Top 5 Lake Superior Views at Glensheen


A rolling wave crashes into the estate’s pier.
  1. Northeastern Against the Pier

It doesn’t take much to get Lake Superior all riled up. Even a little breeze can make the lake conditions dangerous. A northeastern is a storm that brings highs winds and waves off of the open water of Lake Superior. These massive swells crash into the pier with tremendous power and ferocity, sending sheets of freezing, white water many feet into the air. Walking out onto the pier on one of these days would be like walking the plank, as you would surely be swept away into the chop.

Wolves use the ice to move to new hunting territory. -Photo Courtesy of Rolf Peterson


2. Wolves on the Ice

Although the lake doesn’t freeze up every year, months of bone chilling temperatures will get the best of any body of water, even the great Lake Superior. Wildlife take advantage of this ice bridge, using the frozen lake to migrate and move around the area. In rare occasions, wolves can be spotted hiking by the estate, moving towards Wisconsin or Minnesota Point in search of food.

Visitors sit on Glensheen’s pier and watch the tall ships do a battle reenactment.


3. Tall Ship Festival

Glensheen’s pier is the perfect viewing platform for any passing ships, especially a historic vessel with masts reaching many feet into the air. The Tall Ship festival comes to Duluth every three years, and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Duluth area. Ships engage in many reenactments that usually take place right off the shoreline of the mansion.

One of the many small boats and canoes that have washed up on Glensheen’s shore.


4. Treasure!

You never know what the lake will wash up. Walking along Glensheen’s shoreline after a windy day and you will likely stumble upon all kinds of objects that have been pushed in by the waves. Chairs, fire pits, even a few small boats have been found.

Ice covers the Estates pier before the lake froze up.

5. Ships Crashing through the Ice

Because the shipping industry is so important to Duluth’s economy, shipping companies are eager to start shipping as soon as the official season opens. When cold winters lock up Lake Superior, ships have to literally break through the ice to get in and out of the Duluth’s port. If you stand on Glensheen’s pier on one of these days you are able to see the ships crushing their way through the ice. When the conditions are right, the sound of the breaking ice can be heard for miles.