On the shores of Lake Superior, alongside the iconic Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and in the Canal Park area, sits a restaurant that is also considered a landmark. Grandma’s Saloon & Grill, commonly known as Grandma’s Restaurant, has been serving customers since 1976, with an interesting beginning. Legend tells us that an Italian immigrant, Rosa Brochi, came to Duluth and opened a boarding house, which is a polite way of stating it. Pleasing their customers with companionship, great meals and fine beverages was a high priority. Her goal of pleasing customers one at a time (along with her photo and reference to) is the basis for which this restaurant was built.

Grandma’s Duluth MN

Times have changed and the original Grandma’s Restaurant was turned over from a boarding house and is a classier place today. It is widely known for homemade Italian and American food as well as the warm and friendly service. It has become a favorite tourist spot. One of the most-served items on the menu is the “made from scratch” Chicken and Wild Rice Soup. If you go to the Grandma’s Restaurant website, you will find the Grandma’s Store, where you can purchase a variety of soups, sauces, spices and wild rice. Grocery stores in five Midwest states carry their frozen food products. Their web site also shares some of their recipes, which is almost unheard of.

There are three restaurants in the Duluth area that bear the name Grandma’s Saloon & Grill. All of these restaurants have some amazing memorabilia, area antiques and collectibles on the walls and ceilings for you to enjoy. There is of course, the original, which is located in the Canal Park area. Then, there is one on top of the hill near the Miller Hill Mall. The other is in Denfeld Plaza in West Duluth. All three of these offer the great food and lively atmosphere that their name has become synonymous with.

The Sports Garden

If you are looking for a place to spend a few hours and have a lot of fun, look no further than The Sports Garden in Canal Park. No joke, you could probably spend an entire day looking at all the stuff they have on the walls and coming from the ceiling! There are some amazing pieces of local history inside the walls; this is a place you just need to visit, because anyway I describe it, I couldn’t possibly do it justice. Located very close to the original restaurant, it is known for its fun and exciting atmosphere. This is a multi-level restaurant with games to play everywhere. It’s the place to bring the whole family for a great time and a great meal. It also turns into a nightclub at night and is one of the hot spots in Duluth for the younger crowd, with a large dance floor and high end sound system. It’s also a great venue for fundraisers, boxing matches, and banquets.

More

Grandma’s owners have three other restaurants in the city of Duluth, with the first two also being located in the Canal Park area. Bellisio’s is a fine dining Italian restaurant with a large selection of wines. Little Angie’s has a Mexican style menu and atmosphere; it’s a lively place to be. The Great American Grill is located inside the Miller Hill Mall and specializes in good old American food.

Grandma’s Restaurant is the main sponsor of the yearly Grandma’s Marathon, held every June. This 26 mile run begins in Two Harbors, Minnesota and ends at Grandma’s in Canal Park. Thousands of entrants from every country imaginable take part in Grandma’s Marathon; attendance is huge no matter the weather. Needless to say, Grandma’s Restaurant becomes the place to be during the entire marathon weekend. Large tents are alive with a variety of music, food and fun!

Whether you run the marathon, enjoy superb cooking, or just like people-watching, Grandma’s Restaurant in Canal Park is the ultimate hot spot in Duluth. Also, check out the fun and exciting Adventure Zone of Canal Park!

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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Duluth? Lake Superior, right? If not the lake itself, probably something on the lake, near it or a place with a killer view of it. Enter the Vista Fleet in Duluth. What is that? The Fleet consists of two boats that run both dinner cruises and sightseeing cruises in and around the Duluth Harbor. If you’ve never actually been out on Lake Superior, you owe yourself the opportunity; you will not be disappointed. Taking a Vista Cruise will be relaxing, informative and you’ll have a view of Duluth like you’ve never imagined.

Sightseeing Cruises

The Vista Fleet Duluth Sightseeing Cruises depart from the waterfront dock behind the DECC. They run multiple times daily from late spring and until mid-October. The narrated boat tours are 1½ hours long. You will be taken past the grain elevators, see lake freighters gliding by, spend part of the tour on the St. Louis River bay and even go under the Aerial Lift Bridge!

Dinner Cruises

The hillside of Duluth is especially beautiful at night, when Sunset Dinner Cruises are available. The Vista Fleet offers these 2½ hour long cruises during the summer months from Thursday thru Saturday at 7:30pm. They also have limited engagements during the spring and fall seasons, which you can find on the official site of The Vista Fleet in Duluth.

Special Events

Want a more formal experience aboard a Vista Cruise? There are Elegant Champagne Dinner Cruises on selected evenings. Other fun trips include Pizza, Family Fun and Happy Hour cruises. The Fleet offers special holiday outings as well. They are on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. This last cruise is extremely popular as it gives you the most amazing view of Duluth’s fireworks display!

Additional Information

It’s best to book in advance for any cruise. The Fleet is versatile and can even host weddings! If you have a large group or want to plan an amazing day aboard the Vista Fleet in Duluth, contact them via their website. FYI, there is no parking at the dock. But for a fee, you may park in the lots across from the SS William A. Irvin and in the DECC parking lot.

The Vista Fleet offers wheelchair accessibility on the first floor deck. There are limited strollers and highchairs available, too. There is a concession stand aboard the ship and washroom facilities. Seating is plentiful, with benches and cafeteria style tables.

As you drift along the lake’s surface, you’ll experience the cool breezes and rolling waves. A tip: even during the summer months, it’s not a bad idea to bring along a jacket. It is truly a gift to the senses as you tour with The Vista Fleet in Duluth!

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With its friendly atmosphere and inviting views, Spirit Mountain in Duluth, MN is an enjoyable place to be. Whether you choose to fly down a ski slope, glide along the cross country trails, or spend time in front of a campfire during summer, you’ll certainly enjoy your time here.

History

In the years before 1973, the hills on the extreme west side of Duluth was only wilderness. The hillside overlooking the St. Louis Bay and its’ islands seemed to be an ideal spot for a ski hill. Developers took a drive along Skyline Parkway and came up with a plan. With a 700 foot vertical drop, this new ski area would rival others in the Midwest. In 1974, Spirit Mountain became a reality. The recreation complex is located off the Boundary Avenue exit of I-35 in Duluth, Minnesota, and along the scenic Skyline Parkway. An interesting note: during the summer months, you can see the parkway’s original road crossing the ski runs. It was re-routed when the ski resort was created.

Winter Fun

Each year, skiers wait patiently for the first substantial snowfall and if it doesn’t happen by Thanksgiving, the snow-making machines are turned on and work overtime. Spirit Mountain has 22 ski runs, six of which are labeled easy. Nine of them are more difficult, and six more are very difficult. There is one super long run, called Four Pipe, which is an extraordinary 5,400 feet in length. Skis, ski boots and snowboards are available for rental in the chalet. Ski lessons are also available for a fee.

Don’t forget about the popular Nordic ski trails, located just a few blocks from the main chalet along Skyline Parkway. 22 miles of amazingly scenic trails wind through the lush birch and evergreen forest. Cross country skis and boots are available in the office control building. If you need them, Nordic skiing lessons are also available.

Spirit Mountain is open every day throughout the winter season. Holiday hours are shortened. Season ski passes are always on sale for both downhill and Nordic skiing. The prices on the season passes are extremely reasonable.

One of the premier events in Duluth each year is held here; it is the AMSOIL sponsored SnoCross event. Many of the world’s best snowmobile riders compete in front of huge crowds each winter in Duluth. Their daring aerial displays and high speeds draw thousands of spectators. From year to year, the event is held during different times of the winter. It was held this winter from December 11th to December 13th, 2009.

Summer Fun

Don’t forget the summer months! Spirit Mountain Campground is open and offers 73 campsites. All of them have fire pits, electricity and picnic tables. 39 of them have water for your convenience and there are two buildings with shower and bathroom facilities. Many hiking trails are adjacent to the campground and connect with the Superior Hiking Trail.

Plus, the chalet offers large rooms for banquets and weddings. With the wonderful natural beauty of the area and the view high above Duluth, it’s an ideal place to have a special event. For information about this or anything else, visit the official Spirit Mountain website.

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The SS William A Irvin is now a floating museum, but during its heyday up until 1975, it was the proud flagship of the United States Steel Corporation. Built and launched in 1938, it was the first of four similar vessels in the fleet that were the workhorses of US Steel in the Great Lakes for decades. It was called “The Pride of the Silver Stackers” – referring to the color of the black banded smokestacks that were distinctive of the US Steel fleet.

History

The 610′ long William A Irvin could carry 13,000 tons of taconite from Minnesota to Michigan, and Ohio to Indiana. It was also a favorite ship of dignitaries and elected officials because of the luxury and comfort of her rich mahogany staterooms. These privileged folks often hitched a ride on this technologically advanced ship.

The SS William A Irvin was named after the fourth president of US Steel. The young William was in the 8th grade when his father passed away; and to help support his family he went to work in the mines. He never gave up and he worked his way up the ladder to eventually become the president. His family was the first to spend time on the ship when it was launched as a Great Lakes runner.

From Flagship to Floating Museum

The William A Irvin became obsolete in the 1970s when the new breed of 1,000 foot long ships was produced. They carried more cargo, moved faster and required smaller crews. It was retired in 1978 and was nearly forgotten in a Duluth shipyard for 8 years. The regal ship was saved from becoming scrap when the State Board bought it for $110,000 and spent another $210,000 to refurbish it! The ship was pushed by two tugboats to its present home in the canal area in 1986.

It is now an important part of Duluth’s Canal Park area as a unique landmark and as a floating museum; guided tours are given each summer. Many school groups and tourists come by to see how the ship once operated and how the sailors lived on board. They are shown the officer’s quarters, the galley, mechanical room and the underbelly of the ship. Going on a tour of this piece of maritime history can be enjoyed by all.

A large part of the intrigue of this floating museum is that it is transformed into the “Haunted Ship” every October. People come from far away to experience the frightening, ghoulish ship and its’ scary inhabitants. It never disappoints those who like to celebrate Halloween!

The SS William A Irvin is one of those tourist spots that very few cities can boast about. Duluth can. The ship, once the pride of the Great Lakes fleet, is now a place where family memories are made.

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As you drive along Duluth’s Skyline Parkway, you will see something unusual as you look down towards Lake Superior. In the central part of Duluth, just across the Aerial Lift Bridge, is a long strip of land. Park Point is the world’s longest freshwater sandbar (more than five miles long) that stretches out into the largest freshwater lake in the world!

Park Point Homes

Park Point is mainly residential with a majority of older homes and a smattering of newly built monsters. No matter the size of the home, they’re all accentuated with Million Dollar views. With the exception of the few blocks closest to the bridge, only Minnesota Avenue travels the length of the point. The houses’ manicured yards line the road on the lakeside and when land permits, homes are on the harbor side. On the lakeside, the sandy beach of Lake Superior runs the length of the peninsula.

Recreation

A few miles down the point, once past all the homes, you’ll find a large recreation area with a massive sandy beach area that’s great for swimming and relaxing, a playground, and Park Point Beach House. Then, after a bend in the road, Minnesota Avenue ends at Sky Harbor Airport and its one runway. At the airport, the secluded Minnesota Point Walking Trail begins and runs parallel to the lone runway. The trail then meanders all the way to the tip of the peninsula, passing 200 year-old red and white pines along the way. It is a perfect and unique hike, with birds and wildlife in abundance. Very few people, including Duluthians, even know about the secluded trail!

Park Point is extremely popular in the summer, with the public beach open the day after school is out until Labor Day. A lifeguard is on duty daily from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm during this stretch. The recreational fields are used for softball games and a game of sand volleyball is always being played. Pavilions can be rented for special occasions such as family reunions and weddings. Some tourists enjoy taking the leisurely drive down Park Point to view some of the truly diverse architecture in the city. It is a very bustling place in the summer, so when you plan to visit Park Point, allow yourself plenty of time.

History

Another thing you will encounter on the Minnesota Point Walking Trail is the ruins of Duluth-Superior’s first lighthouse, The Minnesota Point light tower. The tower is still standing, although 20 feet shorter than the original 50 feet it stood. It was built in 1858; however, both the station and tower were in need of repair constantly during the 25 years it served mariners. The site was then reused and the Duluth Buoy Depot was built in the early 1900s. The Depot didn’t last long; but survey photos taken in 1905 show that the tower had already begun to crumble!

Three miles from the bridge and a mile from the present day beach house on Park Point, the White City amusement park opened in 1906. On the first day it opened, even though only a dance pavilion was erected, between 10,000 and 15,000 people attended. Later, a small railroad was built and added to the park; the steam locomotive was considered the smallest in the world. Also added were an automated baseball game, a Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round, boating facilities, picnic grounds and waterslides. There were also stage shows featuring acrobats and burlesque-type performances! The original bandstand can still be seen because it was incorporated into one of the older homes along Minnesota Point. The amusement park had a good run for a couple years, but in 1909 it shut down.

If you wouldn’t mind staying on this interesting piece of land the next time you visit Duluth, be sure to check out the Vacation Homes on Park Point.

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One of Duluth’s most visible, popular and famous parks is Leif Erikson Park and its Rose Garden. It is located on the eastern half of the Duluth Lakewalk. A statue of the Norwegian Viking explorer marks the entrance to the park. He has been credited with being the first European to land on the shores of North America and “discovering it” more than 1,000 years ago (*Thank you Woodland Middle School 6th Graders!).

Leif Erikson Park: History & Features

There is an exact replica of his Viking ship, called the ‘Leif Erikson’ in the park. It was built and sailed from Bergen, Norway to Boston, and then on to Duluth. The four men that made this trip from 1926 to 1927 were out to prove that Leif Erikson and the Vikings could have made the same journey. The roughly 10,000 mile trip is the longest distance traveled for that size ship in modern times. Once they arrived to much fanfare in Duluth in 1927, Duluthian Emil Olson purchased the Viking ship and donated it to the city. It was displayed in a park close to the shores of Lake Superior. The park was renamed in the early 1930s to Leif Erikson Park.

One of the first things you will see at the park is a whimsical stone stage with two castle-like towers on each end. The stage was designed by Holmstead and Sullivan, who are well known for designing Denfeld High School and the St. Louis County Jail. Behind the stage is Lake Superior and its beautiful rocky shoreline. It’s been a favorite spot for years to skip rocks and watch the mighty ships. The well groomed lawn in front of the stage is perfect for picnics, kite flying, and just reading a book on a blanket. The hill leading down to the stage is a natural amphitheater, making it a great venue for concerts, plays and more.

The setting is ideal for large events. The Duluth International Folk Festival was held there for years until recently. The Lake Superior Shakespeare Festival, outdoor weddings and all types of reunions also take place in the park. A few years ago, Friday night ‘Movies in the Park’ began. Family friendly movies are shown on a huge screen on the stage from June till August. Admission is free for everyone.

The Duluth Rose Garden

The incredible Duluth Rose Garden is part of Leif Erikson Park as well. A bit further away from the lake and up some stairs, you will be treated to quite a beautiful and rare feast for your eyes. Surprisingly, the Rose Garden is on top of the Interstate 35 Tunnel, where cars are constantly zooming by! There are more than 2,000 rose bushes and thousands of other beautiful flowers and plants. Amazingly, there are 100 different varieties of rose bushes throughout the English-style garden. The Duluth Garden Society and the Parks and Recreation department do a terrific job with keeping the Rose Garden in picture-perfect condition during the garden season.

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Duluth can boast of something most cities could only dream of. The Duluth Lakewalk, or Boardwalk, as it’s sometimes called, is the most picturesque trail in the city. It stretches over four miles along the shoreline of Lake Superior and the North Shore Scenic Railroad takes a few daily trips along the Lakewalk; part of the fun is waving to the passengers on board.

As you can see above, there is both a paved section of the Lakewalk for rollerbladers, cyclists and runners, and a wooden boardwalk for pedestrians.

The scenic path begins at the Bayfront Park Pavilion, just to the west of the DECC (Duluth Entertainment Convention Center) on the water’s edge. You will walk past the Great Lakes Aquarium, a fairly new attraction in the city of Duluth. The walk then takes you through the Canal Park area of Duluth, where you will find the famous Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge and the Lake Superior Marine Museum. Here, there are many retail stores, restaurants, ice cream shops and more. Many benches line the Lakewalk, and there are historic plaques explaining ship artifacts and other interesting spots along the waterfront.

For example, there is a white band-shell shaped Vietnam Memorial (as you can see in the photo on the right) that stands as a reminder of the local heroes that have fallen in the Vietnam War. There is also a Korean Veteran’s Memorial nearby, stating the names of residents who served in the Korean War.

On a lighter note, the next sight you come across is Fitger’s Brewery Complex, an eclectic mix of restaurants, creative shops, bookstores and a four star hotel. It was once the largest brewery in the area, but was closed down in 1972; it was later renovated and reopened as the complex it is today in 1984. As you walk through it, you can still see reminders of days gone by, including copper beer vats for brewing, old brick walls, and even an old transport tunnel. Visiting Fitger’s is a very enjoyable experience for the whole family.

After you pass Fitger’s, you will see a stretch of shops above the Duluth Lakewalk, including the popular Portland Malt Shoppe. Once an old gas station, this serves up the richest malts in town. Ice cream cones and sundaes are also on the menu. Eventually you’ll reach Leif Erikson Park, named after the early Viking explorer. It’s a great place to sight-see and to just plain relax. Take the footbridge up from the park to get to Duluth’s Rose Garden and you can view nearly 3000 rose bushes and thousands of other flowers and plants.

If you decide to walk the whole Duluth Lakewalk towards the east, you will find yourself walking underneath busy London Road and over to the Lakewalk Extension. It goes for a few more miles all the way to Brighton Beach (Thanks John)! You will walk alongside the railroad tracks and past Tischer Creek, which is near Glensheen Mansion. One of the prettiest vistas is a breathtaking view overlooking the creek from atop an iron and wooden bridge. This portion winds through neighborhoods and finally ends up in Kitchi Gammi Park.

The Duluth Lakewalk provides such a unique opportunity to access so many different historical and entertainment attractions that Duluth has to offer. For this reason, it is extremely popular with tourists and locals alike. The many different beautiful views of Lake Superior and Duluth doesn’t hurt either!

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Duluth’s Skyline Parkway offers tourists a chance to see a truly spectacular city. As beautiful as it is during the daylight hours, the evenings are considered the best time to view. The city lights of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI, the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, Lake Superior and its South Shore create a glittery, twinkling canvas to enjoy. Your visit to Duluth won’t be complete unless you decide to drive “The Boulevard”.

History

As far as landmarks go, natural or structural, Skyline Parkway has the distinct honor of being the oldest. It began as an idea in the mind of William K. Rogers, who became the first president of the Duluth Park Board. He saw the beauty and scenic vistas from high above Duluth, and had a plan for a roadway. When Glacial Lake Duluth crossed over this region, it left behind a natural, level grade along the hillside. Between 450 and 600 feet above lake level, it was perfect for a roadway and parks. Rogers knew it would take a lot of manpower and money to cut a roadway.

The project began in 1889, and a fully functional five mile stretch was completed in two years. What a grand boulevard it was! It was initially called Terrace Parkway, later to become Rogers Parkway. Sadly, monies and the passion for continuation of the boulevard ran out. William Rogers passed away shortly thereafter, and all was forgotten for quite some time.

Enter Samuel Frisbee Snively, who began a law firm in Duluth in the late 1890’s. He dabbled in real estate and surveying, and decided to run for mayor in 1921. He won, and held the office until 1937, the longest running mayor in Duluth’s history. The boulevard and the many parks along the way held a fascination for him; so he made the parkway one of his major projects. With much of his own money, donations from businessmen and state money, the 25 mile roadway was completed in 1929. Snively even paid laborers out of his own pocket at times, and would give them food and wood to burn.

As the popularity of the scenic drive soared, a new name was sought. Skyline Parkway was chosen by having a Duluth Newspaper naming contest. Events called “Talley-Ho’s” were a wonderful way to see the sights. People would dress in their finest and ride along in a caravan with horses and carriages.

Skyline Parkway – An Amazing Drive

The eastern section is called Seven Bridges Road, and begins a block east of 60th Avenue East and Superior Street at Lester Park. The bridges are all made of native rock by the Morrel and Nichols architectural firm. The road winds above Amity Creek, the reason the bridges were constructed. Samuel Snively extended a portion of the road to reach his 400 acre farm in the Amity Valley.

As you drive along this romantic and peaceful roadway, you will see many parks and rest stops, perfect for photos and picnic lunches. Enger Park and Tower, Chester Creek Park and Lester Park are the most visited. Towards the western edge of the parkway, there is the Thompson Hill Travel Information Center, just above I-35 on your right as you enter Duluth from the Twin Cities. This is another view that you need to see for yourself. Inside the facility, they will answer all of your tourism questions, but is not open in the winter.

Skyline Parkway is also easily accessible as you drive along I-35 from the south. Take the Boundary Avenue exit and turn right. The western end of the parkway goes past the Spirit Mountain Rec Area and continues as a gravel road until you reach Becks Road. That is the western terminus. The boulevard once extended five more miles, but there were many washouts and bridge repairs that the city of Duluth couldn’t afford.

Enjoy the drive and the views along the amazing Skyline Parkway. Be sure to take a few hours to take in all the sights. It would also be a great idea to pack a picnic lunch to feast on at one of the many parks. This is one of the Duluth Attractions you won’t soon forget!

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If you ask any Duluthian, “Where’s the action?” They will tell you: Canal Park! It’s the area just east of, and basically part of, downtown Duluth. If you look for the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, you will be headed in the right direction. Along the main drag, there is an eclectic variety of shops, restaurants, and things to do. One of the highlights is simply walking along Canal Park Drive from beginning to end. In the area, you will come across unique gift shops, ice cream and fudge shops, antique stores and restaurants galore. Just across this road to the east are many five star hotels located along the Lakewalk and Lake Superior, with stunning views of the lake.

Canal Park Attractions

Dewitt Seitz Marketplace is a historic building that holds 11 shops and restaurants. Two of the most frequented are the Amazing Grace Café and Hepzibah’s Chocolate Shoppe. Gift and clothing stores abound, the rustic and natural woodwork is worth the trip inside.

Grandma’s Restaurant is a popular fixture in Canal Park. Besides being a wonderful place to dine and play all sorts of games, it is the main sponsor of the world famous Grandma’s Marathon, the 26 mile run from Two Harbors, Minnesota, to Duluth. It is held every June.

The Lake Superior Marine Museum is located at the base of the Aerial Lift Bridge; admission is free! An old fashioned popcorn wagon can be seen every summer near the museum. If you walk toward Lake Superior from the parking lot, you’ll find Crabby Bills, a snack shop that serves the public from an authentic fishing boat named the Nels J. A great spot to snap a photo!

Continue on and take a walk along the Pier and watch the freighters come in to port. The Aerial Bridge will sound its horn after the ship announces its’ arrival. A short sequence of horn blasts follow between the captain and bridge operator. Towards Lake Superior, along the canal, the lighthouse at the end of the pier was built in 1909, three years after the bridge was completed.

Summertime in Canal Park has many more fun options to offer. For instance, there are two carriage ride services available. Both Top Hat Carriage Rides and River’s Bend Carriage Services run from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can rent a horse drawn carriage for a fee; the rides run from half hour to a full hour long. The carriages navigate directly alongside vehicles, with the horses amazingly calm and steady. Evenings are especially popular for the carriage rides, in part thanks to the amazing and beautiful Duluth Lift Bridge having a golden glow from the lights that are strategically placed nearby.

Wheel Fun Rentals, a business that rents unique pedal-powered vehicles, is always busy and hopping! There are Surrey quadricycles for rent. They also rent out coupes and bikes; they all can be seen daily scurrying along the Lakewalk. Rentals run from $8 to $16 per hour and they are a perfect family fun thing to do.

One of the most popular ways to see the area in a different way is by taking a tour on a Vista Fleet Duluth Cruise. They offer 1½ to 2½ hour narrated boat cruises. The basic cruise offers a tour of the waterfront, St. Louis Bay and travels under the Aerial Lift Bridge into Lake Superior.

As you take your time and sight see in this busy part of Duluth, you will come across many other surprises. Many sculptures can be seen that were created by artists in Duluth’s sister cities from Russia, Japan and Sweden. The USS Sundew tug was an icebreaker on the big Lake for many years and has come to rest near the SS William A. Irvin, a ship and museum that is a popular stop for tourists.

Very close to the huge William A. Irvin is the DECC (Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center). There are several unique events that are held in this huge complex yearly. Within this area, there is a movie theater called the Marcus Duluth Cinema (formerly known as the Duluth 10). The Duluth Omnimax Theatre is also located within the DECC area.

There is so much more to see when you take the time to visit Canal Park in Duluth. A couple of days may not even be enough time; you will probably leave this fascinating area wondering if you’ve seen all it has to offer! A great way to help fix this problem? Just stay in one of the great Canal Park Hotels for the duration of your stay!

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One of the most photographed landmarks in Duluth, or all of Minnesota for that matter, is the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. A clearance of 180 feet is attained when the span is completely raised. The span length is 386 feet and weighs approximately 900 tons! The bridge is very similar to the only other one of its kind in the world, which is in Rouen, France.

Aerial Lift Bridge History

The mammoth steel and cable structure was completed in 1905, making it over 100 years old and the oldest of all structural landmarks in the city. On June 6, 1973, the Aerial Lift Bridge of Duluth was entered in the National Register of Historic Places. It connects the “mainland” with Minnesota (or Park) Point, a five mile long sandbar. Initially, the bridge was called the Duluth Aerial Ferry Bridge. At that time, the bridge had a high clearance to let boats pass and a cable car attached to the underside of the top truss, and a few hundred passengers, wagons, and even automobiles could be carried back and forth across the canal in about one minute.

But then, with heightened demand due to additional automobiles, more people living on Park Point, and more tourism, the bridge needed an upgrade. Reconstruction began in 1929 and lasted only one year. In that time, a new flat deck was built to span the length of the bridge. Because the deck was to be lifted for boats, the top span was raised so that the big ships could still use the canal. There was also work done on both sides of the bridge to support the added weight and dynamics. With all these changes and a usable road across the bridge, its name changed to the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Operation

The Duluth Bridge is operated 24 hours a day, with skilled people at the helm. The bridge is raised and lowered for iron ore and cement ships, sailboats, and excursion tour boats. In the busy seasons of spring and summer, the bridge averages 26 lifts a day. Decades ago, pedestrians were able to ride on the bridge when it was raised. But, this was outlawed in the early 1980s after a horrible accident that claimed the life of a woman when she was crushed by the steel bridge.

The bridge operation is primarily through electric power derived from storage batteries that are charged by generators. If power lines fail, the generators can be operated by a diesel engine. There are two 450 ton concrete block weights on each end, lifted by electronic pulleys to raise and lower the bridge. It is an incredible feat, and a very good reason in itself to come to Duluth to watch the whole operating process.

Maintenance

The ship canal piers were rehabilitated in 1985 with steel pilings and new concrete caps. The elements of furious Lake Superior storms, ice fields, errant ships, and extreme temperature changes have created many structural problems. The bridge, as it is today, has been repainted three times. Every 18 years it gets a new set of 12 cables. There were flood lights added in 1968 and now has a wonderful golden hue at night when lit.

The North and South piers are photographed frequently by just about everyone who visits. It’s tough to leave with a bad shot of the bridge and surrounding area. Amazing pictures of the lift bridge in Duluth MN on postcards or in beautiful frames are not hard to come by in the Canal Park shops. Over the years, there have been hundreds of books and articles written about it. Local gift shops feature the Bridge in various forms, like key chains, knickknacks, puzzles and much more.

Watching a huge ship come through the canal under the Aerial Lift Bridge is an awesome thing to experience. The ships are really almost bigger than you could imagine and it’s just one of those things you have to see for yourself. If you have sensitive ears, a pair of earplugs wouldn’t be a bad idea either. It is customary for both the ships and bridge operators to greet each other with a series of horn blasts!

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