Things to do with children in Duluth
The Bear Trail at Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen in Knife River
So, you’re coming to Duluth eh? Well, let me round up a few recommendations for ya!
I am often asked about things to do in Duluth, so decided to formalize my recs here. These recommendations are centered around our core value- spending time in nature.
This post is primarily for those looking to spend quality time in nature with children ages 0-7ish. Of course, older children and adults would enjoy most the items on this list too! This is part 1 in a series of posts with ideas for spending time on Minnesota’s Scenic North Shore.
Things to do Outdoors
Brighton Beach No visit to Duluth is complete without spending an afternoon at the beach skipping stones, collecting interesting rocks, and wading in the water. Brighton Beach is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic on the shores of Lake Superior.
Park Point Beach While Brighton Beach offers a stony beach with classic Lake Superior Stones, Park Point Beach offers seven miles of sandy beach for exploration- the world’s largest freshwater sandbar to be exact. Fly a kite, toss a frisbee, take a cold plunge in the lake, and enjoy a sandy beach day. One of my favorite hikes in Duluth begins at the end of Park Point. Park at the airport and walk down the trail through a State Natural Area. Beware: lots of poison ivy on the trail in mid to late summer.
Lester River Loop This park, located near Brighton Beach, offers a nice playground and a 1 mile hike that is perfect for getting kids on the trail. While your child(ren) may need to be carried and/or take lots of breaks on that last quarter-mile, this loop will feel adventurous! Walk along cliffs, see some small waterfalls, cross the river on a bridge, and feel lost among the Cedar trees. There’s also a great swimming hole at Lester River if you are lucky enough to be here on a beautiful summer day.
The brutal last quarter-mile of the Lester River Loop (lol)
Biking the Lakewalk If your kiddos love to rip around like mine, there’s nothing more joyful than allowing them to bike on the Lakewalk. Miles of smooth trails along the Greatest Lake cannot be beat! Bike to the Portland Malt Shoppe, spend some time strolling through the Fitgers Complex, bike under the iconic Lift Bridge, or enjoy ice cream from Grandma’s.
Hike up Enger Tower Your children will feel like they are on top of the world at the top of Enger Tower. Enjoy panoramic views of the Twin Ports, ring the peace bell, and stroll the trails atop the hill.
Playfront Park I love a great playground, and this my friends, is a good one. Spend some time with your children playing at Playfront. Playfront is near the Great Lakes Aquarium and offers views of ships as they come into the Twin Ports.
Huldrefolk Trail
Huldrefolk Trail if you are visiting between mid-December and mid-March, do not miss this truly magical experience with your children. Follow a whimsical story as you hike on the Superior Hiking Trail (1/2 mile loop) complete with trolls, fairies, and so much more.
Great! Lakes Candy Kitchen Just 15 minutes up the shore is the magical village of Knife River. In Knife River you can stop and pick up smoked salmon at Russ Kendalls, perfect for a trail lunch or picnic on the beach. The Candy Store has a whimsical little bear trail that your kids will love. You don’t want to miss this stop, but be warned, they close on Christmas and don’t reopen until Easter. The Knife River Beach is also a great place for skipping stones and lounging in the sun. Something must be in the water in Knife River, because this community is something out of book.
Jay Cooke State Park The swinging bridge at Jay Cooke makes a nice stop on your way out of town if you want to really exhaust your children before a long drive home. Alternatively, can make a nice stop on your way up the shore to break up the drive. The swinging bridge is a hit. The Munger Trail goes through Jay Cooke and offers miles of paved biking! Hot tip: If you park where Hwy 210 crosses the Munger Trail, a short walk takes you to a beautiful bridge overlooking the St. Louis River. You can see the dam and this stop is especially glorious when the spring meltwaters are coursing through.
Spirit Mountain If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, don’t miss out on Spirit Mountain. With panoramic views of the St. Louis Estuary (the largest freshwater estuary in the world), a day at Spirit can’t be beat. For a spendy fee, you can also enjoy an alpine rollercoaster in the summer months!
Things to do with kiddos Indoors
Lake Superior Railroad Museum My family spends a lot of time here, a lotttt of time. Kids can crawl and scramble in train cars, pretend to be a conductor, whoop, holler, run around, and have a grand old time. This is basically a large, indoor space where kids can let their imagination run wild. Great for days when the weather outside isn’t cooperative, the Railroad Museum is a fun place for kids and adults to imagine life in a different time. To really put a cherry on top, make one of the train rides a memorable part of your visit to the museum.
Adults 14 and over – $14.00
Children 3 – 13 – $7.00
Children 2 and under – Free
Museum membership 50% off with a ticket to the musem.
Hot tip: the $85 membership for the year will get a family of five into the museum + tickets to the North Shore Scenic Railroad
Great Lakes Aquarium Watch otters play, giant sturgeon sleepily roam around their large tank, an eagle, a shark, and much more! Your children will love all the enrichment opportunities the GLA has to offer. There’s a slide that will occupy kids for at least half an hour. Most importantly, at the end, there’s a large, wet, watery play experience that kids go crazy for. It can be helpful to bring a change of clothes in case your kiddo gets too wet! A visit to the aquarium is on the spendy end of things.
Adults: $20.00
Seniors 62+: $19.00
Children (age 3-17): $16.00
Children 2 and under FREE!
Family membership: $105
Little Neetchers Play Cafe If your kids are under 5, and you just need an easy place to go so you can enjoy some coffee while your kids expend some energy, this is your place.
Adventure Zone offers a lot of fun activities if the weather outdoors is not cooperative. Great for slightly older kids, enjoy rock-climbing, mini-golf, arcade games, giant bounce houses, laser tag, and more!
Beware the Giant Troll on the Huldrefolk Trail in Knife River.
Shameless Plugs:
Make a sauna part of your weekend experience with Stacy and Silver Creek Sauna Co!
