Canal Park, Duluth, MN

Canal Park like other neighborhoods in Duluth, Minnesota is both a place for outdoor fun and residential living. To reach Canal Park one can take I-35 to the Aerial Lift Bridge, which brings travelers to Park Point Sandbar and the neighborhood. Canal Park Drive and Lake Avenue South are the main thoroughfares through the residential area.

Within Canal Park is a Lakewalk that takes travelers through a grassy area of the neighborhood and along the water. Rocks, grass, and trees make this area picturesque and a place for locals to hang in the summer months. When Canal Park was first formed it was a place for the warehouses. As a warehouse district it has grown to include restaurants, shops, hotels, and cafes. During the 1980's there was an attempt to make the area industrial again because Duluth was experiencing an economic crisis. Instead, it quickly became a tourist destination.

The tourists began to flock into the area due to the beauty of the water, as well as the location in the historic area. Now there is the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Grandma's Marathon, and the annual Bayfront Blues Festival. Among the other attractions within Canal Park include the Lighthouse Pier, Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, William A Irvin Floating Ship, and Great Lakes Aquarium. The floating ship is a museum where one can learn about the shipping history of the lake and how it helped Duluth grow in the early centuries.

Another popular attraction is walking along the lake shore to spy the ships which still come into the ports of Duluth. Among the businesses located in Duluth's Canal Park are Red Rock Radio and NBC's affiliate KBJR.

Each year there is an annual road race marathon held in the spring. For those who wish to take part in Grandma's Marathon it starts in Two Harbors and runs along the Scenic Route 61 before ending at Canal Park near Grandma's Restaurant. Grandma's Restaurant is the reason the race is called Grandma's Marathon. The race began in 1977 with 150 participants. Since then it has become the most popular marathon in the west, especially after Olympic runner Garry Bjorklund joined in the race.

Besides Grandma's Restaurant are a few other popular places for the locals. Little Angie's Cantina is very popular as an outdoor and indoor venue. It is a restaurant and pub with plenty of Mexican dishes. During the warmer days a nice breeze from the lake will hit the tables outside. Retail locations in Canal Park include Dewitt- Seitz Marketplace. It runs along Canal Park Drive. North Face Shop and Duluth Pack Store are other popular locations for locals and tourists.

The shops are traditionally filled with antiques and souvenirs for the tourists. Before leaving the neighborhood one might wish to head towards the Duluth Visitor Center. It is housed in an older building with a character of its own. It also has the kayaking center for those who wish to take a little trip out into the lake.