Best Things to Do in Duluth, Minn.

If you’re enticed by a paddleboarding or kayaking adventure down a section of the 194-mile-long St. Louis River, Duluth has you covered. Go looking for northern pike or sturgeon that call the river home on a two-hour River Voyage Experience with Zenith Adventure, or rent a kayak or paddleboard and solo the trip. Just do yourself a favor and don’t paddle all the way to Lake Superior.

For those who really need their Lake Superior fix while in Duluth, a hike at Park Point Nature Trail will scratch your Great Lakes itch. This 4.5-mile-long trail presents a dirt and sand path  coated in rich nature. Once you finish the 90-minute hike, you’ll be rewarded with a scenic view of a lighthouse. This hike can be done with friends, family or solo, but if you prefer to be guided, Zenith Adventure Park Point Hike has an option for that too.

Beginning as a half-mile path constructed in 1986, the Lakewalk in Duluth now sits pretty as a roughly eight-mile walking and biking route right along Lake Superior. Meander from Bayfront Park all the way to Brighton Beach, or, because eight miles is eight miles, pick your favorite stretch of the path to walk. The Lakewalk also stretches across the length of Canal Park, which has several restaurants and stores to feed the eye, taste bud or shopping addiction.

For biking enthusiasts, check out one of Duluth’s many mountain biking trails. The Duluth Ride Center, dubbed a Gold-Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association, has trails for mountain bikers ranging from beginner to advanced levels. Check out the Mission Creek trail for beginner to intermediate, the Piedmont & Brewer trails for intermediate to advanced, or Spirit Mountain for a little of everything.

This historic railway, which runs seasonally during the summer and fall months, showcases some of the stunning Duluth, Lake Superior and Northwoods views from the comfort of a train seat. The North Shore Scenic Railroad offers three packages including a 75-minute “Duluth Zephyr” trip, the full-day “Two Harbors Turn” trip on weekends that runs nearly to the Canadian border and the two-and-a-half hour “Pizza Train” trip with Domino’s pizza included. And, yes, there’s a bar cart onboard.

Gooseberry Falls State Park lets you explore some of the state’s most scenic falls without hiking far from your car. Within a mile of the parking lot you’ll find two stunning vantage points to view the falls. You can also cross under the bridge along Highway 61 to get a dead-on shot of the falls, or peruse the gift shop and visitors center to learn why the area is so important. There’s also a campground here, if you feel like staying overnight. 

While the construction of the Split Rock Lighthouse facility was completed in 1910, the lighthouse was originally proposed following a vicious storm that damaged 29 separate ships on Nov. 28, 1905. Today, you can tour the lighthouse, its 7.6-acre grounds, its stunning view off the cliff where the lighthouse rests and walk through its completely restored lightkeeper’s quarters. Those familiar with the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Nov 10., 1975 might also know that Split Rock lights a beacon every Nov. 10 to honor the crew of 29 lost to Lake Superior.

Thought black sand beaches were only for palm-filled tropical islands? Think again. You can enjoy a black sand beach with a dusting of snow if you hit Minnesota at the right time of year. This beach along Lake Superior has an eerie shoreline of tactonite sand, a scenic byproduct of years of pollution from mining companies who dumped it into the lake. 

Easily Duluth’s best-known brewery is Bent Paddle, whose Bent Hop IPA is a staple on Midwestern taps. Post up at their flagship brewery and taproom, where in addition to dozens of beers you’ll find CBD and THC sparkling waters, trivia and live music nights. If you’d prefer to try the beer without the crowds, Bent Paddle offers a “get it to-go” option, so you can take your beer straight back to your hotel room to drink in the intended fashion — alone in the dark.

If you’re not up on your astrology, Ursa Minor Brewing shares its name with the Ursa Minor (or Little Dipper) constellation. On a clear night, you can enjoy your beer and wood-fired pizza out on its open patio and maybe catch a view of the stars it’s named after. Or stay inside, and enjoy a cold Constellation Cream Ale or Duck Walk Hazy IPA in the comfort of heated air.

On the edge of Canal Park you’ll find Hoops Brewing, a big, boisterous taproom filled with flatscreen TVs and locals indulging in happy hour. During the summer, it’s a perfect place to post up with a cold one from Hoops’ rotating menu, where beers have numbers instead of names. The food’s pretty solid too, and you’ll never go wrong soaking up the suds with a giant Bavarian pretzel. 

OK, so it’s not a brewery, but this distillery right under the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge also doubles as Duluth’s premiere cocktail bar. With Boreal Gin, vodka, canned cocktails, aquavit, whisky and other drinks on the menu, it’s a comforting place to kick back with something a little fancier. You’ll also find charcuterie plates with meats smoked by local favorite OMC Smokehouse. 

If you’re interested in a maritime history lesson about Lake Superior, the other Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway System, the Lake Superior Marine Museum is for you. Inside you can stand inside a mocked-up freighter bridge and learn how Duluth became the most important hub on the Great Lakes for exporting grain and iron. You can also pursue an entire exhibit on the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald, and marvel and the scale of a fully restored engine room. 

Originally opened in 1892, this train station fell out of use as automobile use took over America. It’s been reborn as both a historical museum and cultural center, where you can learn how immigration shaped the city inside the Immigrant Waiting Room, consider interactive exhibits about early farmsteads and walk through a fall of decommissioned train cars from the city’s railway heyday.

Built between 1905 and 1908, the Glensheen Mansion was the home of Chester and Clara Congdon before becoming a historic museum in 1979. Today, you can explore the 27,000-square-foot mansion and accompanying 12-acre property, stopping for pictures at the arched bridge and boathouse.

Easily the city’s most historic and iconic brewery is Fitger’s, which looks a little like a stone castle sitting above the shore of Lake Superior. Inside this 1857 brewery, you can enjoy any of its traditional, German-style beers inside a cozy taproom, or enjoy a luxe dinner at The Boat Club. You can also hit one of its many bars for live music and stand-up comedy, or shop at one of the stores inside.

Duluth’s most inventive and creative food can be found just off Canal Park at Lake Avenue. You’ll find unusual fusions of cuisines like the Szechuan hot chicken sandwich, jerk pork chop with pineapple and jackfruit torta with ancho chiles. The place is unassuming but the menu is impressive, and it’s a welcome find when you’re wandering for dinner options downtown.

This seasonal taco stand near Canal Park frequently boasts lines down the sidewalk, putting out the city’s best tacos on a sunny, parkside patio. Indulge in the savory, spicy birria tacos or go for the more traditional cochinita pibil. You can also warm up with one of Chaco’s hearty butternut squash tamales, or snack on an authentic esquite corn.

Though Duluth isn’t lacking for great pizza, easily the most interesting is this simple downtown pizza shop. While the regular garlic confit margarita is outstanding, you’ll get the full LuLu’s experience by trying stuff like the Banh Mi-Za with pork or mock duck, cilantro and banh mi sauce, or the tandoori tikka with mango chutney, tandoori masala chicken, almonds and golden raisins.

Duluth’s best breakfast is at At Sara’s Table, which is as delicious to taste as it is awkward to say. The cranberry wild rice French toast is an upper Midwestern take on the breakfast classic, and the biscuits with chorizo gravy will keep you well-fueled for a long day of hiking or paddling. The place is open for dinner too, with a varied wine list that’s hard to beat in Duluth.

The shores of Lake Superior might not seem like the kind of place you’d find spectacular smoked brisket, but explore the Lincoln Park neighborhood west of downtown and you’ll discover this Texas-worthy barbecue joint. The smoked brisket is almost as good as what you’ll find in the Lone Star State. Almost. They’ve also got a wide selection of craft beers to pair with your meat and smaller-sized sandwiches if you’re not trying to slip into a food coma.

With 7.4 acres of land on the shore of Lake Superior, the Pier B Resort is plump with shimmering lake views. Bike or pedal cart your way around the grounds, take a dip in the indoor pool or outdoor hot tub or play a game of basketball on the waterfront outdoor sports court. If you’re hungry and don’t want to leave the comfort of your hotel room, don’t worry — Silos restaurant can deliver delicious food, including walleye tacos and a juicy top sirloin, right to your room.

Brews, food and shopping isn’t all that Fitger’s brewery has to offer, and it would be a crime to leave out its Fitger’s Inn. This hotel is equipped with 62 individual rooms born from renovation of Duluth’s first brewery. Get a relaxing massage at the Fitger’s Salon and Day Spa, or grab a beer or cocktail at Rex Nightclub. Honestly, it’s kind of hard to run out of things to do here: leave it up to your imagination.