About the North Shore Explorer Guide
The Official Guide of the North Shore Scenic Drive
The North Shore Explorer Guide is the Official Guide of the North Shore Scenic Drive. For 30+ years it has been the region's most trusted resource for discovering the best things to see and do in Duluth and along Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior.
Today, it combines the credibility of the beloved printed guide with powerful digital Adventure Planning Tools, giving businesses year-round exposure wherever travelers are planning their adventures.
With 90,000 printed guides distributed annually, an engaging website, social media audience of more than 60,000 followers, and interactive Adventure Planning Tools, North Shore Explorer helps travelers discover where to stay, eat, shop, and explore before they arrive and while they're traveling.
Advertising in the 2027 North Shore Explorer Guide open through October 16, 2026!
Contact us today to reserve your space and be listed in the digital Adventure Planning Tools immediately!
Today, it combines the credibility of the beloved printed guide with powerful digital Adventure Planning Tools, giving businesses year-round exposure wherever travelers are planning their adventures.
With 90,000 printed guides distributed annually, an engaging website, social media audience of more than 60,000 followers, and interactive Adventure Planning Tools, North Shore Explorer helps travelers discover where to stay, eat, shop, and explore before they arrive and while they're traveling.
Advertising in the 2027 North Shore Explorer Guide open through October 16, 2026!
Contact us today to reserve your space and be listed in the digital Adventure Planning Tools immediately!
Why Businesses Advertise
Your business is showcased across a connected print and digital platform designed to reach travelers throughout every stage of their journey. Rather than relying on a single advertisement, your business becomes part of the trusted resource visitors use to plan their itinerary, discover nearby experiences, and make decisions while exploring Duluth and the North Shore.
What Makes It So Effective
Contact us today to learn how North Shore Explorer can help your business reach more travelers through the region's most comprehensive print + digital visitor platform.
What Makes It So Effective
- Official Guide of the North Shore Scenic Drive, trusted by visitors for more than 30 years.
- 90,000 printed guides distributed annually through Explore Minnesota Welcome Centers, visitor centers, hotels, attractions, and tourism locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond.
- User-friendly layout that geographically lists over 400 points of interest including scenic spots, hiking trails, beaches, etc. alongside the advertisers. It's a straight-forward resource for discovering things to do, without the fluff.
- Mile-by-mile community listings place your business alongside the destinations travelers are already exploring.
- Lodging Guide in the back of the book highlights places to stay with an amenity grid (new for 2027!)
- Powerful print + digital presence reaches travelers where ever they are searching. Print advertising now includes a listing in the new digital Adventure Planning Tools and Savings Pass.
Contact us today to learn how North Shore Explorer can help your business reach more travelers through the region's most comprehensive print + digital visitor platform.
Print + Digital: Be where visitors are planning
Travelers don't rely on just one source when planning a trip. They use both print and digital to discover places to stay, eat, shop, and explore.
Our integrated marketing package includes print advertising in the North Shore Explorer Guide, and inclusion in our digital Adventure Planning Tools.
North Shore Explorer keeps your business in front of visitors throughout the entire planning journey—from inspiration to arrival!
Our integrated marketing package includes print advertising in the North Shore Explorer Guide, and inclusion in our digital Adventure Planning Tools.
North Shore Explorer keeps your business in front of visitors throughout the entire planning journey—from inspiration to arrival!
DistributionThis is the guide that visitor centers across Minnesota, Duluth, and the entire North Shore share with travelers planning their North Shore adventure.
The North Shore Explorer Guide is published once per year, with 90,000 copies distributed annually. Each issue is out from January - December. You’ll find it at every Explore Minnesota Welcome Center statewide, visitor centers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and at more than 140 tourism hot spots throughout Duluth and the North Shore—including all North Shore state parks. We also mail it to folks across the country who purchase a copy from our website. Featuring your business in the North Shore Explorer Guide means being showcased in the trusted resource that travelers ask for by name—and use to plan their trip. Learn more about our distribution and advertising schedules in our Advertising FAQ's. TestimonialsJeff - Welcome Center Manager
We go through just over 10,000 of the North Shore Explorer guides every year. It is by far the best resource we have for assisting folks with their North Shore adventures! We bookmark several of the pages including the state park listings, waterfall tours, lodging guide, and hiking suggestions to show to visitors where to go on their North Shore adventure." Black Beach Mini Golf (Advertiser) "We love the North Shore Explorer Guide! Many people have found us because of our advertisement. " Visitor - Greg from Lake Elmo, MN "We still had last year's edition, and we used it to plan this week's trip to the Lutsen Sea Villas. Thanks for all you do. We love your guide, and check it regularly for vacation possibilities and the locations via mile markers for restaurants, shops, and attractions." Distributor - Fairfield Inn, Park Point, Duluth "Our guests just love them, we can't keep them on the shelf!!" |
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