Plan a Duluth Visit

There is something for everyone at the Adventure Zone of Canal Park! The Northland’s newest family attraction boasts over 50,000 square feet of fun featuring Laser Tag, Batting Cages, mini golf, the largest video/redemption arcade in the area, Vertical Endeavor’s rock climbing walls, a kid’s playground, an 18’ inflatable fire truck slide and more.
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The team plays 70 games in 75 days and operates the same as minor league professional organizations. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the gate.
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The Duluth Playhouse brings the finest in entertainment and theatre arts to Minnesota’s Northeast Region. Featuring local and professional artists, the Playhouse hosts a year-round season of live theatre. The Play Ground, our satellite theatre, is an alternative performing arts venue offering engaging, though-provoking programming in all disciplines – theatre, dance, music, poetry, art, film and the spoken word.
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Imagine a Polynesian indoor waterpark that is 30,000-square-feet of pure, water-soaked fun! That’s exactly what visitors will find at “The Edge” in Duluth, Minnesota. They offer discounts to UMD alumni, check out how to get one on our benefits page, under hotel and resort discounts.
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There’s always something for everyone amid the excitement and glamor of Fond-du-Luth Casino conveniently located in downtown Duluth.
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At the turn of the last century, attorney Chester Congdon and his wife, Clara, began to plan a home for their family along the rugged shores of Lake Superior. Their home, Glensheen, is now a historic national treasure where the Congdon legacy continues to inspire.
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This hands-on discovery center encourages guests to explore animals and ecosystems found in the Great Lakes and beyond. Visitors experience the geologic forces that shaped Lake Superior, watch as divers feed fish in a massive two-story tank, raise and lower locks on a scale model of the Great Lakes, pilot a virtual ore boat under the Aerial Lift Bridge and pet young sturgeon and freshwater stingrays.
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The facility is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and provides exhibits showing the history and operations of the upper Great Lakes. Admission is free.
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Take a 90-minute train ride filled with history, wildlife, and incredible scenery. Their season runs from June 15-Oct. 14, 2012. Departure times are 10:30am and 1:30pm. Please arrive about 20 min. prior to these times to get your tickets and board the train.
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The history of railroading in Minnesota starts with the state’s first steam locomotive, the William A. Crooks, shown on Track Seven. From steam-powered rotary snow removal equipment to a FREE trolley ride, there’s something for everyone at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
Summer Hours: Memorial Day-Labor Day 9:30am-6pm daily
Winter Hours: Mon-Sat/10am-5pm and Sun/1pm-5pm
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Your Gateway to the Wild! You’ll find hundreds of animals and exotic species at the Lake Superior Zoo. Located just 10 minutes from Downtown Duluth, the zoo offers year-round recreational opportunities for animal lovers of all ages.
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A conductor checks your ticket and calls out “All Aboard!” Three short blasts of the whistle and your adventure begins. As the train pulls out of the historic Union Depot in downtown Duluth, your narrator explains the history of our region and the role that railroads played in its development. Two lines of steel lead the train through the city, Canal Park, along the rugged shoreline of Lake Superior and deep into the majestic Northwoods.
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Dog Sledding/Skijoring – Help harness our friendly Alaskan huskies and enjoy expert instruction on trails rivaling the BWCAW.
Draft Horses – Sleigh and wagon rides, learn to harness and drive or just enjoy the ride.
Rock Climbing – In Duluth and up the shore, climbing for all ages and abilities—ask about winter ice climbing ½-day to full-day trips!
Kayaking – Private Inland lake just north of Duluth or Lake Superior at Two Harbors, Split Rock Lighthouse or the fantastic sea cliffs of Shovel Point or Palisade Head. Kids love our youth-sized kayaks! Safety skills and big water techniques or leisurely tours, kayak fishing options.
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Weekly improv performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 10:30 all year long. Renegade Theater Company is committed to introducing the area to the boldest, newest and most imaginative works in theater today.
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The William A. Irvin was the proud flagship of the U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet. The Irvin provided elegance and comfort to the dignitaries and guests it carried. From the millions of tons of iron ore loaded, to its magnificently appointed wood-paneled staterooms and fine dining, the Irvin was the pride of the fleet.
Open daily May-October, guided tours only.
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Experience year-round adventure and outdoor family fun! Spirit Mountain has it all. The “Timber Twister” Alpine Coaster and “Timber Flyer” Zip Line are available year-round. In addition they have seasonal activities like a 9-hole Mini Golf Course and a 6-lane Snow Tubing Park!
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Some of the best skiing this side of the Rockies! With over 175 skiable acres on 22 runs, a Big Air Terrain Park with Super Pipe, 22km of cross-country ski trails, and the best snowmaking and grooming equipment available, Spirit Mountain is designed to please everyone.
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Today, heritage steam locomotives and their antique, gilded, wooden coaches wait trackside in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, home of the Midwest’s largest indoor train collection. (See Lake Superior Railroad Museum and North Shore Scenic Railroad.) Also, walk the streets of Depot Square, a realistic, life-size depiction of downtown Duluth at the turn of the century.
Summer Hours: Memorial Day- Labor Day/9:30am-6pm daily
Winter Hours: Mon-Sat/ 10am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm
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With a permanent collection of over 7,000 art objects representing a range of cultures and periods of art history, the Tweed Museum of Art is a major cultural and educational resource for the community on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Tues/9am-8pm; Wed-Fri/9am-4:30pm; Sat & Sun/1-5pm; closed Mondays and University holidays.
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Vertical Endeavors features climbing surfaces reaching heights of up to 42 feet. A large bouldering cave rounds out what is one of the Midwest’s most impressive indoor climbing facilities. Vertical Endeavors is a full service climbing facility offering a full line of indoor and outdoor lessons.
Hours of Operation:
Monday thru Friday 2pm – 9pm
Saturday 11am – 8pm
Sunday 11am – 6pm
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A tribute to all those who fought and died, worked and waited.
Consider times when ordinary people are called on to do extraordinary things…a young farm boy takes to the sky in defense of our freedoms and makes his mark on the world…we take a stand on protecting democracy and our sons and daughters answer the call.These are the stories of our veterans-the people who have put their lives on hold to make sure we sleep safely under the blanket of Freedom. Immerse yourself in their stories and learn about Dick Bong, the US’s leading fighter pilot, and see first-hand an example of a rare P-38 Lightning, the aircraft Our“Ace of Aces” flew to fame.
Hours of Operation:
Summer (Mid-May to Mid-Oct)
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Sunday: Noon-5pm
Winter (Mid-Oct to Mid-May)
Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm
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No trip to Duluth is complete without experiencing the majestic beauty of Lake Superior aboard the Vista Fleet! Choose Your Cruise; from our sensational sunset dinner cruises catered by Savories Catering, exciting narrated sightseeing tours, relaxing cocktail cruises, and delightful ice cream and pizza cruises with entertainment for the whole family.
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Offering more than beautiful lake views and charming shops and restaurants, 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 a casual stroll through an outdoor gallery of international art.

At Zeitgeist Arts, you’ll enjoy fresh American Cuisine, Duluth’s newest movie theater, and an intimate, highquality performance theater. Enjoy a beer or a glass of wine with your movie or show, and the satisfaction that you are supporting the local arts and positive community development.
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Guided Campus Tour

Campus tours are guided by student volunteers on most weekdays (Monday – Friday). The campus tour is about 1 hour long and covers the majority of the campus. You can arrange a date and time for a tour online or by calling the Admissions Office at 1-800-232-1339.
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Self-Guided Tour

Self-Guided tour is designed for those not able to visit us during our normal tour times or a campus visit program, you are welcome to take a self-guided tour. During most weekends other than semester breaks or university holidays, many of our campus buildings are open for you to walk around and explore. Self-guided tour booklets are located at the Solon Campus Center information desk and the Kirby Student Center information desk. You can also download a copy along with the Self-Guided Tour Booklet & Campus Map.
Self-Guided Tour Booklet

A one-mile-plus paved road runs through Brighton Beach, the first park northeast of Duluth, just past the Lester River. Brighton Beach park has summer outhouses, drinking water and picnic sites. From I-35, follow Hwy 61 signs by entering London Rd where the highway ends, and just east of Lester River enter Brighton beach or continue on 1/4-mile and take Old Hwy 61 ‘Scenic’.

Watch ships enter and leave the port under the Aerial Lift Bridge. Take a stroll down the pier and the lighthouse. Many hotels, shops, and restaurants are located in this waterfront district.

This 2.5 mile loop trail is somewhat steep and is considered challenging. Take Chester Park Drive or Chester Parkway to Skyline Boulevard to begin at the top of the trail. If you want to start at the base of the hill begin at 14th Ave. E. and 4th Street. Chester Creek is one of 23 major creek ravines in the City of Duluth. Igneous rock sculpted by glaciation and water erosion created the geographical features of Chester Creek. The rock formations found in this general area are part of the core of the continent, The Great or Canadian Shield.
Trail Map

Built in 1939, Enger Tower, a 5 story structure constructed of national Blue Stone taken from this region, stands guard from the top of the Duluth skyline. Looking out over the Duluth Harbor and the St. Louis Bay, the green beacon mounted at the very top of the western Duluth hillside brings it to 531′ above the level of Lake Superior.
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Gooseberry Falls is the gateway to the North Shore. It is known for its spectacular waterfalls, river gorge, Lake Superior shoreline, Civilian Conservation Corps log and stone structures, and north woods wildlife.
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The mission of the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is to protect birds of prey and other migratory birds in the Western Lake Superior Region through research, education, and stewardship. The Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve, located in Duluth, Minnesota, provides some of North America’s best autumn hawk watching.
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**Currently Closed** Park trails link up to the Willard Munger State Trail at the north edge of the park; perfect for backpackers, bikers (both mountain and tour), hikers, horseback riders, and skiers.
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From 60th Avenue East to Bayfront Festival Park this 7.3 mile pathway named the Duluth Lakewalk traces the shore of Lake Superior, fronting the Duluth downtown area. Along the way you can take in the beauty of Lake Superior and the fascinating lure of a working port with foreign and domestic vessels sailing nearby.
Lakewalk Map

This beautiful park, along the shores of Lake Superior off London Road, is the site of a full-scale replica of a wooden Viking ship reminiscent of the type used by Norse sailors hundreds of years ago. 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. Direct access to the Lakewalk.

The Lester Park trail begins in Lester Park which is located at 61st Ave East and Superior Street where the west and east branches of the Lester River come together. The park is a popular place for family outings and includes picnic tables, grills, a covered pavilion, a softball diamond, sand boxes, and one of the easiest and shortest walking trails withing the city limits. The park’s main entrance is on the left side of Lester River Road approximately one block north of Superior Street. It also can be reached from London Road at 61st Avenue East. Enter the park by crossing over the bridge at the lower end of the parking lot. After crossing the bridge, follow the signs to the old steps leading down to the east branch of the Lester River.
Trail Maps

It is characteristic of north shore streams to form a sand bar across their mouths as they empty into Lake Superior. Minnesota Point (known as Park Point) at 7 miles in length and neighboring Wisconsin Point at 3 miles form the longest freshwater sand bar in the world. The “Park” on Park Point was developed in the 1930′s. This WPA project included the present beach house and playground area. The park has undergone redevelopment and now volley ball courts, softball fields, a boat launch and picnic grounds add to the attraction of this area.
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Bayfront Festival Park is home to Duluth’s largest playground, Playfront Park. The playground was initially built in 1989 as a community project led by the Junior League of Duluth. When the playground structure was in need of replacement, the Junior League raised nearly $250,000 for new equipment. The Junior League of Duluth, along with Northland volunteers, constructed the new attraction over a long weekend in May 2010. Year-round, Playfront Park is open to children of all ages.
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Seven Bridges Road is one of the more beautiful parkways in Duluth, Minnesota, a city renowned for its parks and boulevards. The drive travels up Occidental Boulevard from Superior Street and across Hawk Ridge to Glenwood Avenue–a distance of about 4 miles–and serves as the eastern terminus to Duluth’s famous hilltop boulevard, Skyline Parkway. Winding its way through forests of pine and birch, the lower portion of the road intertwines with Amity creek, the western branch of the Lester River, as the waterway descends toward Lake Superior. Along the way, the parkway crosses several beautifully crafted stone-arch bridges, all similar in design and construction, and the reason for the road’s current name.

Many people begin their tour of Skyline Parkway at the intersection of US Hwy 2 and I-35, near Spirit Mountain. View from a scenic overlook along Skyline Parkway.
Skyline Parkway Map

Shipwrecks from a mighty 1905 November gale prompted this rugged landmark’s construction. Completed by the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1910, Split Rock Light Station was soon one of Minnesota’s best known landmarks. Restored to its 1920s appearance, the lighthouse offers a glimpse of lighthouse life in this remote and spectacular setting.
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VisitDuluth is an online guide containing everything you need to plan a vacation to Duluth, Minnesota on the shores of beautiful Lake Superior.
VisitDuluth.com