There are many awesome things to do in Duluth, Minnesota,
depending on you and your family’s unique interests. The Minnesota city rests on the
crest of the beautiful Lake Superior, and the entire surrounding area is a
nature lover’s paradise! In addition to numerous opportunities for winter sports,
there are also plenty of other activities to enjoy while staying within the city’s boundaries. From
visiting Canal Park to attending one of the city’s beloved festivals,
join ViewCation as we explore the best things to do in Duluth, Minnesota.
Visit Canal Park Canal Park is a
popular tourist destination in Duluth, known for its views of Lake Superior and the iconic
Aerial Lift Bridge. While visiting, you can walk along the boardwalk, visit the maritime museum
or take a boat tour. The Canal Park boardwalk in Duluth, Minnesota offers a variety of interesting
attractions and activities. One of these is the Aerial Lift Bridge: The Aerial Lift Bridge is
a landmark in Duluth and one of the most recognizable features of the city. It spans
the entrance to the Duluth-Superior Harbor and lifts to allow boats to pass underneath.
Another awesome place to visit here is the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center: The
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is located in the historic Duluth South Pier Lighthouse
and provides information about the history and current operations of the Duluth-Superior Harbor.
If you’re interested in the area’s natural history, you may want to check out the Great
Lakes Aquarium. The Great Lakes Aquarium is located in Canal Park and offers visitors
the opportunity to see and learn about the marine life of the Great Lakes. There is a
surprising amount of wildlife for you to experience firsthand while visiting this
lovely aquarium. First off, there’s the freshwater fish. The aquarium features a
variety of freshwater fish species found in the Great Lakes, including lake sturgeon, paddlefish,
and various species of trout and salmon. In addition to freshwater species, the aquarium also
features a variety of saltwater fish, including sharks, rays, and colorful tropical fish.
Other awesome things that the Great Lakes Aquarium has to offer include the lovable little
otters. The North American river otters that it features have become a favorite exhibit at the
aquarium. Visitors can watch them play and swim in their spacious exhibit, and it never gets old!
If you’re interesting in getting hands on with some of the creatures at the aquarium, you and
your family may want to head over to the touch pools. The touch pools allow visitors to feel
some of the aquarium's smaller inhabitants, such as sea stars and horseshoe crabs.
The aquarium also features some more niche exhibits, including the shipwreck exhibit,
the coral reef exhibit, and the Birds of Prey exhibit. The aquarium's shipwreck exhibit
features a replica of a 19th-century schooner that sank in Lake Superior, along with a variety
of aquatic life that can be found on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Meanwhile, the coral reef exhibit
showcases the delicate and diverse ecosystem of a coral reef, including colorful fish and live
coral. Finally, the Birds of Prey exhibit features live raptors, including owls, hawks, and eagles,
and provides information about the role these birds play in the ecosystem. Another cool place to
learn about the area is the Lake Superior Maritime Museum. The Lake Superior Maritime Museum is
located in Canal Park and features exhibits on the history of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes.
For those more interested in traditional methods of entertainment,
Canal Park has you covered! You can visit the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center,
or DECC, which is a large event center that hosts concerts, sporting events,
and conventions throughout the year. There’s also the Duluth Playhouse,
which hosts theatrical productions throughout the year and is located just a short walk from
the boardwalk. If you’re getting hungry, stop into the Canal Park Brewing Company for a variety
of craft beers and delicious food in a lively atmosphere. Once you’ve hard your fill of food,
you can end the day by walking the Duluth Lakewalk. The Duluth Lakewalk is a scenic pathway
that runs along the shore of Lake Superior and offers stunning views of the lake and the city.
Check Out the Duluth Depot The Duluth Depot is a
historic train station that now serves as a cultural center. It houses several museums,
including the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, the St. Louis County Historical Society Museum,
and the Duluth Art Institute. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota is a popular
destination for train enthusiasts and history buffs. The museum has a collection of historic
locomotives, including the Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway's Yellowstone Mallet #229,
the largest steam locomotive ever built. The museum also has a collection of passenger cars,
including the beautifully restored 1924 Duluth & Northeastern coach. Beyond this, there are plenty
of railroad artifacts here, including lanterns, tools, and other items used by railroad workers.
Another cool thing about the Lake Superior Railroad Museum would have to be all of the model
trains on display. The museum has an extensive collection of model trains, including a large
O-gauge layout that depicts the railroad yards of Duluth in the
1950s. There are several other things to see at the museum, as well. The museum has several
exhibits that showcase the history of railroading in the region, including the role of railroads in
the transportation of iron ore and the history of the Duluth, Missabe, and Iron Range Railway.
Visitors can also sign up through the museum to take a guided tour of the depot as a whole.
This tour will take visitors through the depot’s waiting room, ticket office, and baggage room.
During the summer months, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum takes things one step further
for its visitors by actually offering train rides on the North Shore Scenic Railroad,
which runs along the shores of Lake Superior and offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
The museum also hosts a variety of other special events throughout the year. These
include train-themed holiday events, as well as a popular model-train show. Whatever time
you happen to be visiting, the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is an interesting place to be!
Go Hiking or Biking Duluth has many beautiful
parks and trails, including the Superior Hiking Trail. The Superior Hiking Trail
is a 310-mile long trail that runs along the north shore of Lake Superior, from Duluth to
the Canadian border. The trail offers stunning views of the lake, as well as forests, rivers,
and waterfalls. If you want the absolute best views that you can find in the area,
you may want to take the trail to a place called Palisade Head. Palisade Head is the
name of a 300-foot cliff that offers stunning views of Lake Superior and the surrounding
landscape. The trail to Palisade Head is located about 60 miles northeast of Duluth.
Visit the Glensheen Mansion The Glensheen Mansion is a
20,000-square-foot mansion built in 1908 on the
shore of Lake Superior. It has 39 rooms and is now open for tours.
Enjoy a Craft Beer Duluth has a thriving craft beer scene,
with many local breweries offering a wide variety of beers. Besides the Canal Park Brewing Company,
which we mentioned above, some of the other popular breweries in Duluth include Bent
Paddle Brewing and Fitger's Brewhouse.
Go Skiing or Snowboarding Duluth is a city that is known for
its winter sports. There are several ski resorts within driving distance of the city, including
Spirit Mountain and Chester Bowl. Spirit Mountain is a popular ski resort located just a short drive
from Duluth. It has 22 ski runs, ranging from beginner to expert, as well as terrain parks
and a snow tubing area. Meanwhile, Chester Bowl is a smaller ski area located within the city limits
of Duluth. It has 5 ski runs, a terrain park, and a ski-racing program for kids. Both Spirit
Mountain and Chester Bowl are as accommodating to snowboarders as they are to skiers. They also both
offer equipment rentals, as well as lessons for those that are just starting. Besides these
popular locations, Duluth also has many parks and trails that are great for cross-country skiing,
including the Lester-Amity Trail, which offers over 15 miles of groomed trails.
If you’re visiting Duluth, Minnesota, for the explicit purpose of partaking in some winter
sports, you may want to make sure that your trip coincides with one of the city’s notable winter
sports festivals! Duluth hosts several winter sports festivals throughout the season, including
the Duluth Winter Village and the City of Duluth Snow Day. These festivals feature
skiing and snowboarding competitions, as well as other winter activities like
ice skating and snowshoeing. Finally, Duluth also has opportunities for snowmobiling. There
are many snowmobile trails that are maintained by local clubs. These trails offer access to
some of the most scenic areas of the region and are a popular way to enjoy the winter landscape.
Attend a Festival Besides the variety of winter
sports festivals that can be found occurring in Duluth, Minnesota, the city is also known for a
variety of other types of festivals that occur at all different times of the year! These festivals
include the Duluth Airshow, the Bayfront Blues Festival, and the Duluth Homegrown Music Festival.
With all of these awesome things to do, it’s no longer that Duluth,
Minnesota, remains such a popular location to visit! Now it’s time to hear from you:
did you know that Duluth, Minnesota, is home to an awesome train museum and that
the city is a popular winter sports destination? Comment down below!