Major city · United States
Duluth
Give Duluth 2 nights: one full day for Canal Park and the lakewalk, one for the hilltop sights. Skip it if you want warm water or a beach holiday.
Duluth is a Lake Superior port of about 86,000 people built on a steep hill, 2 h 30 min north of the Twin Cities by car on I-35. The tourist core is compact — Canal Park and the waterfront district sit at lake level, while the mansions, Enger Tower and the colleges sit up on the hill. It is the western end of the North Shore Drive, so most trips use it as a base for the shore rather than a destination on its own.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the lake and the shore; late Sep–early Oct for fall colour
- avoid Jan–Feb (bitter windchill); the lake stays cold into June
- Airport
- DLH
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Duluth911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Duluth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDuluth is a low-crime city by US standards; the real hazards are weather and terrain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDLH Duluth International Airport (About 15–20 min by car from downtown, up on the hill; daily non-stops to Minneapolis–St.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical choice: the city is built on a hill and sights are spread along the shore and up top.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, before tax and tip$18–35
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–18
- BeerCraft beer at a taproom$6–9
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or mansion admissionGlensheen tours range from grounds-only to an expanded tour; check current prices.$5–26
- Budget bedHostel or budget bed, a night, per personUS$45
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$300
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DLH Duluth International Airport (About 15–20 min by car from downtown, up on the hill; daily non-stops to Minneapolis–St. Paul, Chicago and Detroit, with some seasonal routes (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Apr
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
May
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jun
Care
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Sep
Best*
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best*
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
not flagged
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
not flagged
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jul–Oct. Mixed: Jun. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)), coolest Jan (−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C) low), wettest Jun (13 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Duluth: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
5 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Mar
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
6 rd
Apr
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
8 rd
May
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
13 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Aug
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
11 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
8 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical choice: the city is built on a hill and sights are spread along the shore and up top. Canal Park and downtown are walkable between themselves. Duluth Transit Authority runs buses and trolleys; Uber and Lyft cover the Twin Ports, and local taxis run into Wisconsin. Bikes and scooters are available in summer, and there are paved trails plus a large network of mountain-bike singletrack.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Two Harbors and the North Shore
goDoor to door: Check current drive times
Drive north on Highway 61 along the lake
The classic half-day or full-day run up the shore; go early in fall colour season.
Jay Cooke State Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive south on I-35 then Highway 210
River gorge and swinging bridge; day-use hours apply, office hours are shorter.
Superior, Wisconsin
cautionDoor to door: 15–20 min
Drive across the bridge on US-2/US-53
Mostly a port and industrial town; worth it only for the waterfront and the twin-port view back at Duluth.
Ely and the Boundary Waters
overnightDoor to door: Check current drive times
Drive north on US-53
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep up there.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Canal Park
At lake level, walkable to the Lift Bridge, the Lakewalk and the aquarium; the most convenient base and the most congested in summer.
Downtown / Superior Street
Historic brick streets, restaurants and the Depot; a 10–15 min walk or short drive down to Canal Park.
East End / London Road
Glensheen Mansion, Leif Erickson Park and the rose garden; quieter, needs a car or bus.
Miller Hill / mall area
Highway-side hotels on top of the hill near the mall; cheapest beds, but you drive everywhere.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $120–200 excl. bed
- High
- $200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$180 | US$360 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$160 | US$640 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| Rideshare, Canal Park to Miller Hill1 × US$20 · check | US$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$112 |
| Trip total≈ US$308 per person per day, bed included | US$1,232 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Diner breakfast | $10–18 |
| Casual lunch or a burger | $12–20 |
| Sit-down dinner, before tax and tip | $18–35 |
| Craft beer at a taproom | $6–9 |
| Museum or mansion admissionGlensheen tours range from grounds-only to an expanded tour; check current prices. | $5–26 |
| Rideshare across downtowncheck | $10–20 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The lake can be cold or foggy any month; bring a layer even in summer.
- Winter driving on the hill can be slick; road crews salt before plowing.
- Canal Park traffic and parking get tight on summer weekends and during Grandma's Marathon.
- The S.S. William A. Irvin has been dry-docked for repair; check before planning around it.
- Some lakefront and state-park sites have seasonal hours; confirm before travelling.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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DuluthDuluth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Duluth; consulates are in Chicago and Minneapolis (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare, Canal Park to Miller Hill: about $20 (check)
- Rental car, one day: $45–110 before fuel (check)
- Drive, Twin Cities to Duluth: about 250 km (155 mi), 2 h 30 min on I-35about 155 mi (250 km), 2 h 30 min on I-35
Say or show
- Where is the Lakewalk? — Where is the Lakewalk?
- Is the Lift Bridge up right now? — Is the Lift Bridge up right now?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there parking near Canal Park? — Is there parking near Canal Park?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Duluth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the lake and the shore; late Sep–early Oct for fall colour · avoid Jan–Feb (bitter windchill); the lake stays cold into June · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for DLH: last arrival options, rideshare coverage and a taxi fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Canal Park, downtown Superior Street, the East End mansions, and the hilltop parks.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket cutoffs (Glensheen, the Depot and railroad museum, the aquarium, Enger Tower).
- North Shore day-trip fixtures with drive times and seasonal closures.
Sources
- officialVisit Duluth
- officialCity of Duluth
- officialDuluth International Airport
- officialDuluth Transit Authority
- officialMinnesota DNR — Jay Cooke State Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Duluth, revision 5241071 (CC BY-SA 4.0)