• Understand
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Get out

Duluth [1] is a city of about 87,000 people in northern Minnesota. It is one of the most scenic cities in the Midwest.

[edit] Understand

Duluth has always been a shipping town: first for furs, later for iron ore, timber, and grain. As a shipping and milling town, Duluth once had the highest number of millionaires per capita in the United States. This is still reflected in the large number of mansions in the east end of town. Ocean-going vessels come up the St. Lawrence Seaway into the Great Lakes to Duluth Harbor. Since these "salties" go through the locks, they are smaller than the native "lakers" that stay within the Great Lakes. Ships under many flags, including Nigeria, Greece, and Denmark frequently dock in Duluth to pick up grain and coal for overseas markets. Iron-ore and taconite still go to Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania for processing into steel.

Built largely on a 700-foot hill overlooking Lake Superior, Duluth also has a thriving tourism industry, with antique shops, excellent restaurants, cozy inns, and scenic views of the lake. There is a ski resort inside city limits. Canal Park and Superior Street have the highest concentrations of tourist destinations in the city. The famous Aerial Lift Bridge is on Lake Avenue, next to Canal Park. Particularly proud residents liken the city to San Francisco, which also has bridges, hills, a bay, and a thriving tourist business. The renowned Grandma's Marathon is held annually, named after Grandma's Saloon (restaurant) in Canal Park. The University of Minnesota-Duluth and St. Scholastica College are the two largest colleges in the city with over 12,000 students together.

Duluth is the western endpoint of the scenic North Shore Drive, which follows the rugged north coast of Lake Superior nearly 700 miles to Sault Ste Marie (Ontario). Across the bay is Superior, Wisconsin.

Due to the close proximity of Lake Superior, a deep lake and the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area, Duluth can be cool or cold anytime of year. The official temperatures are reported from the airport, over the hill, and can be ten or more degrees (Fahrenheit) above the downtown temperatures. Sixties (18'C +/-) for a high in August are not uncommon, but it can reach the 80's (about 28'C) just as easily. Bitter windchills can occur in the winter, although air temperatures generally do not go below -20'F (-29'C). Despite this, some people bike to work year-round.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car

Duluth is about a 2.5 hour drive north of the Twin Cities on Interstate 35. A driver approaching Duluth on I-35 from the Twin Cities will be rewarded by a spectacular view of Duluth laid bare in the valley, just after entering the Duluth city limits, with a stunning view of Lake Superior into the horizon. Travelers not familiar with Duluth may be surprised at how elevated the surrounding hills are. Of course, the elevation is only high by midwest standards. The international airport sits at a not-quite-Everest-like elevation of 1,427 feet. Still, after long hours of relatively flat and urbane scenery, the view is a treat, especially during peak fall colors. The highway then descends at a steep grade just to the east of downtown; Exit 256B is the recommended exit for most downtown attractions.

[edit] By plane

Duluth International Airport (Template:IATA) (Template:ICAO), [2]. Served by Northwest Airlines, Midwest Airlines, and Allegiant Air; with service to the Twin Cities, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Las Vegas.

[edit] By bus

Duluth is served by both Greyhound [3] and Jefferson Lines [4]. The main bus terminal for both bus lines is located at 4426 Grand Ave; Jefferson Lines also stops at the College of St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

[edit] By boat

Duluth-Superior (WI) is an international seaport, by way of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway, and while the taconite industry has dropped way off from the Iron Range, timber is still shipped by boat.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By car

Private automobile is probably the best option for getting around Duluth. The city generally does not have any traffic problems. The city is built on a rather steep hill, so if you travel around anywhere other than downtown or I-35, make sure your brakes are in good order. It can be slushy in the winter as the road crews typically put down salt first, then plow the roads when traffic is lighter. However, being on the west side of the lake, Duluth doesn't normally receive the large lake-effect snowfalls, 2" to 6" is the normal snowstorm. Highway 53 crosses from Wisconsin to the south to the Iron Range in the north. Highway 2 runs east-west and will take you to the largest mall, on top of the hill on the west side. Keep in mind that the majority of the city is laid out in a grid based on the Lake Superior shoreline. This is about 45 degrees off of true north, however the residents refer to east/west streets running parallel to the lake, and north/south avenues that are perpendicular to the lake.

[edit] By bus

If you don't have a car, you could use the public bus services operated by the Duluth Transit Authority (DTA)[5].

[edit] By bike

The Arrowhead Regional Development Commission has made a bike map for the Twin Ports area, which is available here.

[edit] See

Duluth's iconic Enger Tower provides excellent views of the city.

• The Aerial Lift Bridge and Canal Park, Lake Av. This is the signature icon of Duluth
• Split Rock Lighthouse (40 miles north). Wonderful lighthouse built around 1910. There were no roads at the time so they hauled all material by boat and lifted it to the top of the cliff.
• The old Gleensheen Mansion
• Karpeles Manuscript Museum. Rotating exhibits. Open seven days a week, 12 - 4 p.m. [6]
• Rose garden in Leif Erickson Park
• The panoramic view from the top of Enger Tower
• Watch the boats in the harbors. The Salties are ocean-going vessels that travel through the locks down the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Atlantic, the Lakers are larger boats that are confined to the Great Lakes region. They primarily haul coal, wheat and taconite for the steel industry.
• New Moon Girl Media [7]

[edit] Do

• See the bay by ferry tour.
• Check out the panoramic view of the city from Enger Tower.
• Go to the beach at Park Point and try swimming in Lake Superior (very cold, but slightly less so in July or August).
• Experience the Homegrown Music Festival (first week in May).
• Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the Lakewalk.
• Attend a concert of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra.
• Bike, run, walk, or roller blade down Munger Trail (70 miles of paved trail).
• Drive 30 miles north for a picnic at beautiful Gooseberry Falls State Park.
• Walk the Duluth portion of the Superior Hiking Trail, located on the ridge above the city and accessible from Skyline Parkway.
• Run the Grandma's Marathon along the lakeshore going north.
• Watch the John Beargrease sled-dog race in the winter.
• Ski or snowboard at the ski resort within city limits (700 foot drop).
• The Great Lakes Aquarium
• See vintage railroad equipment at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
• The Omnimax theater
• The William A. Irvin Freighter. The flag ship for an ore shipping company.

[edit] Buy

• Goodies from Hepzibah's candy store

[edit] Eat

• India Palace, 319 W Superior St, +1 218 727-8767. The lunch buffet (on weekdays around noon) is an excellent sampler of East Indian food.
• The Maya Family Restaurant, 1725 Miller Trunk Hwy, +1 218 722-0360. A good Mexican restaurant in the "mall area".
• Hacienda del Sol, 319 E Superior St, +1 218 722-7296, [8]. Another local Mexican restaurant; considered by some to be a Duluth staple.
• Pizza Lucé,11 E Superior St, +1 218 727-7400, [9]. Good pizza, live music, and a variety of vegan options.
• The Lake View Coffee House, 600 E Superior St, +1 218 720-4464, [10]. As the name implies, a great view of Lake Superior with a laid back atmosphere and free WiFi Internet. Most weekend evenings showcase local talent. Located in Fitger's on E. Superior.
• Bellisio's, 425 S Lake Ave, +1 218 727-4921, [11]. An upscale but not overly expensive Italian restaurant with great pastas and gnocchi.
• Grandma's, 522 S Lake Ave, +1 218 727-4192, [12]. Good Italian and American food. Probably Duluth's most famous local restaurant.
• The New Scenic Café,5461 N Shore Dr, +1 218 525-6274, [13]. Creative menu based on fresh, local ingredients. Vegetarian friendly. On Lake Superior's North Shore (13 miles north of downtown) with a view of the lake.
• Taste of Saigon, 394 S Lake Ave, +1 218 727-1598. Known for their Vietnamese cuisine.
• The Brewhouse Brewery and Grille, 600 E Superior St, +1 218 726-1392, [14]. Not just for those looking for a drink; they also have an excellent menu featuring local favorites, including the veggie-friendly Wild Rice Burger. (Try the chocolate cake cold).

[edit] Drink

• The Brewhouse, In the Fitgers complex. Unique microbrewery serving an wide selection of beers, ales, lagers, and other beverages; many brewed on site.
• Carmody Irish Pub, Superior Street.
• The Kozy Bar, 129 East First Street [15].

[edit] Sleep

• Firelight Inn, 2211 East 3rd Street, 218 724-0272, Toll-free: (888) 725-0273, [16]. Bed and Breakfast.
• Hawthorn Suites Duluth, 325 Lake Ave. South, Tel: 218 727-4663, [17].
• Mathew S. Burrows 1890 Inn, 1632 East 1st Street, 218 724-4991, Toll-free: (800) 789-1890, [18]. Bed and Breakfast.

[edit] Get out

• Set off for a camping/canoe trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area
• Drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior
• Bike the Willard Munger trail (over 100 km / 70 miles between Duluth and Hinckley)
• Across the bay is Superior, Wisconsin.