This is the first time i can think of that i have searched BWCA.com and not found a thread to answer any specific question that i have had.

Heading up for a trip at the end of August. My wife has a doctors appointment on Thursday in Chicago so we are starting our trip a little early staying in Eau Clair Thursday night and Duluth Friday night before heading to Ely to stay at the VNO bunkhouse Saturday.

We are just starting to do some research to see what we would like to see but wondering if anyone has any must see sites in Duluth while we are there ?

Maybe one or two of the parks, a walk along Lake Superior, my wife is a huge fan of zoos so maybe a stop there, breweries. We are open to about anything.

I always stop at the Duluth Pack Store. That whole area around the Duluth Pack Store is interesting to walk around in. Lots of good places to eat!

A couple parks:

Go to Canal Park and walk the Boardwalk for you walk around Superior. While there you can stop in to Canal Park Brewery and get some decent food and beer.

Enger Park should be number 2 on your list. Has a tower that you can walk up and get a great view. It also has some trails to walk and one of the trails is a short walk to a Pagoda overlooking the city.

Breweries: There are quite a few and you will be next to Canal Park's so check that one out. Also Bent Paddle Brewery is a very nice building with great beer. My favorite beer in Duluth [also I live here :)] but if there was a contender it is right over the bridge in Superior, Wi and is called Earth Rider and the bar is called The Ceder Lounge.


The Zoo: I would avoid the zoo at all costs. It was hit hard a few years ago in a storm and is in a sad state. It is actually kind of depressing. If you want something similar the Lake Superior Aquarium gets a bad rap but I think it is pretty neat actually.

The boardwalk! And watching the ships squeeze through the canal is fun, right beside the maritime museum.

You might want to skip the zoo as it has been under renovation ever since the flood.

My list is heavy on outdoors rather than the common tourist’s stuff and includes a visit to the end of Minnesota Point (You have to use the Aerial Lift Bridge to get there.), Hawk Ridge (And the portion of Skyline Drive that gets you there.), Chester Park with its waterfalls, and Amity/Lester Park and the Seven Bridges Road.

For taproom and restaurants, visit to Bent Paddle and the OMC Smokehouse or Dovetail Café. Closer to the UMD and Chester Park is Tavern on the Hill.

x2jmorris: ...but if there was a contender it is right over the bridge in Superior, Wi and is called Earth Rider and the bar is called The Ceder Lounge."

Good stuff. I had a four pack this winter. I think I got it at the Two Harbors Muni.

I'm curious now,... why does the aquarium get a bad rap?

HowardSprague: "I'm curious now,... why does the aquarium get a bad rap?
"

At least years ago it did. It's only freshwater fish. It cost (at least used to) more to run than it earned and that didn't go over the greatest.

I like it though... other then the price at least.

Don't neglect heading to the west side of town and the Lincoln Park neighborhood:
Bent Paddle, Ursa Minor, Duluth Cider, Wild State Cider, Frost River, OMC Smokehouse, Corktown Deli, Duluth Grill, Love Creamery

We never miss a chance to eat at Duluth Grill or Nothern Waters Smokehaus. If you're in town on a Friday night the Fall Inn has an A+ fish fry.

Only a few things I can add. Enger Park is the best views of the city IMHO? Nice little gardens and an interesting tower. Here's a link and a pic:
Enger Park






Plus, you mentioned you were staying in Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area? Nice little diner named "Heckel's." Every time we go up that way we stop there.

The second best sandwich I ever had is the Porcine Princess at Corktown Deli. World class.

For Beer I would head to Bent Paddle. New Brewery with a great tap room and very good beer.

If you like smoked fish/meat check out Northern Waters (in Canal Park) for a sandwich.

How about a hike along Chester Creek? Feels like a whole other world down in the ravine.

Or if you're in to historic architecture the Glensheen Mansion is definitely worth a visit.

northern waters smokehaus pastrami mommy sammich for the win! Duluth pack and frost river stores are cool too-once or twice. Fitgers brewpub or any of the other micro tap rooms. enjoyed our visit to the aquarium last fall!

I just learned my grandkids are coming next week. So a trip to the train museum and canal park is a must.

Glensheen Mansion is neat place to see. Think there is admission don't remember.

HowardSprague: "I'm curious now,... why does the aquarium get a bad rap?
"

+1 I’m curious as well I love the aquarium !

Little Angie’s Cantina. And the Portland Malt shop are must stops for me as well as watching ships come in.

Basspro69: "

HowardSprague: "I'm curious now,... why does the aquarium get a bad rap?
"

+1 I’m curious as well I love the aquarium !"

I responded shortly after that. Between being fresh water only and losing money for a long time. Maybe that has changed now though.

The Spirit Mountain Alpine Coaster is big fun!!!

Linky

I also enjoyed MN Point. Nice stand of old growth red pine about 2/3 of way out. Plus abandoned warehouse from MN Light & Power that they kept gas bulbs in before electricity was common (bought a book on Duluth Parks to learn this info).
Always wondered what this plaque was at the end of the point?

I also work with someone that went to school in Duluth and she said Hawkridge is better in Sept/Oct when the Hawks ect are migrating. I still think it would be cool, as I like the wilderness areas

ozarkpaddler: "Only a few things I can add. Enger Park is the best views of the city IMHO? Nice little gardens and an interesting tower. Here's a link and a pic:
Enger Park




Plus, you mentioned you were staying in Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area? Nice little diner named "Heckel's." Every time we go up that way we stop there.
"

The wind storm of 1980 put that steer in a friend's front yard a block behind the restaurant.

30Smoke: "Always wondered what this plaque was at the end of the point?
"

I did not see that down there. It looks like someone’s art project though. (driftwood stand, pyrographic sailboat, phillips head screws)

Weird graffiti on the warehouse ruins. Who would think to propose there? In addition to buoys, I’ve read they stored calcium carbide there to produce acetylene gas to power the lights.

I like the 1856 lighthouse ruins and vacant sand beaches on the Point. Just watch out for the poison ivy!

Good stuff, Thanks everyone! Now our problem is going to be narrowing down what we do in a day and a half!

Definitely check the ship schedule. If you can be down n the pier when a thousand footer comes through, it is amazing. I've lived here 5 years and I still try to catch a ship every week or two. Never gets old.

For me, hitting up Bent Paddle taproom and ordering in food from Corktown or OMC Smokehouse is a favorite. Castle Danger Taproom in Two Harbors is a gem, too.

The Chester Park idea is also a good one. Not a long hike, but very cool. And when you get back down to the bottom, you can grab a beer and some nachos at Burrito Union.

We love ice cream so we always try to stop at The PortLand Malt Shoppe along Superior Street. Super cute little building and great ice cream. Then we walk along the boardwalk eating it and trying to burn off all the delicious calories.

greywolf33: "The Spirit Mountain Alpine Coaster is big fun!!!


Linky "

That looks awesome! Will definitely take the kids there next time we're in town.

Here to second Northern Waters Smokehouse. Was recommended to us and our group was almost put off by the long line on a sunny Sunday afternoon. If you're into smoked fish at all, it's worth the wait. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had.

Unas10: "

ozarkpaddler: "Only a few things I can add. Enger Park is the best views of the city IMHO? Nice little gardens and an interesting tower. Here's a link and a pic:
Enger Park





Plus, you mentioned you were staying in Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area? Nice little diner named "Heckel's." Every time we go up that way we stop there.
"

The wind storm of 1980 put that steer in a friend's front yard a block behind the restaurant.

WOW, that had to be some storm!


"