Great Lakes Aquarium
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See all the attractions Duluth, Minnesota has to offer. There’s plenty to do. Museums, galleries, theaters, trains, planes, harbor cruises – even a freshwater aquarium.
Things to Do in Duluth, Minnesota: See Tripadvisor's 73,311 traveler reviews and photos of Duluth tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in June. We have reviews of the best places to see in Duluth. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.
7. Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Maritime center with interactive exhibits on Great Lakes shipping, views of a notable lift bridge, and historical ship artifacts. Watch vessels navigate the harbor.- 1. Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive
- 2. Aerial Lift Bridge Originally constructed in 1905 as an aerial lift, this unusual elevator bridge is 386 feet long and spans the canal entrance to Duluth Harbor.
- 10. Great Lakes Aquarium This freshwater-focused Aquarium is positioned on the harbor of Lake Superior. It features more than 1,000 fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Highlights include multiple hands-on and touch exhibits…
- 12. Lake Superior Railroad Museum Interactive train museum displaying full-sized locomotives, historical exhibits across three floors, and scenic train rides through picturesque landscapes.
- 4. Glensheen - The Historic Congdon Estate Finished in 1908, this Lake Superior 39-room mansion enjoys a rare, intact collection of original furnishings and art. Because of that, it closely resembles the days when the Congdon family first occupied it. Truly, it is Duluth's answer to Downton Abbey. Situated on a wooded lot, the home boasts spectacular views of Lake Superior as well as multiple gard...
- 6. Lakewalk Running along the edge of Lake Superior is a winding and hilly path, a favorite place for skating, biking, jogging and walking.
- 8. Park Point
- 9. Leif Erickson Park
- 10. Great Lakes Aquarium This freshwater-focused Aquarium is positioned on the harbor of Lake Superior. It features more than 1,000 fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Highlights include multiple hands-on and touch exhibits including the largest sturgeon touchpool in North America. New in 2022, the H2O exhibit offering a splash, play and learn interactive experience on the science of water for...
- 11. S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum In the heart of Canal Park, set against the majestic Aerial Lift Bridge, is a Great Lakes vessel you can’t miss—and won’t want to. Despite carrying iron ore and coal for 40 years through treacherous storms, the William A. Irvin remains in pristine condition today. Don’t miss your chance to tour the proud flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet. Schedule...
With an architecturally stunning downtown, trendy lakeside neighborhoods and outdoor adventures around every turn, it's no secret why Duluth is one of Minnesota's most popular tourist destinations. Use our visitors guide to find out where to go and what to do when you're in Duluth.
- Check Out The Aerial Lift Bridge and Canal Park
- Grab A Beer at A Local Brewery
- Take A Scenic Drive to Split Rock Lighthouse
- Head to The Top of Enger Tower For City Views
- Stroll The Duluth Lakewalk
- Eat at Grandma’s Family-Run Restaurant
- Hike Around Jay Cooke State Park
- Sail Around Lake Superior
- Go Birding at Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory
- Admire The Art and More at The Duluth Depot
Framing Lake Superior by day and illuminating the harbor by night, Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge is the icon of the city. You’ll see it on postcards, keychains and local art. It dates back to 1905 and is easily the most tourist-frequented point in Duluth – for good reason. You’ll find plenty of people milling about, watching boats of all sizes pass b...
Minnesotans take beer seriously, and if you’re unfamiliar, that probably means you’re missing out. Duluth is no exception. Join a local brewery tour or wander on your own, sipping on hoppy IPAs and other creative inventions. Duluth has more breweries than the average person should sample in one afternoon, but do try a few if you imbibe. Bent Paddle...
Not only is Split Rock Lighthousea postcard-in-real-life type of place, but also the entire hour-long drive from Duluth is nothing short of glorious, following the shoreline with too-many-to-count stopoff areas for skyline views. This particular lighthouse happens to be Instagram famous, and it’s one of the most photographed and visited spots in al...
Of all possible reasons to walk up a five-story winding staircase, the view from the top of Enger Towertakes the cake. The climb to the top, 80ft over Duluth’s West End, yields sweeping 360-degree views of the city and Lake Superior. Built of locally sourced blue stone in 1939, it’s reminiscent of something from an old-timey period film. It also ha...
More of a hike than a walk, the Duluth Lakewalkis roughly 7 miles of pure lakeside goodness, starting with a boardwalk in town that shifts into a paved trail. Stroll, cycle or skateboard – the parallel pedestrian and bicycle paths draw all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Travelers using wheelchairs will be able to navigate the path with ease, apart f...
Antique trinkets and history-filled photographs adorn the walls at Grandma’s Saloon & Grill, a family-run restaurant that dates back decades. It’s a Duluth staple, garnering statewide appreciation. You’ll find all the Midwest classics, such as Minnesota wild rice soup – a wondrously rich bowl of hearty rice and creamy broth – and cheese curds, the ...
An absolute jewel of Minnesota, Jay Cooke State Parkis well-loved for good reason. A 200ft-long suspension bridge leads into the heart of the park, where roaring waters tumble over jet-black rocks and boulders of all sizes. It makes for a mesmerizing scene, and even though the park gets a solid amount of foot traffic, you’ll have no trouble getting...
If you’d rather experience the lake from the water, hop on a 36ft-long sailboat to cruise the glassy waters for an unmissable day trip. Just beyond Duluth’s harbor lies a seemingly endless shoreline, Park Point Duluth – which happens to be the longest freshwater sandbar in the world. It’s formidable on foot, and breathtaking by boat. Full day, half...
Avian aficionados flock to Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, a top-notch spot for birdwatching on the north end of Duluth. Each fall, mass migrations make this destination a busy one, both on foot and in the sky. Hawks, owls and eagles of all types, and osprey are among the commonly sighted, and if you’re lucky, you might see a black vulture. Even if yo...
Seeing as it was only a train station back in 1892, the Duluth Depot has had a major glow up in the past century. Nowadays, it holds a variety of attractions: concerts, fitness classes, festivals, art markets and more. It’s also home to the Art Institute, Railroad Museum and several performing arts organizations, including the Arrowhead Chorale. Th...
1. Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive. 2,015. Scenic Drives. By TNT51. This is the oldest working light station in Minnesota dating back to 1892. 2023. 2. Aerial Lift Bridge. 1,733. Bridges. Originally constructed in 1905 as an aerial lift, this unusual elevator bridge is 386 feet long and spans the canal entrance to Duluth Harbor.
There are a number of spots throughout the city of Duluth that are perfect for watching multiple species. Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve/Bird Observatory, a ridge located above Duluth, is a perfect spot for watching thousands of birds such as eagles, hawks, falcons and vultures migrate overhead.
