Canal Park
Cherry Orchard, Dublin, MN
Duluth’s Canal Park is a lively waterfront destination blending natural beauty with history and urban charm. Right on the shores of Lake Superior, it offers views of the city’s most famous attraction—the Aerial Lift Bridge—and the scenic lakewalk. Visitors can check out local shops, dine at lakeside restaurants, and enjoy the outdoors, making it a favorite spot for relaxation and recreation.
The basics
Once a crumbling warehouse district, Canal Park has been totally reinvented as a hub of things to do and enjoy. (It makes so much sense, considering its ideal location: land jutting into Lake Superior.) Here, visitors will wander past the Aerial Lift Bridge to lighthouses, breweries, distilleries, and cafés—not to mention rocky beaches begging for a picnic.
Any good tour of Duluth includes Canal Park, as it’s one of the city’s finest gems. Take a guided walking tour to learn about the area, or go for a leisurely stroll to find water views, brick-lined history, and excellent dining and noshing.
Things to know before you go
Canal Park is the gateway to Park Point, home of the world's largest freshwater sandbar, so you might want to pack that bathing suit.
There’s no need to spend money—many visitors come just to watch the ships pass under the bridge.
Some people go during storms to see Lake Superior’s waves; check weather resources for safety information.
How to get there
Getting to Canal Park is pretty easy. If you’re driving, hop on Interstate 35 and take the Lake Avenue/Canal Park exit, following signs directing you to the waterfront. It’s adjacent to downtown Duluth, with ample parking lots you can’t miss. Otherwise, take a rideshare, walk from downtown, or bike along the city’s trails for a more eco-friendly approach.
When to get there
Unless it’s the middle of a blizzard, there’s no bad time to visit Canal Park. Before the businesses open, the sunrise views are sublime; while they’re open there’s a lot to do, and when they close, you can take in moonlit views along the Lake Superior shore. But if you don’t like crowds, there’s one time to skip: weekends in the summer.
Go beyond and above
From Canal Park, you have two fabulous options to explore: Hop on North Shore Scenic Drive, which you can take along Lake Superior all the way to Grand Marais and beyond—there are a bunch of fabulous overlooks, state parks, and waterfalls along the way. Or go above: Duluth is a great spot for a helicopter tour.
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