Planning a trip to Duluth, Minnesota? Check out the list of the best things to do in Duluth, Minnesota and places to go in Duluth, Minnesota below. Wondrous Drifter is a Web 3 travel company that brings the best travel ideas to travellers.
Table Of Content
- Canal Park
- Duluth Rose Garden
- Duluth’s Children’s Museum
- Enger Tower
- Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille
- Glensheen, The Historic Congdon State
- Great Lakes Aquarium
- Hartley Nature Center
- Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
- Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
- Lake Superior Railroad Museum
- Lake Superior Zoo
- Leif Erickson Park
- Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium
- North Shore Scenic Drive
- SS William A. Irvin
- Spirit Mountain
- St. Louis County Depot
- Tweed Museum of Art
- Wade Stadium
Canal Park
Looking for a convenient yet beautiful place during your stay in Duluth, Minnesota?
Duluth’s Canal Park connects the shoreline with the city’s contemporary, bustling core.
In Duluth, Minnesota, Canal Park is one of the most popular attractions, and it’s easy to see why.
The Bayfront Park is connected to the conference center by Park Point.
The fact that the park is in the heart of Duluth means that there are many desirable hotels with waterfront locations and stunning overlooks of the sea.
Choosing to stay at any of these hotels means you’ll be able to stroll to several nearby sites and be assured of parking space.
Shops and cafes abound just a small distance from the resorts, and you’ll be able to sample a broad selection of gifts, charms, and accessories.
The Aerial Lift Bridge and massive cargo vessels may be observed from Canal Park.
If you’re going to be in Duluth, you wouldn’t want to miss this destination!
Address: Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Duluth Rose Garden
A place to watch the sunrise while surrounded by beautiful gardens?
Go to Duluth Rose Garden!
Tom Johnson, a native of Duluth and a well-known rose designer in the United States, designed the Duluth Rose Garden, a unique urban oasis.
More than 2,000 roses have been cultivated in the garden in the form of a shell, making it an impressive sight.
In addition to roses, you’ll find a variety of perennials, lilies, and evergreen shrubs, as well as a fragrant herb area.
There’s no better time to come than during the summer months when the roses are at their most fragrant, and entrance is one of the several free things to do in Duluth.
Perfectly built brick paths and stone seats are located throughout the gardens, making it easy to get about and take in the stunning scenery.
If you’re in Duluth and looking for something to do, the Duluth Rose Garden is a definite must-see.
Address: 15 S 13th Ave E, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Duluth’s Children’s Museum
A fun family day starts at Duluth Children’s Museum!
It is the biggest children’s gallery in the state of Minnesota, occupying 140,000 sq ft of Canal Park in Duluth.
There are more than 25,000 rare historical objects in the Duluth Children’s Museum’s inventory.
Many engaging activities and amenities are available for children and their parents to experience at the Duluth Children’s Museum.
They may interact with a robotic dinosaur, hunt for prehistoric fossils, become a member of the royal family, and even go on a cosmic adventure.
One of Duluth’s most popular tourist attractions is a scientific museum, art gallery, and railway area.
Throughout the year, the museum organizes various kid-friendly events and activities.
The Duluth Children’s Museum’s science lab is a must-see. Children may experiment with scientific theories and study plant growth.
This is one of the best places to visit in Duluth, Minnesota.
Make sure to add this to your itinerary!
Address: 2125 W Superior St, Duluth, MN 55806, United States
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Enger Tower
Views from high places never disappoint.
Built in 1939, Enger Tower, which is located in Enger Park, was inaugurated by Norway’s Royal Prince and Princess in 1939.
Bert Enger, a native of Norway, moved to the United States to become a well-known furniture salesman, and the tower was built in his honor.
Duluth’s cliffs overlook the Enger Tower, which stands at 80 feet tall. Enger Tower is 531 feet over the lake and offers stunning vistas of the town and Duluth Harbor.
Visitors may ascend the tiny ladder to the peak, where fierce gusts blow and breathtaking 360-degree panoramas provide unsurpassed photo possibilities.
There are stunning views of Duluth, Japan’s famed Japanese gardens, and even sections of the city of Superior, Wisconsin from the observation deck.
This is one of the top destinations in Duluth, Minnesota.
If you’re going to be in town, the tower is a must-visit!
Don’t forget to bring your cameras!
Address: Enger Tower Dr, Duluth, MN 55806, United States
Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille
Beer lovers will be at their happiest in Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery!
A terrific spot to spend an evening, even if you’re not a beer connoisseur, is the Fitger’s Complex, where the brewing facility is located.
Using only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients from the area around Lake Superior, Fitger’s Brewhouse crafts award-winning brews and beers that are sure to please every palate.
During a visit to Fitger’s Brewhouse, you may learn about the story of the ancient Dutch structure beneath the tower as well as the beer it brews.
Customers are served directly from their containers to their glasses by these establishments. It’s impossible to get any fresher than this, and you’ll notice the improvement immediately.
There are around 250 diverse beers to choose from at Fitger’s, including seasonal and regular offerings.
Other than brewing, the brewery has an interesting menu of snacks, hamburgers, and other delectable treats on offer.
Beer lovers should definitely visit this brewery!
Address: 600 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
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Glensheen, The Historic Congdon State
If you’re looking for the top destination in Duluth, look no further!
The Historic Congdon Estate is the place to go!
The University of Minnesota Duluth owns and operates Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate, a historic home museum.
It has 40 rooms and sits on more than 7 acres of land on the shores of Lake Superior. The Jacobean-style mansion was built from 1905 to 1908, Chester Adgate Congdon’s family’s residence.
The 12-acre property was carefully designed by Charles Wellford Leavitt Jr., a prominent landscaping architect.
To get a sense of how the Congdons lived at the turn of the century, visitors can take a guided tour of their home, which has original furniture, clothes, pictures, preserved postcards, and other memorabilia.
The scenery and elegant tiered gardens encircle the home. There are also pathways and a historic lakeside piling.
If you’re visiting Duluth this weekend, make sure to visit the house!
Address: 3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55804, United States
Great Lakes Aquarium
The Great Lakes Aquarium is one of the top attractions in Minnesota.
You don’t have to go deep to see freshwater creatures.
You just have to go to the Great Lakes Aquarium!
The Great Lakes Aquarium, which opened in 2000, is rare in that it offers freshwater creatures and ecosystems from the Great Lakes to the Amazon.
The displays of the aquariums house around 200+ different types of animals, including frogs, birds, fishes, primates, and snakes.
Keep an eye on the feeding schedule to see species like bullheads, black panfish, and quill fish in their natural habitats.
Isle Royale, with its two stories, is the principal exhibit of the 62,000 sq. ft building.
There is also a waterfall and salmon in the Baptism River and poisonous darting amphibians and piranhas in the Amazing Amazon.
Artworks depicting aquatic themes may be seen in the aquarium’s renowned fine arts section.
The aquarium’s educational program and environmental play programs are two of the aquarium’s most impressive features for young visitors.
If you’re tagging along with your kids, be sure to visit the aquarium!
Address: 353 Harbor Dr #100, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Hartley Nature Center
If you’re tired of the noises downtown, you can find quietness in Hartley Nature Center!
Almost 700 acres of woodland, a lagoon, paths, displays, and animals make up Hartley Nature Center.
Hartley Park’s nature center is situated in a 7,500-square-foot facility on the park’s northern end.
Natural preservation and restoration are its primary goals. Children, families, schools, and individuals may all take advantage of the variety of options available here at the museum.
The show hall, classes, a bookstore, and informational exhibits are all located in the facility.
Every period of the year, Hartley Nature Center’s gorgeous outdoor site provides the ideal setting for outside activities. The facility is available to the public for the whole week.
It’s possible to walk for ten miles through the park’s natural areas and encounter wildlife, rare trees, sparkling water features, and stunning views along the way.
Fishing and paddling are among popular pastimes at the ponds.
Be sure to visit the center if you’re in Duluth!
Address: 3001 Woodland Ave, Duluth, MN 55803, United States
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
If you are a bird lover, you would know that nothing is better than watching them fly around the blue skies.
Duluth’s East Skyline Parkway is home to the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, a wildlife park and a hawk-watching hotspot.
The first migrating hawk watch was founded in 1951 and spanned only a few days. Eventually, this was expanded to a period of several weeks.
To acquire land near the summit of Hawk Ridge, the Duluth Audubon Society contributed money in 1972.
In 1973, the wildlife park was expanded to include 365 acres of land.
There are more than 4 miles of beautiful hiking paths, amazing terrain, wonderful fauna, and spectacular animals at the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory.
Birds and other migrating species are protected at the observatory, which is dedicated to teaching.
Educational lectures and hawk viewing seminars are both offered at the observatory.
This is one of the best places to visit in Duluth. Be sure to visit!
Address: 3980 East Skyline Parkway, Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
History buffs will have a great time in the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center!
On Southern Lake Avenue in Duluth, you’ll find the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs the facility, which has a great view of the port entryway in Duluth-Superior and is a popular tourist destination.
Great Lakes history is a major emphasis of this museum, which houses a large number of antiquities and studies on the subject.
Make use of the weather by spending some time inside this museum, which is constantly changing its collection of artifacts.
The Inner Range Light above the Duluth Ship Canal’s southern dock is illuminated by the authentic 1905 Fresnel lens, as well as interior exhibits of old cargo boats and comprehensive navigation plans and charts.
Lake Superior-themed items and historical publications are available in the museum gift store at affordable rates.
For history buffs, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center is a must-visit!
Address: 600 Canal Park Drive, Duluth, Minnesota
Lake Superior Railroad Museum
The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is one of the best things to do in Minnesota.
Train lovers will definitely have a blast in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum!
The Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth is housed at the historic Union Depot on West Michigan Avenue.
The depot, which was built in 1892, was a bustling area for most of the twentieth century.
Passenger carriages, Cabooses, locomotives of all kinds, and displays depicting various historical periods are all on display throughout this trip.
The North Shore Scenic Railroad is also run by the museum. Passengers may ride the vintage railroad from the Duluth terminal via Canal Park and down the Lake Superior shoreline.
The more hands-on experiences you can do while exploring the displays indoors will help you get a better sense of what it’s like to travel inside the vintage railway carriages.
This museum is completely self-guided; the only rule is that you must leave at the end of its scheduled closing hours.
Explore the museum at any time if you’re in town!
Address: 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Lake Superior Zoo
Vacationing with kids in Duluth?
Take them to the Lake Superior Zoo!
The Lake Superior Zoo is open all year round and has more than 140 different types of animals from all over the world.
As well as two-toed sloths and other unusual creatures, the Nocturnal Building is home to several fascinating creatures.
Visitors flock to the zoo’s Primate Conservation Center, one of its most popular attractions.
A variety of primates may be found in this area of the jungle, including the endangered colobus monkey as well as the ring-tailed lemur and cotton-top tamarin.
Wallabies and kangaroos are only two of the many exotic creatures that populate Australia and Oceania.
At the Asian Caravan, visitors may observe rare Asian birds, snow leopards, and Amur tigers, all of which are under threat of extinction.
Tourists may also observe an African lion family living in their natural environment.
There are also brown bears and North American river otters in the zoo, as well as a wide variety of snakes, frogs, mammals, and birds at the zoo.
For youngsters, the Zoo Train is a great way to observe the animals.
If you’re looking for a place to visit with your kids, this zoo is a must-visit!
Address: 7210 Fremont St, Duluth, MN 55807, United States
Leif Erickson Park
Find peace and serenity in Leif Erikson Park!
Before it was renamed Leif Erikson Park in 1927, Lake Shore Park and Called Cullum Park was the previous names of Leif Erickson Park.
Following Bert Enger’s acquisition of a copy of the Leif Erikson ship, which traveled to Duluth from Norway, the name was changed.
Enger’s wish was that the park’s moniker is renamed in honor of the copy and put within the park.
Near Chester Creek’s mouth, on the shores of Lake Superior, lies this open spot. The Lakewalk, which runs around the Rose Garden, is another highlight of the park.
A portion of the Lakewalk route passes through this area, so take a break from your stroll to explore it more.
To unwind this weekend, take a leisurely stroll through the neighborhood and take in the sights and scents of nature.
Be sure to visit the park if you’re in Duluth this weekend!
Address: 1301 London Rd, Duluth, MN 55805, United States
Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium
The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is one of the best places to visit in Minnesota.
Are you one of the people who hasn’t witnessed a shooting star?
Well, increase your chances of seeing one in the Marshall A. Alworth Planetarium!
University of Minnesota Duluth’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium opened in 1967 thanks to a grant from Marshall William Alworth.
The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is a covered auditorium that presents open displays of the cosmos.
It’s easy to picture yourself in another space in the theater’s 65-seater clear full audio technology.
The planetarium team uses the GeoDeome Evolver projector and Uniview software to bring guests on a journey of the Planetary System, the Moon, and the entire Universe.
The planetarium uses a Spitz A3P star machine to display the night sky and hold public presentations on a wide range of subjects.
Presenters from the Arrowhead Astronomical Society do live programs.
If you’re looking for family-friendly activities in Duluth, Minnesota, look no further than this planetarium.
Address: 1023 University Dr, Duluth, MN 55812, United States
North Shore Scenic Drive
If you like long drives, you’re going to want to drive along the North Shore Scenic Drive.
Located on Minnesota State Highway 61, it runs from Duluth to the Canadian border for a total of 149 miles.
Construction began in 1991 and was completed in 1992.
Driving down the coast, you’ll see eight city parks, many little beach villages, and a few well-known restaurants.
While traveling along this roadway, you’ll be able to take in the beautiful scenery of lush woods and sparkling waterways.
Some of the stops you may want to consider are:
The Split Rock Lighthouse, an exhibit of business fisheries in Tofte, and the Grand Portage fur trade station.
In Grand Marais, there are several galleries, a theater, and an old-fashioned folk school.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable journey, plan out your route ahead of time and think of places where you might wish to stop and explore.
Address: Duluth, MN 55804, United States
SS William A. Irvin
All aboard!
If you are fond of museums and history, then the SS William A. Irvin should be on your list!
The 186-meter-long cargo vessel, SS William A. Irvin, is on the shore of Lake Superior on Harbor Drive, right next to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center.
It went into production in 1937 and was phased out in 1978.
When it comes to maritime history, this ship is a must-see for everyone interested in the Great Lakes Fleet.
The vessel also included privately owned luxury suites, a dining area, and a lobby for U.S. Steel’s corporate visitors.
Today, tourists may take a tour of these gorgeous wood, mahogany, and brass-decorated rooms. Steam jet engines and other sections of the ship are also on display for visitors.
Visitors may see first-hand what life was like on board the SS William A. Irvin between 1939 and 1978 during the 1 hour guided tour.
Be sure to visit the cruise if you’re going to be in Duluth this weekend!
Address: 350 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Spirit Mountain
Feeling a bit adventurous?
Why not visit Spirit Mountain?!
In 1974, Spirit Mountain opened its doors as a mountain skiing, snowboarding, and biking destination.
As you climb, you’ll get great views of Lake Superior and St. Louis Bay from the cliffs.
One of only two Alpine Coasters in the Midwestern United States, Timber Twister, was installed in 2010.
You may ride the Timber Twister mountain coaster, which zooms through the forests 700 ft from the surface or take it easy on the Scenic Chairlift during the summer months to enjoy the breathtaking views.
The season of winter brings with it a slew of fresh opportunities for outdoor recreation.
When it comes to snow sports, nothing beats speeding down the mountain in a tube, skis, or snowboards if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush!
There are several excellent hotel options close to and surrounding Spirit Mountain.
Visit the mountain and take a photo of your unforgettable experience!
Address: 9500 Spirit Mountain Pl, Duluth, MN 55810, United States
St. Louis County Depot
History lovers wouldn’t want to miss out on St. Louis County Depot!
Duluth’s aerial lift got its start in St. Louis County. Samuel Hill established a little railway terminal at Canal Park in 1907, which is where the depot is situated.
The depot is now home to three museums, each with its own distinct collection.
Included in the National Register of Historic Places, the depot is an important element of municipal history.
Several of the best imaginative and creative minds in St. Louis County were featured at the St. Louis County Depot.
Galleries, stores, and eateries may now be found at the depot.
Each of the three museums is located within a few blocks of each other in downtown Duluth’s train station.
The St. Louis County Depot in Duluth is a must-see for anybody interested in the city’s history.
If you’re looking for a historical place in Duluth, this is the attraction you’re looking for.
Address: 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN 55802, United States
Tweed Museum of Art
You don’t have to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the collection of artworks in the Tweed Museum!
The Tweed Museum of Art at the University of Minnesota Duluth teaches and collects art.
After her husband died, art collector, Alice Tweed gave the museum a group of American and European works of art from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
These paintings were the start of its acquisition of over 8,000 pieces of art.
She also contributed to the development of the museum’s present structure, which opened to the public in 1958.
More than one era of art heritage may be found in this museum’s permanent display.
It contains artwork from a wide range of periods and civilizations, including artworks, drawings, pottery, and statues.
Currently, the Tweed Museum of Art is one of Duluth’s most important academic and cultural institutions.
The goal of the museum is to arouse social and political consciousness via provocative and aesthetically stunning exhibits.
The museum’s best feature is that it is completely free to visit!
Make sure to include the museum on your itinerary!
Address: 1201 Ordean Ct, Duluth, MN 55812, United States
Wade Stadium
Want to watch a baseball game during your stay in Duluth?
Then, there’s no other place to go but Wade Stadium!
An outdoor baseball field, Wade Stadium, is located at Grand Avenue and 34 Avenue W in Duluth, Minnesota.
It was renamed in honor of Frank Wade, the owner of the Duluth Dukes, who died in 1953.
The stadium was constructed in 1941 using almost 400,000 bricks salvaged from the Grand Avenue pavement. The stadium is noted for its brick structure and towering green railings.
At Wade Stadium, you may catch a Huskies game and enjoy the rest of the stadium’s amenities.
Concession stalls abound throughout the stadium, serving up delicious baseball fare and refreshing beverages like ice-cold beers.
In addition, Harley’s Hut Souvenir Shop is the best spot to get Huskies souvenirs and other top-notch memorabilia.
If you’re lucky, you could even have a chance to meet some of the players.
Be sure to visit the stadium and watch the games being held there!
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Address: 101 N 35th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55807, United States
