Canal Park

Lots of restaurants suitable for both kids and adults. The view by the bridge is gorgeous to say the least

It was windy, cold and Lake Superior was very rough during our visit. Still cool to see. Freight ships still use the canal on a daily basis and you each the shops travel through.

You can spend days in Canal Park. Restaurants, shops, museums, lake walk, the canal... lots to do, see, eat, drink. Enjoy!

This is a small park in Duluth where you can sit and watch the ships and the aerial lift bridge. And there is plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby.

Canal Park in Duluth MN has been our main stops for years when coming up to the North Shore. We spent more time here when our children were growing up. Our kids loved watching the big ships come into the harbor and seeing the lift bridge rise. At the park there are huge anchors from ships that make great places to photo our kids. The free Marine museum is very nice with so many interesting things to read about ships and Lake Superior. It also has a list when the ships are coming in and where they are from and what they are transporting. Nice bathrooms there too. They have horse drawn carriage rides at Canal Park in the summer that our kids loved to ride on. Many restaurants in this area and many gift shops. If you walk over the Lake Walk from there takes you over a walking bridge to the canal (past the lift bridge) near the convention center sometimes Coast Guard ships will sit there and you can tour them for free. Or other ships like the Mercy Ship came and we toured that missionary ship that does dental work for free in other countries. You can also tour the William A Irvin ship and kids 10 and under are free with paying adult. Walk along the Lake Walk a little further and The Great Lakes Aquarium. Fishing and sailing charters are by Canal Park too. There are just too many things to list here so go and check it out online. For years Canal Park was where we stopped to eat on our way up to the shore. Also great spot to stretch our legs for a walk.
ALSO NOTE THE DULUTH LAKEWALK ....QUOTE FROM TRAIL LINK: The Duluth Lakewalk extends between Canal Park and S. 60th Avenue E. near University Park. The southern half of the trail follows the shore of Lake Superior quite closely from the south end to 26th Avenue, where it then veers inland a few blocks, carrying on north to parallel London Road. At N. 40th Avenue E. the trail continues along a northeast–southwest route, paralleling Superior Street to trail's end at 60th Avenue.

Lake Superior shimmers next to the path and you can watch numerous ships and small craft in the port. The trail offers access to the Convention Center complex, Great Lakes Aquarium and the Bayfront Festival Park.

At the Canal Park end you'll see the lift bridge and sculptures depicting Duluth's sister cities in Sweden, Russia and Japan.

Public restrooms are located near the lake just west of the city mural and at the Rose Garden parking lot. END QUOTE

Watch the ships come in as they do their work in the port, and hear their greetings to the bridge.

Small, but a lot to offer. This park has the namesake canal, through which oceangoing cargo ships squeeze into the harbor. There's also a lighthouse, small stone beach, and a screen showing upcoming ship arrivals. Visit in winter for dramatic ice and waves, and in summer for a cool respite, waves, and ship watching.

Pretty, quite chilly here though. Dress warm!

Great place to hang out.