13 Hidden Gems in Duluth, MN That Locals Love to Visit

Planning a trip and are looking for the best hidden gems in Duluth to add to your itinerary?

Finding off the beaten path destinations is definitely one of the most fun parts of visiting somewhere. And from speakeasies to hidden nature reserves, Duluth has its fair share.

Tyler and I are big ‘hidden gem enthusiasts’ and are always on the hunt for local favorites. And as people who spend at least one weekend a month in Duluth, we consider ourselves local ‘enough’ to recommend some pretty great spots.

In this post, I’ll share some great hidden gems to visit while you’re in Duluth to truly get to know this amazing city!

Hidden Gems in Duluth, MN

1. Jay Cooke State Park

While I know that quite a few people may know that Jay Cooke exists, I rarely see people actually visiting!

Tyler and I have a huge love for Jay Cooke because of how unique it is from the other North Shore state parks.

It has a beautiful river with unique shaped rocks that shift through the river, and since there are so few people here always, you can really enjoy a lot of the park to yourself.

Plus, there’s a suspension bridge right as you enter the park which is beautiful. You can either

2. Chester Park

While there are a lot of different parks and nature areas in Duluth, few come close to Chester Park.

This spot is a bit more off the beaten path, but has so much nature to explore, just outside of the city, whether that be in the winter or summer.

There are endless hiking trails along Chester Creek, an alpine ski hill during the winter, and lots of beautiful spots to just enjoy the outdoors.

I have actually really loved going cross country skiing here in the winter, mostly because it’s a bit less busy than other spots around the area!

3. Lake Superior Railroad Museum

Trains are something that has always fascinated me, and I know I’m not alone in that. At the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, you can actually see trains up close and personal and learn about them.

It’s found in the Union Depot and there’s a huge collection of railroad equipment from the history of trains in Minnesota.

Plus, you can actually jump on a train for yourself and take a ride up the North Shore Scenic Railroad. My family did this when I was little, and it’s still one of my fondest memories.

4. Park Point Beach

I grew up never knowing that Park Point Beach existed, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I found this incredible sandy beach on Lake Superior.

It’s located on the other side of the Aerial Lift Bridge, just a few miles down Park Point.

And honestly, the first time that I saw it, I was thinking about how similar it looks to the ocean, since it’s a soft, sandy beach, up against the huge Lake Superior.

I brought my dog Bella and she loved watching the seagulls and walking along the water. It’s a beautiful spot!

5. Northern Waters Smokehaus

Looking for hidden gem food? My personal favorite is Northern Waters Smokehaus on the backside of the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace.

I grabbed my first sandwich from here a few years back, and I was so surprised not to see more people there!

It’s a small walk-up shop that serves freshly smoked meat and sandwiches. My favorite is the Clubhaus, but I’ve heard lots of good things about the Club Mariner and the Northern bagel.

6. Leif Erickson Park

While my family grew up visiting Leif Erickson Park, there was often far fewer people here than other places like Canal Park.

And I feel like it deserves more recognition! This park has a huge rose garden, pavilion for weddings, and lots of space to walk along the beach.

We often go and look for sea glass or just take in all of the smells in the rose garden!

7. Ely’s Peak and DWP Tunnel

I brought my dog Bella on this hike in Duluth a few years back, and we were the only ones on it, on a Saturday in June! If that doesn’t say how much of a hidden gem it is, I don’t know what will.

This amazing hike leads you up the side of Ely’s Peak, and once you’re at the top, you’ll have views for miles out into Duluth and the surrounding communities.

On your way up, you’ll also run into the DWP Tunnel, which is an abandoned railroad tunnel along the Superior Hiking Trail. You can walk through it during your hike!

8. Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum

This small spot can actually be seen while on the Lakewalk, but honestly, you may not get to see it up close.

Uncle Harvey’s Mausoleum is some sort of abandoned concrete structure sitting just off shore. Many people don’t actually know what the structure is.

Today it’s also known as ‘The Cribs’ and is mostly a spot for nesting birds. But some people swim to it to jump off of or just see it up close.

This can be very dangerous and isn’t recommended.

9. Tom’s Logging Camp

Ever wanted to know what it was like to live back in the logging days? At Tom’s Logging Camp, you can get an up close look at the history.

Here you can visit the old logging camp and explore a horse barn, blacksmith shop, harness shop, cook shanty, and more.

It’s a pretty unique spot and it honestly feels like you’ve stepped back in time while you’re there.

10. The Rathskeller

Speakeasies aren’t just a thing of the past, since there’s one right here in town. And it makes for the perfect spot to visit for a night out in Duluth.

The Rathskeller is located underneath The Oliver Inn near Canal Park, and this place seriously gives you the full experience of what speakeasies were like back in the day.

From the hidden entrance to the rock walls and dim lighting, it’s a really unique spot to grab a drink. They also have live music from time to time, which is a fun way to spend some time indoors while in Duluth.

11. Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

This unique spot is a great place to enjoy the outdoors with almost 5 miles of hiking trails and plenty of places to explore.

And the most unique part of this nature reserve is the high chances that you’ll spot a hawk during certain times of the year.

At the overlook of Hawk Ridge, you can see thousands of hawks migrating along the shore of Lake Superior each fall. There have actually been over 20 species of raptors and vultures migrating here!

It’s a really unique spectacle, and this is the best place to see those birds.

12. Helicopter Tour

I’m not sure why I’ve never known that you can take a helicopter tour over Duluth, which makes for the perfect romantic night out, or even just a perfect day activity for your family.

Seeing the sights of Duluth from above is something that most people won’t ever have the opportunity to experience, but you can totally do it during your visit!

I’ve been on several helicopter and plane ride tours over different places, and I truly think it’s a life-changing experience that makes you really appreciate where you’re visiting!

After all, everything is so small from up there, and you’ll really realize how amazing our state of Minnesota is!

13. Coney Island

Another off the beaten path food spot in Duluth is Coney Island, and no, I’m not talking about the beloved Taylor Swift song.

This tiny spot sells differnet coneys (sort of like a chili dog) and gyros. The menu is pretty small, but they’ve perfected their craft, and I mean, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it!

I love that they’re a family owned business and have been since the 1920s! I’d recommend getting a classic coney, but you really can’t beat anything on the menu.

Conclusion: Off the Beaten Path in Duluth, MN

While exploring popular places is a great part of visiting a new city, I think that touring the hidden gems is even more fun!

And boy does Duluth have it’s fair share of hidden gems to add to your must-see list. I hope that you’re able to pack your trip with some fun off the beaten path spots in Duluth, and enjoy your visit!