Duluth

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 highest number of 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.
Built largely on a 700-foot hill overlooking Lake Superior, Duluth also has a thriving tourism industry, with antique shops, excellent restaurants, cozy inns, and scenic views of the lake. There is a ski resort inside city limits. 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 to Sault Ste Marie (Ontario). Across the bay is Superior, Wisconsin.

Climate

Set on deep Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Duluth can be cool or cold anytime of year. The official temperatures are reported from the airport, over the hill, and can be ten or more degrees (Fahrenheit) above the downtown temperatures. Sixties (about 18°C) for a high in August are not uncommon, but it can reach the 80s (about 28°C) just as easily. Bitter windchills can occur in the winter, although air temperatures generally do not go below -20°F (-29°C). Despite this, some people bike to work year-round. The temperatures can also change very rapidly, especially near the lake, a wind switch can be accompanied by a temperature drop of thirty degrees (F) in a couple of minutes.

Visitor information

Visit Duluth operates two visitor information centers:

• Visit Duluth Main Office

  phone: +1 218 722-4011
  address: 21 W Superior St

• Waterfront Information Center

  phone: +1 218 722-6024
  address: Harbor Dr

By car

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.

By plane

Duluth International Airport (DLH). 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:

• Allegiant Air
• Delta Air Lines
• United Airlines

By bus

Duluth is served by Jefferson Lines. The main bus terminal is the 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.

By boat

Duluth-Superior (WI) is an international seaport, by way of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, and while the taconite industry has dropped way off from the Iron Range, timber is still shipped by boat. Cruise ships that travel the Great Lakes have recently begun adding Duluth as a stop on their itineraries.

By car

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, 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.

By bus/taxi

If you don't have a car, you could use the public bus and trolley services operated by the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA).
Allied Taxi (+1 218 722-3311) and Yellow Taxi (+1 218 727-1515) offer transportation within the city limits and into Wisconsin as well.
If you're looking for a guided bus tour of the city, visit The Duluth Experience (218-464-6337). This local tour company offers a variety of sightseeing bus tours of Duluth including History Tours and their popular Brewery Tours.

By bike

The Duluth-Superior Metropolitan Interstate Council has made a bike map for the Twin Ports area.

Parks and gardens

• Enger Tower

  address: 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.

• Leif Erickson Park

  address: 12th Ave E and London Rd
  Home to the Duluth Rose Garden and the Leif Erickson Viking Ship, all overlooking Lake Superior.

• Jay Cooke State Park

Museums

• Glensheen Mansion

  phone: +1 218 726-8910
  address: 3300 London Rd
  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.

• Karpeles Manuscript Museum

  phone: +1 218 728-0630
  address: 902 E 1st St
  Rotating exhibits.

• Lake Superior Railroad Museum

  phone: +1-218 733-759
  address: 506 W Michigan St
  One of the Midwest's largest and most diverse collections of railroad artifacts. The collection includes one of the world's largest steam locomotives, the Yellowstone, which was used for decades to haul massive iron ore trains to the ports in Duluth and Two Harbors, the first locomotive in Minnesota (the William Crooks), one of the nation's largest displays of dining car china, cabooses, freight cars, a railway post office and a model railroad highlighting historical and modern iron ore operations. The museum is located on the bottom floor of The Depot, which is Duluth's elegant former main train station and has exhibits on the upper floors including significant local art, and local Native American and immigrant history.

• S.S. William A. Irvin Boat Museum

  phone: +1 218 722-7876
  address: 350 Harbor Dr.
  Open daily May-October, guided tours only. During the month of October the ship is transformed into a large haunted ship.(The William A. Irvin is dry-docked for repair as of October 2018.)

• United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Other

• Aerial Lift Bridge

  address: S Lake Ave at Canal Park
  This vertical lift bridge is the signature landmark of Duluth.

• Great Lakes Aquarium

  phone: +1 218 740-3474
  address: 353 Harbor Dr
  Hands-on discovery center encourages guests to explore animals and ecosystems found in the Great Lakes and beyond. Visitors experience the geologic forces that shaped Lake Superior, watch as divers feed fish in a massive two-story tank, raise and lower locks on a scale model of the Great Lakes, pilot a virtual ore boat under the Aerial Lift Bridge and pet young sturgeon and freshwater stingrays. Exhibits showcase over 70 species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals providing a unique window into watery worlds.

• Lake Superior Zoo

  phone: +1 218 730-4900
  address: 7210 Fremont St
  You’ll find hundreds of animals and exotic species at the Lake Superior Zoo. 10 minutes from Downtown Duluth, the zoo offers year-round recreational opportunities.

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.

Attractions

• The Edge

  phone: +1 218 728-3601
  address: 2400 London Rd
  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.

• Fond-du-Luth Casino

  phone: +1 218 722-0280
  address: 129 E Superior St
  Over 750 of 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.

Sports & recreation

• Adventure Zone

  phone: +1 218 740-4000
  address: 329 S Lake Ave
  entertainment center featuring multi-level laser tag, batting cages, mini golf, virtual sports challenge, and more. This is the largest video/redemption arcade in the area.

• Vertical Endeavors

  phone: +1 218 279-9980
  of climbing surface, on walls up to tall, making it one of the best-rounded facilities in the Midwest. Scattered throughout the facility are 30 top ropes, lead climbing, 12 auto belays, and a large bouldering cave.

Duluth Huskies Baseball

phone: +1 218 786-990

address: 101 N 35th Ave W

Playing in the Northwoods League, the Huskies have established themselves as perennial contenders by bringing in the best college players from the strongest baseball programs in the country.

Positive Energy Outdoors

phone: +1 218 391-0147

address: 15 Miles of Duluth

Draft Horses Sleigh and wagon rides, learn to harness and drive or just enjoy the ride. Rock Climbing In Duluth and up the shore, climbing for all ages and abilities. Kayaking Private inland lake just north of Duluth or Lake Superior at Two Harbors, Split Rock Lighthouse or the fantastic sea cliffs off Shovel Point or Palisade Head.

Spirit Mountain

phone: +1 218 628-2891

address: 9500 Spirit Mountain Pl

Over 175 skiable acres on 22 runs, a Big Air Terrain Park with Super Pipe, 22 km of cross-country ski trails, and the best snowmaking and grooming equipment available.

Tours

• The Duluth Experience Tour Company

  phone: +1 218 464-6337
  address: 211 E. 2nd St., Suite 4
  Guided tours of Duluth including: brewery tours, history tours, kayak tours, and bike tours. Open year-round. All skill levels welcome.

• North Shore Scenic Railroad

  phone: +1 218 722-127
  address: 506 W Michigan St
  Scenic old fashioned train rides. Trains run along the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior and deep into the majestic Northwoods. Tours range from 90 minutes to 6 hours. Daily during the summer, weekends in the spring and fall.

• Superior Whitewater Raft Tours

  phone: +1 218 384-463
  address: 950 Chestnut Ave
  Professionally guided raft tours. On-water trip time is 2 to 3 hours. Everything is supplied—equipment, shuttle service and the friendliest, most experienced guides you’ll find on any river trip. No experience required. Trips are ideal for beginners and for seasoned paddlers. To participate in our Raft Tours you must be in good health and meet the minimum age of 12 years.

• Top Hat Carriage Service

  phone: +1 218 269-3251
  address: 408 1/2 Canal Park Dr
  Horse-drawn rides give you a tour of Canal Park’s many sights and take you along the shore of Lake Superior. Rides begin in the Marine Museum parking lot next to the canal where the huge oceangoing ships enter the harbor. No reservations needed. Operating from early afternoon until after dark.

• Vista Fleet Sightseeing & Dining Cruise

  phone: +1 218 722-621
  address: 323 Harbor Dr
  Sunset Dinner cruises, exciting narrated sightseeing tours, relaxing moonlight cruises, and delightful ice cream and pizza cruises with entertainment for the whole family. See lighthouses, ships, beautiful waters and more.

Canal Park is an excellent place to kick off a shopping trip. Plenty of stores line the streets and are close together and easy to walk between. Other great shops can be found throughout downtown Duluth and scattered throughout local shopping centers.

Canal Park

• DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace

  address: 394 S Lake Ave
  Built in 1909 as a warehouse and factory for the DeWitt-Seitz Company, a manufacturer of mattresses. In the 1980s, the building was converted to hold shops and restaurants.

• Blue Heron Trading Co.

  phone: +1 218 722-8799
  Known for its unique selection of housewares and gourmet kitchen tools. Carries top brands like Le Creuset, Zyliss, and Chantal, as well as carefully chosen local and imported specialty foods, Colorful home decor accessories, and a full assortment of kitchen gadgets to outfit any kitchen.

• Hebzibahs

  phone: +1 218 722-5049
  This old-fashioned candy shoppe is named for Hepzibah J. Merritt. Fulfill your sweetest dreams with chocolates, fudge, licorice and many imported items.

• J Skylark Company

  phone: +1 218 722-3794
  Toys, games puzzles, kites, stuffed animals, rubber stamps, gifts & keepsakes.

• Minnesota Gifts by Sandra Dee

  phone: +1 218 722-3746
  Northwoods clothing, decor and gifts and souvenirs of Duluth and greater Minnesota.

• Northern Waters Smokehaus

  phone: +1 218 724-7307
  Smoked fish, meats and sausages, artisan cheese, unique deli sandwiches, gourmet sundries, gift boxes and catering.

• Two & Co.

  phone: +1 218 727-2414
  Jewelry and hair accessories, body care, clothing for women, children and some for pets. You'll find books, magnets, and household cleaners.

• Duluth Pack Store

  phone: +1 218 722-1707
  address: 365 Canal Park Dr
  Canoes, clothing & gear. Duluth-made luggage & packs. Unique north woods gifts.

• I Love Duluth

  phone: +1 218 625-1036
  address: 345 Canal Park Dr
  Gift, novelty and souvenir store. Filled with fun Duluth and Minnesota novelties.

• Siiviis

  phone: +1 218 723-7877
  address: 361 Canal Park Dr
  Siiviis of Sivertson Gallery offering exceptional gifts, jewelry, and artwork from around the globe. Trollbead retailer.

• Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

  phone: +1 218 722-1700
  address: 395 S Lake Ave
  Watch them make fudge and caramel apples along with other storemade treats. Offers over 40 varieties of gourmet chocolates, gift baskets, party trays and corporate/wedding programs.

• Waters of Superior

  phone: +1 218 786-0233
  address: 395 S Lake Ave
  Unique women’s clothing and handmade jewelry, regional fine arts, and Blacklock photography gallery.

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.

Canal Park

• Amazing Grace Bakery Cafe

  phone: +1 218 723-0075
  address: 394 S Lake Ave
  Great sandwiches and soup. Delicious homemade bread. Live music and relaxing atmosphere.

• Bellisio's

  phone: +1 218 727-4921
  address: 405 S Lake Ave
  An upscale but not overly expensive Italian restaurant with great pastas and gnocchi.

• Grandma's

  phone: +1 218 727-4192
  address: 522 S Lake Ave
  Good Italian and American food. Probably Duluth's most famous local restaurant.

• Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar

  phone: +1 218 722-2355
  address: 394 S Lake Ave
  International restaurant serving seafood, sandwiches, and soups. Great outdoor patio during the warm months.

• Little Angies Cantina & Grill

  phone: +1 218 727-6117
  address: 11 E Buchanan St
  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.

• Taste of Saigon

  phone: +1 218 727-1598
  address: 394 S Lake Ave
  The name of the restaurant would seem to indicate that they serve Vietnamese food, but the majority of the menu appears to be of the Americanized-Chinese variety.

Other restaurants

• India Palace

  phone: +1 218 727-8767
  address: 319 W Superior St
  The lunch buffet (on weekdays around noon) is an excellent sampler of East Indian food.

• The Maya Family Restaurant

  phone: +1 218 722-0360
  address: 4702 Miller Trunk Hwy
  A good Mexican restaurant up the hill past the mall area.

• Pizza Lucé

  phone: +1 218 727-7400
  address: 11 E Superior St
  Good pizza, live music, and a variety of vegan options.

• New Scenic Café

  phone: +1 218 525-6274
  address: 5461 N Shore Dr
  Creative menu based on fresh, local ingredients. Vegetarian friendly. On Lake Superior's North Shore (13 miles north of downtown) with a view of the lake.

• The Brewhouse Brewery and Grille

  phone: +1 218 726-1392
  address: 600 E Superior St
  Not just for those looking for a drink; they also have an excellent menu featuring local favorites, including the veggie-friendly Wild Rice Burger. (Try the chocolate cake cold.)

• Va Bene

  phone: +1 218 722-1518
  address: 734 E Superior St
  A hip, casual Italian restaurant with a wonderful selection of wines, cocktails, liqueurs, and Italian sodas. An outdoor patio (partially covered for rainy days) affords a great view of Lake Superior.

• Duluth Grill

  address: 118 S 27th Ave W
  Casual family dining with smart, healthy menu options including gluten-free and vegetarian dining. Breakfast at any time of the day.

• Hanabi

  phone: +1 218 464-4412
  address: 110 N 1st Ave W
  Sushi and other Japanese cuisine and a full bar in a beautiful new space that manages to be family friendly in the early hours and romantic late into the night. Vegan friendly.

• Pickwick Restaurant and Pub

  phone: +1 218 623-7425
  address: 508 E Superior St
  Hundred-year-old local institution. Good steaks, local fish, salads, and pasta dishes.

• Fitger's Brewhouse

  phone: +1 218 279-2739
  address: 600 E Superior St
  Unique microbrewery serving an wide selection of beers, ales, lagers, and other beverages; many brewed on site.

• Carmody Irish Pub

  phone: +1 218 740-4747
  address: 308 E Superior St

• Blackwoods Grill & Bar

  phone: +1 218 724-1612
  address: 2525 London Rd
  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.

• Chalet Lounge

  phone: +1 218 722-2457
  address: 4833 Miller Trunk Hwy
  The only place you can eat, drink, and do your laundry. Great breakfasts and large mugs of beer. If you are traveling and need to do laundry this is the place.

• Firelight Inn

  phone: +1 218 724-0272
  address: 2211 E 3rd St
  Bed and Breakfast.

• The Suites Hotel

  phone: +1 218 727-4663
  address: 325 S Lake Ave

• Mathew S. Burrows 1890 Inn

  phone: +1 218 724-4991
  address: 1632 E 1st St
  Bed and Breakfast.

• Solglimt Inn Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 218 727-0596
  address: 828 S Lake Ave
  In Canal Park, on a sandy beach. Solglimt was awarded a Green Designation from Green Routes for using environmentally friendly and locally produced products.

• Hostel du Nord

  phone: +1 218 341-0793
  address: 217 W 1st St
  Duluth's only hostel. The hostel offers single bunks (twin-size) for individuals and double bunks (queen-size) that can 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.

Dial 911 for emergencies.

Duluth, along with the airport and its surrounding towns and suburbs (except Superior) are in the 218 area code.

Publications

• Duluth News Tribune. Duluth's daily newspaper.
• BusinessNorth. Business newspaper for northeastern Minnesota.
• Perfect Duluth Day. Alternative Duluth blog.
• Transistormag.com . Describing itself as Art, Music, and Swearing, alternative online calendar of events, updated weekly.

Hospitals

St. Luke's, 915 E 1st St. For more than 25 years, St. Luke's has provided advanced trauma and emergency care to people in a 17-county region.
St. Mary's Medical Center, 407 E 3rd St. St. Mary’s Medical Center is the largest hospital in northern Minnesota and is nationally recognized for clinical excellence and Top 100 heart care.

• Pine City is just a little over an hour's drive south on I-35. Great small town!
• Set off for a camping/canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
• Drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior along 'Scenic 61'
• Bike the Willard Munger trail (over 100 km / 70 miles between Duluth and Hinckley)
• Across the bay is Superior, Wisconsin.
• Travel south on I-35 to the Twin Cities metropolitan area
• Split Rock Lighthouse (40 miles north). Wonderful lighthouse built around 1910. There were no roads at the time so they hauled all material by boat and lifted it to the top of the cliff.