The 4 stars are not for the stereotypical souvenir outpost that fronts Tom's Logging Camp. That's only where you need to go to pay for a ticket to enter Tom's Logging Camp, the 4-star attraction here. Tom's Logging Camp ($5 per person) is a self guided walk on a trail behind the souvenir shop. It's a peek into what an actual logging camp was like, something I assure you I'd never once in my life thought of before visiting here. It's kind of a fun little stroll. You peer into or walk through cabins that have handwritten explanations of what you're seeing. The signs explain everything from the equipment the loggers used to the food they ate, to the jobs of the cooks and the blacksmiths. It was here that I learned that the Finnish workers, when they arrived on Duluth's North Shore, were the hardest workers but they'd work only in camps with saunas. Tom's Logging Camp erected a sauna, naturally, because Tom wanted Finnish workers. I also learned that loggers were filthy and drank heavily: * In the bunkhouse, a top bunk was in demand as the bugs crawling on you would fall downward, preying instead on the inhabitant of the lower bunk; and * A special cabin has been erected here to let visitors emulate the experience of being a drunk logger. Everything leading to and inside that cabin is askew and somehow, it had me chuckling exactly as I'd imagine a drunk logger might. Boy, did I learn a lot of useless interesting stuff here! As you walk the trail you can purchase food to feed trout then goats and finally, llamas. So come to Tom's Logging Camp to have the fun experience of a llama eating out of your hand, being a faux-drunk, and learning a bit about life in a Minnesota logging camp. read more

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The service was fantastic. The owner was funny and nice. The selection was many different things at the store. The value was reasonable. read more

Tom's Logging Camp - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Duluth, Minnesota

It was a nice place to get out and let everyone stretch their legs! The adults got a kick out of the historic info and the little one enjoyed the animals. read more

I can't believe this has only been review 7 times of Yelp! We spent the entire weekend exploring the North Shore and this was our family's favorite! Such an awesome place to bring the kids. Any age too. We brought our 1.5 & 8 year olds and they both had SO much fun. Even my husband couldn't stop talking about how Tom's was the highlight of the weekend. 3tickets costed us $14 which I think is totally reasonable (toddler was free). They have a fun little shop filled with local treasures. The best part, by far, was the museum. It takes you back in time to the original logger camps. Awesome displays, photographs and structures replicating the past & history of the Northern Territory. The kids also enjoyed feeding the trouts, goats, llamas and chickens as well as a treasure hunt which earned them treats at the end. Can't recommend this stop enough on your adventure through the North Shore! read more

Tom's Logging Camp - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Duluth, Minnesota

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A fun place to visit for an hour or two. Its cool to see how things were done in the past. The gift store was neat. We enjoyed feeding the trout with fish food. The 100+ trout were all used to the food and waiting for the next handful. We went and had ice cream afterwards and thats was fun. read more

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This place is a hoot! Fun trading post / gift shop. Cool logging camp out-buildings as well as a few animals to feed. Very pleasant service. We had a very nice time! read more

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Tom's Logging Camp defied my snobby stereotypes by being remarkably earnest. I've been driving past this place my entire life, snickering at its signs that advertised hot soup and "live tame animals", totally above the idea of stopping. That's why expanding your family is a treat- my sister's boyfriend was instantly excited about Tom's and (bouncing in his seat) insisted that we go for lunch. The trading post building was covered in old lumberjack tools and miscellaneous wrought-iron, and the inside was packed to the brim with moccasins, pottery, jewelry, postcards, Minnesota paraphernalia, and wild rice. It would have been standard Minnesota tourist fare, EXCEPT it wasn't junk- everything was very reasonably priced and well-made. I got a pair of leather choppers (mittens) for $7. And their Minnetonka moccasins were only $24. Still regretting not investing. Then we walked across the parking lot and had a beautiful lunch at their restaurant, with sandwiches made from perfect bread (rye molasses, or cranberry walnut, or black pepper Parmesan, or garlic herb.... BEST DECISION EVER), fresh vegetables and home-made coleslaw. The owner was passionate about great food and an excellent host, and made sure to emphasize that they use local products whenever possible. This whole experience just made me super homesick for northeastern Minnesota, actually- its history, its people, its simplicity, its quiet- so if you don't see me for awhile it's because I've blown this pop stand and am living on the North Shore in a yurt with chickens. Come visit- I'll take you to dinner at Tom's. read more

OMG!!! What a little hidden gem on North Shore Drive. Stopped for the gift shop and saw a cute little sandwich shop Tom's Too. Featuring homemade craft breads, proteins cooked and sliced in house. Top shelf fresh veggies. My roast beef and cheddar on cranberry wild rice wheat bread, horse radish sauce lettuce, tomato and sweet onion was to die for. Best sandwich by far I have had on the north shore! Great job chef Bill ! Oh, the cole slaw is fantastic. Even better are Bill's soups. I had the turkey wild rice and I can say it was almost as good as mine! Hahaha read more

My wife and I stop here every time we are on the north shore! Their staff are super friendly and there prices great!! Huge portions of great sandwiches at the Restaurant! Can't wait to go back next time we're up!! We have done the tour before the animals are fun. There are a lot of cool things to read about throughout the different buildings! Feeding the fish is probably my favorite part mostly because the fish know that you are going to feed them so they react to people coming by! read more

We were told about this place from an older woman we shared our table with at our hotel. She bragged about the food and the history on logging. We didn't have time on our way up the shore to go into the Logging Camp, but we were able to try the much bragged about sandwiches. SOOO good! They cut their own meats, make their own breads. We were able to stop back in again on our way down the shore and eat again! Wish this place was closer! If in the area you have to stop in. On our second stop we were able to check out the Logging Camp. Very informative about the logging camps and the men that worked them. How their days went, where they slept, what they were paid, how the horses were kept, and their importance. There are also some animals to feed. Not sure what they have to do with logging camps, probably just there to attract people, They were cute anyways. read more

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The sandwiches and soup taste amazing, and I was surprised at how fresh everything is. The ice cream is really good too and the service is awesome! I can promise that you'll leave happy and full :) I really can't wait until the sandwich shop opens up again for the season! read more

My family has been visiting tom's since I was ten, I am now in my thirties and still visit every year, the owners knows my family and myself so well that when my father passed last year they both knew of it and ran to give me a hug and tell me how very sorry they were the past, this meant a great deal to me, and so I have also introduced many of my extended family to this fun place and there delicious sandwiches, and recommend stopping at this place to everyone I talk to. read more

We live in southern WI, but try to get up to the North Shore at least once a year. We ALWAYS stop here for food--best soup and sandwiches ever! All the soup we've tried is good, but the chicken wild rice is our particular favorite. One year, my daughter was not eating wheat or dairy, and they were happy to accommodate her by wrapping her sandwich fillings in large lettuce leaves. I am happy to see they will be open til late October, as we won't be up North til October 9th this year... read more

Really good food. Excellent tomato soup, Veggie Sandwich (hummus, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion and mustard) on Cranberry Wild Rice was delicious. Clean and comfortable. Too bad there were no grilled sandwiches, since it's a chilly/drizzly day. And their beverages were mostly the pop with high fructose corn syrup. (Although they did have bottled water) Good deal on Moccasins in the gift shop across the parking lot. read more

This place is a North Shore must see! It is absolutely charming, truly educational, and loads of fun! It's an affordable, family friendly, family run place that you feel good about supporting. The exhibits are genius because of their simplicity and authenticity. They also have a great little restaurant with amazing soup and sandwiches. read more