Skyline Parkway, Duluth, MN

Whether you are in the Northwest or on the East Coast there will be places with scenic drives. These scenic drives were created to showcase some of the beautiful landscapes and formations of the state. In Duluth, Minnesota one has Skyline Parkway as a scenic byway. There are highways and interstates to get tourists around quickly, but the byway is a more pleasurable drive. Skyline Parkway is 25 miles in length, running from Spirit Mountain in the southwest to Seven Bridges Road in the northeast.

One of the better parts of the scenic drive begins at Enger Park. The park was named after an important businessman of Duluth. Enger Park and Tower provide a nice resting stop along the highway to see the gardens on the property, as well as a different view of Lake Superior. The road of course has numerous views of the city and the lake to be enjoyable for tourists. The fall is the best time to take a trip along Skyline Parkway. During this season the leaves are changing to the fall colors providing an even richer appearance than other times of the year.

One can view golden, orange, red, yellow, and some green leaves along the highway, which contrast with the houses and other structures spread throughout the parkway. Hawk's Ridge is another stop along the road that is a must. Hawk's Ridge was named for the raptors that tend to inhabit the trees. Hawks, falcons, and eagles stop in the trees for the fall migration before moving on to the south.

To begin the tour of Skyline Parkway one needs to find the intersection of US Hwy 2 and I-35 near Spirit Mountain. At this junction is the Minnesota Department of Tourism Thompson Hill Visitor Center. Drivers can get a map and some historical information about the scenic drive. It also lets tourists check the city street map to navigate successfully along the way. The map at the visitor center only shows as far as Chester Park, but there are a few miles past this to Seven Bridges Road that should not be missed.

Seven Bridges Road is an extension to the parkway running from the top of Hawk's Ridge and looping around to a sparse countryside before it returns visitors to Lester Park. Lester Park is a Duluth neighborhood with a small residential park for outdoor fun and festivals during the year. Like the entire drive the area is filled with a veritable forest of different plant species.

From Seven Bridges Road tourists can view Amity Creek Waterfall. It runs from one of the stone bridges on the road. It is a nice photographic stop for remembering a trip to Duluth. Many of the bridges date back to the 1800's. They have been worked on over the years to keep them in shape for those who wish to drive the scenic byway. Water will run higher during the spring season for those who are looking to see more waterfalls and water under the bridges.