Grab your binoculars and go birding!

Duluth has a lot to offer birders so be sure to pack your binoculars.  The end of September is one of the best times of year to visit the Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory. Check out the North Shore Birding Trail and 365 Days of Birds for lists of a variety of birding other locations.
 

Play a round of Golf?

A few place in the area to play a round of golf or 2!

Duluth Golf at Enger Park and Lester Park

Grandview Golf Links in Duluth


Black Bear Golf Course in Carlton, MN

Nemadji Golf Club in Superior, WI

Lake Superior Zoo - fun for all ages!

Not only does the zoo have animals, it also is just a lovely place to take a walk along its trails featuring rock work done by the W.P.A. in the 1920s. There are some great animals to see, too, including lions, lemurs, colobus monkeys, wallabies, nocturnal and barnyard animals, and more!

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm seven days a week and admission is reasonable.

Click here for more information on their homepage: http://www.lszooduluth.org/

City Parks, State Parks, National Parks - oh my!

Duluth and its environs are known for their natural beauty and luckily many of the most beautiful spots have been preserved for everyone to enjoy with the creation of city, state, and even national parks.

Duluth lists 80 parks alone; some of the best include the Rose Garden if you wish to see breathtaking floral beauty, Brighton Beach if you wish to get close to Lake Superior, Hawk Ridge if you wish to see migrating birds, or Congdon Park if you wish to hike along Tischer Creek (which enters Lake Superior at Glensheen Mansion).

Click here for a complete listing as well as addresses and maps: http://www.duluthmn.gov/parks/parks-listing/

As far as state parks, there are 8 of them north of Duluth along Highway 61 to the Canadian border. They have spectacular hikes and views of waterfalls, Split Rock lighthouse, and of course Lake Superior.

Click here for a map and more information: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/map.html

Duluth is also reasonably close to Voyageurs National Park and Superior National Forest, which contains the Boundary Waters Area Canoe Wilderness. Click on their names for more information on those if you are interested in getting seriously back to nature!

5K on the Lake Walk

Early morning Run or Walk @5:30am to see this!

Meet by parking lot (Free Parking)
by Endion Station (close to Canal Park Lodge)
Please bring a headlamp, it will be dark when we start!

Thursday:Carla Powers

Friday: Jodi Grebinoski

Vista Cruise - ride the waves!

See Duluth and its harbor from a completely different vantage point - the water! The Vista fleet has three different sightseeing cruises as well as brunch, pizza, and dinner cruises available. Choose one that fits your timeline and budget. The boats depart from just behind the DECC next to the little blue pedestrian lift bridge.

Click here for more information on their homepage: http://www.vistafleet.com/

Spirit Mountain Adventure Park

Check out  Spirit Mountain Adventure Park!

Mini Golf, Alpine Coaster, Zip Line, Scenic Chairlift Rides, Disc Golf
and Alpine Coaster Rides. Woo-hoo!

Walk Duluth!

Healthy Duluth Area Coalition and the Greater Downtown Council have put together this great site called Walk Duluth!

Enger Tower

Enger Tower and Peace Garden have terrific views. Free!

Take a self-guided walking tour

Do you enjoy historic architecture? Duluth has many beautifully preserved historic homes, and the Duluth Preservation Alliance offers a free download of their East End Walking Tour Book.

Outdoor & FREE fun with the kids

  by  ajburcar 

Here in Duluth we spend as much time outside as possible.  Here are my top three outdoor and free places to take the kids. -- Sunshine Carter, UMD, Reference & Electronic Resources Librarian

Playfront Park:  Located near Bayfront Park & the Great Lakes Aquarium.  Offers three areas of play, each geared towards a specific age range.  In 2010 the old wooden structures were removed and replaced with new and accessible equipment. Click here for the location.

Minnesota Point:  All along Minnesota Point (aka Park Point), on the lake side, is a wonderfully soft sanded beach.  Entry points to the beach are near the canal, near the Franklin Tot Lot, at the end of Park Point and at various other poorly marked access points.  A great place to look for sea glass, drift wood or enjoy the lake life. Bathrooms are available at the beach house at the end of Park Point.  The Franklin Tot Lot entrance does have a port-a-potty, a small parking lot and is the most accessible way to the beach.  A favorite of our family in the summer.

Brighton Beach (Kitchi Gammi Park):  A nice little beach park just north of the city on the North Shore.  The highlight of this beach are rocks, rocks, rocks.  From large boulders to smooth pebbles.  Skipping rocks is a must!

Hawk Ridge and 7 Bridges Road

October is a good time to view migrating raptors at Hawk Ridge. Take the scenic 7 Bridges Road  which is part of Skyline Drive to Hawk Ridge.

View from Hawk's Ridge

 One of the Seven Bridges

Take a break and clear your head

You don't have to leave Duluth to enjoy nature. Take advantage of one of our beautiful public parks and gardens such as Enger Tower Park. Climb the tower for a spectacular view of the harbor. Or for something close to the DECC, the Rose Garden is just a short stroll up the Lakewalk.

Take a hike!

Chester Creek

Take advantage of our many scenic hiking trails around Duluth.