Lakewalk, Duluth, MN

Duluth, Minnesota sits on a harbor and Lake Superior. With shoreline running in the downtown section of the city there are plenty of opportunities for guests to enjoy the outdoors. The Lakewalk of Duluth is in the tourist section of the city with hotels, restaurants, and plenty of shopping nearby. It is also the most scenic walkway in Duluth. Visitors can rent and ride bikes along the path while looking out over Lake Superior. Several areas provide stopping points for overlooking the lake with its noise and business.

The Lakewalk can begin at Bayfront Park Pavilion just steps away from the Aerial Bridge. The pathway is made of concrete or asphalt depending on where visitors are at the moment. The pavilion is a nice place to sit and relax while watching ships come in and through the Aerial Bridge. The bridge marks the point of the St. Louis River where it empties into the lake.

From the pavilion one can travel to the Fitgers Brewery Complex for lunch and a good beer. Canal Park is also across from the bay where one starts the walk. Canal Park provides a public park as well as a neighborhood of houses. It is a real community place to spend the day.

Tourists and locals on the Lakewalk have 3 miles to go from one end to the other. When traveling the entire path one can encounter the Leif Erickson Park, as well as connect with London Road to the northeast, which is almost the other end of the walkway.

Stairways are placed throughout the walk as the terrain changes. The stairs allow visitors to get closer to the shoreline, as well as walk back up towards the shops and parking lots near the walkway. The lake front is commercial free for a pleasant and peaceful walk. The stairs provide a way to the public restrooms which are on hand for visitors.

The boardwalk which is part of the walk is for walkers, and the pavement is for bikers and those rollerblading. Duluth allows dogs to be walked along the way, as long as one cleans up after them. There are some places with grass that can be used if necessary for the dogs. Throughout the walkway there are plenty of benches for resting or watching the ships come in. Birds are also something one will see. The birds come to the shore to rest as well as to fish. Depending on the weather and the ships in the area waves can gently lap at the shoreline.

Once a person is done walking along the Lakewalk there is Canal Park for dining and shopping. Boutiques, antiques and many other shops will provide the perfect places to get souvenirs of a Duluth trip. There is also the Rose Garden that one can explore. Leif Erickson Park Rose Garden has 3000 roses and 100 varieties spread throughout the grassy land. There are also some formal English style rose gardens on the ground with the water to look at in the distance.