About Duluth
At the western end of Lake Superior, Duluth welcomes some of the largest ships on the Great Lakes into its busy harbor. With its lakeside setting, which the local Ojibwe people call Gichigami ("great sea"), the greatest of the Great Lakes feels like a port town and takes advantage of its prime position with a coastline that is 49 miles long.
In addition to the indigenous Ojibwe, as in much of Minnesota, many folks of Scandinavian descent call Duluth home. Shops featuring indigenous and Scandinavian wares can be found throughout the area. The overall influence that both these cultures has had on Duluth is described in several of the local museums.
Celebrating its native son, the 1.8-mile Bob Dylan Way passes his childhood home, elementary school and the Duluth Armory where fellow musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the "Big Bopper" performed. Dylan-themed manhole covers dot the street along the road, and Fitger's Museum displays Dylan memorabilia.
Duluth consists of several compact districts including Bayfront, Canal Park, the Historic Arts and Theater (HART) District, Lincoln Park Craft District and downtown. The areas are easily walkable, and just beyond these commercial districts, Park Point boasts one of the world's longest freshwater sand spits, spanning 6 miles. This popular destination includes a local beach with a seasonal lifeguard and a recreation area. Duluth's 130 city parks provide ample opportunity for enjoyment of the outdoors.
Duluth is flat near the lake shore, but just beyond the downtown areas, the terrain slopes up. Taking advantage of the hillside, the Skyline Drive overlooks the town and lake providing sweeping views of the area. Along the way, Enger Park features the Enger Tower, which affords outstanding views of the area from every level.
Locals in pursuit of outdoor opportunities appreciate and utilize the lake and its natural surroundings. Hiking, cycling and even surfing are a few activities that Duluthians enjoy, while fishing is popular on Lake Superior and on the 16 designated trout streams in the area.
Pros: An authentic Lake Superior port with the amenities of a larger city.
Cons: Waiting for the Aerial Lift Bridge to and from Park Point might cause delays.
Bottom Line: A friendly town filled with natural scenery, history and culture, and good food.
The road to Park Point crosses the Aerial Lift Bridge, which operates on a schedule: It lifts on the hour and half-hour, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., seven days a week, from March 16 through Dec. 31. The bridge will be raised on request for all vessels from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week. Allowing ample time for these bridge events is essential for returning to the ship on time.
On Foot: Duluth is compact and quite walkable. Most of Duluth's attractions are within a mile of the cruise port.
By Taxi: There are several taxi companies in town. Fares are less than $10 for trips within the downtown area.
By Rideshare: Both Uber and Lyft provide services to travelers. Prices are comparable to taxi fares within the port area.
By Public Transportation: Duluth Transit Authority (DTA) operates regular buses throughout the year. The fare is $1.50 during peak times. From early June through Labor Day, the free Port Town Trolley stops at popular Duluth areas, including Bayfront, Canal Park, the HART District and downtown.
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