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

The quick answer: When it rains or drops below zero in Duluth, stay close. In Canal Park you can swim, visit the Great Lakes Aquarium and the Maritime Visitor Center, shop, and warm up over lunch, all within a short walk. Add one short drive for a museum.

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.

Rainy day in Canal Park: key facts

• 🏊 Pool: our Waterfront Plaza building's indoor pool, hot tub and sauna, open until 10 PM for kids and 11 PM for adults, reachable from inside
• 🐟 Aquarium: about a 10-minute walk
• 🆓 Free: the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
• 🚗 Short drives: the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and the Duluth Children's Museum

12 things to do in Canal Park when the weather turns

1. Swim. The indoor pool, kiddie pool, hot tub and sauna in our Waterfront Plaza building. You can get there from inside, in flip-flops.

2. Great Lakes Aquarium. About half a mile away. Plan a couple of hours.

3. Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center. Free, by the ship canal, with big windows. Hours change by season.

4. Watch a ship from inside. Check the canalpark.com ship schedule and time your stop at the Maritime Visitor Center for a ship.

Photo: @kelseyleephotographmn

5. Shop Canal Park. Many of the shops are in old warehouse buildings, so you can stay mostly dry between doors.

6. A long lunch. Canal Park has plenty of sit-down spots. Use your Brix Passport discounts.

7. Candy and fudge. A short walk, and an easy treat for kids.

8. Board games and puzzles. Many of our condos have games, plus shuffleboard in Marine Iron and foosball in Captain's Quarters.

9. Watch the storm. Big waves on Lake Superior are a sight. Watch from a window or a safe spot back from the water, and stay off the piers when waves are washing over.

10. Lake Superior Railroad Museum. In the old Depot downtown, a short drive away.

11. Duluth Children's Museum. A short drive, good for younger kids.

12. Glensheen. The historic mansion tour is indoors. It's seasonal, so check hours and book ahead.

Our tip: Do the outside thing first. Duluth weather changes fast, so if there's a dry hour in the morning, take the walk then and save the aquarium and the pool for later.

Photo: @kelseyleephotographmn

Rainy day in Duluth: FAQ

What's open in Canal Park in bad weather?

The pool in our building, the aquarium, the Maritime Visitor Center, shops and restaurants. Hours vary by season.

Is the Aerial Lift Bridge still fun in the rain?

Yes, if a ship is coming. Check the schedule and watch from the Maritime Visitor Center.

Is it safe to walk the Lakewalk in a storm?

Stay on the paved path back from the water and off the piers when waves are washing over.

A cozy base for any weather

An indoor pool down the hall and games in the condo.

• Marine Iron: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a shuffleboard table. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.
• Captain's Quarters: 2-bedroom corner condo with views of the William A. Irvin and downtown, plus foosball. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.
• Aurora Black: 2 bedrooms, bunk beds and window views of the William A. Irvin. Indoor pool and hot tub on site.

Check open dates

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: Duluth in Winter with Kids · Things to Do in Canal Park, Duluth: A Local Family's Walkable Guide · Where to Stay in Duluth with Kids (and Grandparents) · All Duluth Guides

Official info: Great Lakes Aquarium hours · Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center · Canal Park ship schedule · 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.