the trails. (submitted photo)
Opened in 2014, the Tettegouche Visitor Center operates jointly under the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Strategically located on Highway 61 at mile marker 59—about halfway between Duluth and Grand Marais and five miles east of Silver Bay—it functions year-round as a 24/7 public rest area. As a high-traffic stop along the scenic drive, the Center offers crucial amenities such as coffee and light snacks for weary travelers, making it a common hub for Cook County residents commuting to or from Duluth.
The east half of the building is managed by DOT and functions as a year-round, 24/7 public rest area with modern restrooms and vending machines. The remaining building houses the Tettegouche State Park office and a gift shop offering a selection of items, including field guides, books, and clothing. In addition, there is an outdoor amphitheater, a meeting room available for rent, and an expansive open main gathering room and fireplace. Each month, visitors can view a juried art exhibit primarily featuring the work of local artists. The center was designed as a modern, welcoming “gateway” to the park and a restful stopover for travelers.
It features a full-service Coffee Bar that is open seven days a week, serving travelers and local folks. Tettegouche is the only state park and wayside rest that has an operating coffee shop. Alakef Coffee Roasters, a long-standing and respected institution in Duluth, roasts its coffee and espresso. You’ll find your favorite drinks and snacks. Amplifying an inviting atmosphere, the coffee bar encourages visitors to linger, check out the interpretive exhibits, browse the gift shop, and fully appreciate the setting before or after their park adventure. With free wifi access, visitors have a warm, comfortable place to enjoy.
Tettegouche Park Manager Katie Foshay has managed the coffee bar for four years and reports that each year has seen sales increases that correspond to the rise in visitor traffic. The coffee bar is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Known for the challenges of hiring and retaining employees on the North Shore, Foshay says, “We were almost fully staffed this year.” Tettegouche is known for its rugged and challenging trails, including the hike to High Falls and the Superior Hiking Trail. The Coffee Bar offers a vital service to park visitors, acting as a place to fuel up with coffee, tea, and pastries before a hike. The “lodge-style” visitor center doubles as a warming house during the cold Minnesota winters. For many readers of the Northshore Journal, the Tettegouche Wayside Rest is a good place to stop while on the road. For readers living nearby, it’s good to know that hot, flavorful Alakef coffee and espresso are available seven days a week.
