The Perfect 3 Day Weekend Itinerary in Duluth, Minnesota

1/2/2024

Duluth, Minnesota, is one of the most popular cities for a quick weekend getaway. Located only about 2 hours from the Twin Cities and conveniently sitting on the shores of Lake Superior - the views of the lake are truly incredible. Plus, Duluth has a great local shopping scene, incredible places to eat, and an incredible amount of things to do - making it the perfect weekend destination! And to make things even easier for your next trip, we've created the perfect weekend itinerary for you below! ;)

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Our Essential Travel Resources :
There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. These are our favorite websites and resources to help you plan an incredible trip.

For flights, we recommend using WayAway or Hopper to compare the cheapest dates to travel to your destination.

Car rentals comparisons are best through Discover Cars - just make sure to bring your international driver's permit with you if you're heading somewhere international!

We always use AGODA for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform where you can compare the best rates.

To keep cell phone service if you're traveling internationally, we always use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

For fun things to do, we always recommend Viator to find the best tours in the area, otherwise Klook also does the trick, especially for tours in Asia.

Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use for travel insurance.

Lastly, my packing list for your international or domestic travels.

Planning Your Trip to Duluth

Duluth is an incredible place for a quick weekend getaway, whether in the winter or summer months. With plenty of things to do and many local places to eat, there's also an incredible amount of places to stay. On our most recent visit we stayed at Enger Lofts, and loved that it was in the heart of Lincoln Park - an area filled with local eateries and boutique stores. Not to mention the room and property itself was stunning. We've visited Duluth a countless number of times over the years, and to make your trip the best it can be there's a few things to keep in mind before you head to Duluth this winter!

Dress Warm - Duluth is located right on the shores of Lake Superior, so the wind and lake effect can make everything feel a bit chillier - meaning make sure to remember your layers!
Driving - Duluth is a very hilly city, so if you're visiting in the winter then it's important to keep some space between you and the car in front of you - if you're not used to driving in winter conditions then make sure to use common sense and not drive too fast or too close
Safety - generally speaking, Duluth is a very safe city to visit, however it's worth noting that just like any city it's important to use common sense - don't leave valuables in your car, try to avoid the downtown area late at night, and never jump into Lake Superior in the winter or try walking on the ice unless you're sure of the thickness

Book your stay at Enger Lofts here!

Our Weekend Getaway Itinerary

Day One :

Head to Duluth - from the Twin Cities it is about a 2 to 2.5 hour drive, we assume that most people head up for a weekend getaway on Friday after work, so we didn't plan too much for your first day!
Check into Enger Lofts - a unique property located in the heart of the Lincoln Park neighborhood (watch our full tour in the video below!)
Grab Dinner - there are plenty of places to eat in Lincoln Park, we would recommend trying out Corktown Deli & Brews, which has an excellent walleye fish and chips meal, we've also heard great reviews about the OMC Smokehouse, if you're looking for dessert try Love Creamery - they were voted the #1 ice cream parlor in the midwest in 2022!
Late Night - if you're interested in heading out afterwards, there's plenty of local craft breweries in the Lincoln Park neighborhood that are within walking distance of Enger Lofts - try Bent Paddle Taproom which is literally just across the street or a few of the other breweries just down the street like Ursa Minor Brewing or Wild State Cider

Day Two :

Grab Breakfast - my favorite place to grab breakfast in Duluth if you're looking for something healthy is the Juice Pharm, but if you're looking for something a little heavier then we recommend the Duluth Grill, which also serves up meals made from fresh, local ingredients
Head Outdoors - one of the reasons we love Duluth so much is the amount of state and local parks in the area! One of the most popular is of course Gooseberry Falls, which is stunning in the winter and summer months, however a personal favorite of ours that is much closer and quite a bit less crowded is Jay Cooke State Park - there's even a fun swing bridge for visitors!
Explore Canal Park - an iconic stop for anyone heading to Duluth is Canal Park, and fun fact this is even the spot Tyler and I got engaged! If you're planning to stop in Canal Park to explore for a bit, we highly recommend walking to the lighthouse (quickly in the winter so you don't get too cold), grabbing dinner at Grandma's, dessert at Love Creamery, and of course checking out the many local boutiques - if you're looking for something unique try stopping by Lake Superior Art Glass!
Late Night - like night one, if you're looking to have some drinks or stay out late, there's two breweries in Canal Park (Hoops Brewing and Canal Park Brewing Company) serving up some local, award winning craft beers

Day Three :

Grab Breakfast - located on the first floor of Enger Lofts is the 190 Coffee and Tea House, they have an incredible blueberry danish and great matcha tea!
Cedar and Stone Sauna - hands down our new favorite activity in Duluth, and a perfect activity for the winter months! You can either book a private or public sauna session, but we highly recommend trying to get in a session on their new floating sauna and cold plunge combo! It was truly an incredible 90 minute guided sauna experience, and if there's one thing you shouldn't miss on your winter trip to Duluth then this is it!
Grab Lunch - before you head home, we highly recommend exploring the Lincoln Park neighborhood - there are plenty of adorable boutique shops and yummy places to eat like Hungry Hippie Tacos and the Dovetail Cafe
Head Home - hopefully, you enjoyed your winter trip to Duluth and are already planning your next trip back! ;)

Want to add more to your itinerary? Check out our list of the 9 best winter things to do in Duluth!

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Minnesota State Parks Checklist

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A complete, alphabetical checklist of all Minnesota State Parks! A printable PDF version & versatile Google Sheets version to use on the go! Instant download as soon as you purchase. :)

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Minnesota's North Shore Ultimate Map

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A collection of 100+ our favorite finds throughout the North Shore of Minnesota. From popular spots to hidden gems, we've got a collection of parks, hikes, seasonal attractions, and foodie spots to make your trip to the North Shore the best it can be. Available for instant access on your computer or phone - it's perfect for planning your trip ahead of time or to use in real time while on the go to see what's closest to your current location! Each of these 100+ spots comes with a unique note with best tips for visiting (or things to expect) as well as our own photos. This purchase gives you lifetime access to our North Shore Ultimate Map - including any extra stops we add in the future! (Or any price changes.)

*Once purchased, you will be sent a PDF on how to access the map and provided access to the map with the gmail you use at checkout. In order to access the map, you will need to be signed in to the same gmail/google account email you used at check out. Please allow us up to 24 hours to give your email access to the map. We also recommend downloading the Google Maps app for the easiest way to access the map via mobiles while on the go!*

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Watch our adventures in Duluth here!