Duluth sits at the western tip of Lake Superior, where the St. Louis River meets the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area. The city climbs steeply from the lakefront up a hillside, giving most of its neighbourhoods dramatic views of the harbour and the open water beyond.
The main draw is the lake itself and the rugged North Shore that stretches northeast toward Canada. Canal Park, at the base of the aerial lift bridge, is the tourist hub — restaurants, breweries, and the best spot to watch enormous ore boats pass through the narrow ship canal. The Lakewalk, a paved trail along the waterfront, connects Canal Park to the Glensheen Mansion, a handsome early-twentieth-century estate open for tours. The Duluth Depot, a magnificent 1892 railway station, houses several museums including an impressive collection of historic locomotives. The SS William A. Irvin, a retired ore freighter moored at Canal Park, and the Great Lakes Aquarium are both worth several hours.
Duluth is the starting point of the North Shore Scenic Drive along Highway 61, passing waterfalls, state parks, and small towns all the way to the Canadian border. The Fitger's Brewery complex on the lake shore anchors the city's strong craft-beer scene, and Ely's Peak offers the best view of the city and lake from above.