By Tiegen Brickson, co-owner, The Brix (Our Story) · Last updated October 2026

The quick answer: Park the car in Canal Park on Friday and walk for the rest of the weekend. Day 1 is the lake, the bridge and the lighthouse. Day 2 is the aquarium or a harbor cruise, the beach on Park Point and a long dinner. If you have a third day, take one short drive up the hill or up the North Shore.

We're Tiegen and Keenan. Tiegen grew up in Duluth, and we host families in Canal Park year round, so this is the same advice we give our own guests.

Duluth weekend: key facts

• 🚶 Walk: everything on Days 1 and 2 is within Canal Park or a short walk
• 🚗 Drive: one optional drive on Day 3 (Glensheen, Enger Tower or the North Shore)
• 🚢 Ships: check the canalpark.com ship schedule each morning
• 🏊 Evenings: the pool in our Waterfront Plaza building is open until 10 PM for kids and 11 PM for adults

Friday night: arrive and walk the canal

Check in, park once, and walk to the Aerial Lift Bridge. If a ship is due, wait for it. Grab dinner on Canal Park Drive, then swim or sit in the hot tub before bed.

Photo: @kelseyleephotographmn

Day 1: the lake, the lighthouse and the Lakewalk

Morning. Coffee in the condo, then walk out the pier to the lighthouse at the end of the ship canal. Keep going on the Lakewalk along the shore as far as you like and turn around when you're ready.

Midday. Lunch in Canal Park, then stop at the free Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center by the canal. Hours change by season.

Afternoon. Shop Canal Park Drive. Use your Brix Passport for discounts at 25+ local spots.

Evening. Dinner out, then a walk back past the bridge when it's lit up at night.

Day 2: aquarium or cruise, then Park Point

Morning. Walk about 10 minutes to the Great Lakes Aquarium, or, from spring through fall, take a Vista Fleet harbor cruise under the bridge.

Afternoon. Walk over the Aerial Lift Bridge to Park Point for the beach. In summer, add a William A. Irvin tour (seasonal, roughly May to mid-September).

Evening. Cook a slow dinner in the condo, or take the sunset cruise if it's running.

Our tip: Save the drive for Day 3 morning. Roads are quieter early, and you're back in Canal Park for lunch before checkout traffic.

Day 3 (optional): one short drive

• Glensheen. A historic estate on the lake, a short drive northeast. Tours are seasonal and book up, so reserve ahead.
• Enger Tower. A short drive up the hill, with a view of the whole harbor and the bridge.
• The North Shore. Drive Highway 61 north along the lake. Gooseberry Falls State Park is about an hour away.

How to adjust by season

• Winter: swap the beach for the pool, and add Bentleyville from late November through Dec 26 (about a 20 to 25 minute walk). See Duluth in Winter with Kids.
• Fall: make Day 3 a colors drive. See Duluth Fall Colors from Canal Park: When to Go and Easy Drives.
• Bad weather: see Rainy Day (or Below Zero) in Canal Park: 12 Things to Do.
• Couples: keep Day 2 evening for the sunset cruise or the cocktail lounge in our Waterfront Plaza building.

Duluth weekend: FAQ

Is a weekend enough for Duluth?

Yes for Canal Park and one drive. With three or four days you can add more of the North Shore.

Do we need a car?

Only for Day 3. Days 1 and 2 are all walkable from Canal Park.

What's the best weekend to come?

It depends what you want. See Best Time to Visit Duluth, MN: A Month-by-Month Guide from Your Hosts.

Base your weekend in Canal Park

Park once and walk. Most of our condos share an indoor pool and hot tub.

• Dockside Suite 1: 1 bedroom with a king bed, plus marina and William A. Irvin views. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.
• Skøl Hüs: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Scandinavian design. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.
• L'Etoile du Nord: 3 bedrooms, 2,000 sq ft, a 10-person kitchen island, games and a fireplace. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.

See which Brix condo fits your crew

Book directly at TheBrixDuluth.com to skip the extra fees and support our small, family-run business directly.

Join The Brix Club for first dibs on our best Duluth dates and member deals.

Staying with us? Your Brix Passport has discounts at 25+ local spots.

More Duluth guides: Things to Do in Canal Park, Duluth: A Local Family's Walkable Guide · Canal Park Parking: What Guests Should Know · All Duluth Guides

Official info: Canal Park ship schedule · Great Lakes Aquarium hours · Vista Fleet cruises · Glensheen hours · Visit Duluth

By Tiegen Brickson, co-owner, The Brix. Tiegen grew up in Duluth and met Keenan in Canal Park in 2011. Last updated October 2026.