So what is there to do in Duluth? (Cloquet, Two Harbors: waterpark, hotel)

[BlueNoodle]

What kinds of festivals, fairs and what-nots goes on there?
Well and anything else that people might enjoy.
Any MOMS clubs or group type things.

[roneb]

The state parks out hwy 61 on the North Shore offer great day hikes. There are a lot of enjoyable trails right in town along the creeks that come off the hills behind town. Grandma's Marathon is considered one of the best in the nation. Cross-country skiing in the winter is always enjoyable. If you're into motorsports, the Amsoil National Snowcross is a very highly regarded snowmobile race/event that is this month. There is a good airshow at the Duluth Airport each summer. The John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon is a big training event for the Iditarod in Alaska. Each May local bands are spotlighted at venues around town in the Homegrown Music Festival. There is a great blues festival every summer. Minnesota Ballet is located in Duluth. There's the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Shopping in the Miller Hill Mall (second busiest in the state after MOA) or in the artsy/tourist shops down in Canal Park... Watching ship go through the canal... Trust me, there are plenty of things to do in Duluth; particularly if you like the outdoors. There are also several community centers operated by the city parks and rec. I'm not sure of their specific calendars/activities, but I'm sure they offer something.

Visit Duluth: Duluth's only offical tourism resource for lodging, dining, attractions, events and more! is a good site to get you started.

[MidniteBreeze]

Roneb above gave a lot of good suggestions. Over in WI you have the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the charming town of Bayfield which hosts an annual apple festival every Oct (Bayfield and the Apostle Islands are about a 1.5 hour drive from Duuth.) There's also the Birkebiner (sp?) x-country ski race. The head of the lakes fair just over the bridge in Superior takes place every summer as well.

There's also the inline skating (rollerblading) marathon every fall (I think it roughly follows the course of Grandma's). On the 4th of July there's 4th fest down at the bayfront with bands, vendors, etc. The fireworks in Duluth really are pretty neat. If you don't want to fight the crowds down at bayfront, you can find a spot up on the hill and watch them go off over the harbor.

If you like gambling/bingo, there's a casino downtown (Fond du Luth) and another one about 20 miles away near Cloquet (Black Bear...they're almost done with their big renovation.) Oh and you can't forget the lakewalk for a nice place to walk/jog/rollerblade/cycle.

Some of the local colleges/universities also offer continuing ed classes if you're interested in learning something new. Hope that helps!

[Eurogal]

And lots of stuff for parents and their kids. Gymnastics, programs and camps at the nature center or the UMD or the Y, recreation centers with good programs, story telling at the libraries and the bookstores, and all the outdoors to explore with them (in the summer, fantastic beach!).
The Children Museum and the train museum. ECFE programs (early education where your kid plays and learn while you get to meet other parents).
And yes, there are MOMS groups.

I arrived in the beginning of summer in Duluth and I am a mom of a toddler. Whaoh. I do something different everyday with him and everything is or inexpensive or free. I love it.

[anonymouse09]

Duluth is such a pretty, pretty place. In addition to what other posters have said, I would say that there are a surprising number of good, large events, in terms of music and book tours. I've driven up to there from the metro just to attend events.

[BillyB]

Ski/snowboard

[Auntie Bob]

Originally Posted by BlueNoodle

What kinds of festivals, fairs and what-nots goes on there?
Well and anything else that people might enjoy.
Any MOMS clubs or group type things.

Most things have been covered but, since you asked about Fairs...there's the South St. Louis county fair...not overly glamorous but it can be fun. Across the bridge, the Tri State/Head of the Lakes fair is a little bigger. There's a few Pow wow's over the summer months. A large carnival visits Duluth for a few weeks every summer. Many well maintained city parks and the Lakewalk is a great place to spend time, especially with kids. The Depot puts on special programs/displays/events that are kid friendly every month or so too.

[MidniteBreeze]

Oh, and we can't forget the taxpayer sinkhole that is a Great Lakes Aquarium. It is worth at least one visit though. Other "touristy" things in the canal park/Bayfront area (besides shops and restaurants): William A. Irvin ship (I think they still do a "haunted" ship for halloween), omnimax theater, marine museum (free and very interesting), Bananaz arcade for the kiddies and of course just stolling along the pier "watching the ships come in" as the old song goes, lol.

You can also do harbor tours on the "vista" boats or take the tourist train along the north shore up to Two Harbors. There's another train that goes down the St. Louis river too. Another fun attraction for the kids is the indoor waterpark at the edgewater hotel. Further down London Road you can tour the Glennsheen Mansion...it's especailly charming around the holidays when they have it decorated for Christmas.

[BlueNoodle]

i am completely excited!
between what i've read here and what hubby has been reporting this week from up there i'm ready to start packing now.
i sent off for some community guides and maps.
i've looked up some numbers to some of the gifty shops/galleries and am going to phone them about getting my work in there.
and i discovered an internet friend that lives in town that i didn't know about until recently.
and the aquarium sounds great.

[newcastle]

Congratulations, and welcome to Duluth. I hope your move is smooth and that you feel welcome in town.