The wife and I are planning a trip to Duluth right after Labor Day. Has anybody been and what did you do when you were there that you liked?
Duluth, Minnesota
- Thread starter Blackhawk6515
- Start date
I ran a marathon there, but you probably don't want to do that on short notice.
Great town, watch a freighter go under the lift bridge, take the harbor cruise on the sight seeing boats, the marine museum down by the lift bridge is nice. Glensheen mansion tour.
Gooseberry Falls is up the road about an hour for a good outdoor activity. Lots of bike trails in the area.
Was only there for one night long ago. My main quest was to find a house that Bob Dylan supposedly lived in for a while when he was little. It's definitely a house that he may have lived in...it's just a normal house up on a hill.
I wish I would have taken the time to explore the shore line north of there or something similar.
I wish I would have taken the time to explore the shore line north of there or something similar.
Split rock lighthouse is quite scenic in that same general area. I haven't been up there since they've redone the hiway along the lake. (61?)
Take it to Grand Marais and stop into Sven and Ole’s.
Just keep going up the North Shore. Duluth is a great town but the north shore is amazing. One of my favorite areas to go get lost for a few days.
Cross the lift bridge and go to the beach. It’s a nice, long, sandy beach perfect to relax or go for a walk.
One really cool area before you hit Duluth is Jay Cooke State park. Definitely worth a stop and hike, lots of falls and rapids on that stretch of the St Louis River.
Kayak trips on Superior if weather allows are awesome. Also Sawbill is not far away if you want to try a day paddle in the BWCA.
Lots will recommend Gooseberry just due to proximity. But Tettegouchie and Cascade are far better hiking and have better falls along the way.
Grand Marais is the coolest town in the country. A great brewery and fish market all walkable from each other. Best fly shop in the Midwest if you are into that, have gotten to know him over the years and is always great to work with. Grand Marais is worth the long drive.
I could go on forever on the hidden gems that I’ve found on my many hiking and fishing trips up there but above are some of myself and kids favorites.
Kayak trips on Superior if weather allows are awesome. Also Sawbill is not far away if you want to try a day paddle in the BWCA.
Lots will recommend Gooseberry just due to proximity. But Tettegouchie and Cascade are far better hiking and have better falls along the way.
Grand Marais is the coolest town in the country. A great brewery and fish market all walkable from each other. Best fly shop in the Midwest if you are into that, have gotten to know him over the years and is always great to work with. Grand Marais is worth the long drive.
I could go on forever on the hidden gems that I’ve found on my many hiking and fishing trips up there but above are some of myself and kids favorites.
I highly suggest picking up one of these shirts.
I was wondering how many posts in we'd get before seeing that.
Stopped through there after a Boy Scout trip to the Boundary Waters in the ‘90s.
A prostitute blew a kiss at our minivan full of Boy Scouts.
A prostitute blew a kiss at our minivan full of Boy Scouts.
Not gonna lie. I was disappointed that it hadn't been posted. Easily in my top 10 shirts that have appeared in a movie.
I always just get my northwoods 'fix' in the UP but this kind of stuff makes me think I should throw down and expand on to the MN side of things.
Both areas are great but will admit I’ve spent far more time on North Shore. One thing I enjoy about the North Shore is the variety. As stated above it’s easy to get into BWCA, so many options for hiking or biking routes, great kayaking on Superior or all the little inland lakes just up the sawtooth range. Fun fishing on either tiny streams for brookies or standard up north fishing on the inland lakes.
Added bonus is if kids are along and they are not feeling too adventurous for a day alpine slide and gondola rides at Lutsen are always a hit.
Drive up 61 and hike a state park (hard to go wrong with any - Tettegouche is up there for me though). For lunch hit up Sir Benedicts Tavern on the Lake, then walk over to Portland Malt Shoppe and take the ice cream for a walk on the lakewalk.
If you're into dive bars, head over the bridge to Superior and get dinner at Anchor Bar & Grill. Cash only, you will wait forever with terrible service, and it won't be super clean. But it will be an amazing burger and you can get a giant glass of beer and your tab will be under $10 (it's been a couple years since I've been - last time I got a burger, fries, and Mich Golden for $8.75 but I'm guessing inflation has caught up a bit).
No matter what you do, I've always found Duluth to be extremely enjoyable. The air just feels different up there.
If you're into dive bars, head over the bridge to Superior and get dinner at Anchor Bar & Grill. Cash only, you will wait forever with terrible service, and it won't be super clean. But it will be an amazing burger and you can get a giant glass of beer and your tab will be under $10 (it's been a couple years since I've been - last time I got a burger, fries, and Mich Golden for $8.75 but I'm guessing inflation has caught up a bit).
No matter what you do, I've always found Duluth to be extremely enjoyable. The air just feels different up there.