With its rocky cliffs jutting out over Lake Superior, this Midwestern city offers dramatic waterfront views despite its inland locale. Bordering the largest freshwater lake in the world, Duluth is one of the busiest ports in the country. Spend some time in Duluth, and you'll discover ample attractions and activities. Enjoy the city's top institutions, its revitalized lakefront, and its many parks, outdoor spaces and pristine forests—making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. So whether you’re looking for an active getaway or simply to unplug and unwind, make Duluth your next destination.

Weather

Locals like to point out that Lake Superior moderates the city's weather, making it cooler in summer, warmer in winter and subject to fewer storms than places farther from the lake. While moderate might accurately describe Duluth summers—average temperatures in July range from the mid-50s to mid-70s—the winters can be shockingly cold. Average lows in January, the coldest month, are a frigid -1.2, and daily averages stay below 33 from late November into early March. Prepare for snow from October through April, with a snow pack of 10-plus inches typical from January to March.

Attractions

Duluth's most famous landmark is the circa-1905 Aerial Lift Bridge, the biggest lift bridge in the world. Head to the waterfront to see its lower level rise 183 feet in a mere 55 seconds. Enjoy more of the lakefront with a stroll or bike ride along the 7.5-mile Lake Walk, which winds along the shore between Canal Park and Leif Erickson Park. Lake Superior also invites fishing, kayaking and cruises on the harbor. In summer, spend a day on the sandy beach and go swimming in the lake at Park Point Recreation Area. It's also a good spot for agate hunting, so keep an eye out for these natural souvenirs. Take the kids to the Great Lakes Aquarium, Lake Superior Railroad Museum or Lake Superior Zoo.

Industries

Traditionally an industrial city, Duluth now has a largely service-based economy. A commitment to beautification of the waterfront contributed to a boost in tourism, with Duluth now welcoming around 3.5 million people annually. Major service sector employers in Duluth are in health care and education. Technology and aviation are also significant, and manufacturing is seeing a resurgence. With the largest inland harbor in the world, Duluth ships 40 million tons of cargo a year, largely grains and coal.

Transportation

Duluth International Airport is served by Delta and United Airlines, with daily flights to Minneapolis and Chicago, and seasonally to Detroit. Duluth is the center of a network of roads both scenic and utilitarian. Among the latter is the I-35, which goes south through Minneapolis. Drive northwest on U.S. 2 to Grand Rapids, or southeast to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The North Shore Scenic Drive—State Highway 61—cuts between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains, through a spectacular wilderness marked by waterfalls and lighthouses, all the way to the Canadian border. Local transportation includes the Port Town Trolley, offering daily service from downtown to Canal Park in summer. To encourage walking during bad weather, downtown has a Skywalk, 3.5 miles of enclosed, climate-controlled walkways.