10 Exciting Things to Do in Duluth, MN

Positioned on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth, MN has a lot to supply each new residents and longtime locals. From exploring town’s historic buildings and museums to mountain climbing in Jay Cooke State Park or snowboarding at Spirit Mountain, there’s no scarcity of actions to get pleasure from in Duluth. Whether or not you’re searching for residences for lease in Duluth or are searching for a home within the metropolis, there are thrilling and fascinating actions. Listed here are ten distinctive issues to do for folk dwelling in Duluth.

1. Go to the Glensheen Mansion

Visiting the Glensheen Mansion is an unbelievable expertise that takes you again in time to the early twentieth century. This historic mansion was constructed by Chester Congdon, a rich businessman and politician, and his household in 1908. The mansion options 39 rooms and is located on a phenomenal property overlooking Lake Superior. Throughout the tour, you’ll have the chance to discover the totally different rooms and study concerning the Congdon household and their affect on Duluth’s historical past. 

The mansion is stuffed with gorgeous structure, intricate woodwork, and distinctive options like a secret staircase and a uncommon assortment of worldwide clocks. Total, the Glensheen Mansion is a must-visit vacation spot for anybody involved in historical past, structure, or just searching for a phenomenal and academic expertise in Duluth.

2. Take a scenic drive up the North Shore

Driving up the North Shore is a wide ranging expertise that showcases the pure great thing about the realm. The route takes you alongside the shore of Lake Superior, the most important freshwater lake on the earth, and gives gorgeous views of rugged cliffs, rocky seashores, and dense forests. The highway is lined with quaint small cities, together with Two Harbors and Beaver Bay, which supply distinctive procuring, eating, and lodging choices. As you drive additional north, you’ll encounter a collection of state parks, together with Break up Rock Lighthouse State Park and Gooseberry Falls State Park, which offer alternatives for mountain climbing, tenting, and exploring waterfalls.

3. Discover the Lake Superior Zoo

Visiting the Lake Superior Zoo is a good concept for residents searching for instructional and distinctive issues to do in Duluth. The zoo is residence to a various vary of animals from all over the world, together with huge cats, primates, birds, and reptiles. Along with the animal displays, the zoo affords quite a few interactive experiences, together with behind-the-scenes excursions, animal encounters, and feeding demonstrations. The zoo additionally hosts a number of particular occasions all year long, together with holiday-themed occasions and academic applications for youngsters. With its stunning location overlooking Lake Superior, there’s a lot to do and see on the Lake Superior Zoo.

goggles hanging on skis

4. Go snowboarding at Spirit Mountain

Snowboarding at Spirit Mountain must be close to the highest of the listing of issues to do for winter sports activities fans in Duluth. The mountain boasts over 20 runs, starting from newbie to skilled, with a vertical drop of over 700 toes. The resort additionally incorporates a terrain park with jumps, rails, and different obstacles for these seeking to take their abilities to the subsequent stage. Along with snowboarding and snowboarding, Spirit Mountain affords quite a lot of different winter actions, together with snow tubing and cross-country snowboarding. The resort additionally has a number of eating and lodging choices, making it a terrific vacation spot for a weekend getaway or household trip.

5. Tour the S.S. William A. Irvin

The SS William A. Irvin is a historic ship that provides a singular glimpse into town’s wealthy maritime historical past. The ship was inbuilt 1938 and served as a cargo vessel for the U.S. Metal Company for over 40 years. In the present day, the ship is open to the general public for excursions, offering the chance to discover the vessel’s cabins, engine room, and cargo holds. 

The ship can also be residence to a museum exhibit that highlights Duluth’s historical past as a transport hub and showcases artifacts and pictures from town’s maritime previous. The SS William A. Irvin is a fascinating historic vacation spot for anybody involved in historical past or maritime tradition, and it gives an enchanting look into the significance of transport and transportation to the event of Duluth and the Nice Lakes area.

6. Go to the Nice Lakes Aquarium

If you happen to’re searching for an exercise that gives a possibility to study concerning the numerous aquatic life discovered within the Nice Lakes area, you should definitely take a look at the Nice Lakes Aquarium. Positioned within the Rice’s Level neighborhood, the aquarium options quite a lot of displays showcasing totally different habitats and ecosystems, together with freshwater streams, Lake Superior, and the St. Louis River Estuary. You possibly can see quite a lot of aquatic creatures, reminiscent of sturgeon, otters, and varied species of fish, and find out about their conduct and habitats. 

The aquarium additionally affords quite a lot of interactive experiences, together with contact tanks and behind-the-scenes excursions, and hosts instructional applications and occasions all year long. Its dedication to conservation and training makes the Nice Lakes Aquarium a vacation spot for households, college teams, and anybody involved in studying extra concerning the fascinating world of aquatic life within the Nice Lakes area.

7. Discover Canal Park

Canal Park is a bustling waterfront district that gives locals with a singular mix of historical past, recreation, and leisure. The park is residence to quite a lot of points of interest, together with the long-lasting Aerial Carry Bridge, which connects Duluth to the Park Level peninsula. You possibly can watch as huge ships move by way of the canal and below the bridge, offering a glimpse into town’s industrial previous. The park additionally options quite a lot of retailers, eating places, and galleries, in addition to a boardwalk that runs alongside the lakefront and affords gorgeous views of Lake Superior. You too can get pleasure from out of doors recreation alternatives, together with fishing, kayaking, and biking, in addition to seaside entry and strolling trails.

jay cooke state park near duluth mn

8. Take a hike in Jay Cooke State Park

Jay Cooke State Park is a shocking pure space positioned simply exterior Duluth. The park options over 50 miles of mountain climbing trails, together with the difficult Superior Climbing Path, which affords breathtaking views of the St. Louis River and its surrounding hills. The park can also be residence to quite a lot of tenting choices, together with rustic cabins, tent websites, and RV websites, in addition to alternatives for fishing, swimming, and kayaking within the river. You possibly can discover the park’s historic websites, together with the restored Oldenburg Home, which dates again to the late 1800s, and the long-lasting Swinging Bridge, which gives an exhilarating crossing over the river.

9. Go to the Duluth Artwork Institute

The Duluth Artwork Institute is a vibrant cultural establishment in Duluth, MN that provides the chance to discover town’s wealthy inventive heritage. The institute options quite a lot of galleries showcasing works by native, regional, and nationwide artists, in addition to instructional applications and workshops for individuals of all ages. The institute additionally hosts quite a lot of particular occasions all year long, together with artist talks, movie screenings, and exhibitions that includes works by rising and established artists. Locals can even take part within the institute’s group engagement applications, which purpose to advertise social justice and fairness by way of the humanities.

10. Go on a brewery tour

Brewery excursions in Duluth, MN are a preferred exercise for anybody who enjoys craft beer and studying concerning the brewing course of. Duluth is residence to quite a lot of breweries, every with its personal distinctive type and taste. You possibly can take guided excursions of the breweries, studying concerning the elements and gear used to provide the beer and sampling totally different varieties alongside the best way. A few of the breweries additionally provide meals choices, reminiscent of wood-fired pizzas or snacks that pair effectively with the beer. With its vibrant craft beer scene, educated tour guides, and distinctive tasting experiences, brewery excursions in Duluth are a must-do exercise for beer fans and anybody searching for a enjoyable and distinctive strategy to expertise town.