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A Lake Superior State of Mind

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Find your own little piece of paradise along the world’s largest freshwater lake

For some, the ideal vacation revolves around where (and what) they’re going to eat. For others, it revolves around visiting the area’s hottest attractions. Some want outdoor recreation opportunities; some want culture; others want shopping, shopping, shopping. There are those who want to do it all, and those who want to do absolutely nothing. No matter what kind of vacation you’re searching for, one of the quaint towns along Lake Superior will provide the perfect ingredients for an unforgettable getaway.


Photo courtesy of Visit Duluth/Seaquest
Photography

ESCAPE TO DULUTH

Whether you’re seeking solitude, family bonding, romance, or adventure, a trip to the North Shore is just what the doctor ordered.

Duluth, two and a half hours north of the Twin Cities, is a true escape for a day, weekend, or weeklong trip. Built into a steep, rocky hillside, the city overlooks the sparkling blue waters of Lake Superior.

Most visitors see the vista unfold as they crest the hill of Interstate 35, and what a view it is.

Gene Shaw, director of public relations for Visit Duluth, sums up the city this way:

“Duluth is a city of historic splendor and cultural grandeur—preserved so perfectly it’s as if time slipped by. It’s a quiet little coffee house or a hot new band in a cool new club. It’s galleries, antique boutiques worth rummaging through, out-of-the-way mom and pop shops, sculptures in gardens, and art everywhere you look. It’s a breath of fresh air.”

Invigorating fresh air and the liquid blue horizon of Lake Superior are best appreciated along Duluth’s three-mile Lakewalk. Stretching from 27th Avenue to Bayfront Festival Park, the paved path takes visitors past Leif Erickson Park, the Rose Garden, Canal Park, and area attractions and restaurants. Just steps from the Lakewalk is Fitger’s Inn and Brewery Complex, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once a functioning brewery, Fitger’s is now the site of several restaurants, retail shops, a brewpub, and Fitger’s only four-diamond hotel. Everything is conveniently located under one roof, within easy walking distance of Lake Superior. Rooms offer city or lake views, with optional amenities such as balconies, fireplaces, wet bars, double whirlpools, and skylights.

While visiting this pretty city, enjoy world-class opera in Canal Park, on the shores of Lake Superior.

“Minnesotans can now combine their passion for Lake Superior’s beautiful lakeshore with their passion for an opera of nationally-recognized quality,” says Craig Fields, general/artistic director of the Duluth Festival Opera.

After spending the day kayaking, shopping, harbor-cruising, strolling the lakewalk, site-seeing, or dining, take in a star-studded production of The Barber Seville in the Duluth Entertainment Center, or enjoy an elegant dinner/cabaret presentation of Side by Side by Sondheim at the Inn on Lake Superior’s Northern Lights Ballroom.

“This is a win-win for the culturally aware Minnesotan who wants an enriching musical/operatic experience along with blue waters, gorgeous vistas, charm, and the natural beauty in and around Duluth,” Fields says.

“Opera Weekender” packages are currently available, including lodging, kayaking, cruises, massages, chocolate tastings, and premium opera tickets, based on availability. See the resource guide for more details.

Glensheen Mansion - Photo courtesy of
Visit Duluth/Seaquest Photography

Another item on the “list of things to see and do in Duluth” is a visit to Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate, located just up the road from downtown Duluth (off I-35 on the shores of Lake Superior). The 39-room Jacobean-style mansion is open daily for tours during the summer.

“A Glensheen guest today experiences the same thing a visitor would have encountered in 1908, because nearly everything at Glensheen is original. From the magnificent furnishings to the top hats in the closet, this authenticity is a rarity in historic house museums, and gives our visitors a genuine feel for the opulence of Duluth at the turn of the last century,” explains Lori Melton, Glensheen’s director of marketing.

The estate features beautiful gardens, a carriage house with original carriages, a museum shop, stone bridges, and more. In addition to regular tours, Glensheen is hosting “Concerts by the Lake” Wednesday evenings throughout July and August, featuring the swinging tunes of the Jim Melde Big Band. The concerts will take place on the Carriage House Lawn.

There are plenty of dining options in Duluth, but one restaurant visitors will definitely want to try is Nokomis Restaurant, Bar and Wine Shop, located about 20 minutes from downtown Duluth on the shores of Lake Superior. Panoramic views of the lake can be seen from the restaurant, bar, and patio.

“Sipping a cool drink on the Nokomis patio and watching the big lake is about as good as it gets,” says Sean Lewis, chef and co-owner. “And then you can go into the dining room and follow up with a superb dinner.”

Nokomis offers contemporary American cuisine always changing to reflect what is fresh and best in season. The restaurant also carries over 130 carefully selected wines, with regular wine tastings and wine dinners offered throughout the year.

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