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The world is big and beautiful. Gorgeous small towns aren’t particularly hard to find (though many do require quite a bit of effort to reach). Of all the lovely locales in every corner of the globe, some spots have a picturesque quality and presence that …
Seaport cities offer something special, and Duluth is no exception. Located in Minnesota on the north shore of Lake Superior and the westernmost point of the Great Lakes, this port city is a hub for shipping cargo around the globe. A tourist destination for the Midwest and beyond, Duluth is the largest U.S. city on the lake and the home to many unique attractions, such as the country’s only all-freshwater aquarium, a world-famous lift bridge, and Park Point, which at six miles long is the world’s longest freshwater bay mouth bar.
And that’s not all. From museums and theaters to local breweries, restaurants, and the great outdoors, Lake Superior’s Port City is a breath of fresh air and is full of adventure and entertainment. There are many awesome things to do in the state of Minnesota, and visiting Duluth is one of them. Here is the ultimate travel guide to Lake Superior’s beautiful port city, Duluth.
What Time Of Year Is Best To Go To Duluth?
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View of Lake Superior’s Port City, Duluth
There really isn’t a wrong time to visit Duluth. From swimming to snowshoeing, tourists will find fun year-round. Over the course of a year, the temperatures typically range from a low of 7°F to a high of 78°F.
The summer months are riddled with lake activities, such as swimming, sailing, picnicking, or simply walking or running around the lake while soaking up the gorgeous lake views. With an average temperature of 67℉, cool breezes off the water keep visitors from getting too hot.
A driving tour around Lake Superior, with pit stops for fishing, rock climbing, hiking and kayaking is also perfect in summer.
Winter in Duluth is cold and windy, with an average daily high temperature of 33℉. The freezing weather, though, is perfect for snow sports and offers visitors a wonderful winter playground.
Related: These Beautiful Towns Are Worth Braving The Minnesota Cold To Visit
The snow and ice melt in spring, offering a peek at summer activities and a little bit of sunshine. Temperatures typically range from 47℉ to 65℉.
Arguably the most beautiful season, fall offers bright foliage, with colors peaking in late September and early October. The shades of reds and oranges decorating Lake Superior’s port city are so picturesque tourists will not want to forget their cameras.
Things To Do In Duluth
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Lakeside on Lake Superior’s Port City, Duluth
Great Lakes Aquarium
With two floors of live animals, educational exhibits, and a beautiful waterfront view, this aquarium allows tourists to laugh, relax and explore. Check out the Amazing Amazon Exhibit, which hosts piranha, electric eels, and jungle frogs!
Location: 353 Harbor Drive, Duluth
Hours: Open daily, 10 AM – 6 PM
Cost: Adult – $10; Children Ages 3-17 – $16
Aerial Lift Bridge
One of the most photographed spots in Minnesota, the Aerial Lift Bridge has a clearance of 180 feet, a span length of 386 feet, and it weighs about 900 tons.
It operates 24 hours per day, and visitors and locals alike often stop to watch a huge ship enter the canal and travel under the lifted bridge.
Relax at Park Point
Park Point is a popular summer swimming destination with volleyball courts, grills, restrooms, a parking lot, and hiking trails. Explore nearby paths, start a volleyball match, take a dip in the lake, or simply lay down and read a cozy mystery.
And for tourists feeling extra adventurous, try snorkeling in the Great Lakes. Maybe it’s time to try something new!
Location: 45th Street & Minnesota Avenue, Duluth
Related: This Lake Superior Island Is Unique For Its Wolf And Moose Population
Canal Park
The center of activity in Duluth, Canal Park is a popular spot for great restaurants, fun shopping, and all-day entertainment. And it’s in a prime location right on the shore of Lake Superior at the gateway to Park Point.
Take a Hike
Minnesota has many popular state parks perfect for hiking, and a few are near Duluth. But tourists don’t actually need to leave Lake Superior’s port city for outdoor adventure. Duluth has over 300 miles of trails and 9,168 acres of parkland.
Cold temperatures starting in mid-fall may cause trails to be icy, which makes them slippery and dangerous.
The Superior Hiking Trail: This scenic but challenging 296-mile footpath starts at Jay Cooke State Park and travels through Duluth and along the North Shore. Duluth’s portion includes 43 miles and offers stunning views of Lake Superior. On average, a day hike can include anywhere between two and six miles. Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
The Lakewalk: This 7.5-mile (one-way) hike is a paved trail from Bayfront Park to Brighton Beach. Most of the journey is along Lake Superior. Level of Difficulty: Easy
Related: The Only Guide You Need To Finding The Mysteriously Glowing Rocks Of Lake Superior
Winter Playground
For tourists enthusiastic about winter sports and snowy landscapes, December, January, and February are the best time to visit Duluth.
Favorite activities include snowshoeing, ice-skating downtown in Bayfront Park, and skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at Spirit Mountain and Mont du Lac.
Where To Stay In Duluth
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Sun setting over Lake Superior’s Port City, Duluth
South Pier Inn
The South Pier Inn is located at the foot of the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge, this boutique hotel provides gorgeous views of Lake Superior while offering tourists a walking distance of dining, entertainment, and shopping.
Amenities: whirlpools, fireplaces, private balconies, soft linens, plush robes, binoculars, complimentary Wi-Fi, fresh continental breakfast, and the convenient location adjacent to Canal Park puts tourists within easy walking distance of great dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Cost: typically starts at $170 for 2 people in a Junior Suite—Bay View King
Fitger’s Inn
The Fitger’s Inn, is conveniently located downtown. This historic luxury lakefront hotel within the renovated 1880s Fitger’s Brewery is perfect for a special occasion trip.
Amenities: cable TV with HBO, pay-per-view movies, in-room coffee, complimentary newspaper, internet, 24-hour fitness center, room service, and access to three restaurants, two nightclubs, a micro-brewery, shops and a salon & day spa.
Cost: typically starting at $199 for 2 people for a Cityside Standard Queen.
Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior
Beacon Pointe on Lake Superior is a condo-hotel located on the North Shore, just outside Canal Park. This peaceful retreat offers stunning views of Lake Superior and Duluth Harbor.
Amenities: pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center, premium coffee by Duluth Coffee Company, complimentary s’mores, free Wi-Fi, complimentary rentals of bikes, games, movies, and snowshoes
Cost: regular nightly rate typically starts at $229 for 2 people in a Lakeside Suite
Park Point Marina Inn
Park Point Marina Inn is an award-winning resort located a mere 50 feet from the water’s edge, four blocks from Canal Park, and one block from Park Point Beach.
Amenities: 73-item hot breakfast buffet, complimentary shuttle to Canal Park, ship viewing pier, 24-hour fitness center, sauna, pool, hot tub, outdoor fire table, 24-hour gift shop, daily free newspapers, free DVD rental, family picnic area
Cost: typically starts at $116 for 2 people with 2 queen beds and a harbor view.
Solglimt Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast
Duluth’s only waterfront bed and breakfast, Solglimt Lakeshore Bed and Breakfast, is located right in Canal Park. Built in 1910, the Inn was renovated and now matches the exterior style of a late-1800s Victorian seaside cottage.
Amenities: 120 feet of unspoiled beach, porches and decks around the home, fireplaces, grand baby piano for entertainment, gourmet meals, beautiful gardens
Cost: typically starting at $150 per night for 2 people in the Kandinsky Loft
Ellery House
Expect warm hospitality at this historic Victorian bed and breakfast. The Ellery House is located just blocks from Lake Superior.
Amenities: breakfast can be served in bedroom or dining room, cookies made daily, fireplaces
Cost: typically starting at $139 for 2 people in Lilla’s Room.
Related: Remote Getaway: Best Places To Stay On Lake Superior
Where To Eat In Duluth
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View from above of Lake Superior’s Port City, Duluth
All right
Fresh Italian food with one of the best views of the lake, this Duluth restaurant is located right above the Lakewalk. Open for lunch and dinner, Va Bene offers ample vegan and gluten-free options.
With made-from-scratch soups, fresh pasta, salads, and paninis—there’s something for everyone.
Location: 734 E Superior Street, Duluth
Duluth Grill
Open for breakfast or lunch, this hotspot also has a kid’s menu, fun brunch cocktails and an espresso bar. Featured on Guy Fieri’s Food Network, the Duluth Grill offers a woodsy interior and comfort foods, like banana cream pie and pot roast.
Location: 118 S 27th Avenue W, Duluth
Northern Waters Smokehaus
The line gets very long at this sandwich shop steps from Lake Superior. On a warm day, tourists can grab food to go and picnic at the lake.
Try the Bison Buddy Meat Sticks, the Smoked Summer Sausage, or the Cajun Finn sandwich (smoked salmon, cream cheese, and roasted red peppers).
Location: 394 Lake Avenue South #106, Duluth
OMC Smokehouse
This local favorite barbeque spot offers freshly smoked meats (like beef brisket, ribs, and pulled pork) in addition to tacos, sandwiches, and bowls.
Location: 1909 West Superior Street, Duluth
Lake Avenue
For an upscale experience, tourists can enjoy lunch or dinner at Lake Avenue. Menu items offer unique options, like Jackfruit Pizza or Jerk Pork Chops, and traditional favorites, like burgers and gumbo.
Location: 394 S Lake Avenue, Duluth
Where to Drink in Duluth
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Sign for Fitger’s Beer in Duluth
Fitger’s Brewhouse
This brewpub is a Duluth favorite. With an extensive selection of traditional pub food, Fitger’s won multiple awards for high-quality small batch brew releases.
With an emphasis on freshness and flavor, their ales and lagers are brewed using only natural ingredients and crisp water from Lake Superior. They also smoke their own fish, caught fresh in the lake.
Location: 600 E Superior Street, Duluth
Ursa Minor Brewing
Ursa Minor Brewing has four categories of local craft beer: hoppy, sour, light, and dark. Tourists can pair their pints with a wood-fired pizza and enjoy the heated outdoor patio.
Location: 2415 West Superior Street, Duluth
Vikre Distillery
Tourists can taste Boreal gins inspired by the wildness of Minnesota, canned craft cocktails, whiskey, Aquavit, and Lake Superior Vodka distilled directly from pure Lake Superior water.
Location: 525 Lake Avenue South Ste. 102, Duluth
Canal Park Brewery
Open year-round, tourists can enjoy craft beer (and great food) with an amazing view of Lake Superior. The patio, complete with yard games and plenty of seating, is perfect for warm summer days or cold fall nights with help from a fire pit.
Location: 300 Canal Park Drive, Duluth
The Rathskeller
This unique location is over 125 years old. The stone walls, arched door frames, and Jazz nights give this spot a cozy and cool speakeasy vibe. The cocktail menu is extensive.
From seasonal cocktails, like an apple pie old-fashioned, to classic concoctions, like a sidecar, customers will want to taste more than one.
Location: 132 E Superior Street, Duluth
Minnesota Wineries near Duluth
Far from Napa Valley, Minnesota boasts several wine trails perfect for exploring in summer. While some of Minnesota’s wineries are only a quick trip from Duluth, tourists can enjoy the Minnesota scenery as they travel around the state.
Popular Neighborhoods In Duluth
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Overview of Duluth and Aerial Lift Bridge in Lake Superior’s Port City
West Duluth
West Duluth is home to many local gems, including Spirit Mountain, Lake Superior Zoo, and access points to the St. Louis River Estuary. It’s full of coffee shops, cocktail lounges, and locally-owned bookstores.
Neighborhoods: Bayview Heights, Denfeld, Cody, Fairmount, Fond Du Lac, Gary-New Duluth, Irving, Morgan Park, Norton Park, Oneota, Riverside, Smithville, Spirit Valley
Central Duluth
The hustle and bustle of Central Duluth offers lots of choices for eating, drinking, and shopping in Canal Park and Lincoln Park. It also provides theaters and art galleries in the Historic Arts and Theater District downtown.
And one of its most popular tourist destinations is the view of Lake Superior from Enger Tower down the 7.25-mile Lakewalk and Park Point—the world’s largest freshwater sandbar.
Neighborhoods: Canal Park, Central Hillside, Duluth Heights, East Hillside, Kenwood, Lincoln Park, Park Point, Piedmont Heights
East Duluth
With gorgeous views of Lake Superior, historical sites, and cute neighborhoods, East Duluth will charm tourists. It’s also the gateway to the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Neighborhoods: Chester Park – UMD, Endion, Hunters Park, Lakeside-Lester Park, Morley Heights/Parkview, North Shore, Woodland
Best Ways To Get Around Duluth
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Cars and busses in Deluth, Minnesota
Getting around Duluth is easy. Lake Superior’s Port City offers convenient parking, taxi, and bus options. However, it’s a very walkable city, and most places are just as easy to get to on two feet as they are by vehicle.
In the winter, when the weather is freezing, try the 3.5 miles of climate-controlled skywalk to stay warm.
The Duluth Transportation Center is located in the heart of downtown and is the main transit hub in the city. Here, tourists can find bus schedules, guides, and amenities such as bathrooms and water fountains.
For tourists with a car, the center has 410 parking spaces and charging stations are available for electric cars. Bicycle storage is also available.
Location: 228 West Michigan Street, Duluth
Additionally, the Duluth Transit Authority operates a Port Town Trolley. It loops from downtown Duluth to Canal Park and the Bayfront every 30 minutes during the summer.
Cost: $.50/ride. $4-day pass.
Hours: 11:30 AM to 7:40 PM.
Note: The trolley operates seasonally between June 6 and September 5.
Tips To Know
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Ship entering Duluth Harbor under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Lake Superior’s Port City
The Duluth Visitors Center is a great spot to find brochures, directions, and general information about Duluth. It also has a gift shop for tourists looking to bring back any souvenirs.
Location: 345 S Lake Avenue, Duluth
Hours: Thursday – Monday, 10 AM – 5 PM
Also, no matter the season—wear layers. The temperature can vary within the day. In the summer, temperatures get cooler at night. Fall and spring can be chilly, but also sunny.
And winter requires an extra level of layering. Think mittens, scarfs, warm hats, and warm winter coats.
How To Spend The Perfect Day In Duluth
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Fall colors in Lake Superior’s Port City, Duluth
Tourists can start their day with a walk along the sandy beaches of Park Point, the world’s longest freshwater sandbar. Soak in the views and breathe in the fresh air before heading to Canal Park for a bite to eat and some window shopping.
Anyone visiting Duluth should take their time in Canal Park, and explore all the neighborhood has to offer. Lake Superior’s port city is relaxing and not meant to be rushed.
For outdoor adventure seekers in summer, pick from one of Duluth’s many hiking trails. Or, during winter, head to Spirit Mountain for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing or downtown for ice skating.
Unwind at the end of the day at one of Duluth’s delicious places to dine or fun places to drink. The sunsets on Lake Superior are gorgeous. Make sure to grab a table by the window!
FAQ
Q: Why is Duluth so popular?
It’s proximity to Lake Superior (take a circle tour to see it all!), beautiful architecture, trendy neighborhoods and a variety of summer and winter outdoor adventures make Duluth popular.
Q: Is Duluth worth visiting?
Yes! Duluth’s small-town charm on Lake Superior attracts tourists from all over the Midwest and beyond. Duluth offers four unique seasons, stunning scenery year-round, fun attractions, outdoor adventures, and delicious restaurants. Try a Viking Expedition cruise to see the sights!
Q: What is Duluth Best Known For?
Duluth is home to the nation’s only all-freshwater aquarium, the famous Aerial Lift Bridge, trendy Canal Park, and beautiful Park Point (the world’s longest freshwater baymouth bar).
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Just after traveling around Europe for four months I created some wrongs, but I also built several legal rights. If you might be planning a European holiday vacation or are studying abroad quickly, listed here are some strategies and tips to maximize your excursion and help you save you income!
Do: Take in community
Pay close attention to where by people today indigenous to the space are consuming, and inquire a area in which their preferred place to try to eat is. I uncovered that by feeding on exactly where the locals would, I had better foodstuff, spent less money and had a considerably additional pleasant practical experience over-all. I also advise striving any avenue food stuff you occur throughout in distinct destinations. Generally this possibility is cheaper and will give you a better sense of the society of the spot.
Do not: Try to eat at the tourist traps
Stay clear of any cafe with traces out the door on a frequent foundation. These places have a tendency to overcharge you and absence top quality in their meals. I ate at one particular of the most popular restaurants in Rome, Tonnarello, and was seriously unhappy by the food items. The best food stuff I had was at the most random gap-in-the-wall destinations that I had stumbled on or have been suggested to by locals.
Do: Consider benefit of public transportation and walking
Due to the deficiency of general public transportation in the U.S., it can occur as really a surprise to people today who travel abroad that public transportation in most European cities is incredibly quick and effective. Lots of cities are interconnected by programs of incredibly proficient public transportation such as trams, underground trains and buses, which I observed were really quick to navigate.
Google Maps is an easy way to give directions, and these alternatives are also considerably much less expensive than taxiing almost everywhere. Also, most European towns are quite walkable, and by walking destinations, you can see so a lot much more.
Will not: Rely on taxis and Ubers to get about
This is heading to value you a ton of revenue, and as well as, you won’t get to experience the town to its fullest opportunity if you are consistently sitting down in the backseat of a car or truck. Also, it is really popular for taxi drivers to overcharge you if they notice you’re a vacationer and susceptible to cons, so it is really greater to keep away from them entirely.
By acquiring around on foot and by public transportation you are no for a longer time virtually a visitor to this new location, but you are an lively component of its culture and activity — not to mention getting the chance to fulfill so many different men and women along the way!
Do: Develop your possess “tours”
Wherever you may perhaps be viewing could possibly have a ton of artwork, museums and popular monuments and landscapes. I endorse that you take a look at all of these sites but do so in an independent trend. Not only will you preserve money, but the working experience will become more particular to you. Go with close friends or family, and do some exploration ahead of you go! By sightseeing on your very own time, you will find you far more engaged and have extra time to see what you want to see.
Will not: Spend for a tour guideline
Living in Rome almost everywhere you appeared there ended up historical artifacts, artwork and magnificent constructions these kinds of as the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Pantheon. I seen that there ended up often a ton of tour groups throughout the town, which I by no means cared to partake in, but when my mom and dad frequented, they signed us up for quite a few.
The excursions finished up getting to be a burden to our excursion for the reason that we were being no for a longer period on our own leisure plan and discovered ourselves dashing about the city. I was not ready to display them all the places I wanted to, not to mention these tours have been pretty uninteresting — we ended wishing we had just visited these spots on our own.
Do: Be open to new activities
If you get the opportunity to vacation and see a new element of the environment, chances are you almost certainly will not get this possibility as well usually. That becoming said, I suggest using it all in and also using some pitfalls. You do not want to look again on your vacation and would like you experienced gotten out there extra and not have held by yourself back again so significantly.
Though you really should often maintain your safety in brain, I however suggest talking to new people, heading to the bars where ever you are and hoping out what the spot is acknowledged for. Although in Switzerland, I experienced made the spur-of-the-minute selection to go paragliding, and the up coming working day I rather actually jumped off of a mountain. This finished up getting a person of the highlights of my complete semester, and even though I was extremely nervous, I am so glad I designed that final decision.
Will not: Keep in your consolation zone
I know it can be terrifying and overwhelming to stop by a new place. I had a actually hard time adjusting at initially, but the much more I place myself out there and met new people, they swiftly became relatives — my working experience was improving every and every working day. The much more threats I took and the men and women I fulfilled, I began to realize that so several people are in the identical not comfortable posture as you. Everyone desires to make buddies and experience new matters. At the time you come to feel a feeling of steadiness although touring, you will be unstoppable.