a 120-Foot beauty that literally straddles the border of Canada and the U.S. You won't be disappointed!