There’s a range of activities to enjoy in this part of the world when the ground is covered in snow. Lake Superior is transformed into a playground for the adventure-seekers. The locals, as well as tourists, eagerly await this time of the year to get their doses of thrills. Here are the best outdoor activities you can indulge in if you’re visiting Duluth during winter:

1. Cross country skiing:

This is a great way to witness the landscapes in and around the city’s forests. The trails for cross country skiing are groomed right when the snowfalls. You’ll find miles of trails to explore in places such as Magney-Snively Park, Snowflake Nordic Center, and Lester Park.

2. Snowshoeing

When the temperature falls, the snowshoeing enthusiasts know that it’s their time to get active. It’s quite an experience walking through a serene winter forest. You can hear nothing but the snow crunching under your feet as you move forward on the path. 

When you take the Superior Hiking Trail, the first 43 miles traverse across the city. The trail is perfect for a trip during winter and prompts many individuals to strap on their snowshoes.

3. Ice climbing

This is, perhaps, one of the most adventurous things worth trying in Duluth during winters. It would seem like rock climbing but on a frozen waterfall. You can try ice climbing at locations, such as Gooseberry Falls State Park and Casket Quarry. Positive Energy Outdoors and Vertical Endeavors are two organizations that provide guided tours and ice climbing classes. They truly inspire people to go out and enjoy the winter.

4. Ice fishing

Under the ideal conditions, Lake Superior can be a wonderful place to try ice fishing. Make sure you check with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to know whether the conditions are safe. You can also get some valuable information on how to get a fishing license.

5. Fat tire biking

This is one of the most unusual things to do during winter in Duluth. You can book a fat tire biking tour with a local tour operator. They would lead you through the forest trails and rock bluffs. These places are close to the lake and give you an exciting time on the fat-tire bikes.

6. Skiing

Skiing is among the popular activities during winters to enjoy the fabulous outdoors. So, it is obviously one of the favourite outdoor activities in Duluth during winters. This city in Minnesota has no shortage of options if you want to hit the slopes. Spirit Mountain is the most popular place to indulge in this activity. There are 22 downhill runs at this place and you can also get instructors and equipment.

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You’ll also find many events going on in this part of the United States during summers. Such events would certainly keep you busy during your tour of Duluth. We’ve got some suggestions for making your time spent in the city truly memorable:

Explore some popular attractions

If you’re staying in one of the hotels with good views of Lake Superior, you are truly lucky. You can enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, watching the sun rise over the lake. Once you’re done with your breakfast, you can get out of your hotel to explore the popular attractions. If you’re a golfer, you can begin your day at the Enger Golf Course. 

If you don’t play golf, you can stroll through one of the city’s beautiful parks. The favorites among them are Enger Tower Park and Gardens, and the Lester Park Trail. Next, you can head to the Leif Erickson Rose Garden. It is a spectacular garden set against the backdrop of Lake Superior. When you begin to feel hungry, take a lunch break. Enjoy a good meal at one of the restaurants located on West Superior Street. 

You can then taste a soothing drink at the Canal Park Brewing Company. Book a trip with one of the sightseeing cruises and have a memorable tour of Lake Superior. During the tour, you can watch some of the greatest ships in action. You’ll also get the chance to know the region’s shipping history during the tour.

Experience the beauty of North Shore

You can begin your tour of North Shore with a delicious breakfast at the place where you’ve arranged your stay. Once you’ve had your breakfast, travel to the North Shore Scenic Railroad for a wonderful, relaxing ride. While booking your trip, you can choose any of the trains that fascinate you. Your choice would also depend on the amount of time you have for the day. 

After the train ride, you’ll return to Duluth. Head to Canal Park and stop at one of the cafes for a sandwich or gourmet snack. Next, you can get to Duluth’s Park Point and settle down on one of Lake Superior’s beaches. This would give you the opportunity to spend some relaxed moments under the sun. After relaxation, you can visit any of the fantastic restaurants of Duluth to have your dinner.

Get a glimpse of the local history

If you’re planning a tour of the city’s historic places, begin with the Glensheen Mansion after breakfast. This mansion was originally the home of Minnesota’s richest man. Today, this incredible mansion is a museum open daily for tours. A visit to this mansion would give you a glimpse of the times when it was built. 

Once you’re done exploring the mansion, take a break at Brighton Beach. You can continue your trip up the North Shore and enjoy your lunch. Moving further, you’ll come across the Gooseberry Falls State Park. The trails in this park allow you to take a pleasant stroll or a hike through the evergreen trees.

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Spring is the time when you can take in the fresh air and watch the robins sing. There’s much to see and do in this city during this time of the year. Here’s a perfect 3-day schedule to savour a pleasant getaway in Duluth during spring:

Day 1

After having relished a delicious breakfast, venture out of your hotel. Head to the Canal Park Waterfront District to have a wonderful time. Here, you’ll come across shops that offer some unique gifts and antiques. Make sure you visit the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace. It is a popular landmark in Duluth, which began as a warehouse and manufacturing site in 1909. 

This is a multi-use building, where you’ll find many restaurants and retail shops. After having explored the shops, settle down for lunch at one of the elegant cafes. Next, get to the Lakewalk. After having enjoyed your lunch, it would be a good idea to take a pleasant stroll. You can stop at several points of interest while strolling along the boardwalk. 

You can watch the Aerial Lift Bridge in action. Visit the Maritime Museum, which is full of intriguing maritime history. Don’t forget to explore the Great Lakes Aquarium. Finally, it’s time to enjoy your dinner at one of the restaurants with a spectacular view of the harbour.

Day 2

Embark on a trip along Lake Superior’s enchanting shores. While travelling along the scenic Highway 61, stop at Brighton Beach. This is a rugged beach along the shoreline of Duluth with waves crashing against the large boulders. Aerial Lift Bridge can be seen in the distance. Take your time travelling to some of the viewing points along the way that leads to Two Harbors. 

Upon reaching the Two Harbors, explore the waterfront and some of the downtown shops. Open for a limited number of hours, the North Shore Architectural Salvage would be a fun place to visit. Continue travelling along Highway 61 and arrive at the Gooseberry Falls State Park. You can stop at Joseph N. Alexander Visitor Center. 

Take some time exploring the waterfalls, trails, and evergreen forest. After you’ve passed the Gooseberry Falls, you’ll come across the spectacular Split Rock Lighthouse State Park and the Split Rock Lighthouse. You can enjoy your meals at one of the finest gourmet restaurants in the city during your trips.

Day 3

After spending the first two days shopping, hiking, and savouring some scenic places, it’s time for some history. You can get to the Tweed Museum of Art, which is located on the UMD campus. It displays some interesting exhibits throughout the year. If you wish to see the historical and literary manuscripts, visit the Karpeles Manuscript Museum. 

Don’t miss visiting The Saint Louis County Heritage and Arts Museum, a beautifully restored architectural wonder. Yet another historical building worth exploring is the Glensheen Mansion. You can wind up the day with an early dinner at one of the restaurants.

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Duluth has a long and interesting maritime history, which many tourists love to explore. The city is home to an expansive public park system and offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities. Above all, Duluth is also the birthplace of the iconic folk singer, Bob Dylan. During your time spent in this beautiful city, you’ll get to explore some fascinating attractions:

1. Lakewalk

A wonderful promenade with trails for walking and cycling, Lakewalk is a part of Canal Park. This park is located along the shoreline of Lake Superior. When you’re in Lakewalk, you can take a pleasant stroll and watch the ships sail the harbor. The eastern end of this promenade is connected to Leif Erickson Park and Duluth Rose Garden. 

A visit to this park and rose garden also allows you to enjoy the views of the harbor. Don’t forget to check out the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. Established in 1912 as a church, the museum has an impressive collection of important historical documents and books.

2. Great Lakes Aquarium

Alongside the harbor of Duluth, you’ll find this spectacular aquarium. It is an excellent place for discovering a range of marine creatures mainly from the Great Lakes Basin. While you’re in this aquarium, you’ll also learn about the geological forces that shaped the area’s marine habitats. 

A variety of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and mammals have been displayed here. Some of them have been kept in touch pools for the amusement of visitors. Some of the fantastic species of fish you can witness in the aquarium are the bullhead, porcupine, and black crappie.

3. Spirit Mountain Adventure Park

This adventure park is located 15 miles north of Duluth. Although it is a four-season attraction, you can have loads of fun if you’re exploring it during winter. Snowboarding, tubing, skiing, and snowmobiling are some of the activities you can enjoy in winter at this adventure park. The period from spring to fall gives you the opportunity to enjoy mountain biking, zip lining, and disc golf. 

You can plan a visit during a weekday to this park and get started early. Visitors can also take advantage of the ‘automatic photos’ that are taken on the Alpine Slide. Riders can also purchase individual photos or an entire disc to cherish the memorable moments.

4. Aerial Lift Bridge

Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge is over 115 years old, but still attracts a significant number of visitors every day. It is truly an architectural and engineering marvel. This bridge connects Park Point to the mainland of Duluth and is among the city’s most photographed attractions. It operates 24/7, accommodating freighters, sailboats, and cargo ships by rising and lowering. 

You can photograph this aerial lift bridge just before sunset. It is after sunset that the bridge appears even more beautiful. It is illuminated with hundreds of LED lights. You can take in the views from the Lakewalk or Canal Park.

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