This guide will share everything you need to know if you're planning a weekend getaway to Duluth! Duluth is a Minnesota city full of adventures. Located on the banks of Lake Superior, it’s a city full of great food, breweries and trails. It makes for an incredible gateway to the Minnesota North Shore, but also has plenty to offer on its own.
From great breweries to unique parks to a thriving waterfront, there are so many fun things to do in Duluth! I had the priveledge of spending over a month in Duluth in the summer of 2023 and LOVED it. The food was incredible, the waterfront is beautiful and I really enjoyed all of the hiking opportunities and other outdoor adventures nearby. I can't wait to return!
Keep reading for an epic 2-day itinerary to explore the natural side of Duluth, along with the top sights and great eats.
When to Visit Duluth
Duluth has harsh winters, typically with below freezing temperatures from December - February. Winter can be a fun time to visit if you’re prepared for that, but this itinerary is written for warmer weather.
Summer is the most popular time to visit Duluth. You’ll get to experience warm weather and it’s a great time to go kayaking, biking or other summer adventures. This is when I visited!
Fall is a beautiful time of year in this year and you can enjoy colorful fall foliage around mid-September.
During the spring, the cold and ice linger and there is often rain. But a visit in May can be a great time to get a headstart on the summer crowds. Keep in mind that many trails are closed in the spring until they are dry enough to use without damage.
All this being said, I would recommend visiting between June - September to experience the best hiking trails in Duluth!
Duluth Itinerary: Day One
Hike Ely's Peak
If you’re a hiker, Ely’s Peak is a fantastic trail to start your weekend in Duluth! This iconic trail has a bit of everything - a peak with fantastic views, a former railroad tunnel, a paved portion and a forested portion. It’s a great trail to get your blood pumping!
The trail begins on a paved bike path. After about a half mile, you’ll turn left off of the bike trail. There are two paths: the path to the right leads to Ely’s Peak, while the path to the left will lead you to the railroad tunnel. They do not connect in a loop at the top of the peak. However, there is a path through the woods that connects them before making the final climb up to the peak.
There is a bit of rock scrambling as you approach the peak, but nothing too difficult. You may get to see rock climbers nearby from the top!
This is a really fun trail that isn’t too long and I highly recommend adding it to your Duluth itinerary!
Lunch in Duluth
You will probably work up an appetite after climbing Ely’s Peak! Here are a few of the best places to eat in Duluth.
Duluth Grill
Duluth Grill is a classic spot for brunch! From speciality lattes to street tacos to smoothie bowls, their extensive breakfast menu has something delicious for everyone. I enjoyed the Huevos breakfast skillet and really appreciated their huge coffee mugs.
OMC Smokehouse
OMC Smokehouse is actually owned by the same company as Duluth Grill - they have some great restaurants! It’s a BBQ restaurant and is said to serve the best BBQ in Duluth. But as a vegetarian, I was still impressed with the delicious beyond burger (served with onion straws, onion tomato jam and more) and the mac and cheese. I always really appreciate when meat-focused restaurants have good vegetarian options - they even have a vegetarian sloppy joe! The meat-eaters I was with also loved the brisket and pulled pork.
Hungry Hippie Tacos
Hungry Hippie Tacos is another awesome spot in Duluth for lunch. These are not your average tacos - they’re actually made with fry bread instead of tortillas. The puffy homemade taco shells are extra delicious and filling.
Explore the Duluth Rose Garden and Leif Ericson Park
These parks are beautiful and perfect for taking a stroll and admiring Lake Superior. The two parks are attached, so it’s worth exploring both.
Thing to Know: There is a large, free parking lot available for these parks. It’s next to the Rose Garden.
The Duluth Rose Garden has a beautiful gazebo and of course, roses. There are 3,000+ roses, along with many other types of flowers, in a beautifully manicured area. While it was originally in a different location, the garden was inspired by rose gardens in Europe. You will typically find the gardens in bloom during the summer.
The Rose Garden is technically inside of the larger Leif Erikson park. The park has an amphitheater, a large greenspace and a statue of Leif Erikson. Leif Erikson himself never actually sailed to Duluth, but a vessel called the Leif Erikson did. Plus, the city has a lot of Norse heritage.
The park also has a nice beach area where you can get a great view looking over the Duluth Lift Bridge. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.
Visit the Duluth Lift Bridge and Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
The Duluth Lift Bridge is an icon of the city and a must-visit during your trip to Duluth! The Aerial Lift Bridge was first built in 1905 as the first transporter bridge in the US. This means that it was actually a movable bridge that ferried cars across the water. It was then converted to a vertical-lift bridge in 1929.
It’s not difficult to catch the Aerial Lift Bridge in action. If a boat needs to go under, it raises every 30 minutes. However, the most exciting thing is to see a large boat go under, such as a cruise ship. There is even a live stream that bridge-enthusiasts tune into when a large ship goes under.
When you visit, you can walk across the bridge and admire it from both sides.
Right next to the bridge, the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is worth a visit. It’s a museum operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. It’s free to visit and full of information. You’ll learn about shipping on the Great Lakes, the history of sailing on the Great Lakes and all kinds of other things about boats. It’s a fascinating place that is worth at least an hour of your time.
Thing To Know: Check the hours of Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center before visiting, it typically closes at 4:30PM.
Spend an Evening in Canal Park
The Canal Park neighborhood, which is right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge, is bustling with fun restaurants and bars.
If you like a good cocktail, Vikre Distillery is worth visiting. They make unique cocktails using purified water from Lake Superior and locally foraged botanicals. The menu is always changing, but I enjoyed a refreshing drink made with avocado.
If you’re looking for a more casual drink, both Hoops Brewery and Canal Park Brewing serve local beers and food.
For dessert, check out Love Creamery. This local ice cream shop is a Duluth favorite and the ice creams are made in small batches. The flavors are constantly changing, so you never know what you might get.
Duluth Itinerary: Day Two
Coffee and Breakfast in Duluth
Start the next day with coffee! There are two places in the Lincoln Park neighborhood (known as the “Craft District”) that I loved.
190° Coffee And Tea is a modern coffee shop with a commitment to making great coffee. Plus, they have a good selection of teas. It’s a good place to work on a laptop or catch up with a friend.
For food, I really loved Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace, which is located right down the street. It’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and you can even enjoy beer or come for open mic nights. It’s a wonderful community gathering place with lots of space to work. They even have a market with locally made art, decor and more.
Vegetarians and vegans take note: The thing that really stood out to me at Dovetail Cafe was the Vegan Valhalla Sandwich. It’s made with marinated tofu, a chipotle sauce, roasted red pepper and avocado mash. I’ve never had anything quite like it and really enjoyed it. (I even came back for it multiple times!)
Visit Enger Tower and Park
A visit to Enger Tower and Park is another must-do during your time in Duluth. It offers an incredible view overlooking the city, the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior.
The park has a pavilion area right next to the parking lot that offers a fantastic view. But for a higher vantage point, you can climb to the top of the tower.
The tower was built in honor of Bert Enger, who donated the money to purchase the land and develop it. The park is also home to an American-Japanese Peace Bell, which was a gift from Japan. Next to the bell, you’ll also find a rock garden. This is a beautiful park to enjoy the views or have a picnic.
Fun Fact: Duluth’s sister city is Ohara-Isumi in Japan. They gave the bell to Duluth.
Chase Waterfalls in Duluth
If you’re up for some more hiking during your weekend in Duluth, these two local parks have some beautiful waterfalls.
Chester Park has a popular trail along the Chester Creek. There is a path on both sides of the creek, so you can make a loop out of it.
The trail has views of several small waterfalls in the creek and you access some of them. You can also make the trail as short or long as you want, as there are multiple bridges crossing the water. It’s a peaceful place to hike or run.
Another park in Duluth with an even larger waterfall is Congdon Park. A short walk down into the gorge leads you to a large waterfall surrounded by reddish rocks. There are stairs built into the canyon and along the water, and you can make a loop out of it.
Visit a Duluth Brewery
If you like breweries, Duluth has some fantastic ones!
As a lover of sour beers, Ursa Minor Brewing was my favorite. They had multiple sour beers on tap, and I especially loved ‘April Showers May Bring Plowers’ (a key lime and lemon sour). Plus, they serve delicious pizza (I loved the Voyager with kale, mushroom and ricotta). Even better, I visited Ursa Minor on Bingo Night, which was super fun!
Another great brewery choice is Bent Paddle Brewing. Similar to Ursa Minor, I went to ‘BLINGO’ night and had a great time! Not only do they have a nice beer selection, but a different food truck parks out front each day. I actually stayed across from this brewery for several weeks, so I tried many of the food trucks. My favorites were K&B Grilled Cheese (who serve creative and indulgent grilled cheeses) and Mama Roots (a vegan food truck).
Where to Stay in Duluth
For a unique hotel near Canal Park, the South Pier Inn is a great choice. It’s a family-owned hotel that is right next to the Aerial Lift Bridge! They have 20 waterfront suites with amenities such as balconies, whirlpools and more.
Another great nearby hotel is Canal Park Lodge. They are the newest hotel in Canal Park and their rooms have beautiful views of Lake Superior. The hotel has all of the amenities you would look for in a modern hotel such as in-room coffee, free wifi, a gym and more.
If you prefer an apartment stay with a full kitchen, in-room laundry and more, Enger Lofts is a great choice. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, the building has a mix of short-term rentals and long-term rentals. They are beautifully decorated and the location is super convenient - you’ll be within walking distance of some fantastic coffee shops, breweries, restaurants and more. I stayed here working remotely (with a pet) for over a month and had a great stay!
Final Thoughts
I hope this Duluth itinerary helps you plan an epic weekend getaway! From hiking to waterfalls to enjoying the famous lift bridge, this midwest city has a lot to offer.
Duluth makes an incredible base or starting point for a trip to the Minnesota North Shore! Check out my Minnesota North Shore itinerary to extend your trip.
For more Midwest travel guides, check out these blogs:
- The Perfect Isle Royale Itinerary
- How to Spend 3 Days on the MN North Shore
- The Perfect Michigan U.P. Itinerary
- How to Take a Perfect Day Trip to Mackinac Island
- How to Spend 3 Days in Madison, Wisconsin
- The Best Outdoor Adventures in St Cloud
- The Best Hikes in Indiana
- The Best Things To Do in Hocking Hills, OH
- The Best Things To Do in Cuyahoga Valley, OH
Thanks for Reading!
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