The votes are in! See what Lake Superior Magazine readers chose as their favorites in this year’s 12 categories, from Best Weekend Destination to Best Restaurant/Cafe.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ontario 
Photo: Courtesy Ontario Parks
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park near Thunder Bay was voted Best Scenic Overlook and Best Park by readers in this year's survey. More than 650 voters submitted ballots from around the world.
THIS IS BIG – which is to say this view at Sleeping Giant Provincial Park got the top votes for Best Scenic Overlook in Ontario. It’s easy to see why. Most of the winners in this year’s Best of the Lake probably won’t come as a surprise to those of you familiar with our four shores – Minnesota, Ontario, Michigan and Wisconsin. But we guarantee you’ll find a few new places that you have yet to explore.
Thanks to the more than 650 print magazine readers, website followers and fans of area establishments who cast their votes by mail or online. The top vote getters for each state or province are indicated with a ★.
Now it’s up to you. We suggest that you use these recommendations of other Lake lovers to visit the businesses and locations here. Do you agree with the voters? Let us know and then take next year’s survey to have your vote count, too. We’ll start very soon gathering votes.
Meanwhile, as you travel the Lake, look for those Best of the Lake stickers in the windows of these high-quality establishments or at the regional visitor centers to plan your stops. As you browse through this list, make a point to visit the winners in your own Lake Superior neighborhood, especially if it might be new to you.
Congratulations to all of the 2015 winners and thanks to all the voters from around Canada, the United States and the world (the farthest from China). Now get out there and explore – and bring back your Best of the Lakes for next year.
Best Scenic Overlook
Brockway Mountain • Copper Harbor, Michigan 
Photo: Bob Berg / Lake Superior Magazine
MICHIGAN
★ Brockway Mountain, Keweenaw Peninsula
Contact: 906-289-4274, www.copperharbor.org
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Contact: 906-387-3700, www.nps.gov/piro
MINNESOTA
★ Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors
Contact: 218-226-6372, www.mnhs.org
Palisade Head, Silver Bay
Contact: 218-353-8800, www.dnr.state.mn.us (Tettegouche State Park)
ONTARIO
★ Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Contact: 807-977-2526, www.ontarioparks.com/park/sleepinggiant
TIE
Terry Fox Monument, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-983-2041, 800-667-8386, www.thunderbay.ca
Lloyd’s Lookout, Red Rock
Contact: 807-886-2245, www.redrocktownship.com
WISCONSIN
★ Big Bay State Park, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-6425, dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/bigbay/
Bayfield Waterfront
Contact: 715-779-3335, bayfield.org
Best Restaurant / Cafe
Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant • Grand Marais, Minnesota 
Photo: Richard Clapp
MICHIGAN
★ Fitzgerald’s Restaurant (Eagle River Inn), Eagle River
Contact: 906-337-0666, www.eagleriverinn.com
Harbor Haus, Copper Harbor
Contact: 906-289-4502, www.harborhaus.com
MINNESOTA
★ Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-2688, www.naniboujou.com
Angry Trout Café, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-1265, www.angrytroutcafe.com
ONTARIO
★ Hoito Restaurant, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-345-6323, www.314baystreet.com
Red Rock Marina Restaurant, Red Rock
Contact: 807-886-2606, www.redrocktownship.com
WISCONSIN
★ Maggie’s, Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-5641, www.maggies-bayfield.com
Wild Rice, Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-9881, www.wildricerestaurant.com
Best Campground
Big Bay Town Park Camp • Madeline Island, Wisconsin 
Photo: Courtesy Big Bay Town Park
MICHIGAN
★ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor
Contact: 906-289-4215, www.michigandnr.com
McLain State Park, Hancock
Contact: 906-482-0278, www.michigandnr.com
MINNESOTA
★ Grand Marais Campground & Marina
Contact: 800-998-0959, 218-387-1712, grandmaraisrecreationarea.com
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Contact: 218-387-3039, www.dnr.state.mn.us
ONTARIO
★ Ontario Provincial Parks
Contact: 800-668-2746, www.ontarioparks.com
Chippewa Park, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-623-5111, 888-711-5094, www.chippewapark.ca
WISCONSIN
★ Big Bay Town Park, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-3031, www.bigbaytownpark.com
Big Bay State Park, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-6425, dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/
Best Pizza
DaLou’s Bistro • Washburn, Wisconsin 
Photo: Bob Berg / Lake Superior Magazine
MICHIGAN
★ Main Street Pizza, Munising
Contact: 906-387-3993
TIE
Vango’s Pizza & Cocktail Lounge, Marquette
Contact: 906-228-7707, www.vangospizza.com
The Ambassador Restaurant, Houghton
Contact: 906-482-5054, www.theambassadorhoughton.com
MINNESOTA
★ Sven & Ole’s, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-1713, www.svenandoles.com
Pizza Lucé, Duluth
Contact: 218-727-7400, www.pizzaluce.com
ONTARIO
★ Both Hands Pizzeria & Bakery, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-286-4263, www.bothhandswoodfired.ca
TIE
Chuck & Gene’s Pizza Machine, Sault Ste. Marie
Contact: 705-759-1000, www.chuckandgenespizzamachine.ca
Papa Piccolino’s Pizza, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-767-0000, www.papapiccolinos.com
WISCONSIN
★ DaLou’s Bistro, Washburn
Contact: 715-373-1125, www.dalousbistro.com
Ethel's at 250, Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-0293, www.ethelsat250.com
Best Resort / Hotel / Motel
The Landmark Inn • Marquette, Michigan 
Photo: Courtesy The Landmark Inn
MICHIGAN
★ The Landmark Inn, Marquette
Contact: 906-228-2580, www.thelandmarkinn.com
Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Copper Harbor
Contact: 906-289-4403, www.atthelodge.com
MINNESOTA
★ Naniboujou Lodge & Restaurant, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-2688, www.naniboujou.com
Inn on Lake Superior, Duluth
Contact: 888-668-4352, www.theinnonlakesuperior.com
ONTARIO
★ Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites, Thunder Bay
Contact: 800-267-2675, www.princearthurwaterfront.com
Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay
Contact: 800-964-1121, www.valhallainn.com
WISCONSIN
★ Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield
Contact: 800-779-2129, www.rittenhouseinn.com
Bayfield Inn
Contact: 800-382-0995, www.bayfieldinn.com
Best Weekend Destination
Grand Marais, Minnesota 
Photo: Explore Minnesota
MICHIGAN
★ Copper Harbor
Contact: 906-289-4274, www.copperharbor.org
Marquette
Contact: 800-544-4321, www.travelmarquettemichigan.com
MINNESOTA
★ Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-2524, www.visitcookcounty.com
Duluth
Contact: 800-438-5884, visitduluth.com
ONTARIO
★ Thunder Bay
Contact: 800-667-8386, www.thunderbay.ca/Visiting
Red Rock
Contact: 807-886-2245, www.redrocktownship.com
WISCONSIN
★ Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-3335, bayfield.org
Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-2801, www.madelineisland.com
Best Park
Gooseberry Falls State Park • Two Harbors, Minnesota 
Photo: Bob Berg / Lake Superior Magazine
MICHIGAN
★ Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Contact: 906-387-3700, www.nps.gov/piro
Isle Royale National Park
Contact: 906-482-0984, www.nps.gov/isro
MINNESOTA
★ Gooseberry Falls State Park
Contact: 218-595-7100, www.dnr.state.mn.us
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Contact: 218-387-3039, www.dnr.state.mn.us
ONTARIO
★ Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Contact: 807-977-2526, www.ontarioparks.com
Pukaskwa National Park
Contact: 807-229-0801, www.pc.gc.ca
WISCONSIN
★ Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Contact: 715-779-3397, www.nps.gov/apis
Big Bay State Park, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-6425, dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/
Best Farmers Market
Downtown Marquette Farmers Market • Michigan 
Photo: Ann Hilton Fisher
MICHIGAN
★ Downtown Marquette Farmers Market
Contact: 906-362-3276, mqtfarmersmarket.com
TIE
Munising Farmers & Artisans Market
Contact: 906-202-3030, mifma.org
Tori Market, Hancock
Contact: 906-337-1391, torimarket.blogspot.com
MINNESOTA
★ Cook County Farm & Craft Market, Grand Marais
Contact: www.localharvest.org
Duluth Farmers Market
Contact: 218-724-9955, www.duluthfarmersmarket.com
ONTARIO
★ Thunder Bay Country Market
Contact: 807-622-1406, thunderbaycountrymarket.com
Mill Market, Sault Ste. Marie
Contact: 705-251-6776, www.millmarket.ca
WISCONSIN
★ Bayfield Farmers Market
Contact: 715-779-3254, bayfield.org
Ashland Area Farmers Market
Contact: 651-497-9142, www.ashlandareafarmersmarket.com
Best Burger
Bight Restaurant • Thunder Bay, Ontario 
Photo: Courtesy Bight Restaurant & Bar
MICHIGAN
TIE
★ Michigan House Café & Red Jacket Brewing Co., Calumet
Contact: 906-337-1910, michiganhousecafe.com
★ Stucko’s Pub & Grill, Marquette
Contact: 906-226-1112, stuckospub.com
Pat’s Bar, Marquette
Contact: 906-225-1534
MINNESOTA
★ My Sister’s Place, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-1915, www.mysistersplacerestaurant.com
Grandma’s Restaurant, Duluth
Contact: 218-727-4192, www.grandmasrestaurants.com
ONTARIO
★ Bight Restaurant, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-622-4448, bightrestaurant.ca
Stanley Tavern, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-473-9261
WISCONSIN
★ Maggie’s, Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-5641, www.maggies-bayfield.com
Anchor Bar, Superior
Contact: 715-394-9747, anchorbarandgrill.com
Best Place for Local Live Music
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua • Bayfield, Wisconsin 
Photo: Courtesy Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
MICHIGAN
★ Ore Dock Brewing Co., Marquette
Contact: 906-228-8888, ore-dock.com
Falling Rock Café, Munising
Contact: 906-387-3008, fallingrockcafe.com
MINNESOTA
★ Gun Flint Tavern, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-1563, www.gunflinttavern.com
Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth
Contact: 218-722-5573, bayfrontfestivalpark.com
ONTARIO
★ Live From the Rock Folk Festival, Red Rock
Contact: www.livefromtherockfolkfestival.com
Water Tower Pub, Sault Ste. Marie
Contact: 705-949-8111, www.watertowerinn.com
WISCONSIN
★ Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, Bayfield & Washburn
Contact: 888-244-8368, www.bigtop.org
Tom’s Burned Down Café, La Pointe, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-6100, www.tomsburneddowncafe.com
Best Gift Shop
Young’s General Store • Wawa, Ontario 
Photo: Gabriel Vaz
MICHIGAN
★ Da Yoopers, Ishpeming
Contact: 800-628-9978, www.dayoopers.com
Copper World, Calumet
Contact: 906-337-4016, www.calumetcopper.com
MINNESOTA
★ Lake Superior Trading Post, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-2020, www.lakesuperiortradingpost.com
Joynes Ben Franklin, Grand Marais
Contact: 218-387-2233, www.joynesbenfranklin.com
ONTARIO
★ Young’s General Store, Wawa
Contact: 705-856-2626, www.youngsgeneralstore.com
Fireweed, Thunder Bay
Contact: 807-345-4686, www.fireweedcrafts.ca
WISCONSIN
★ Madeline Island Candles, La Pointe
Contact: 715-747-3090, www.madelineislandcandles.com
Keeper of the Light, Bayfield
Contact: 715-779-5619, www.keeperofthelight.net
Best Beach
McCarty’s Cove • Marquette, Michigan 
Photo: Chris Larson
MICHIGAN
★ McCarty’s Cove, Marquette
Contact: 906-228-0460, www.mqtcty.org
Great Sand Bay, Eagle Harbor
Contact: 888-766-0325, www.keweenaw.info
MINNESOTA
★ Park Point, Duluth
Contact: 800-438-5884, visitduluth.com
Paradise Beach, rural Cook County
Contact: 218-387-2524, www.visitcookcounty.com
ONTARIO
★ Pancake Bay
Contact: 705-882-2209, www.ontarioparks.com
Neys Provincial Park
Contact: 807-229-1624 (spring and summer), 807-825-3403 (fall and winter), www.ontarioparks.com
WISCONSIN
★ Big Bay Town Park, Madeline Island
Contact: 715-747-3031, www.bigbaytownpark.com
Cornucopia
Contact: cornucopiawisconsin.net
Share
Email Newsletters
Sign up for free email dispatches from Lake Superior Magazine and stay updated on future Best of the Lake voting.
Subscribe
Subscribe to the award-winning Lake Superior Magazine to get six bimonthly issues, plus the bonus Lake Superior Travel Guide annual and special discounts on our Lake Superior Collection puzzles, maps, calendars, books and other merchandise. It's just $24.95 per year to U.S. addresses and $36.95 to Canada.