Set along the shores of the largest of the Great Lakes, this striking city is known for its dramatic natural setting, where steep hills and rugged bluffs rise above the water. With a rich maritime past and sweeping lake views, it offers a compelling mix of history, scenery, and outdoor appeal.
Duluth sits on the north shore of Lake Superior and is home to the largest and busiest port on the Great Lakes. Alongside its fascinating shipping heritage, visitors will find plenty of parks, gardens, and scenic viewpoints scattered throughout the city.
With so much beautiful scenery to take in and a diverse array of things to do, Duluth is well worth a stop when exploring the Midwest.
North Shore Scenic Drive
As Lake Superior boasts so much dramatic coastal scenery, no trip to town can be complete without venturing along at least part of the North Shore Scenic Drive. Meandering its way along the side of the lake, the romantic route takes you past lots of lovely little towns, historic sites, and state parks with spectacular vistas and nature spots on show wherever you go.
From Duluth’s waterfront Canal Park, the scenic byway heads straight northeast, terminating some 150 miles later at the Canadian border, just outside of Grand Portage. While the views as you drive are simply spellbinding, it is well worth stopping from time to time to visit sights such as the charming Two Harbors town, historic Split Rock Lighthouse, and stunning Gooseberry Falls.
Canal Park & the Lakewalk
Formerly a dilapidated old warehouse district, the rejuvenated Canal Park is now the main place to head along Duluth’s waterfront. Set between downtown and the Park Point sandbar, it has countless shops and restaurants to try out with the area also being home to many of Duluth’s main attractions.
Aside from taking in the astounding old industrial architecture, visitors can peruse its art galleries or stop by the lively neighborhood’s breweries, boutiques, and jazz clubs. While the unmissable Aerial Lift Bridge, Maritime Visitor Center, and S.S. William A. Irvin Boat Museum attract lots of people, ambling peacefully along the Lakewalk is also a very popular pastime.
Stretching just over 2.5 miles in length, the picturesque promenade takes you along the lakefront with fabulous views to be enjoyed the whole way along.
Glensheen Mansion
Perched atop a prominent bluff overlooking the city and Lake Superior, you can spy the massive and majestic Glensheen Mansion; one of the state’s most visited historic homes. Surrounded by lush grounds and gardens, it exhibits some truly exquisite Jacobean Revival architecture with its elegant interior being just as delightful to explore.
Built between 1905 and 1908, the wonderful waterfront property impressively has 39 rooms for you to tour around, all full of elaborate furnishings and fine period pieces. Now preserved as a National Historic Landmark, it was originally the lavish home of the wealthy industrialist Chester Congdon, his family, and heirs.
After having seen all its decadently decorated halls and bedrooms, make sure to stroll around the rest of the attractive estate as various outhouses and expertly manicured gardens are dotted about the lakeside.
Aerial Lift Bridge
Undoubtedly Duluth’s most important and impressive landmark is the enormous Aerial Lift Bridge, which connects the center of the city and Canal Park to Park Point. Making for a visually arresting sight, the incredible engineering and architectural marvel spans the busy Duluth Ship Canal at the entrance to the harbor.
The first transporter bridge to be built in the US, the gigantic steel structure was completed in 1905 before being converted into a vertical-lift bridge several decades later. As it is quite an unusual kind of bridge, watching its central span be raised up and down is now one of the most popular things to see in town.
While its striking size, shape and silhouette make for some fantastic photos, the bridge is also well worth checking out at night when it is beautifully lit up by hundreds of little LED lights.
Park Point Beach
Although it lies only fifteen minutes’ drive away, the peaceful Park Point Beach feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Duluth. From the busy Canal Park, the long, narrow sand spit extends out into the lake with its scenic confines offering all kinds of fun outdoor activities and recreation opportunities.
Due to its soft sands, divine views, and close proximity, the beach is a very popular and picturesque place to visit, particularly in the sunny summer months. In addition to lounging lazily on its warm sands and swimming and splashing about in the lake, you can play volleyball on its courts or enjoy picnics and barbecues in its pavilions while some lovely little trails weave their way about the park.