Duluth, Minnesota.. Ideal Weekend in My Hometown
based on 5 votes
Duluth....aaaahhh, Duluth. In my experience, people familiar with our location but who aren't fortunate enough to live here always refer to Duluth with longing. It is the sort of place that brings a smile to your face. Duluth's not a flashy sort of destination, but it is a purely beautiful, joyful, and satisfying place to visit and to live in.
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Explore locations featured in this goList:
Minnesota, Duluth, Grand Marais, Grand Portage
- Category: Perfect weekend
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Active/Outdoors, Repeat visitors, Sports buffs, Beachgoers
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Honeymooners, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Large groups, Seniors, Budget travelers, Active/adventure, Tourists, Pet owners
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Duluth, Minnesota, Beach, Lake Superior, Outdoors
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| First of all, generally when people come to Duluth, it's to be near the largest freshwater lake in the world. Most visitors enter Duluth from Interstate 35. When you crest the hill coming into Duluth, the beautiful Lake Superior vista unfolds in front of you in all of its glory. There are few experiences that can compare to this. It's equally beautiful day or night. |
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2. The Inn On Lake Superior
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| The first thing you will need is a place to sleep for this perfect weekend. As a hometown resident, I don't stay in a lot of hotels here, but this is one that I've enjoyed a lot. Right on the shore of Lake Superior, the view is great, and the hotel itself is lovely. |
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3. Best Western Edgewater East
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Ave price:
$152
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This is another local hotel that is a really fun place to stay. It's also located lakefront, and they've recently added a waterpark feature, which is really fun for the kids up to 10 or 12 years old. |
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| The second thing you should do on your visit to Duluth is check out all the fun places in Canal Park. There is interesting shopping, great restaurants, and it is the site of the world-famous Aerial Lift Bridge. |
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| The Aerial Lift Bridge crosses over into Park Point, the largest sandbar in the world and home to our local beaches. The beaches here are just as wonderful as anywhere else, and the water is much more invigorating than anything you'd experience elsewhere :-) Yes, it can be brisk, but when it's 80 degrees out, it feels so nice! |
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| You can run, walk, bike, or skate the Lakewalk from one end of Duluth to the other. Stop and have ice cream, skip rocks, or just relax. This is the place where I tell my kids, "You know, if I didn't already live here, I would come here on vacation." |
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7. Skyline Parkway
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| On your visit to Duluth, you really should make time to tour Skyline Parkway. It is a scenic drive that runs along the crest of the hill surrounding Duluth, and it stretches from one end of the city to the other. This is where you want to go to gaze over Lake Superior. If you want a good jog, bike ride, or walk, choose any part of Skyline and take your time enjoying the beauty. |
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| By now, you've probably used up most of your weekend just enjoying the natural beauty of the city itself. However, if you can, drive up the North Shore of Lake Superior, up scenic Highway 61 and as far as Canada if you'd like. That would be about 150 miles of gorgeous landscape. |
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| If you can eke out another couple days of vacation to tie onto your weekend, stay a night in Grand Marais. Beautiful little town! |
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| Grand Portage is about 40 miles north of Grand Marais, near the Canadian border. It is breathtaking and pure. Stay at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino if you get a chance. |
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| If you visit in the winter and like to ski or snowboard, here's your opportunity. This too overlooks Lake Superior. |
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| Beautiful estate to tour...oh, it's also on the shore of Lake Superior. Did I mention the beauty of the lake? ;-) |
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13. Lake Superior Scenic Railroad
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| Fun to take a train ride and wave to all the people on the Lakewalk! |
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14. Vista Fleet
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| The Vista Fleet has the King, Queen, and Star ships. Choose from several types of cruises and feel the lake! |
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15. Bayfront Festival Park
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| Many events held during the summer at Bayfront, including the spectacular Fourth of July fireworks and the Bayfront Blues festival. |
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16. Waving goodbye...
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| By now you've realized that there are many more attractions in Duluth, more than you can possibly cram into a weekend, and we've just touched on the cream of the crop here. As you leave Duluth, turn around for a last glimpse and vow to return as soon as you can! |
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Compliment RoadTripMom
RoadTripMom
Long-time resident
