Duluth, MN Travel guide
Duluth, MN has great food, breweries, hikes, a ski hill and much more to offer which makes it one of my favorite Minnesota cities!
Where to Stay
I would recommend staying in Canal Park or Lincoln Park. Both those areas have shopping, hotels, restaurants and bars. Most of the things you’ll want to do in Duluth will be closer to Lake Superior so staying in that general area of Duluth is best! Even staying in Superior, WI or one of the smaller towns outside of Duluth is still convenient!
hotels:
I’ve stayed at The Suites Hotel years ago and prices have gone up A LOT since then so it’s not the most affordable option anymore, but we really liked it!
Things to Do
#1 – Canal Park
Explore Canal Park and walk the lakewalk! There are shops, restaurants, breweries, bars, and views of Duluth & Lake Superior to check out!
#2 – Lift Bridge
Check out the Lift Bridge. Walk, run, bike, or drive across the Lift Bridge. Is it anything super exciting? No, but I still think it’s pretty cool!
#3 – Beaches
Go to the beach. Being right on Lake Superior there are no shortage of beaches! Here are some to visit:
12th Street Beach – near Canal Park (you can do some beach glass hunting here)
Park Point Beach – This stretches all along Park Point. Park Point offers swimming, sand volleyball, pavilions, grills, hiking trails, beach access, a boat launch, and a beach house.
Brighton Beach – 15 minutes north
Agate Bay Beach – 30 minutes north
#4 – Spirit Mountain
Ski/Snowboard at Spirit Mountain. Spirit has gorgeous views of Lake Superior and is one of the larger ski hills in Minnesota!
#5 – Enger tower
Enger Tower and the park it’s in is so fun to explore! To get to the top you climb 80 feet, fiver stories, and from the top you get a panoramic view of Duluth and Lake Superior! It was built in 1939 and named after Norwegian immigrant Bert Enger, who donated money for the park in his will. Make sure to also explore the park’s gardens and walking trails, and see the American-Japanese Peace Bell.
#6 – Leif Erickson Park
Leif Erickson Park is located along Lake Superior near the mouth of Chester Creek. Home to Duluth’s Rose Garded, an amphitheater stage ( they were setting up for a movie this day), trails throughout and along the lake.
#7 – Duluth Rose Garden
Duluth’s Rose Garden is a 4.5 acre portion of Leif Erikson Park. Featuring over 3,000 rose bushes and other plants. The roses begin to bloom late spring and early summer. Peak bloom is late July and August. I was there Memorial weekend and they hadn’t bloomed yet but was back in late July as saw them at full bloom!
#8 – Shopping in Lincoln Park
The Lincoln Park neighborhood is filled with fun shops. I loved North and Shore!
#9 – Eat, Drink, Shop at fitger’s Complex
If you’re visiting Duluth during frigid temperatures this is a great place to spend time. There’s fun shops, great restraunts, breweries, bars etc. I was in Duluth one winter when it was -10º the entire weekend and I spent a lot of time here!
more things to Do:
Restaurant Recommendations
Ursa minor Brewing
If you’re looking for some good pizza this is the place to go! Also a brewery so plenty of beer options!
At Sara’s table Chester Creek Cafe
American food. It’s a farm-to-table menu. I’ve done brunch here and it was great!
Fitger’s Brewhouse
Pub food with house-brewed beer. They’re famous for their Wild Rice Burger and I do recommend it!
Gordy’s Hi Hat
Gordy’s Hi Hat is located in Cloquet, MN, about 25 minutes Southeast of Duluth. It’s a very famous family-run counter service diner that’s been around since 1960. Thye have burgers, fried fish, malts & other American classics. I would highly recommend the fresh onion rings!
More Recommendations
bar/brewery Recommendations
Bent Paddle
Bent Paddle is a very popular & family friendly brewery in the heart of Lincoln Park in Duluth. They host fun events and live music quite often in the summer!
Vikre distillery
Craft distillery offering tours, tastings & seasonal cocktails made with house gin, aquavit & vodka.
The Rathskellar
This basement cocktail bar is so awesome! It’s like a speakeasy, but not.
Canal Park Brewing
Industrial-chic microbrewery featuring craft beers & pub food.
More Recommendations
Coffee Recommendations
190º Coffee and Tea
190º is a more modern vibe coffee shop and one of my favorites to sit down and work at if I’m in the Duluth area! Their seasonal drinks are always really good!
The Back Alley
This coffee/surf shop combo is SO awesome! It’s such a fun vibe but heads up, even if Google says it’s open, it might not be because the owner lives life to the fullest and sometimes takes days off. I’ve been lucky the last few times that I’ve been in Duluth that it’s been open!
Duluth Coffee Company
Duluth Coffee Company is a lot of local favorites. They now have a small restaurant where the original coffee shop was and then the coffee shop is right next door. If I’m in the mood for cold brew, this is the place I go!
Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace
If you’re looking for food AND coffee, Dovetail is a good option. It’s also a marketplace with prints, pottery, jewelry, homes goods, and more!
Yellow Bike Coffee
Great spot to swoop some caffeine if you’re spending some time shopping in Fitger’s Complex. It’s located inside the complex!
At Sara’s table Chester Creek Cafe
You can pop in to grab coffee or sit-down and eat here!
Hiking
Chester Park Loop
Chester Park is located in the heart of Duluth and loops the East and West Chester Creek Trails, following the creek bed the whole way. It’s a picturesque and relaxing route that is shaded the entire way. More trail info here!
Jay Cooke state Park
Many different trails to follow in this park and none of them disappoint. Extra gorgeous in the Fall with the changing colors! More trail info here.
Ely’s Peak
This is a 1.8 mile loop with a 396 foot gain. We definitely got lost walking in the winter with snow so the trails weren’t as tracked out but eventually got to the top. I suggest following along the map with All Trails!
Lester park
I hiked part of the Lester River Trail and Amity East during the Springtime. I wouldn’t plan on doing the longer hikes in the Spring here because a lot of them are partially closed from the melting snow making the trails a mess or washed out a bit. More trail info here.
