Duluth, Minnesota
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Book a room at Fitger’s Inn, a historic brewery complex reimagined into a shopping, dining, and hotel destination.
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Explore the Lakewalk, the nearly eight-mile-long paved path along Lake Superior’s shoreline.
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Visit Spirit Mountain, a premier ski destination with 700 feet of vertical drop; in the summer, it transforms into a mountain biking park.
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Stop by Glensheen Mansion, an opulent 39-room historic mansion that showcases Duluth’s gilded era with meticulously preserved interiors and fabulous lakefront grounds.
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Embrace the city’s innovative craft culture at Duluth Coffee Company.
Steeped in the rugged beauty of the north, Duluth offers four seasons of adventure, rich history, and a thriving cultural scene ready to surprise and delight visitors. Set dramatically on the westernmost tip of Lake Superior, Minnesota’s northern hub tells stories of grit and grandeur. Over the years, the city has transformed from a rough-and-tumble logging and mining outpost into a destination for both outdoor enthusiasts and culture seekers, completing one of America’s great urban renewal stories.
For the unacquainted, Duluth rises dramatically from the lakeshore, creating a San Francisco-like topography that rewards visitors with pretty vistas from “over the hill.” The city’s signature Aerial Lift Bridge anchors the skyline, and the rugged North Shore stretches toward Canada. In short, roughly 90,000-resident Duluth serves as both a destination and a gateway to some of the Upper Midwest’s most compelling experiences.
For these reasons and more, Duluth has topped lists on the best cities to visit and the best road trip stops for decades. When it comes to uncrowded outdoor recreation or a romantic escape on the shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Duluth delivers—with an increasingly rare authenticity. Here’s how to plan a trip.
Where to Stay
The Njord
A guest suite at The Njord.
Fitger’s Inn
Fitger’s roots go all the way back to the 1880s, though you’d never know it. A brewery until the 1970s, the complex now houses a dozen-plus shops and restaurants, a nightclub, a spa, alfresco hangouts, and a hotel. The boutique property is warm, cozy (some rooms even have their own fireplace), and filled with history and personality; note the original brick walls.
The Intrepid
One of Duluth’s newest boutique hotels, The Intrepid places eight units in yet another historic brick beauty, right in the downtown hub. This charming spot features maritime-inspired decor, spacious and stylish suites, and a prime location for exploring the city’s shops, eateries, and lakefront attractions. Night owls, look no further.
The Njörd
The Njörd, a luxury vacation rental with three guest spaces, has given a second life to a historic gas station. Immersed in sleek Nordic design and modern amenities, guests wake up right on the waterfront. The location also provides easy access to downtown’s attractions while maintaining a serene, upscale atmosphere.
Pier B Resort Hotel
Jutting out into the water, the 140-room Pier B Resort Hotel has panoramic views of Lake Superior, just a few minutes from Canal Park. Guests can also expect a waterfront restaurant, direct access to a marina, a year-round outdoor hot tub, fire pits, and complimentary activities like kayaking and biking—ingredients for a perfect lakefront getaway.
Best Things to Do
Michael Siluk/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
People enjoying a sunny day on Duluth’s Lake walk.
Plan an adventure at Spirit Mountain.
With a 700-foot vertical drop, 175 skiable acres, an extensive trail system, and fabulous views of Lake Superior, Spirit Mountain has some of the Midwest’s best skiing and snowboarding in the winter. Come summer, adventure enthusiasts can hit the downhill lift-access trails and work on their mountain biking skills.
Stretch your legs at the Lakewalk.
This nearly eight-mile lakefront pathway connects Canal Park to Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park), providing walkers, joggers, and bikers with plenty of fresh air and spectacular Lake Superior views. It adds to downtown and Canal Park’s walkability, making getting to the city’s most visitor-centric spots scenic and easy to navigate—and its nightlife accessible.
Explore the St. Louis County Depot.
The St. Louis County Depot now houses multiple museums and cultural organizations, including the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. A historic landmark, a community center, and an arts hub, the depot still serves as the departure point for scenic railroad excursions along the North Shore. Don’t miss the lower level—it’s the yard of the original Historic Union Depot from 1892.
Visit the Glensheen Mansion.
Duluth was once a city of immense wealth, and this magnificent 39-room Jacobean Revival mansion represents the pinnacle of that luxury. Guided tours reveal the fascinating history of the Congdon family and showcase period rooms that remain largely unchanged since the property’s completion in 1908. The estate’s grounds include additional attractions, like formal gardens, and the beer garden nights during summer are quite the fete.
Ride along the North Shore Scenic Drive.
Beginning in Duluth, this legendary highway stretches northeast along Lake Superior’s rugged coastline toward Canada, offering access to state parks, lighthouses, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, beaches, hiking trail access points, and charming North Shore communities. Visitors can experience this route as a day trip from Duluth or use it as a gateway to extended North Shore exploration.
Best Restaurants
Northern Waters Smokehaus
A sandwich surved at Northern Waters Smokehaus.
Northern Waters Smokehaus
This Canal Park institution specializes in house-smoked fish and artisanal sandwiches, creating distinctive fare that showcases Lake Superior’s bounty and local ingenuity. Part gourmet specialty market, part sandwich shop, the culinary spot has picture chalkboards with the owner’s fantasy-like recipes, old-school display cases, and lines out the door. (Helpful, as the joint is hiding in the bottom of the DeWitt-Seitz building.)
Duluth Coffee Company
At first glance, Duluth Coffee Company looks like any other third-wave coffee roaster, with hip industrial-chic vibes to match its La Marzocco espresso machine. But, if you look closer, the walls feature pictures of actual coffee farmers whom owner and founder Eric Faust visits regularly; their coffee beans sit on the shelves. The adjoining kitchen and bar are equally thoughtful and fresh.
Va Bene
Located above the Lakewalk on Superior Street, Va Bene serves modern Italian food, freshly prepared from scratch. While there are plenty of places to dine on property—an open-air deck, a solarium, and an outdoor grotto—I’d recommend nabbing a reservation.
New Scenic Café
Located on the outskirts of Duluth toward Two Harbors, this New Scenic Café fuses Scandinavian and American-style dining in a warm, welcoming atmosphere with lake views and a garden space. The restaurant’s reputation for exceptional food, artistic presentations, and its scenic location—both inside and out—make it worth the short drive from central Duluth.
Best Nightlife
Vikre Distillery
A cocktail served at Vikre Distillery
Vikre Distillery
Steps from the Aerial Lift Bridge, Vikre Distillery serves house-made gin, aquavit, rye, and more, each crafted with Lake Superior water and Northwoods ingredients. The female-founded, sustainably minded brand goes all in on eclectic creativity, with a rotating menu of ambitious cocktails and small plates in an intimate cocktail room. Pop in and try my favorite gin, Vikre Boreal Spruce.
Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
Anchoring Duluth’s cool Lincoln Park neighborhood, Bent Paddle Brewing Co. also uses lake water to craft its award-winning beers and hemp beverages. Family-owned and operated, this dynamic spot has live music, outdoor seating, local food trucks, fire pits, a pet-friendly patio, and more. It’s proof of Duluth’s thriving craft beer scene and its emphasis on community focus.
Wild State Cider
Another Lincoln Park hot spot, Wild State Cider is wild—the ciders range from traditional (wild apple and classic dry) to experimental flavors, like rosemary plum, cherry cinnamon, and peach basil. If you don’t come to see what innovations are on the menu, at least visit for the massive taproom’s light, airy vibes, live music, and the “biggest plant wall in town.”
Zeitgeist
On Friday nights, catch an improv comedy show put on by Renegade at Zeitgeist. There’s a nice bar and restaurant in the complex, so you can get drinks and dinner, and then laugh until you hurt. Two movie screens also bring indie flicks and age-old classics to the city for a new-age or nostalgic night out.
Best Time to Visit
Bent Paddle Brewing
A crowded outdoor patio at Bent Paddle Brewing.
Summer is a popular time to visit Duluth. “It’s hard to argue against an afternoon sitting on a patio and listening to the horn of a freighter salute the lift bridge,” says Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol, the engagement coordinator and tour lead at the St. Louis County Depot. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and more are all common pastimes during the warm-weather months.
In the fall, you can expect colorful foliage. When winter arrives, the city fires up the saunas, removes the Nordic skis from storage, and makes the most of the lake-effect snow. “Being in Duluth for the gales of November (whether they come early or right on time) is an incredibly underrated experience, too,” she adds. “People don’t often consider how beautiful the lake can be when you’re watching 10-foot-high waves crash against the piers from a distance.”
Neighborhoods to Visit
Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images
A neighborhood in Duluth, Minnesota.
Canal Park
The typical Duluth visitor starts here. Canal Park is built for travelers and pedestrians, packs in great shopping and food, and gets you close to Duluth’s most beloved attraction, the Aerial Lift Bridge. Many of the city’s biggest attractions, like the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and the Great Lakes Aquarium, are also nearby.
West Duluth
“In general, the further west you move, the more historically working-class the neighborhood becomes,” says Eidenschink-Ziebol. Today, this is where you’ll find most of the city’s breweries, Spirit Mountain, the Lake Superior Zoo, and great food, she explains. West Duluth has a less touristy atmosphere while maintaining easy access to downtown and Canal Park attractions.
Congdon to North Shore
“The East side (i.e., Congdon Park, Lakeside, Endion, etc.) is where you’ll find many of the spectacular mansions and stately homes built for Duluth’s wealthy elite, as well as some fantastic parks and trails,” says Eidenschink-Ziebol. Check out the waterfalls at Congdon Park, visit Glensheen Mansion, and hop on the North Shore Scenic Drive—or head out on foot on the Superior Hiking Trail.
How to Get Around
David/Adobe Stock
John A Blatnik Bridge across St. Louis Bay in Duluth Minnesota.
You’ll probably want a rental car to explore Duluth, although you could technically do without one. The city’s attractions are compact enough that there’s nothing an Uber can’t handle, especially if your lodging is near the lakefront. But with your own wheels, you’ll be able to flit across the neighborhoods, plan a day trip along the North Shore, and hit the trails for lake views whenever you like.
How to Get There
With direct flights from Minneapolis, Chicago, and Fort Myers—via Delta, United, and Sun Country Airlines—Duluth International Airport (DLH) offers the most convenient access to the city. It’s also just about a 15-minute drive from the downtown area. For travelers flying into Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), there are several shuttle companies that provide bus service to Duluth; the drive is around 2.5 hours.
Duluth is also a popular road trip destination—and that’s perhaps the best way to experience the area. The drive from Minneapolis takes roughly 2.5 hours; it’s six hours from Milwaukee and seven from Chicago.
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