Fall in Duluth: A Great Time to Visit Lake Superior

Fall in Duluth: A Great Time to Visit Lake Superior

There’s something really nice about Duluth in the fall.

The air gets cooler, the hills start turning all kinds of shades of yellow, orange and red, and Lake Superior seems to get even bluer. It’s also a little quieter than summer, which makes it a great time to visit if you like taking your time and not having every minute of your trip planned out.

If you’re coming to Duluth this fall, here are a few things we’d put on the list.



Take a drive up the North Shore

You really can’t come to Duluth in the fall without spending some time on the National Scenic Byway (Highway 61).

The drive north is beautiful once the leaves start changing, and there are plenty of places to stop along the way. Check out the views along hiking trails like Bean and Bear Loop just north of Silver Bay, visit Split Rock Lighthouse or just pull over when a pretty view catches your eye.

You don’t have to drive all the way to Grand Marais to have a great day, either. 

There’s plenty to see within an hour or two of Duluth.

And if you’re looking for a great dinner after a day on the North Shore, New Scenic Café is worth a stop. It’s right along Scenic Highway 61 and is a nice way to end a day of exploring before heading back to Duluth.

Take in the view from Skyline Parkway

Duluth looks pretty good from above.

Take a drive along Skyline Parkway and stop at one of the overlooks to see the city, harbor and Lake Superior from a different perspective. When the leaves are changing, the hills are pretty hard to beat.

Enger Park is another easy stop if you’re looking for a view without committing to a big hike or a whole afternoon.



It’s also a good reminder of what makes Duluth a little different. You’ve got woods and fall color on one side and a huge freshwater lake on the other.

Take a walk along the Lakewalk

The Lakewalk is a good place to slow down for a while.

Start around Canal Park and walk along the lake, watch the ships come in and out, grab a coffee or something to eat and just enjoy being outside.

Fall is especially nice because it’s usually not as busy as summer, and there’s something about the cooler weather and the sound of the lake that makes you want to stay out a little longer.

And staying at The Njörd, Duluth's elegant vacation rentals located on Lake Superior, makes it easy to fit a walk along the lake into your day without making a whole plan around it.

See a little history and art

If you need a break from being outside, there are a couple of places worth checking out.

Glensheen is probably at the top of our list. The historic Congdon estate sits right along Lake Superior and includes a 39-room mansion, grounds and plenty of Duluth history. The fall colors around the property make it especially nice this time of year.

The Tweed Museum of Art is another option if you want to spend an hour or so looking around. Exhibits change throughout the year, so there’s usually something new to see.

Neither one has to take up your whole day, which leaves plenty of room for sponteneity in your schedule.

Plan a great dinner

You’re going to work up an appetite!

For dinner in Canal Park, Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar is a good option. The menu changes with the seasons, and they have a nice selection of cocktails, too.

Va Bene is another favorite for Italian food, especially if you want dinner downtown with a Lake Superior view. In fact, Va Bene is approximately a 30-second walk from The Njörd.

Or, if you’re already up the North Shore for the day, make New Scenic Café part of the plan and have dinner there before heading back to Duluth.

The nice thing about a fall weekend is that you don’t have to rush from one thing to the next. Pick a place you want to try and make an evening of it.

Stay for a drink

If dinner isn't the end of your night, there are a few good places to grab a drink.

Vikre Distillery in Canal Park is a fun stop for a cocktail. Their spirits are inspired by the Northwoods and Lake Superior, and you can also book a tour or tasting.

The Bridge Cocktail Room in Canal Park is another option if you’re looking for something a little more low-key and intimate.

And sometimes, just stay in

You don’t actually have to be doing something all the time.

The Njörd, Duluth's elegant vacation rentals, is a perfect place to host your elevated fall escape to Duluth.

One of the nice things about staying at The Njörd is having somewhere you actually want to come back to after a day out.

Spend the morning exploring the North Shore. Come back to Duluth, have dinner and grab a drink. Then head back to The Njörd, make some coffee, open a bottle of wine and relax for a while. Choose from three Norse-inspired units, each with their own personality: Thor, Freya or Odin.

You can watch the lake from your room and not feel like you need to go anywhere.

One way to spend a couple fall days in Duluth

If we were planning a fall getaway, it might look something like this:

Day 1 evening: Get settled at The Njörd and head to dinner downtown or in Canal Park.

Day 2: Drive up the North Shore, stop at a few overlooks and visit Split Rock Lighthouse. Have dinner at New Scenic Café or head back to Duluth for Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar or Va Bene. (Pro tip: Va Bene is located just steps away from The Njörd. No need to even cross the street!)

Day 2 night: Grab a cocktail at Vikre Distillery or The Bridge Cocktail Room—or just head back to The Njörd to enjoy the accommodations and call it a night.

Day 3 morning: Take a walk along the Lakewalk, grab breakfast and maybe stop at Glensheen or the Tweed Museum before heading home.

A good mix of scenery, good food and time to relax.

Make The Njörd your fall home base

Fall is a pretty great time to be in Duluth.

The leaves are changing, Lake Superior is right there, and there’s plenty to do without feeling like you have to pack your schedule.

And when you’re done for the day, The Njörd gives you a comfortable place to come back to.

Stay close to it all. Stay at The Njörd.

Plan your stay.