When you come to Duluth, you understand what makes it special. From the world-famous lift bridge to charming neighborhoods filled with local breweries and restaurants, Duluth is a true original along the pristine shores of Lake Superior.

Gooseberry Falls State Park has beautiful trails, forests, wildlife, an ancient lava flow on the Lake Superior shore, and of course iconic waterfalls. PARK MAP: https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_parks/spk00172_summer.pdf

One of the area’s best breweries, with a beautiful beer hall in Canal Park.

Canal Park is Duluth’s busiest area. You can watch 1,000-foot boats go through the canal under the Aerial Lift Bridge, check out the maritime museum or aquarium, take a walk on the Lakewalk, and explore many shopping and dining options.

Fitger’s is a historic brewery building overlooking Lake Superior that now holds an inn, shopping complex, and dining options.

The Rose Garden is one of Meg’s favorite places in Duluth. It’s just off the Lakewalk so the two can be combined if you feel like a longer walk.

Good Italian food, and many seats offer great views of the lake.

Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters: Best coffee in the area
Amity Coffee: Favorite coffee shop in Duluth
Duluth Coffee Company: Best coffee downtown
Cedar Coffee Company: Traditional Benson family stop on the way up the shore with beautiful Cedar trees
Dovetail Cafe and Market: Cozy coffee shop and market in a folk school

Duluth has a ton of breweries for its size. In addition to Hoops, here are a few of our favorites.
Ursa Minor: Some of the area’s best beer and good pizza
Bent Paddle: Maybe the most well known these days and worth a stop
Earth Rider: Across the bridge in Superior but the beer is good
Meg loves Castle Danger’s cream ale and Wild State’s raspberry hibiscus cider so look for those in the area as well

Vikre Distillery: Located in Canal Park, good gin, aquavit, cocktails

The parks around Duluth all have great hiking and plenty to see. Here are some of the things that make each park distinctive.
Gooseberry Falls: Waterfalls, lava flow picnic area, accessible
Jay Cooke: Swinging bridge over big river rapids, nice contrast from parks on the shore
Tettegouche: Maybe the best for hiking, check out Shovel Point trail by the visitor center for lake views
Split Rock Lighthouse: Historic lighthouse, nice rocky beach

Duluth is on a hill overlooking Lake Superior and has several parks right in town with nice views and trails.
Enger Park: Located high on the hill with an observation tower and gardens
Chester Park: Close to the Benson childhood home, trails by Chester Creek lead up the hill to a park and ski hill
Lester Park: The site of our engagement photos, picturesque creeks, playground and picnic area
Hawk Ridge: Incredible hawk migration in the fall, beautiful views and trails
Brighton Beach/Kitchi Gammi Park: Recently renovated, rocky beach and picnic area