From Duluth to Thunder Bay, the North Shore offers a variety of gaming experiences that go far beyond the typical night out. Whether you’re seeking the strategy and social connection of tabletop games, the friendly competition of duckpin bowling, or the thrill of slot machines, the area has something for all tastes and skill levels.
Local hubs such as The GameShelf in Thunder Bay, Skyline Social & Games in Hermantown, and Grand Portage Lodge & Casino offer year-round opportunities for fun, community, and friendly competition. Each spot has its own unique personality, appealing to casual gamers, families, or larger groups of friends.
All-In Fun at Skyline Social & Games
For 70 years, Skyline Social & Games has been a familiar landmark in Hermantown. When it opened in 1956, north of Duluth, the business operated as a traditional bowling center, serving as a neighborhood gathering place for local residents.
While the atmosphere and games may look different from those of seven decades ago, the mission of year-round fun for residents and visitors remains unchanged. Today, the nearly 80,000-square-foot facility features arcade games, axe throwing, volleyball courts, cornhole, traditional bowling, duckpin bowling, and more.
In recent years, duckpin bowling has become one of Skyline’s main attractions. Similar to traditional bowling, the game is played in a scaled-down format using smaller pins and balls.
“It’s a little more approachable, it’s a little more fun and different than traditional bowling,” said Camryn Resset, marketing manager. “So a lot of people have been taking that up and liking it.”
As the seasons change, Skyline Social & Games maintains a steady flow of individuals and families looking to spend an afternoon or evening of fun and a little competition. Resset says with the wide variety of gaming options, the place stays busy “year-round.”
In winter and spring, Skyline hosts weekly leagues for indoor games such as duckpin, cribbage, and bowling. As the weather warms, the action shifts outdoors to the volleyball, bocce ball, and cornhole courts.
“In the summer, it’s wild. There are hundreds of teams a night,” Resset said. “It’s insane to see the courts.”
With summer quickly approaching, summer league registrations open on March 1.
While the leagues and busy scene are a significant part of Skyline Social & Games, Resset said the large space is equally welcoming for families with children.
“We’ve got kids’ packages for birthday parties or just to come in and have fun, get some pizza and bowl, or play arcade games,” Resset said. “And kids really enjoy duckpin, too.”
Skyline’s size makes it also a natural fit for large groups, with flexible event space and bowling lanes available for graduations, retirement parties, and company celebrations. “We host a ton of events every year,” Resset said. Depending on the size of the group and chosen event package, Skyline can customize menus, seating, game opportunities, and more.
After seeing strong demand and support from Hermantown residents and visitors, Skyline Social & Games is expanding this fall with a second site planned for Apple Valley, near Minneapolis.
“We’ve got a lot of growth going on, and it’s really, really exciting,” Resset said.
Slightly larger than its Hermantown home, the new location promises the same mix of fun, interactive games that keep guests coming back.
Gaming & Getaways at Grand Portage Lodge & Casino
Along the North Shore, from Thunder Bay to Duluth, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino draws visitors not just for the Lake Superior views, but for its wide variety and regularly updated selection of slot machines and gaming options.
With roughly 400 slot machines, the casino refreshes its floor each month, giving local visitors, regional guests, and Canadian patrons a chance to try something new.
“We have a bank of the month, and every month we switch this bank out for different themes and cabinets,” said Eric Pehrson, the casino games manager.
A bank of the month is a cluster of slot machines that generally share a common theme. In February, the casino featured Rakin Bacon Triple Oink, a 5 of a Kind Cash on Reels game. Coming up this month, in March, Pehrson said he has chosen River Gold Wealth, a riverboat-themed slot game.
Pehrson said Grand Portage Lodge & Casino will be the first casino in the state to feature the River Gold Wealth game. It’s a distinction he aims to achieve several times each year.
“I like to be the first in the state to actually have these games on our floor so we can showcase them to the customers that come through the doors,” Pehrson said.
The selection process for slot machine games is meticulous and requires constant monitoring of the best-performing games on the market.
The games are tested in other markets, and vendors work with casino game managers to share revenue performance guides for the various machines.
“I’m in constant contact with our vendors and directors at bigger properties,” Pehrson said. He said this approach, combined with the casino’s unique location near the Canadian border, allows Grand Portage to offer experiences that other regional casinos can’t match.
Canadian tourism is a significant part of the casino’s business, and something the lodge also relies on throughout the year. However, in the past couple of years, the number of Canadians crossing the nearby Pigeon River Port of Entry has decreased.
“So obviously that’s not great for business,” said Levi Libra, the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino marketing director. More recently, Libra said, the trend the lodge and casino are seeing is that Canadians are making more targeted trips across the border to visit the casino or other regional casinos.
Amid declining Canadian traffic, Libra and Pehrson work hard to roll out new games and highlight upcoming events to attract players. One of the upcoming things of note in March will be an opportunity to win a significant amount of money.
At the end of March, the casino will hold a quarterly draw, giving players a chance to win a $20,000 grand prize along with other prizes.
Beyond gaming, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino hosts events year-round. It has long served as the finish line for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon each January, drawing in crowds from across the state and the U.S. In February, the annual Snowarama celebration, a multi-day snowmobiling event, brings visitors together for winter fun and community support for children with physical disabilities.
Board Games & Community at The GameShelf
In downtown Thunder Bay, on Victoria Avenue East, is a store that has grown into a community hub, welcoming anyone looking to explore new and old games and share the experience with others.
Started in 2009, The GameShelf is filled with shelves of new and classic board games, collectible card games, and endless books. Popular titles regularly on the shelves include Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer, Dungeons & Dragons, Clash of Cultures, and many others.
For more than 10 years, the store has attracted everyone from casual players to devoted gamers, as well as families hunting for the perfect game for their next game night. It’s a place where children can learn the rules of a new board game, while veteran gamers can play more advanced games and compete in regular tournaments.
Throughout the year, The GameShelf hosts gatherings for Thunder Bay residents, bringing people of all ages together. It’s common to see groups huddled around tables, talking while strategizing their next move.
Whether you’re dropping in to enjoy the friendly atmosphere or browsing the shelves for a new game, the staff at The GameShelf is ready to guide you toward a new favorite or a nostalgic classic to share with friends and family.
