United States
Minnesota (MN)
Duluth
Things to Do in Duluth
Aerial Lift Bridge
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Aerial Lift Bridge

See all things to do
See all things to do
Aerial Lift Bridge
4.5
About
Originally constructed in 1905 as an aerial lift, this unusual elevator bridge is 386 feet long and spans the canal entrance to Duluth Harbor.
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Top ways to experience Aerial Lift Bridge and nearby attractions

The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
133 within 3 miles
Northern Waters Smokehaus
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0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • International
Bellisio's Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar
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0.1 mi$$$$ • Italian • Wine Bar • Tuscan
Lake Ave Restaurant & Bar
393
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • International • Vegetarian Friendly
Vitta Pizza Canal Park
323
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Contemporary
Grandma's Saloon & Grill
1,669
207 ft$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Canal Park Brewing Company
1,289
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Pub • Vegetarian Friendly
Amazing Grace Bakery And Café
471
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Soups
Caribou Coffee
121
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Green Mill Restaurant & Bar
236
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • American • Bar
Taste of Saigon
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Attractions
62 within 6 miles
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
679
290 ftVisitor Centers • Speciality Museums
Canal Park
1,458
343 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Vikre Distillery
105
214 ftDistilleries
DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace
61
0.2 miNeighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
S.S. William A. Irvin Ore Boat Museum
415
0.3 miSpeciality Museums
Bayfront Festival Park
99
0.3 miParks
Great Lakes Aquarium
610
0.3 miSpeciality Museums • Natural History Museums
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
55
0.3 miConvention Centers
Adventure Zone
87
0.2 miAmusement & Theme Parks
Hoops Brewing
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0.3 miBreweries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,719 reviews
Excellent
1,288
Very good
363
Average
66
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Mia Mia
5 contributions
Hang out for a while here.
Jul 2022
Stop into the Corp. of Engineers Building at the base of the bridge/canal. You can see details on what ship/boat is arriving and when. There was an announcer on the loud speaker who was informative and funny too. Explained the salutes, and other interesting facts. You may need to wait for the bridge to rise and the boats to come through. Bring a frisbee or look inside at the museum.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Munir D
Toronto, Canada630 contributions
Unique bridge
Jul 2022
It was a unique experience to see this canal bridge go up and down as a ship 'Paul R. Tregurtha' left the harbour. The bridge is beautiful and the moment ships pass under this is a sight to behold.

The technology used to raise the road-part of the bridge is impressive. Technology has been well used to turn the bridge into a human utility.

Schedules of boat timings can be seen in the museum under the bridge.

Munir D.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TravelDiva001
Knoxville, TN1,619 contributions
Wow! So unique!
Oct 2021 • Couples
I was very impressed with the history and grandeur of this bridge. We walked across it in between half hourly lifts. I loved seeing the 3 lighthouses so close together. We even saw a couple of fellas hot dogging it up on their jet skis in the harbor. What didn’t impress me was the 3 people we spoke with (parking lot attendant, girl in souvenir store and a lady in a chocolate shop) had no clue when we asked questions about the bridge or directions to places. We were disappointed the visitor center was closed, and the restaurant we wanted to eat at was closed for lunch due to staffing shortages.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Madogfechan
Bishopton, UK307 contributions
Best viewed from the Maritime Museum on a stormy day!
Dec 2019 • Couples
We visited Duluth with a 3 night stay in a hotel which we reached by driving across the Aerial Lifting Bridge. Weather was not good while we were there and it was an eye opener to see the water swelling and rolling in under the bridge! Best view in such circumstances was from the nearby Maritime Museum, which was also very interesting and informative. The bridge can be seen from many places in Duluth, a real feature in the cityscape.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
adamwaultee
Monticello, MN135 contributions
Post covid adventures!
Jun 2021 • Solo
Canal park is great for a pedestrian! Staying at a hotel down here is really neat. A lot of shops and restaurants make it special alone, but this major port sure adds portance to a trip! Getting to see such an iconic piece of history for Minnesota and great lakes shipping up close & in person is unforgettable. Seen a ship come in and FULL salute! That night a trio of tall fishing boats came in...so I got to see it in action. Don't visit Duluth without taking this site in, although busy,it's worth it.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nyormirror
Bay City, MI1,252 contributions
History and Engineering All In One!
Aug 2020 • Family
The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge was built from 1901-1905 and its style is significantly rare im Bridge engineering.

You can see this beautiful structure from all around the water ways of Duluth. We were lucky enough to get a hotel room with a view of it and saw it from many different angles during the day.

Unfortunately we were on a schedule and were not able to see a ship come through.

Make sure you check it out when you’re in Duluth.
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Samuel A
Scottsdale, AZ487 contributions
An interesting bridge!
Jul 2021
I stayed in a hotel near the aerial lift bridge. It is a unique structure that is interesting to watch when it rises for passing ships. We had to plan our travel from the hotel to local attractions based on the daily bridge schedule. In additional to rising for large, scheduled ships, the bridge also rises for a few short minutes at the top and bottom of the every hour. This allows recreational sail boats and other smaller vessels to pass underneath. If you are in the area, I recommending walking across the bridge.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ShanOC
Grand Forks, ND11,238 contributions
Time Well Spent!
Aug 2020 • Couples
We arrived unknowingly about a half hour before a cargo ship would be going under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Canal Park. A couple of smaller fishing/sport boats went under the bridge, as well as a sailboat and a tour boat. This bridge was lifted for the tour boat, but most importantly for the cargo ship. Standing next to this lift bridge and walking across it helps you to understand the massiveness of this structure! Watching the bridge lift and lower is certainly an amazing sight! However, watching a cargo ship pass under this lift bridge is a different story! It adds so much to the experience! We only spent two hours in the Canal Park area, but it was most certainly time well spent! The Aerial Lift Bridge is a “Must See” for sure!
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim K
50 contributions
neat to watch
Sep 2021
We went over it several times, and it is a bridge. However, walking around the canal and getting views form there is worth stopping for. If you catch a lake bot going through it is even more interesting. They are on line, live camera and schedules for the boats as well. Worth checking.
Written September 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aa90
Nebraska24 contributions
Must see if it's your first time in Duluth
Aug 2021
Don't miss this if it's your first time in Duluth! They announced when boats were coming in over an intercom a little ahead of time. We were able to see it lift at least twice in 45 minutes. Very interesting! You can also walk across this bridge.
Written August 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Aerial Lift Bridge (Duluth) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Aerial Lift Bridge
We recommend booking Aerial Lift Bridge tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Aerial Lift Bridge tours on Tripadvisor