When you think of Minnesota usually the first thing that comes to mind is bitterly cold winters and lots of snow. Many outsiders don’t really expect the state of hockey to have too many attractions outside of Minneapolis, I know that was my perception when I moved to the upper Midwest from Oregon. My thoughts changed when I visited Duluth, Minnesota for the first time, and saw what the shores of Lake Superior, or what I like to call, the Minnesota ocean, had to offer in terms of entertainment. In my opinion, Duluth is one of the coolest and most adventurous towns in all of Minnesota with some great attractions. One of which is the tourist trap, Canal Park. Canal Park offers some great places to eat, spectacular sights of the Minnesota ocean, and things to do. It’s the perfect spot for exploration and fun!
The Lift Bridge
The biggest landmark, and usually the first thing I think of when you hear someone say “Duluth” is without a doubt the lift bridge. The lift bridge stands 226 feet tall and is essentially the gateway to the harbor. Whenever the ships are heading out to go sail great waves of the superior or are coming in to drop anchor, the bridge rises up so they can pass through. You can watch that baby go up and down all day, and if you’re anything like me, you would contemplate staying on the bridge as it's going up to catch the view, and assert your dominance. During the summer and fall it’s nice to sit out and watch the huge ships glide across the waters of the Minnesota ocean. During the winter, be sure to have a nice winter jacket while you are mesmerized by the large chunks of ice floating through the freezing water.
Grandma’s
If you’re looking for some decent food, and maybe a little bit of experience, you should give Grandma’s a shot. It’s family dining at its finest. The menu ranges from all types of American classics like burgers and fries, to pasta, and fish and chips. I went with the Original Bicycle Burger. It was a fairly large double cheeseburger topped with grilled onions and sautéed mushrooms. Although it was rather tasty, I felt that $14.49 was a little steep for a burger, but it was still pretty delicious. I complimented the burger with a vanilla shake, and may I say, it was a solid 9/10. The ice cream was nice and thick, almost like wet cement, but in the best way possible. The shake itself was sweet and very rich, but not to the point where you felt sick. It had just the right balance and even though it was $6.99, it was a good investment. So, if you’re looking for a good shake, and nice company, I would say Grandma’s is your place.
Canal Park Brewing Company
Every now and again you need a place where you can have a cold beer and a Juicy Lucy burger and from my experience the best place to get that would-be Canal Park Brewing Company. It’s a casual brewery with a laid-back vibe. You can sit inside and enjoy the fun atmosphere, or sit out on the patio and enjoy the view of Lake Superior. I myself sat out on the patio on a Sunday afternoon with a scrumptious juicy Lucy in one hand, and a Blue Moon in the other. The burger was grilled to perfection and had just the right amount of cheese oozing out of the center. To accompany the burger was a heaping pile of crispy chips and a spear pickle. I believe the burger went for $13.99, the beer was about $4.99, but watching the light reflect off the almost endless stretch of water was priceless. With reasonable prices, cold beer, and tasty bites, Canal Park Brewing is a great place to grab some grub.
Amsoil Arena
If you’re in the State of Hockey between October to about March, you have to attend a hockey game whether it be high school, college, or pro. But because you’re in Duluth, you have to go to a University of Minnesota Duluth bulldogs game. UMD’s hockey program is one of the best in the country and has a very passionate following. The men’s team is back to back National Champions winning in both 2018 and 2019. The women’s team is just as good with 5 National Championships under their belt throughout the program's existence. You can watch some top of the line hockey being played, and be a part of a great hockey environment.
Lake Walk
One of my favorite places to go to clear my head, or just get some exercise is the lake walk. The lake walk is a walking, and bike path that runs along the shore, and is a great way to relax, get some exercise, and enjoy the day. Towards the beginning of the path, you can rent a bike, or a four-person peddle cart and cruise on down along the shore. Just be sure to pay attention while riding because it does get quite crowded sometimes. During the winter, this walk can be a little tough, so I suggest having a heavy-duty winter coat with you.
Amazing Grace Cafe
If you’re looking for a quiet place to get a quick bite to eat or some coffee Amazing Grace is a great spot to check out. It’s borrowed down in the basement of the Dewitt-Seitz marketplace, creating a really cozy environment to sit and relax. The walls are decorated with local artwork, and each table has a little art book you draw in, or just flip through and admire previous visitors work. The food is always fresh, and delicious. I’ve been here about three times now, and have yet to have a bad experience. The last time I went, I wasn’t sure what I wanted, so I asked for a suggestion from the girl behind the counter. She recommended the brie bacon turkey sandwich with a smile which turned out to be a fantastic choice. The sourdough bread was fresh, the bacon was crisp, and the raspberry preserve added a really nice sweet kick. The best part about my last visit was the fact I got a free cherry chocolate muffin because It was apparently too small to sell, and they were about to close.
Canal Park offers a great variety of things to do whether it be shopping, eating, or just feeling the breeze as you gaze out upon the Minnesota ocean. If you’re heading up during the summer, be sure to bring some comfortable shoes, maybe some swim trunks if you’re looking to take a dip in Superior, and your friends and family. If you’re heading up during the winter be sure to bundle up with a nice coat, hat, gloves, and maybe a warm drink along with your friends and family. Most importantly, be prepared to be blown away because Duluth will change your perception of Minnesota!
