Duluth: Superior Attractions

	The Aerial Lift Bridge Photo Courtesy of Dan Grandmaisson and Duluth Superior Lodging

Built upon the craggy shoreline of Lake Superior, Duluth's history has always been closely tied to that of the Great Lake. It has impacted the city's growth, recreational pastimes, and tourism industry. Visitors can explore this relationship at one of the many museums, lighthouses and aquariums in the area.

While Lake Superior is certainly one of its major attractions, Duluth has other enticements like historical mansions and railroads waiting to be explored. It is a well-rounded place with something for everyone to enjoy.

GEOGRAPHY

Duluth is surrounded by forests, an inland sea and the Vermilion and Mesabe mountain ranges, which form part of the Canadian Shield. It is located in Northeast Minnesota about 150 mi (241 km) from Minneapolis, halfway between the Twin Cities and the Canadian border, it is a cultural, industrial and commercial center for Northern Minnesota, as well as a major port on the Great Lakes. Duluth is Minnesota's largest city outside of the Twin Cities area and has lots to offer in the way of history and entertainment. Superior, Wisconsin, shares Duluth's harbor and while they are very similar "Sister Cities" (or "Twin Ports") they have had a long history of rivalry.

HISTORY

The Duluth area was originally settled by the Dakota and Ojibwa tribes. In 1679, it was claimed on behalf of France by Daniel Greysolon, whose official French title was Sieur du Lhut, for whom Duluth is named. Greysolon was a French trader and explorer (coureurs de bois) who was the first to establish a trading-post at the mouth of Pigeon River on the north shore of Lake Superior.

	The S.S. William A. Irvin Photo Courtesy of Duluth Entertainment Convention Center

Around 1752, another trading post was established at Fond du Lac, near the site of the present-day city. This post eventually became a part of the Astors American Fur Company, and the company's men played a large part in developing the area. Permanent settlement of Duluth began in 1852, when the town began building on the rocky shoreline overlooking Lake Superior. At first, the town was a center for trade and shipment of timber, but after the discovery of iron ore in the northeastern Mesabi Mountain Range in 1865, it became the chief ore-shipping point for the nation's steel mills.

Even with the discovery of ore in the area, Duluth was slow to grow. The city was incorporated in 1870, the same year that rail service connected Duluth to St. Paul, but it wasn't until the extension of the railway into the Northwest Region of Minnesota, known for its wheat production, and the development of the Vermilion and Mesabi iron ranges, that Duluth experienced rapid growth.

The Duluth Ship Canal also played a large part in the development of the area, although it caused some contention with Duluth's sister city Superior, located just across the bay in Wisconsin. While the two cities are in close proximity and share a harbor on Lake Superior, they have had a rocky relationship dating back to the construction of the Duluth Ship Canal in 1870. The city of Superior, fearing that the canal would change the flow of water through their ship entry, brought suit against Duluth to halt the construction.

In the spring of 1871, during the second year of construction, the residents of Superior arranged for a federal injunction to stop the dredging. The mayor of Duluth was given advance notice of the injunction and arranged for 50 volunteers to work through the night on Saturday, June 10th to complete the canal. All of the canal supporters in Duluth turned out to help in some way, whether it was dredging, cooking or tending to fires. The digging continued through the night, all day Sunday and right up until dawn on Monday morning, the day the injunction was supposed to arrive. By the time the officer showed up to deliver the injunction, the canal was already 30 feet wide. There was nothing he could do as the work was already done. On June 12th, 1871, a little ferry boat named Fero made the historic first journey across the canal.

TRANSPORTATION

Duluth is the northern terminus of Interstate 35. Other highways that support the area include U.S. Highway 53 and U.S. Highway 2. There are many state highways running through and around Duluth, which makes traveling by car a wise option, especially considering the Scenic Byways that are available for leisurely afternoon drives. The North Shore Scenic Drive Byway is 30 mi (48km) long and runs from Duluth to Two Harbors all the way to Grand Portage near the U.S./Canadian Border. It starts near Brighton Beach at Canal Park and runs southeast along Lake Superior's shoreline. The drive is filled with neat little restaurants and shops along the way.

	Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

At the southern end of the Byway, visitors can watch as giant ore boats pull up to the docks at Two Harbors. Enjoy the natural treasures of eight state parks and the Superior National Forest while en route to Grand Marais, a harbor town at the entrance to the Gunflint Trail, a remote wilderness trail leading inland to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The BWCAW is over one million acres (404,700 hectares) in size and contains hundreds of lakes and rivers. It has 1,200 mi (1,931km) of canoe routes and is home to an abundance of plant and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. On the northern end of the Byway, Grand Portage National Monument features a reconstructed North West Company fur-trading post. Greyhound Bus Service is also available to reach these destinations.

For visitors flying into the city, the Duluth International Airport is the first stop. Shuttle service is provided to and from the airport by some hotels but car rentals and taxi service are alternate choices. Getting around Duluth is possible with local community buses. The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) provides regular route services in the cities of Duluth, Proctor and Superior. The DTA operates 43 buses during peak hours on 26 routes. All buses are wheelchair accessible and seasonally equipped with bike racks. Peak hours of operation are from 7 to 9am and from 2:30 to 6pm during the week and require riders during this time to pay a larger fare.

Once in Duluth, the best way to get around downtown is the extensive Skywalk System. The Skywalk connects most of downtown and even goes through the lobbies of some restaurants and businesses. Views of Lake Superior, an elaborate fountain display, art gallery exhibits and avoiding inclement weather make this walkway a great choice for viewing the city.

Parking is located next to the Skywalk throughout town and can accommodate up to 14,000 vehicles. Trolley and carriage rides are also excellent ways to tour Duluth, allowing visitors to see the city in an old-fashion, unique way. The Duluth Transit Authority operates the Port Town Trolley, which runs between downtown Duluth, Canal Park and Bayfront. The Trolley loops through downtown and the waterfront attractions every 30 minutes during the summer season.

CLIMATE

Duluth has a humid climate because of its proximity to Lake Superior. Winter locks the city in snow, spring is brief and summers are hot. On average, the warmest month is July and the coldest is January. The wettest month of the year is June, and the average annual precipitation for Duluth is 30 inches (76 cm). Temperatures can reach up to 97°F (36°C) all the way down to -39°F (-39°C), but don't worry, these are the most extreme recorded temperatures. Temperatures in January are a mean of -2.2°F (-19°C) and in July, sits around a balmy 77°F (25°C). Duluth gets, on average, 78 inches (198 cm) of snow per year, great for all those outdoor winter activities.

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

On the Water
The center of activity in Duluth is the waterfront; Canal Park has so much to offer, visitors will have a hard time knowing where to start. The Lake Superior Maritime Museum has many exhibits which detail the Great Lakes' history and their part in the evolution of the shipping industry. The museum also has a collection of shipwreck relics, a full-sized replica pilothouse and ship cabins, hardhat diving gear, photographs, charts, marine engines, and numerous ship models to see. While exploring the exhibits, visitors can watch as huge ships enter the Duluth Ship Canal.

Fun for the whole family can be had at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The aquarium has many exhibits (some of them interactive) that teach about the history of the Great Lakes, how they came to be, and practically everything there is to know about fresh water.

	Diver Feeding Sturgeon Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Aquarium

The Lakewalk, which starts in Canal Park, is just over 4 mi (7 km) long and never strays far from the water. The boardwalk is perfect for a leisurely stroll along Lake Superioror there is also a path for biking, running and in-line skating. Also on the Lakewalk, is The Waterfront Sculpture Walk, an artistic representation of Duluth and its sister cities in Sweden, Canada, Russia and Japan.

From the waterfront, visitors can see the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth's most famous landmark. This unique bridge lifts to allow huge ships from around the world to enter into Duluth's port, making an average of 5,500 lifts each year. The current bridge was first raised for traffic on March 29, 1930 and it has withstood the ravages of time without once being damaged.

While visiting Canal Park, a must see is the S.S. William A. Irvin, a floating Maritime museum which preserves historic Great Lakes vessels in seaworthy condition and commemorates the lives and stories of their officers and crew. Included in the tour are the Coast Guard Cutter, Sundew and the tugboat named Lake Superior. All three boats have a colorful history which is explored on the tour.

For more family fun, make sure to check out Carnival Thrillz, a family entertainment complex that has rock climbing, trampolines, miniature golf, a movie theater, laser tag, and more. Of course, it also offers real carnival food like nachos, sno cones, funnel cakes and corn dogs. If the waterfront is not enough, take the plunge and experience Lake Superior. Sea kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are all easily accessible. There are many Charter Fishing companies in the area, all of them offering a chance to catch The Big One.

On the Land
Duluth is an excellent place to explore the out-of-doors. In the summer, visitors can enjoy walking, running, biking, rock climbing and in-line skating. In the winter months, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are available. Duluth has a seemingly endless amount of trails to explore, many of which are located in the city proper. There are 105 municipal parks around the town as well as 45 mi (72 km) of snowmobile trails, 27 mi (44 km) of cross-country ski trails and 10 hiking trails ranging from a leisurely walk to a challenging hike. Even in the middle of the city, visitors can feel as though they are miles from civilization.

The city is a great place for enjoying outdoor sports with golf courses and nearby Spirit Mountain, which has some of the best downhill skiing in the state. For running enthusiasts, the annual Grandma's Marathon has been ongoing for decades and brings people together from all over the world.

Historic Duluth
Duluth is rich in Minnesota history. The Glensheen Mansion and the Depot, home of the North Shore Scenic Railroad and the Heritage and Arts Center, are just the tip of what Duluth has to offer history buffs.

Visitors can enjoy seeing how the well-to-do lived in Duluth at the turn of the century with a visit to Glensheen Mansion, a 7.6 acre (3 hectare) property constructed to resemble an English, early seventeenth century country estate. Many furnishings from the original 1908 home still exist, and it is a great place to explore some of the more affluent roots of Duluth.

	Superior National Forest Pathway

The St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center's Historic Union Depot, known locally as the "Depot," was constructed in 1892 and for years served as Duluth's busiest railroad station. It was also a gateway to the New World for thousands of immigrants arriving by train at the turn of the century. Today, the vintage steam locomotives and their antique, wooden coaches can be seen in the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, home of the Midwest's largest indoor train collection.

Also available is "Depot Square," a realistic, life-size depiction of downtown Duluth as it looked in 1910. One admission ticket covers the railroad museum, the Saint Louis County Historical Society's regional exhibits, the Duluth Children's Museum and exhibits by regional artists in the galleries of the Duluth Art Institute. The theater wing of the Depot is home to five performing arts organizations, including performances by the Duluth Playhouse and the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra.

From The Depot, visitors can choose to take a ride on the North Shore Railroad (NSR). The NSR starts at The Depot and runs through the city, along Lake Superior's shoreline and deep into the Northwoods. Train rides range from a 90 minute trip to Lester River, to a 6 hour ride to Two Harbors, all of which are narrated. Specialty rides for kids also include a Pizza Train and a Birthday Caboose. With special reservations, guests can choose to ride an Elegant Dinner Train, where chefs from the area's finest restaurants prepare unique menus to savor during the ride. On the Bed & Breakfast Train, guests stay overnight at the Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast in Two Harbors before making the return journey to Duluth. Another option is Murder on the Disoriented Express, where one of the passengers meets an untimely end. For the remainder of the evening, guests try to solve the crime and deliver the guilty party to authorities by the time the train returns to the station.

For something a little slower paced, visitors can choose an Historic Architecture Tour around Duluth on the Street Trolley. This guided tour starts at the Depot. Visitors then ride in climate controlled comfort to Canal Park, through Old Downtown, past grand old mansions on the hill and then to the Fitger Brewery Complex for a walking tour and lunch. On the way back to the Depot, the trolley travels through another part of downtown and around the Civic Center.