Walking the Shoreline of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota
Last week, I had the opportunity to travel to Duluth, Minnesota to present at the 2026 National Outdoor Recreation Conference hosted by the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP). The conference brought together outdoor recreation professionals, researchers, educators, planners, and public land managers from across North America to discuss the future of parks, recreation, tourism, conservation, and public lands.
I was honored to lead a panel discussion focused on the future of higher education and workforce preparation in outdoor recreation alongside Dr. Melissa Schnuck Weddell, Dr. Will Rice, and Kathryn Wrigley. I was also invited to participate in a second panel discussion examining the future of state parks systems across North America with Seth Taft (Wisconsin State Parks), Laura Preus (Minnesota State Parks), and Dan Roddy (Arizona State Parks). It was an incredible opportunity to represent Arkansas Tech University and the College of Research and Graduate Studies while engaging in conversations about the future of outdoor recreation, conservation, tourism, accessibility, and community well-being.
Of course, once the conference sessions wrapped up for the day, I also had the chance to explore Duluth itself... and honestly, it quickly became one of my favorite cities I have visited in a long time.
One of my favorite parts of my time in Duluth was simply taking off down the paved shoreline path from Canal Park and following the edge of Lake Superior. The crisp air coming off the lake felt incredible, and every few minutes I found myself stopping to take another photo or just stand there and take in the view. Between the rocky shoreline, the sound of the water, and the massive open views across the lake, it felt like the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
Along the way, I stopped at both the Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. Seeing those memorials in person added a reflective feeling to the walk. Combined with the beauty of the shoreline and the peaceful atmosphere along the lake, it became one of those experiences that sticks with you long after you leave.
Eventually, I made my way to Leif Erikson Park, where I spent some time climbing down onto the giant rocks along the lake. Honestly, that may have been my favorite part of the entire afternoon. The rocks were warm from the sun while the cool breeze coming off Lake Superior rolled across the shoreline.
I probably looked like a lizard stretched out on the rocks just soaking up the warmth.
Sitting there listening to the waves crash against the shoreline below me was incredibly relaxing. Between the sunshine, the fresh air, and the sound of the water, it was one of those moments where you just sit back and appreciate exactly where you are.
Exploring Canal Park and the Duluth Waterfront
Walking around the Canal Park area ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. I spent a good chunk of time following the boardwalk along Lake Superior and making my way toward the canal area, where you can get an up-close view of the lighthouses and the famous Aerial Lift Bridge.
The Aerial Lift Bridge is even more impressive in person than it is in photos. When large ships come through the canal into the harbor, the entire 900-ton roadway lifts straight up between the steel towers to allow ships to pass underneath.
What I found especially interesting is that the bridge originally opened in 1905 as a transporter bridge that used a suspended gondola to carry people and vehicles across the canal. It was later converted into the vertical lift bridge design in 1929 and 1930 and today stands as one of Duluth’s most recognizable landmarks.
I also enjoyed photographing both the Duluth Harbor North Breakwater Light and the Duluth South Breakwater Outer Light while walking the shoreline.
One interesting thing you notice near the boardwalk is an old concrete structure sitting just offshore in the lake. There are all kinds of urban legends about it, but it was actually part of a failed industrial unloading dock project started in 1919 and abandoned just a few years later in 1922. Today it simply sits there slowly being reclaimed by Lake Superior, adding even more character to the shoreline.
Overall, it was just a fantastic way to spend a few hours walking around, taking photos, and enjoying the atmosphere of Duluth.
Revisiting Vikre Distillery
While I was in Duluth, I made a point to revisit Vikre Distillery, which I had first visited a couple of years ago. Honestly, it might still be one of my favorite places in the city. I ordered one of their tasting flights and every single thing I sampled was excellent. I tried the cedar gin, strawberry rhubarb gin, Temperance River rye whiskey, and Sugarbush whiskey, and all of them were outstanding.
The cedar gin was probably my favorite. Something about the smell and flavor made me feel like a refined gentleman sitting in an old library overlooking the woods somewhere along the North Shore. It had this smooth, earthy character that perfectly matched the atmosphere of Duluth and Lake Superior. The strawberry rhubarb gin was also refreshing and surprisingly unique.
The entire distillery has a relaxed but classy atmosphere without ever feeling pretentious. It is the kind of place where you can slow down, enjoy a conversation, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind what they make.
Dinner at Fitger's Brewhouse
Another stop I really enjoyed was Fitger's Brewhouse, located inside the historic Fitger’s complex along the waterfront. As Minnesota’s oldest brewery, the place has a ton of character. I really enjoyed looking through the old photographs displayed around the building, and the entire atmosphere just felt authentic and comfortable.
I ordered the Nashville hot chicken, which was really good, but the stout was probably the highlight of the meal for me. Smooth, rich, and incredibly easy to drink. More than anything, it was just a great place to relax after a long day and somewhere I would absolutely return to if I found myself back in Duluth.
Ice Cream at Love Creamery
After wrapping up my final day in Duluth, I decided I needed a treat and stopped by Love Creamery in Canal Park. Honestly, this place was fantastic. I ordered their ice cream sampler flight, which comes with six different flavors. It was definitely a lot of ice cream for one person, but absolutely worth it.
My favorite was the blueberry crisp. That flavor was incredible. After that, I’d probably rank banana chip, chomp, and orange lovesicle as my other favorites. Everything tasted fresh and homemade, and you could tell they put real thought into creating flavors that were both unique and balanced. One thing I learned pretty quickly: the sampler flight is probably best shared with somebody unless you are fully prepared to eat an unreasonable amount of ice cream by yourself. After a long conference week, though, I was perfectly okay with that decision.
Other Things to Do Around Duluth
If you visit Duluth, here are a few other great places worth exploring:
- Enger Tower
- Glensheen Mansion
- Gooseberry Falls State Park
- Split Rock Lighthouse
- Jay Cooke State Park
Family-Friendly Places to Eat in Duluth
- OMC Smokehouse
- Canal Park Brewing Company
- Northern Waters Smokehaus
- Grandma's Saloon & Grill
- Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
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