37 Fun Things to Do in Canal Park, Duluth in All Seasons
Are you looking for the best things to do in Canal Park?
From walking along Lake Superior to seeing the unique Aerial Lift Bridge and eating at the dozens of local restaurants, there are all sorts of activities for your visit.
Tyler and I have explored Canal Park many, many times over the years, as we grew up just an hour away. We visit Duluth at least once a month. and in that time, we’ve found our favorites in this Duluth neighborhood and want to share them all with you!
In this post, we’ll be sharing the best activities in Canal Park, so you know exactly what to do for your visit (Spoiler alert… my favorites are numbers 10, 14, & 31!).
Things to Do in Canal Park
1. See the Aerial Lift Bridge
The most iconic part of Canal Park is the Aerial Lift Bridge, so during your visit, of course you’ll need to make a stop to see it.
This is one of the only working lift bridges in Minnesota. It lifts throughout the day to let ships pass underneath.
You can also either walk or drive over the bridge, which is kind of a unique experience!
2. Walk the Lake Walk
This beautiful walking path leads along Lake Superior from Bayfront Park to Brighton Beach.
It’s a long, 8-mile, paved trail. The entire trail is beautiful, as it winds along Lake Superior. And there are quite a few places to stop as you go, like the Portland Malt Shoppe.
3. Swim at Park Point Beach
There aren’t many sandy beaches on Lake Superior, especially near Duluth. Which is what makes Park Point Beach so unique.
Park Point Beach is found on the other side of the Aerial Lift Bridge just a few miles down.
It always shocks me because it almost feels like you’re at the ocean. The soft, sandy beach is beautiful and is nice to either walk along or swim at, although the water is super chilly all year round.
4. Visit the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
There is a ton of history to be learnt about Lake Superior, and you can learn pretty much everything you need to know at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center Museum.
You’ll learn history about Lake Superior as well as the other Great Lakes, and there are exhibits that tell about the past, present, and future of the area. Plus, admission is free!
5. Grab Ice Cream
If you’re anything like Tyler and I, then getting ice cream when you’re visiting somewhere is a must. And Love Creamery in Canal Park is one of the best places to get it.
They handcraft small batches of ice cream daily and have a few different flavors everyday. One of my favorite flavors has been Raspberry Truffle, although they change often so they may not have this when you visit!
6. Jump at Adventure Zone
If it’s raining in Duluth or you just need somewhere to take the kids to get some energy out, Adventure Zone is a great choice.
Here you’ll find trampolines, laser tag, mini golf, and more to play on.
And don’t get me wrong, this place is great for kids, but Tyler and I have spent our fair share of time here as well (as adults!).
7. Enjoy a Nice Dinner at Va Bene
Canal Park has dozens of really great restaurants, but one of our favorite nice places to eat is Va Bene.
While the Italian food is amazing (my favorite is the gnocchi), the views are almost better. It’s located right on Lake Superior above the Lake Walk, so you can look out at an amazing view while you eat.
8. Visit the William A. Irvin Ship
If you’ve ever been down towards Canal Park, you’ve definitely seen the giant red ship sitting on the shore. That’s the William A. Irvin.
You can actually go inside and explore it on a tour. It once sailed on Lake Superior, and now you can learn about the history of the ship, how it forged its way through the Gales of November, and was the first of the U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet.
If you’re visiting Duluth in the fall, then you can check out the William A. Irwin when it’s been turned into a haunted house. This is a lot of fun – one of our favorite haunted houses in the state!
9. See the Duluth North Pier Lighthouse
One of Tyler and I’s favorite laid back ways to explore Canal Park is to visit the North Pier Lighthouse. This is the lighthouse that you see just off shore when you’re in the center of Canal Park.
You can walk along the breakwater straight out to the lighthouse, which is always fun because it’s further away than it looks! Plus, in the colder months, the waves can make for a fun dodging game. Try not to get wet!
10. Visit Bentleyville
If you’re visiting Duluth in the winter, then you can’t miss Bentleyville.
This massive light festival is found in Bayfront Park. There are millions of colorful lights to walk through, take pictures in front of, and enjoy.
And my favorite part is that there’s free cookies, hot cocoa, popcorn, and marshmallows to roast while you enjoy the holiday lights!
11. Go Ice Skating
One of my favorite past times – I grew up figure skating. So going ice skating in Canal Park has always been fun.
There’s usually an ice rink in Bayfront Festival Park, where Bentleyville is, after the holiday season. You can also occasionally find open ice at the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center.
12. Take a Scenic Flight
While this one takes a bit more planning, taking a scenic flight or helicopter ride over Canal Park sounds even dreamier than being on the ground.
You’re able to see the lake, the lighthouse, all of the outdoor spaces in Canal Park, and more. This is really an experience that most people never get to have, so take advantage of it if you’re able to book a flight for yourself!
13. See Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum
This is a pretty quick stop, to see Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum, which sits right out in Lake Superior, just off the shores of Canal Park.
It’s basically a large cement structure that people theorize about what it was used for. In reality, it was used as a sand and gravel hopper back in the early 1900s.
People now sometimes use it as a cliff jumping spot (I don’t recommend this), and others just check it out from shore.
14. Take a Carriage Ride
You’ll often see horse drawn carriages strolling through Canal Park, and lucky for you, you can actually hop on one and take a ride!
This is perfect for a romantic night out in Duluth, or a family afternoon spent seeing this fun area of Duluth in a brand new way.
You’ll find these carriage rides right down in the main parking lot in Canal Park, near the lighthouse.
15. Watch a Hockey Game at the Amsoil
If you’re a hockey fan like I am, watching a UMD Bulldog game at the Amsoil is one of the best things to do in Canal Park.
Both the men’s and women’s teams play here, so there are games all the time, and both are such fun, action-pacjed teams to watch. So you’ll really never be disappointed by snagging tickets to a game!
16. Listen to Music in the Park
There’s something about live music. And in Duluth, you can find it in most breweries, some bars and restaurants, and at other places like Chester and Lincoln Parks.
Throughout the summer, there is live music weekly in these parks, and it’s completley free to attend! Plus there’s usually a food truck to grab some dinner.
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on!
17. Grab a Drink at a Brewery
If you’re a fan of breweries, then you’ll find plenty to do here in Duluth, because there are quite a few of them.
One of the most popular is right in Canal Park – Canal Park Brewing Company. But you’ll also find Hoops Brewing Company and Vikre Distillery nearby.
If you want to venture just a little bit further out, Blacklist Brewing Co., Fitgers, and Bent Paddle are also great places to stop for a drink.
18. Stop at the Rathskeller
The Rathskeller is a pretty unique speakeasy. It’s underground and has a dark vibe that you really can’t find anywhere else in Duluth.
You can try their cocktails, craft beer, and other drinks. They don’t have food, but it’s a great place for an adults night out.
19. Bring the Kids to Playfront Park
Have little ones? Take them to Playfront Park for a while – which is found right in Bayfront Festival Park, just outside of Canal Park.
It’s Duluth’s largest playground, so there is tons to do here for kids.
20. Attend Duluth Winter Village
If you know anything about me, you know that I love a good Christmas market. And the Duluth Winter Village is a SUPER cute little market right at the DECC.
It’s always on the first weekend in December, and there are tons of local vendors selling handmade gifts, delicious food, and my favorite – a cup of warm cocoa.
One of my favorite parts is alwys that it’s right across from Bentleyville, so you can plan a full Christmas day in Duluth really easily.
21. Go Shopping
There are quite a few small shops in Canal Park that you can wander through and find unique trinkets and things to take home.
My personal favorite shop is Northwoods Confections & Gifts. It’s a really cute store with lots of cute home decor, which is my favorite.
Then, Duluth Pack is next door, and my favorite thing to do is shop and then go grab a treat at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory a block down.
22. Climb at Vertical Endeavors
If you’ve never given indoor rock climbing a go, you definitely should! I’ll warn you – it’s tough and you’ll be tired afterwards. But it’s so much fun!
And Vertical Endeavors is a really great place to start because they have tons of climbs for beginners and advanced.
23. Eat Lunch at Northern Waters Smokehaus
Northern Waters Smokehaus is one of my all time favorite lunch stops in Duluth. They have freshly smoked deli meat and make amazing sandwiches.
My favorite is the Clubhaus, but they have tons of options. It’s the perfect mid-day stop, since it’s found right in Canal Park.
24. Visit the Great Lakes Aquarium
I don’t know about you, but when it’s a rainy day in Duluth, the last thing I want to do is be outside in the cold. So I usually head into the Great Lakes Aquarium.
You can learn about the history of the area, plus about the life of Lake Superior and the other Great Lakes.
It’s a pretty cool aquarium with tons of exhibits. Plus the exhibits rotate throughout the year, so you’ll always have the chance to see something new.
25. Tour the Lake Superior Railroad Museum
If you’re a fan of trains, then the Lake Superior Railroad Museum might be just right up your alley.
They have a nice museum with information about the historic railways in Minnesota and around Duluth. They have locomotives, unique exhibits, and more.
Plus, you can always book a ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad and actually take a ride on a train a bit up the North Shore. There are classic rides as well as themed ones for the holidays.
26. Go on a Fishing Charter
I don’t see a lot of people talking about the fishing in Lake Superior, but it’s surprisingly pretty great! And there are a few fishing charters that you can head out on to experience it.
There are lake trout, salmon, and walleye that you can catch. It can be a pricy trip, but honestly, if you’re a fisherman, it’ll be well worth it to you!
27. Watch the Ships Pass Through
Something super unique about Duluth is the Aerial Lift Bridge and how it lifts up to let ships pass through. There aren’t many active lift bridges left in Minnesota!
So it’s always a treat to get to watch the ships pass under the bridge and see how tight of a squeeze it is to get through.
You can go into the Marine Visitor Center and ask for a schedule of the ships passing, or just look up ‘Duluth, MN Ship Schedule’ online and it’ll pop up!
28. Relax in a Sauna
The Cedar + Stone Nordic Sauna is the perfect spot to relax while you’re in Duluth.
There are quite a few different options like sauna and cold plunge, relaxing in the floating sauna, or taking a communal sauna.
Honestly, if it were a cold winter day, I would take advantage of this sauna to stay nice and warm before I explore the rest of Canal Park. Highly recommend!
29. Soak in a Hot Tub
If you’re up for a relaxing activity in Canal Park, relaxing in Pier B Resort’s outdoor hot tub is for you.
They have an amazing year-round hot tub that looks out over the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior. It’s great in the summer, and even better in the winter when you can see Bentleyville down in Bayfront Festival Park.
It’s really a great hotel, and I recommend checking them out for your stay in Duluth if you’ll be here overnight!
30. Try Blown Glass Art
Even just strolling through Lake Superior Art Glass is an experience, but if you’re able to book a class to learn to blow glass, even better!
You can take a class, learn to do the art, and then take home your piece to remember the experience! What a fun and unique activity in Canal Park.
31. Grab Barbeque at OMC Smokehouse
My favorite dinner spot near Canal Park is OMC Smokehouse – who have the most amazing barbeque.
My mom and I always share the Smoked OMC Plate and never choose anything besides the candied sweet potato bake and mac and cheese for our sides. To. Die. For. You have to try it.
32. Enjoy Coffee at Duluth Coffee Company
Of course, grabbing a cup of coffee at a local cafe should be on your list of things to do in Canal Park!
Duluth Coffee Company is the classic coffee roaster in Duluth, and they have tons of great drinks to try. I definitely recommend checking out their seasonal drinks!
33. Eat Breakfast at Lake Avenue
My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, and Lake Avenue has some of the best breakfast in Canal Park, and even all of Duluth.
They actually have brunch served until 2pm, and my favorite has always been their apple french toast. It is SO good, and filling!
34. Walk the Flower Gardens at Leif Erickson Park
Something my family did every summer while I was growing up was explore the flower gardens at Leif Erickson Park. It’s just a short drive from Canal Park and has much fewer crowds.
There are thousands of roses and other flowers planted here each year, and it’s just beautiful. You’ll even sometimes see a wedding taking place at the pavillion or a train passing below the walkway.
And one of the best parts is that the Portland Malt Shoppe is a super short walk away, and they have amazing ice cream treats.
35. Stay at a Waterfront Hotel
No surprise here, but Canal Park has tons of beautiful waterfront hotels that you can book a stay in during your visit.
I personally love Pier B Resort. It’s a short walk from Canal Park, but has amazing views of the Aerial Lift Bridge and Lake Superior, plus it has a hot tub that overlooks it.
But Lift Bridge Lodge is another amazing option that puts you right within walking distance of everything in the area.
36. Enjoy a Picnic
A great way to relax is to head down to the large grassy patch near Lake Superior and have a picnic. Bring a blanket, grab a sandwich from Northern Waters, and watch out for the seagulls.
It’s a really nice spot to watch the waves, maybe do a little people watching (one of my favorite pasttimes), and just enjoy the day.
37. Enjoy the Views
If nothing else, Canal Park is the perfect place to just sit back and take in the views. Sometimes Tyler and I will just park up on a bench and enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing in and the view of Lake Superior!
We’re pretty lucky to have this so close to home – so be sure to take advantage and enjoy the view of the Great Lake during your visit!
Conclusion: Canal Park Activities
All in all, Canal Park is a pretty incredible place with obviously so much to do! If you’re bored on your visit, you probably did it wrong.
I hope that this post was able to help you find some great hidden gems in Duluth, as well as maybe some of the most popular spots in the area as well.
