Trifter

Duluth. What a city.

For starters, Duluth’s unique and incredible skyline is not only beautiful, but interesting. High, steep hills surround both the city of Duluth and the shores of Lake Superior, a perfect setting for a Sunday drive that will leave you breathless from too many “oooohs” and “aaaaahs.” If you drive into town on Highway 35, be sure to stop at the Thompson Hill Rest Area which has an “eye-candy” bird’s eye view from a scenic overlook. You can see Duluth, ore trains, huge grain elevators, ocean-going boats, and the many spectacular bridges that criss-cross the canal, river, and harbor.

My over-the-top favorite bridge is the landmark aerial lift bridge, which is Duluth’s dramatic boat entrance into the harbor. It spans a man made canal and joins a narrow penisula of land to the mainland.

Image via Wikipedia

What makes this bridge so interesting is the viewing area built around the bridge where you can go to watch huge, ocean going vessels that are 1,000 feet long pass through the canal and under the raised bridge. The bridge raises straight up and down letting boats pass underneath, so it is very unique to watch. As the boat begins it’s entrance into the canal, it blows it’s ear-splitting horn. The bridge answers back with it’s own horn. So, if you have a young child, I’ll warn you…the sudden, unexpected loud horns can scare pretty easily.

If you are wanting to see one of the larger ships come or go through the canal, the times are posted and updated at www.duluthboats.com, or there is a museum next to the bridge that posts the time on numerous screens. By the way, the museum is free and well worth popping into to see the model boats and history of the area. 

Image via Wikipedia

Image by Mykl Roventine via Flickr

If you have kids, you must remember to bring a loaf of bread! Whatever for? To feed the seagulls! These birds can easily catch the bread tossed in the air, and there are so many of them it gets rather exciting. Of course, the last time I went, the back of my pants got pooped on.

You can walk along the canal to a lighthouse that sits on the very end. What a beautiful area. You can also walk directly under the aerial bridge while it is raising and lowering, a slightly eerie feeling. And of course, you can drive or walk across the bridge out unto the peninsula. If you follow the road to the end of the peninsula, you will find another park. I’ve been there in the winter when the bay has frozen over and snowmobile races are happening on the ice of Lake Superior. Fun!

There are other things to do in the immediate area of the bridge: Horse drawn carriage rides, a long, gorgeous boardwalk, tons of little shops, and plenty of hotels.

Parking at the canal park costs about $1.25, and though it can seem crowded, I have always found room to park. 

So for sure, if you find yourself in Duluth, visit Canal Park and the Aerial Lift Bridge! It is one of Minnesota’s best spots.

Other Travel articles :

• Visit The World’s Largest Aquarium
• Catch sharks and eat cereal on the beach at Cape Canaveral National Seashore
• Crater Lake
• Look for unique water towers like Paul Bunyan’s Fishing Bobber, or the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle