10 Things to Do In and Around Duluth, MN
If you found yourself reading our recent Duluth, Minnesota Shamrock Tour, you might be wondering what else there is to do and see in this area. Here are some of our favorite spots to explore.
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
Located in Canal Park directly adjacent to the Duluth Ship Canal, this free museum provides a deep dive into the history of Great Lakes commercial shipping. Exhibits are frequently updated, but highlights include a two-story-tall steam engine, replica cabins and pilot houses from famous ships, and more than 50 scale models. Find it at 600 Canal Park Dr, Ste 209, Duluth, MN.
Vikre Distillery
Duluth is home to dozens of craft breweries and many of them are quite good, but if you’re looking for something stronger, check out the Vikre Distillery at the foot of Duluth’s iconic Aerial Lift Bridge. Locally sourced Boreal Gins—available in juniper, spruce, or cedar varieties—are especially recommended. Find it at 525 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN.
Paul Bunyan Land
If you’ve seen the movie Fargo, you might expect a 24-foot-tall statue of the mythical lumberjack Paul Bunyan to greet you upon entering Brainerd. In reality, the town has no such statue—it’s actually located at the Paul Bunyan Land amusement park, eight miles east of town on SR 18. Find it at 17553 SR 18, Brainerd, MN.
Brainerd International Raceway
Racing fans are already aware of Brainerd International Raceway, host to an annual round of the MotoAmerica championship, in addition to the NHRA’s Lucas Oil Nationals drag race, a round of SCCA’s Trans-Am Series, and more world-class races. The raceway is located just eight miles north of downtown. Find it at 5523 Birchdale Rd, Brainerd, MN.
Aerostich Factory Store
No trip to Duluth is complete without a stop at the Aerostich facility in the heart of Duluth’s Craft District. Founded by Andy Goldfine in 1983, Aerostich’s handcrafted touring apparel remains the gold standard for long-haul riders, and the factory store is a literal Santa’s workshop of cool touring accessories. Find it at 8 S 18th Ave W, Duluth, MN.
Great Lakes Aquarium
It’s fitting that the nation’s only all-freshwater aquarium is in Duluth, along the shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake. Covering 62,000 square feet, the Great Lakes Aquarium features 205 species of fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, alongside exhibits celebrating the Great Lakes and other “unsalted seas” around the world. Find it at 353 Harbor Dr, Duluth, MN.
Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge
The most iconic Duluth landmark has to be the 135-foot-tall Aerial Lift Bridge that connects mainland Duluth to the popular Park Point sandbar neighborhood. Originally constructed in 1905, the Aerial Lift Bridge is typically raised and lowered 5,000 times a year. Chances are good you’ll see at least one round.
Split Rock Lighthouse
Located 50 miles north of Duluth along SR 61, Split Rock Lighthouse is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the U.S. Perched high on a cliff 130 feet above the lake’s surface, the lighthouse can be accessed through a visitor’s center operated by the Minnesota Historical Society. Find it at 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd, Two Harbors, MN.
Madeline Island Ferry Line
When riding in Wisconsin’s Bayfield Peninsula, you shouldn’t miss a ferry ride to visit Madeline Island. A round-trip ticket for the 25-minute journey to and from the big island costs just $36 for a bike and rider. The stunning views of the nearby Apostle Islands along the way are free.
Grand Portage National Monument
Before the iron mining explosion of the early 1890s, the North Shore was known for fur-trapping. This visitor’s center, located in the small village of Grand Portage just south of the Canadian border, preserves the history of that fur trade activity, as well as the local Anishinaabeg Ojibwe cultural heritage. Find it at 170 Mile Creek Rd, Grand Portage, MN.