Where to stay, where to eat, and the best activities for a Duluth summer weekend!
Duluth with kids in the summer is one of our favorites in Minnesota and we keep finding more reasons to come back! From Lake Superior views to amazing local restaurants to hikes right in town, there’s so much packed into this city. It’s also super walkable in a lot of areas which makes traveling with kids so much easier.
We’ve spent a few long weekends in Duluth with our kids and put together this list of all the unique spots we loved. Save this for your next summer trip up here!
How to get there
Duluth is about 2.5 hours from the Twin Cities, so it’s an easy drive for a weekend getaway. There’s also a small regional airport if you’re flying in!
Related post: Must see stops along Minnesota’s North Shore
Where to stay in Duluth
Dragestil Aparthotel
We stayed at the Dragestil Aparthotel and could not recommend it more! The views and location are both unmatched. This spot is right next to the liftbridge and Canal Park, so you can watch the ships glide in from every window. Our kids were obsessed and so were we. Highly recommend unit 713-3 (the penthouse)!
River West
If you’re traveling with a bigger group, River West is the spot! It’s right at the base of Spirit Mountain which is perfect if you’re planning to spend time there (more on Spirit Mountain below) while still being a few minutes drive away from the center of Duluth. We stayed here in the winter and loved it, but it would be a great spot for summer too!
Things to do in Duluth with kids
Chester Park Hike
Chester Park is one of the prettiest hikes right and one of the best in Duluth with kids. We started and ended near the playground which made it so easy with kids. The walk follows the creek and there’s so much to look at along the way. It’s a great way to get outside without driving far from downtown, and the playground at the end is a nice little reward for the kids!
Time Out Sailing
If you do one big “splurge” activity in Duluth, make it a sailing charter with Time Out Sailing! You get to see Duluth from the water which gives you such a different perspective of the city. You can bring your own food and drinks which is a nice touch, especially with kids. Such a unique experience and our 1 year old even took a nap below deck!
North Shore Scenic Railway
Taking a train ride on the North Shore Scenic Railway is perfect for your train obsessed kids. We highly recommend booking the first class tickets in the dome which has A/C and includes food and drinks. It’s such a fun and easy way to see the area and it’s even a narrated tour!
Spirit Mountain
Spirit Mountain is a great way to get some big energy out. In the summer, they have an entire adventure park to keep everyone busy. The alpine coaster was the highlight for us. There’s also a ropes course, zip lines, mini golf, and more, so you can easily spend half a day or a full day here. The views from the top of the mountain are also unreal!
Lakewalk
The Duluth Lakewalk is a must when you’re in town! We loved strolling through the rose garden and stopping at the different beaches along the way. It’s totally free and you can do as much or as little as you want depending on how the kids are doing. Such a pretty way to spend an afternoon, and there’s something new to see around every corner.
Great Lakes Aquarium
The Great Lakes Aquarium is always a hit with our kids. We’ve probably been 3 different times now! You get to learn about the fish in the Great Lakes and all over the world which is so interesting. There’s hands on exhibits, animals, and even a cool treehouse slide. Plan to spend a couple hours here, especially if it’s a rainy day. Bonus points if you visit the playground outside too!
The William A. Irvin Ship
The William A. Irvin is a historic Great Lakes freighter docked right in Canal Park that you can actually tour. It was the flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet for 40 years and is now a floating museum. The kids absolutely loved walking around the ship for the self-guided tour and seeing everything from the engine room to the fancy guest quarters.
Local shopping
North and Shore has local up north gifts which are perfect for taking home or grabbing as gifts. They even have a little play spot for kids and it’s located in the same building (Enger Lofts) as 190 Coffee and Tea. We also love Free Air Life Co. It’s a fun outdoor adventure spot with things for both adults and kids. We got the cutest backpacks here for them!
Where to eat in Duluth with kids
OMC Smokehouse
OMC Smokehouse is amazing and you have to get the ribs! The bbq is great and the atmosphere is casual enough that it works well with kids. We always look for spots where our kids can be a little wiggly without feeling out of place, and this is one of those places. They don’t take reservations, so either arrive early or get ready for a wait.
Vitta Pizza
For a casual dinner, Vitta Pizza is locally owned and serves Neapolitan-style pizza. It’s so kid friendly which we always appreciate when traveling with little ones. They even gave them some pizza dough to play with which was fun!
Ursa Minor Brewing and Bent Paddle
Hot tip: breweries are so much easier than restaurants with little kids! Ursa Minor Brewing and Bent Paddle are two of our favorites in Duluth. Both have great outdoor areas, live music, and good food which is honestly the dream combo for a family night out. The kids can wander a bit and we get to enjoy a good beer. Highly recommend adding one (or both!) to your itinerary.
Northern Waters Smokehaus
Northern Waters Smokehaus is famous in Duluth and for good reason! They have the best house-smoked meats and fish that you can grab to go or eat there. We loved the sandwiches! They only take a certain amount of online orders, so if you really want to make this stop, I recommend to place your order in advance online. Otherwise, plan to wait in line in person.
Va Bene Caffe
For lunch, head to Va Bene Caffe for handmade pasta and some of the best views in Duluth directly overlooking Lake Superior. There’s something for everyone on the menu – even kids. Keep in mind, this is a nicer spot so it may not be for everyone, but we like to bring our kids to all kinds of places. Pro tip for a nicer restaurant with kids: book for lunch or an early dinner. It’s a bit more casual and usually less people. Highly recommend booking a table with a view in advance.
Duluth coffee and ice cream shops
Naturalight
Start your morning at Naturalight for coffee and a little shopping! This cute spot is right in Canal Park, so you can grab a coffee, browse the boutique, and maybe event spot a ship come in if you’re lucky. It’s the perfect first stop to set the tone for your Duluth weekend!
190 Coffee and Tea
190 Coffee and Tea is another coffee favorite of ours in Duluth! It’s located inside the Enger Lofts building and is another great spot to grab a coffee before browsing the other shops in the same building – more on those above if you missed it! Such a fun little stop to add to your morning.
Crank and Dasher
You can’t have a Duluth trip without ice cream and Crank and Dasher is the spot, especially if you’re doing the lake walk. Their handcrafted ice cream is delish and you get to enjoy it overlooking Lake Superior. This view is honestly incredible. There’s a few other shops to explore here and they even had some chalk, bubbles, and activities for the kids.
Love Creamery
Love Creamery has homemade ice cream and even has vegan options which is great for any dietary needs in your group. It’s the perfect way to end a day of exploring. or a quick stop after dinner at OMC Smokehouse.
Burnett Dairy Cheese Store + Ice Cream
Right at the base of Spirit Mountain you’ll find Burnett Dairy which is the perfect spot to refuel after all that mountain coaster fun! Grab some ice cream, pick up snacks for the rest of your day, or order pizza to dine in. It’s such a convenient spot to wind down without having to drive somewhere else, and the ice cream is so good.
Keep in mind, we did not do all of the things listed here in one weekend, this is the result of multiple trips to Duluth with kids! Truly one of the best vacation spots in Minnesota. Hope you have a blast!
