Isle Royale Forums

Hello everyone. Hope you are having a marvelous week thus far. So my question to you is what do you think of Duluth, MN? I am from Chicago, and while it was always my intentions to get to the island via the Ranger III or Isle Queen IV, the Voyageur offers mid-island pick up and drop off which I find to be convenient while planning trips for next season that involve paddling in the middle of the island or in areas around Belle Island. Unfortunately, while the Voyageur offers conveniency around the island, its schedule and distance from my home offers the complete opposite. The Voyageur leaves to go to the island on Saturday which stinks because if I want to work a full week (Mon-Fri), then I am not able to begin my car travel until Saturday. Therefore, I do not arrive in Grand Portage until Saturday night. And as you know, the Voyageur does not depart on Sundays to the island, so I do get to leave on the Voyageur until Monday morning. No disrespect to Grand Portage, but I don't want to camp there for two night. On this particular occassion in September, the girlfriend and I are leaving to go to Mall of America on Saturday, staying the day there on Sunday, and heading over to Grand Portage Sunday evening. We will then be departing to the island on Monday morning.

In the future, I was thinking about skipping out on Mall of America to try something else. Should Duluth, MN be a prospect? I went there this past weekend, and while I did not have the opportunity to check out the entire city, I did have a look around half the downtown area. Honestly, it didn't seem like it was worth the visit even for a one day layover before traveling to Grand Portage. Don't get me wrong, the city on its hillside facing Lake Superior is absolutely breath taking. However, beyond its initial beauty, the town itself does not seem like it has much to offer unless you want to go to the Casio or hang out down by the docks near the lighthouse. In my short time there, it was sad to see that some parts of the city seemed intergrated with proverty. Several homeless or troubled looking people approached me asking for money. I helped all those that asked for money, but cannot say that it is something I would look forward to doing on my next vacation. I know that may sound shallow, for here I am blessed to be taking such vacations and travels, but it honestly makes my girlfriend uncomfortable to have people on the streets come up to us asking for money when they sometimes exhibit erractic tendencies in their behaviors. So long story short is there much going on in Duluth, MN?

fonix will have good info about Duluth. We have gone to the Great Lakes Aquarium (we liked it). I hope to do the tour of the Freighter docked near the Aquarium.

Is the freighter you are refering to the George Irvin or something like that? If I am not mistaken it has been out of comission since 1979. We passed by it while checking out the lighthouse and actually were at the wedding reception in the building located right next to it. I think the building was something called the DEC or DCC. I forget What did you like most about the aquarium? Are there many exhibits?

Rafiki wrote:Is the freighter you are refering to the George Irvin or something like that? If I am not mistaken it has been out of comission since 1979. We passed by it while checking out the lighthouse and actually were at the wedding reception in the building located right next to it. I think the building was something called the DEC or DCC. I forget What did you like most about the aquarium? Are there many exhibits?

I beleive it is the William Irving (?).
The Aqaurium has birds, a great fish exhibit.
I would like to do the Northshore Train sometime.

There are many things to do in the Twin Cities besides the mall. It's just a big mall.

Duluth is a great place to visit, too.

Tampico wrote:There are many things to do in the Twin Cities besides the mall. It's just a big mall.

+1 to that.

If you want to have a good time in the cities see if there is a concert playing in near downtown Minneapolis that you want to attend and get a hotel room there, it'll be MUCH more enjoyable than just hitting up the mall. Plus there are some absolutely great restaurants around Minneapolis.

I live just south of Uptown Minneapolis if you need any suggestions.

I've driven through Duluth. *cough*

Also notable is Bayfield, I would consider a day trip here before setting foot in the Twin cities anyday. Twin city urban stink hole ... did I just say that out loud? whoops..

You are finaly talking about something I know the answer to. The grand old lady(or gent if you prefer) SS William A. Irvin is a shade over 610 feet long. Her stern anchor weighs more then my whole boat. If yoo docked at Rock Harbor you would strech a third of the way to 3 mile. Or at least it would seem that way. I hate to see old ships go to the breakers so I was glad that she found a home. Richard

http://www.decc.org/william-a-irvin/

Here is her info link

Rafiki wrote:Honestly, it didn't seem like it was worth the visit even for a one day layover before traveling to Grand Portage.

If you think that the Twin Ports area of Duluth, MN and Superior, WI isn't worth a day, then you are doing it wrong

I live in Superior, almost literally a stone's throw from Duluth at times, and I've been here my whole life. I'm lucky to have traveled the world and have yet to find a place that can come close to what th Twin Ports offers (Portland is about the closest I can get).

Sorry if I sound heated about your statement...I'm not, I just want to defend my home turf as one of the most beautiful and active areas in the country.

Getting on with it...so you want to spend a day in the Twin Ports? What do you want to do? You were in the downtown area, which is geographically 1/116th of the area (Superior itself is 41 square miles). You have yet to scratch the surface.

Do you want to shop, since you want to go to the Mall of America (shudder) in the Twin Cities? Go to the Canal Park area, by the lift bridge, where the William A. Irvin is. Tons of shopping, including the very-awesome Duluth Pack store. The downtown area has a lot of shopping too, but then you can also head up Central Entrance to the Miller Hill area which has a mall and a lot of other shopping and restaurants. If you still want to shop, head up the expressway to Two Harbors (only a 20 minute drive at 70MPH), and shop 'til you drop at this hidden little town. You've probably been THROUGH Two Harbors, but if you haven't stopped...again, you are doing it wrong.

Don't want to shop? What to sight-see? Again, start in the Canal Park area, and go to the very awesome maritime museum. The stick around the canal and watch some giant-ass ships go by, only a few feet from your face (and try to race them down the pier...I bet you can't go faster than them). After that, go rent some bikes and bike the boardwalk along the lake. You can also walk it, but it's up to 6 miles now. Or jump in the car, and drive over the lift bridge and drive down park point to the end, then get out of the car and walk along the beach of the largest natural sandbar in North America. Skip some rocks, take a dip, or just catch some sun while you are there. Then head back to Canal Park and take a Vista Cruise around the harbor and lake and see some very awesome tugs, grain elevators, giant ships, and more.

At this point, your day is over. You've already filled it up with very awesome things to do. But if you want to spend another day in the Twin Ports and maybe do some urban exploration, then try this: start out going to Superior and touring the last whaleback ship in the world, then touring an old pine baron's 1800s manshion (this is a personal favorite of mine). While you are in Superior, drive a mere few minutes and tour the old Firehouse Museum.

While your in Superior, you can head further south and check out Pattison Park, with Wisconsin's largest waterfalls, or Amnicon State Park.

Before you leave Superior, I'm sure you'll work up an appetite, so stop in The Anchor for some of THE BEST BURGERS in the Twin Ports, and a little bit of nostalgic maritime artifacts as well (you'll probably see at least ONE of the old Voyageur II captains there). Or if The Anchor is too busy, the BEST PIZZA in the Twin Ports is ironically only one block away at the Thirsty Pagan Brewery.

Now that you've stuffed your tummy with delicious grub and seen some awesome sites, go work off those delicious empty carbs by hiking some of the 286-mile Superior Hiking Trail, which has many, MANY convienent entrances in Duluth. My favorite part is the Ely's Peak section. Or if you don't feel like working off the calories, then go and puke them up by riding a zipline or roller coaster that overlooks the harbor and lake at Spirit Mountain. WARNING: Alpine coaster is extremely addictive.

Oh, and then there's the food and beer. You can simply spend a day taking in a hell of a gastropub tour. Beer is my personal favorite thing ever, and living in the Twin Ports, there's no limit to a delicious pint. We also have some of the best restaurants in the country (chain restaurants are still mostly eschewed in our neck of the woods). Here's some favorites:

- The Brewhouse: Located in the historic Fitger's Brewery complex (with lots of shopping!), they have the best beer in the area. They also have a scrumptious menu.
- Thirsty Pagan Brewery: I've already mentioned this as the best pizza in the area, but they also have good beer and some really exotic ones too.
- Lake Avenue Cafe: Located in Canal Park, they usually carry some craft brews that don't feature their own tap room or pub (such as DuBrue)
- Canal Park Brewery: Also located in Canal Park, this joint isn't open yet (but will be in a few weeks), and I've had their beer. It's damn good.

I could seriously go on about the beer & food in the area. But I'll leave you with that to whet your whistle.

So yeah, if you think there's only a casino in the area...check some of this stuff out

I was waiting for that

I have not spent a lot of time in the area, but have always found it to be beautiful. Coming from a port city (Port Huron) I have always loved the fact that you have two cities and one of the busiest harbors on the great Lakes (still). And what a great view for someone who likes the lakes and ships. I would love to just spend the day along the shore watching the activity. Maybe someday.

On a side note, Port Huron got the designation as "maritime capital of the great lakes". I did not feel that was right (maybe at one time), but feel it should be Duluth/Superior and maybe include nearby areas in terms of shipping and ship building (Bayfield, Ashland in particular).

my two cents.

Good job fonix! Just got back from the Anchor Bar in Superior . Thirsty Pagan will have to wait til next trip up .

Fitzger for beer and oatmeal stout cake. glenshire mansion in Duluth 2 favs.
Spent 1/2 a day just walking around Glenshire great flowers stained glass and yard.
North shore something for every one Lots of short hikes Split Rock light house hike is short and sweet. Gooseberry falls has a nice short hike also.
Palisade head what a view north of Silver bay. Devils Kettle Falls in Judge Magney State Park nice hike along falls. Take the tram on top of Lutsen have lunch on top ride a mountain bike down or do the Alpine slide there. You could do some Kayaking there are places to rent or get reasonable guided trip. 1/2 day or full day. Lots small shops. We always stop in Beaver Bay at a agate rock shop. I never get
tired of going from Duluth to Grand Portage. Even though there is not much in Grand Portage I love the short hike up Rose Mountain what a view. The High falls is nice I been there twice once with high water once with medium water loved it. The old fort and museum good for some history. Also Great bike trail or roller blades along the Lake Superior . I would skip the Twin Cities and head to Duluth and check out the state parks and sites along the road from Duluth to Grand Portage. Enjoy the Drive. Someone once said getting their is half the fun.

brford wrote: Someone once said getting their is half the fun.

I believe it was Lewis or Clark who coined the phrase?

I believe it was Lewis or Clark who coined the phrase?

Thats because they had a good looking woman as a guide so they didn't have to ask dirrections Richard

Good one