Duluth, MN Road Trips

Duluth has always been a shipping town: first for furs, later for iron ore, timber, and grain. As a shipping and milling town, Duluth once had the most millionaires per capita in the United States. This is still reflected in the large number of mansions in the east end of town. Ocean-going vessels come up the St. Lawrence Seaway into the Great Lakes to Duluth Harbor. Since these "salties" go through the locks, they are smaller than the native "lakers" that stay within the Great Lakes. Ships under many flags, including Nigeria, Greece, and Denmark, frequently dock in Duluth to pick up grain and coal for overseas markets. Iron-ore and taconite still go to Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania for processing into steel. The city was built largely on a 700-foot (215-m) hill overlooking Lake Superior. Canal Park and Superior Street have the highest concentrations of tourist destinations in the city. The famous Aerial Lift Bridge is on Lake Avenue, next to Canal Park. Particularly proud residents liken the city to San Francisco, which also has bridges, hills, a bay, and a thriving tourist business. The renowned Grandma's Marathon is held annually, named after Grandma's Saloon (restaurant) in Canal Park. The University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Scholastica College are the two largest colleges in the city with over 12,000 students together. Duluth is the western endpoint of the scenic North Shore Drive, which follows the rugged north coast of Lake Superior nearly 700 miles (1,120 km) to Sault Ste Marie (Ontario). Across the bay is Superior, Wisconsin.

The Downtown Waterfront District. 1 Enger Tower and Park, off of Hank Jensen Dr in Enger Park. An observation tower at the top of the hill in Enger Park that provides panoramic views of Duluth and the Twin Ports area. The park boasts lovely and distinct gardens: shade hostas, over 200 perennials, 4,000 daffodils, and a Japanese garden. It was named after former Mayor Bert Enger, who hailed from Pine City. (updated Aug 2016) 2 Leif Erickson Park, 12th Ave E and London Rd. Home to the Duluth Rose Garden and the Leif Erickson Viking Ship, all overlooking Lake Superior. 3 Jay Cooke State Park. Daily 8AM-10PM. Office typically open 10AM-4PM. (updated Mar 2018) 4 Glensheen Mansion (Historic Congdon Estate), 3300 London Rd, ☏ +1 218-726-8910, toll-free: +1-888-454-4536. Summer: 9AM-5:30PM daily (first tour at 9:30AM, last tour at 4PM). Winter: Sa-Su 9:30AM-3:30PM (first tour at 10AM, last tour at 3PM), M-F by reservation only. Built in 1908 for the Congdon family. Standard one-hour guided tour includes the basement, first floor, and second floor. The 1.5-guided hour tour also includes the third floor. The carriage house and the landscaped grounds can be explored unguided. Expanded tour $26 adults, $24 seniors, $15 children 6-12; standard tour $15 adults, $14 seniors, $9 children 6-12; grounds-only tour $5 for everyone; children 5 and under are free on any tour. (updated Aug 2016) 5 Karpeles Manuscript Museum, 902 E 1st St, ☏ +1 218-728-0630. Th-Su noon-4PM. Rotating exhibits. Free. 6 Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 506 W Michigan St, ☏ +1 218-733-759.

Duluth is filled with plenty of activities for people of all ages. Canal Park is a tourist district on the lakefront filled with restaurants, cafes, shops and hotels. Some of Canal Park's attractions include a 4.2-mile long lakewalk, a lighthouse pier, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, the Great Lakes Aquarium, and the William A. Irvin floating ship museum. Those interested in boats will also enjoy watching vessels from around the world enter Duluth's port. Travel the bricked streets in Downtown Duluth and enjoy the historic architecture that defines the city. Walk down Bob Dylan Way (Michigan St, Superior St and London Rd) and celebrate the continuing commitment to supporting local art and local artists. 1 The Edge (Edgewater Resort & Waterpark), 2400 London Rd, ☏ +1 218-728-3601. Daily 8AM-10PM. 30,000 ft² (2,800 m2) Polynesian indoor waterpark. The Edge takes guests far away to a tropical island–with an exploding volcano and Polynesian-themed water adventures all around. Eat, drink and relax at Tiki Tom’s Oasis & Grill. 2 Fond-du-Luth Casino, 129 E Superior St, ☏ +1 218-722-0280. 24 hours. Over 750 video slot machines ranging from penny, two-cent, nickel, quarter and dollar with all slot machines ticket in/ticket out. Blackjack tables with betting limits from $3-1,000. Concessions with a full-service lounge and beverages. All customers must be at least 21 years of age to gamble. (updated Aug 2016) 3 Adventure Zone, 329 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-740-4000.

There are plenty of restaurants throughout Duluth. Canal Park is home to restaurants and cafes you wouldn't find anywhere else in the world, plus popular chains such as Famous Dave's, Old Chicago, and Red Lobster. 1 Bellisio's, 405 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-727-4921. M-Th 5PM-9PM; F 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM; Sa 11:30AM-10PM; Su 11:30AM-9PM. An upscale but not overly expensive Italian restaurant with great pastas and gnocchi. (updated May 2016) 2 Grandma's, 522 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-727-4192. Memorial Day-Labor Day: 11AM-2AM daily; rest of year: M-F 11:30AM-2AM, Sa Su 11AM-2AM. Good Italian and American food. Probably Duluth's most famous local restaurant. 3 Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar, 394 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-722-2355. Su-Th 10AM-10PM, F Sa 10AM-11PM. International restaurant serving seafood, sandwiches, and soups. Great outdoor patio during the warm months. $15-30. (updated Oct 2018) 4 Little Angies Cantina & Grill, 11 E Buchanan St, ☏ +1 218-727-6117. Memorial Day-Labor Day: 11AM-2AM daily; rest of year: 11:30AM-2AM daily. American Southwestern flair for food. Loaded with original Tex Mex artifacts and hand-carved ornate pillars. The menu features delicious sizzling fajitas, Southwest salads, cowboy burgers, and other original recipe favorites. The bar is highlighted by a Wall of Tequila and a whole menu full of margarita selections. Full wine, beer, and beverage selections also available. (updated May 2016) 5 PhoLicious, 394 S Lake Ave (inside the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace), ☏ +1 218-727-1598. Vietnamese. 6 India Palace, 319 W Superior St, ☏ +1 218-727-8767.

1 Fitger's Brewhouse, 600 E Superior St (in the Fitgers complex), ☏ +1 218-279-2739. Unique microbrewery serving a wide selection of beers, ales, lagers, and other beverages; many brewed on site. 2 Carmody Irish Pub, 308 E Superior St, ☏ +1 218-740-4747. 3 Blackwoods Grill & Bar, 2525 London Rd, ☏ +1 218-724-1612. Local favorite with excellent two happy hours, 3-6 and 9-12. 22 beers on tap including Midwest brews such as South Shore and Goose Island and eco-friendly (keeping with the city's culture) brews like Fat Tire.

1 Barnum Mansion Boutique and Hotel, 2211 E 3rd St. Bed and Breakfast. 2 The Suites Hotel, 325 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-727-4663, toll-free: +1-800-794-1716, fax: +1 218-722-0572, [email protected]. 3 Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast, 828 S Lake Ave, ☏ +1 218-727-0596, toll-free: +1-877-727-0596. In Canal Park, on a sandy beach. Solglimt was awarded a Green Designation from Green Routes for using environmentally friendly and locally produced products. 4 Hostel du Nord, 217 W 1st St, ☏ +1 218-341-0793. Duluth's only hostel. The hostel offers single bunks (twin-size) for individuals and double bunks (queen-size) that can be used by individuals or couples. All bunks have a privacy curtain, reading lights, electrical outlets, and security lockers (double bunks come with two lockers). Each floor has multiple single-person bathrooms. Other amenities include a lounge area, kitchenette, free wireless internet, and a Finnish-style sauna. Single bunks $45+, double bunks $70+. (updated Oct 2018) Residence Inn, Duluth, 517 W. Central Entrance, ☏ +1 218-279-2885, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Mid-tier all suite corporate hotel in the Duluth Heights neighborhood. Amenities include an indoor pool & hot tub, fitness center, laundry room, half court basketball court, and complimentary breakfast. Surface parking, with easy access to Duluth Transit's Go Line-Green. (updated Nov 2025)

Duluth is about a 2½-hour drive north of the Twin Cities on Interstate 35. A driver entering Duluth on I-35 from the Twin Cities will be rewarded by a spectacular view of Duluth laid bare in the valley and Lake Superior into the horizon. Travelers not familiar with Duluth may be surprised at how elevated the surrounding hills are. The international airport sits at an elevation of 1,427 feet. After long hours of relatively flat scenery, the view is a treat, especially during peak fall colors. The highway then descends at a steep grade just to the east of downtown; Exit 256B is the recommended exit for most downtown attractions. 1 Duluth International Airport (DLH IATA). Offering daily non-stop service to Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Detroit and Chicago. In addition service is offered occasionally and sometimes seasonally to Las Vegas, Phoenix and Orlando. Airlines serving Duluth International Airport: Sun Country Airlines Delta Air Lines United Airlines Duluth is served by Jefferson Lines. The main bus terminal is the 2 Duluth Transportation Center at 228 W Michigan St in downtown Duluth; Jefferson Lines also stops at the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Skyline shuttle runs 10 times a day between the Minneapolis-St Paul airport and Duluth downtown Radisson hotel. Landline Bus Service runs several direct shuttles a day between Minneapolis and Duluth Miller Mall and the airport. Indian Trails offers service from Sault Sainte Marie, Detroit, and Kalamazoo in Michigan.

Driving is probably the best option for getting around Duluth. The city generally does not have any traffic problems, although it can get congested in Canal Park. The city is built on a rather steep hill, so if you travel around anywhere other than downtown or I-35, make sure your brakes are in good order. It can be slushy in the winter as the road crews typically put down salt first, then plow the roads when traffic is lighter. However, being on the west side of the lake, Duluth doesn't normally receive the large lake-effect snowfalls, 2–6 in (51–152 mm) is the normal snowstorm. US Highway 53 crosses from Wisconsin to the south to the Iron Range in the north, and will take you to Miller Hill Mall, on top of the hill on the west side. US Highway 2 runs east-west. Keep in mind that the majority of the city is laid out in a grid based on the Lake Superior shoreline. This is about 45 degrees off of true north, however the residents refer to east/west streets running parallel to the lake, and north/south avenues that are perpendicular to the lake. Lake Avenue is considered to be the dividing line between east and west. Public bus and trolley services are operated by the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA). Uber and Lyft drivers are often available throughout the Twin Ports area. Allied Taxi (☏ +1 218-722-3311) and SK Taxi (☏ +1 218-221-1604) offer transportation within the city limits and into Wisconsin as well. The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council has made a bike map for the Twin Ports area.