Hi there, my name is Krysta Mielke and I am the student marketing assistant at Glensheen. Glensheen is a 28,000sq ft mansion on the shores of Lake Superior. Glensheen was built between 1905–1909 and has been open for tours since the late 70’s. Any TripAdvisor search will tell you that Glensheen is an awesome part of the city of Duluth. Today we want to highlight some of our other favorite things to do in the city!
What You Can Expect To Hear About
You wake up, smell the crisp Duluth air, and realize that you’re ready for breakfast. Skip the hotel breakfast (Although many are known to have a great breakfast like Canal Park Lodge and the Inn on Lake Superior,) and treat yourself to real, made from scratch breakfast at Uncle Loui’s. Located just outside of downtown this cute cafe is a local favorite. Their french toast is a must-try and their condiment selection is some of the best in town. Pro tip: This cafe is a great spot to get a lot of food at a low price; their expansive menu has the variety to make sure everyone finds something to love.
Looking for an after-breakfast-latte? Head to Duluth Coffee Company. This coffee shop is locally owned and they roast all of their own beans. Known for their extensive coffee knowledge and great atmosphere this place can’t help but slow your morning down as you sip on your drink in their outside seating area. You can also check out their new area in Canal Park.
Now that you’re all energized I’m sure you’re hoping to take in some of our city’s amazing nature trails. For someone hoping to see great views without having to strap on their hiking boots, the best spot for you is Enger tower. During your drive to Enger tower on Skyline Drive, all of your passengers will be glued to their windows gawking at the view of the city below. Once you arrive you can climb up into the tower, explore the gardens, or relax on the rocks as you look out over the city and lake.
For the more adventurous visitor head to the edge of town to see Ely’s Peak. A 1.5 mile hike with a 300 ft elevation gain will leave you a little out of breath, and not just from the jaw dropping view. This particular hike also let’s you walk through an old railroad tunnel!
Photo by Superior Hiking Trail.
Photo by AllTrails
After this hike you might be ready for some lunch. Our next favorite destination is OMC Smokehouse located in the heart of the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Your journey with OMC will start with homemade pork rinds. These melt-in-your-mouth rinds give you the perfect opportunity to try OMC’s multiple house-made sauces. OMC is also famous for their in house smoked St. Louis ribs, their smoked pulled pork, and their slide-off-the-bone smoked brisket. Here you can find true southern comfort food such as Louisiana catfish and chips, biscuits and gravy, and Kentucky hot brown — which consists of free range smoked turkey over white bread, chopped bacon, tomatoes, parsley, parmesan, and a mornay cheese sauce.
Now that you’re stuffed with some of the best smoked meats in Minnesota it’s a good time to relax a little. If you’re hoping to avoid the more touristy lake shore places and you want to witness beauty like you’ve never seen before, Glensheen is your next stop.
Glensheen sits on a 22-acre estate seated next to Tischer Creek and Lake Superior. The general admission tour gives you access to the grounds, and lower three levels of the house. This tour is self guided so you can do the whole thing at your own pace. There is also an interactive app that allows you to read or listen about specific objects in the collection. Whether it’s the quezel art glass, Numidian marble fireplace, chandeliers, or amazing wood work there is something at Glensheen for everyone.
Once you’ve been thoroughly awed by the mansion, you can stroll around the grounds, take some photos at the stone arch bridge, and have rock skipping competitions with your group. Time for a second lunch? We think so. Glensheen encourages guests to bring a blanket and a picnic lunch (or grab food to-go from a local restaurant) to enjoy on your own section of beach. To learn more about tours head here https://glensheen.org/tours/.
Ready for a beer? Whether you’re looking for a craft beer that Duluth is famous for, or a ginger beer for your younger friends, Sir Benedict’s Tavern is the spot for you. Famous for their live music and authentic English pub atmosphere and voted the best-outdoor-seating in Duluth. Their gourmet sandwiches paired with one of their 20+ beers on tap makes for the perfect evening snack.
pro tip: Duluth has SO much amazing food, we recommend sharing and splitting entrees with friends so you don’t fill up too fast!
If you’re looking for an exciting end to your day there is no shortage of activities in Duluth. The local music scene is booming, Pizza Luce, Ursa Minor Brewing, Blush, and The Rex offer a variety of music scenes. Dubh Linn’s Irish Pub offers professional comedians sure to make you leave sore from laughter.
Photo Credit to Danielle Thralow’s Facebook.
Photo Credit to CCBoyle Photography
We can’t forget dessert recommendations! Love Creamery is a local craft ice cream store in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. They make all of their ice cream in small batches right in the store. They offer ice cream, vegan ice cream, and various sorbets. With flavors like salted chocolate, honey lavender, and matcha with raspberry you’re sure to treat your mouth to some new flavors. Bonus: all of their ingredients are sustainably sourced and from local vendors when possible!
Photo by CCBoyle Photography.
Photo by CCBoyle Photography.
To Recap
We took a journey through
- Uncle Loui’s Cafe
- Duluth Coffee Company
- Enger Tower
- Ely’s Peak
- OMC Smokehouse
- Glensheen
- Sir Benedict’s Tavern
- Music Scene
- Love Creamery
To learn more about Glensheen head to www.glensheen.org. To learn more about all of the amazing food, music, history, and fun that Duluth offers, head to https://www.visitduluth.com/ to learn more!
Coming in 2021, cruise Lake Superior and the Great Lakes with a stop in Duluth and Glensheen. Learn more about Great Lakes Cruises.
