Spend a day at Canal Park
This is where the people are at – particularly in the summer months, when our fair city’s weekend population explodes tenfold. Exploring here means you’re never more than a few feet from the Lake, or any number of bars, restaurants, shops and activities.
Bike/walk/run on the newly renovated Lakewalk. The Lakewalk spans nearly 8 miles beginning at Bayfront Festival Park and extends to Brighton Beach. The Lakewalk also connects to city sidewalks.
Be sure to take a stroll onto one of the two Piers – here you can watch vessels from around the world enter Duluth’s port. The iconic Aerial Lift Bridge rises to allow boats to pass through the canal to the inner harbor with loads of grain, coal, taconite, and other trade commodities. Don’t forget to walk across the bridge!
- Check out the Lake Superior Maritime Museum/Visitor Center
- Rent bikes/sailboat/fishing charter for the day
- Explore The Rose Garden at Leif Erikson
- Take in a concert or celebration at Bayfront Festival Park
- Tour the S.S. William Irvin Ore Boat Museum
- Cruise on the Vista Fleet sightseeing & dining cruises
From Visit Duluth Guidebook:
EXPLORE THE SHORE Experience the beauty and majesty of Lake Superior’s coast. The Lakewalk spans nearly 8 miles beginning at Bayfront Festival Park and extends to Brighton Beach.
URBAN CONNECTIONS The Lakewalk connects to city sidewalks, so you can explore unique shops, excellent dining options plus direct access to hotels and area attractions.
BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK Located on the harbor, the stage at Bayfront Festival Park holds a variety of events throughout the year including festivals, concerts and events. Kids will enjoy spending time at Playfront Park, an all-ages playground and recreational area.
AERIAL LIFT BRIDGE Built in 1905, the Aerial Lift Bridge is Duluth’s most recognizable landmark. The iconic bridge connects the city to Park Point. Watch as the bridge raises so ships, including thousandfoot freighters, can pass into the harbor.
Aerial Lift Bridge For A Great Light Display
While it might seem odd saying a lift bridge is a tourist attraction, this one really is. With its dominance on the skyline, you can not think about Duluth without bringing an image of this bridge to mind.
More than 115 years old, this bridge is an engineering and architectural marvel that you can honestly spend ages watching enthralled.
It operates 24/7 rising and lowering to let cargo ships, freighters, sailboats, and boat tours from the harbor into the main lake. It spans a narrow opening connecting Park Point to the mainland.
At night the bridge looks really special decorated with hundreds of led lights. The best view is from Canal Park along the Lake Walk.
Of all the things to do in Duluth put this one high on your list.
BAYFRONT FESTIVAL PARK Bayfront Festival Park is one of Duluth’s most beautiful public parks, located on the shores of Lake Superior. Enjoy an exciting array of festivals featuring music, entertainment, art and food. During winter months, there is ice skating and a holiday lighting display. Year-round Playfront Playground is open to children. 700 W Railroad Street | Duluth, MN 55802 duluthmn.gov/parks/activities-events or bayfrontfestivalpark.com
ADVENTURE ZONE The Northland’s biggest indoor family multi-attraction boasts over 50,000 square feet of fun featuring; multi-level laser tag, batting cages, mini golf, Virtual Sports Challenge, the area’s largest video/redemption arcade, Vertical Endeavors’ rock climbing walls and more! Make us your party headquarters! 329 Lake Avenue South | Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 740-4000 | adventurezoneduluth.com
GREAT LAKES AQUARIUM Located on Duluth’s waterfront, just off exit 256B on I-35, this freshwater-focused discovery center inspires guests to explore animals and habitats from the Great Lakes to global waters with touch pools, interactives and more. Coming in 2021: H2O!, an expansive, interactive family playtime exhibit with surprising lessons on the properties of water. 353 Harbor Drive | Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 740-FISH (3474) | glaquarium.org
LAKE SUPERIOR MARITIME VISITOR CENTER In the heart of Canal Park, you’re within yards of giant lake carriers and foreign ships that pass under the world-famous Aerial Lift Bridge. Exhibits and films featuring commercial shipping activities on Lake Superior and the Duluth-Superior Harbor. FREE admission and open year round (hours vary depending on the season). 600 Canal Park Drive | Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 788-6430; Boatwatchers Hotline, 24 hours in season: (218) 722-6489 lre.usace.army.mil; Vessel Schedule: HarborLookout.com
VISTA FLEET SIGHTSEEING & DINING CRUISES The best way to see Duluth is FROM the water. Experience the majestic beauty of Lake Superior aboard the Vista Fleet! Choose your cruise; from fully-narrated sightseeing cruises, to spectacular brunch, lunch, and sunset dinner cruises. Fun for all ages. Cruising May – October. Create superior memories with Vista Fleet! 323 Harbor Drive (waterfront side of the DECC) | (218) 722-6218 | vistafleet.com
WATERFRONT SCULPTURE WALK Offering more than beautiful lake views, Duluth’s waterfront is an expression of art. A series of prized sculptures representing the social, cultural and historical values of Duluth and its Sister Cities in Vaxjo, Sweden; Thunder Bay, Ontario; Perozavodsk, Russia; and Ohara, Japan, create an outdoor gallery of international art. Duluth’s Waterfront
ROSE GARDEN AT LEIF ERIKSON PARK A spectacular extension of Leif Erikson Park, Duluth’s Rose Garden offers a beautiful arrangement of more than 3,000 rose bushes and other floral delights. There’s also a fountain, a marble gazebo, an herb garden and plenty of benches overlooking the lake. 13th Avenue East & London Road duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-listing/rose-garden/
S.S. WILLIAM A. IRVIN ORE BOAT MUSEUM S.S. WILLIAM A. IRVIN ORE BOAT MUSEUM Tour the Irvin, proud flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet. Open late May-Sept. for onboard tours. One child (10 or under) FREE per paid adult ticket. Visit duluthhauntedship.com for information on the Haunted Ship during October! 350 Harbor Drive | (218) 722-7876; (218) 623-1236 | decc.org/william-a-irvin/