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

The quick answer: For most families with kids, and especially with grandparents along, Canal Park is the easiest place to stay in Duluth, MN. You can walk to the lake, the Aerial Lift Bridge and the aquarium. Look for a place with an indoor pool, an elevator, enough bedrooms to spread out and a real kitchen.

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.

Where to stay in Duluth with kids: key facts

• 📍 Area: Canal Park, walkable to the lake, bridge, aquarium and beach
• 🏊 Pool: our Waterfront Plaza condos share an indoor pool, kiddie pool, hot tub and sauna, open until 10 PM for kids and 11 PM for adults
• 🛗 Grandparents: Waterfront Plaza has elevators; Aerial Lofts is a third-floor walk-up
• 🛏️ Space: 1 to 5 bedroom condos, and some can be booked together
• 🚗 Parking: $17.50 per calendar day per vehicle in our Waterfront Plaza building, with in and out privileges

Why stay in Canal Park with kids?

Because you can walk to almost everything kids want to see. The bridge, the lighthouse pier, the aquarium, the beach on Park Point and the candy shops are all close. When a toddler hits a wall, you're a few minutes from your own door.

Other parts of Duluth have their own perks. The hillside and East End are quieter, and some North Shore resorts sit right on the rocks. But you'll be driving to most things from there.

Photo: @kelseyleephotographmn

What should families look for?

An indoor pool. It's the one thing that works in any weather. Every Brix condo except Aerial Lofts is in the Waterfront Plaza building at 325 S. Lake Ave., which has an indoor pool, a kiddie pool, a hot tub, a sauna and a gym, all reachable from inside.

Bedrooms with doors. Nap time and early bedtimes go better when kids aren't sharing a room with the adults. A condo gives you that; a single hotel room doesn't.

A real kitchen. Breakfast in, snacks on hand and one easy dinner at home save money and meltdowns.

Kid extras. Aurora Black has bunk beds, Marine Iron has a shuffleboard table, Captain's Quarters has foosball, and L'Etoile du Nord has games and a 10-person kitchen island.

What about grandparents?

Stay in a building with an elevator and step-free entry. Our Waterfront Plaza building has both, plus parking on site. We say this plainly: Aerial Lofts is on the third floor of an 1890s warehouse with no elevator, so it's a better fit for groups who are fine with stairs.

Also good to know: the William A. Irvin tour has many stairs and isn't wheelchair accessible. The aquarium and the Maritime Visitor Center are easier choices.

Our tip: If you have two families or three generations, book two condos in the same building instead of one big one. Everyone gets their own kitchen and quiet, and the pool is the meeting spot. Dockside Suites is two connecting condos booked together.

Photo: @kelseyleephotographmn

How big a place do we need?

• Couple with a baby or one child: a 1-bedroom like Dockside Suite 1 (king bed plus a pull-out queen).
• Family of four or five: a 2-bedroom like Aurora Black, Marine Iron, Skøl Hüs, Captain's Quarters or Bridgeman Loft.
• Two families or grandparents along: a 3-bedroom like L'Etoile du Nord or Dockside Suites.
• Big reunion: Aerial Lofts (5 bedrooms, sleeps 12), or two condos in Waterfront Plaza.

Check each listing for exact sleeping counts on your dates.

Where to stay in Duluth with kids: FAQ

Which Brix condos have a pool?

All of them except Aerial Lofts. The Waterfront Plaza building's pool is open until 10 PM for kids and 11 PM for adults.

Is Canal Park safe and easy with a stroller?

The paved Lakewalk and the sidewalks on Canal Park Drive are stroller-friendly. Summer weekends get crowded, so mornings are easier.

How old do you have to be to book?

The person booking must be 25 or older.

Can we bring pets?

No. Our condos are pet-free.

Family-friendly condos in Canal Park

A pool down the hall, bedrooms with doors and a kitchen for easy meals.

• 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.
• Dockside Suites: 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms across two connecting condos. 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.

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 · Duluth in Winter with Kids · Rainy Day (or Below Zero) in Canal Park: 12 Things to Do · All Duluth Guides

Official info: Great Lakes Aquarium hours · William A. Irvin tours · 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.