Rocky cliffs, Lake Superior bays and iron ore shipments in Two Harbors
In 1907, the communities of Agate and Burlington joined to become Two Harbors, a small town on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Cargo ships still come and go from Agate Bay, shipping taconite and iron ore pellets from Minnesota mines. “The views are spectacular. You have these giant rocky cliffs and then the open waters. It’s just breathtaking,” says Michelle Ryan, a Realtor with Re/Max who has been selling homes in Two Harbors for more than 20 years. The town's location allows for easy commutes to Duluth, while in a more secluded section of the North Shore with lots of recreational activities, including collecting agate gemstones in the two bays. “A lot of people visit Two Harbors just to look for the agates,” Ryan says. “You could go one day, and there are none, but then they’ll be there the next day after washing up from the strong waves.”
Century-old homes, waterfront estates and low property taxes
The median home sale price is around $270,000, compared to Duluth's median of nearly $300,000. Grid-pattern streets branch out from Minnesota Highway 61, and many of the bungalows and National-style houses from the late 1800s and early 1900s sit closer to the highway or farther south toward the water. However, farther north and to the west, ranch-style and split-level homes from the mid-1900s become more common. A peninsula on the east side of Burlington Bay has bayside condominiums and multimillion-dollar waterfront houses above steep cliffs, some with steps leading down to the water. Property taxes are lowered through taconite production taxes paid by mining companies. “I’ve seen some people only have to pay $500 a year in property taxes because of the taconite tax,” Ryan says.
Agate hunting, Lake Superior adventures and Gooseberry Falls
Two Harbors Lighthouse has been lighting the way for ships since 1892. These days, it also doubles as a bed-and-breakfast. A pier leads out to another lighthouse, where locals watch the ships roll in. Boaters can head out to Lake Superior from a ramp at Agate Bay Beach. “You don’t have to go far from the shore, and you’ll catch humungous trout and salmon,” Ryan says. Locals and tourists are also drawn to Gooseberry Falls State Park to check out the waterfalls and whitewater rapids that flow into Lake Superior. The park has access to the Superior Hiking Trail, which runs for 310 miles through forests and along the Lake Superior shores. A drive to the park involves going through a cliff called the Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel. Lakeview National Golf Course is open to the public and, as promised, offers views of the lake.
One grocery store and several restaurants
Super One Foods is the primary grocery store in town that also sells other household essentials. Most restaurants are lined along Seventh Avenue (Minnesota Highway 61). Judy’s Café is a local favorite for its old-school diner vibe and all-day breakfast. There are some regional chains as well, including Vanilla Bean Restaurant, known for its oven-baked omelets, and Black Woods Bar & Grill, which serves up steak and seafood. There’s also a small, one-block downtown area with a few restaurants, including Castle Danger Brewery, where locals can hang out over its famous cream ale on the string-lit patio and lawn.
Career and Technical Education at Two Harbors High School
Public school students attend Minnehaha Elementary School, which receives a C-plus grade from Niche. Students in grades 6 through 12 go to Two Harbors High School, graded a B-minus. The high school offers a Career and Technical Education program with a strong concentration on computer-guided metal fabrication.
Heritage Days and the starting point for Grandma's Marathon
Several events are held in Two Harbors throughout the year. Heritage Days, a four-day festival in July, draws the community for a craft show, two parades and live music. Grandma’s Marathon starts in Two Harbors and ends in Duluth. Though it sounds like the race is exclusively for grandmothers, it’s actually called that because Grandma’s Restaurant in Duluth was the original sponsor in 1977.
A 30-to-40-minute drive to Duluth
Minnesota Highway 61 is the main highway that runs through town, running parallel to Lake Superior about 30 miles to Duluth. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to drive to Duluth, where many locals work and can fly out of Duluth International Airport to either Minneapolis, Chicago or Fort Myers.
Written By
Nicolas Stuart
