Duluth Great Lakes aquarium controversy (Two Harbors: house, buy, theater)

[Radical_Car]

I have always heard people talk about how there is controvery over the Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, but I have no idea what kind of controversy there is, and can't find anything when I look online.

[ozzie679]

I heard it's a money pit and it was shut down for a while. I'm not sure if it's open or not.

[bcgr]

^^Right.
The thing costs a lot of money; I think something around 34 mil. originally and its been a massive failure, no one goes there. I'm pretty sure it's still open, but the tickets I think are around $15; not worth it.

[aluminumpork]

In my opinion, it's a one trick pony. It's worth the $15 if you've never been there before, but once you go, you have no reason to go again. It's very controversial because the city heavily subsidizes the aquarium every year, putting a lot of money towards something that only loses money. The same goes (although not at the same level) for the Omnimax Theater. The Omnimax reportedly only made money the first year it was open and has lost every year thereafter.

[bbtrips]

To be honest - some people love it, and some really have never set foot in the place. We have ALWAYS had a membership to the GLA. The kids LOVE going there, and we go several times of year. For that reason, it is quite reasonable to go there. I'm a big kid, and I get something out of it EVERY single time I go there. It's all a matter of your perspective and outlook on life. I know one person that SWORE up and down that they would never go - never set foot in the place. He was in his mid 60s. Well, his granddaughter wanted to go there with him. He went begrudgingly, and now he has a family membership. He loves it and it is a very special place for grandpa to take his granddaughter, followed by lunch. They spend a great deal of time there, and he said he was wrong.

[kuan]

I went there once and figured I paid way too much. How do they charge $15? If you want people to go you lower your prices not raise them.

[newcastle]

It's good value if you buy a family membership. They should incorporate more rotating exhibits in order to contrast fresh water vs salt water (that way you meet the educational requirement of only freshwater) and get the salt water attractions.

The state heavily subsidized the building of the aquarium and mandated it for an educational mission. It still annualy is the most visited paid attraction in the city, but still falls well short of the projected annual visitors. the controversy over the cost a few years back put a bad tatse in the mouths of many locals. But, that group is the same NIMBY people who complain about everything around here.

[jmlowman]

My wife and I were in Duluth for her engineering conference just before Labor Day. I remember being near the aquarium and hearing one woman say, "Not worth it." Maybe she was referring to the price of admission, or was just cheap.

We didn't have time to go but, unless there's something unique about Duluth's aquarium, we've been spoiled by two of our own here in California, Scripps and Monterey.

However, we did visit the rail museum and took the all-day train trip to Two Harbors and back. I would unequivocally recommend both to visitors.

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by jmlowman

My wife and I were in Duluth for her engineering conference just before Labor Day. I remember being near the aquarium and hearing one woman say, "Not worth it." Maybe she was referring to the price of admission, or was just cheap.

We didn't have time to go but, unless there's something unique about Duluth's aquarium, we've been spoiled by two of our own here in California, Scripps and Monterey.

However, we did visit the rail museum and took the all-day train trip to Two Harbors and back. I would unequivocally recommend both to visitors.

I always wondered if the trip to Two Harbos via the train was worth it?~!

To most, an aquarium isn't too appealing to spend $15 on. If price of admission was $5 for kids, and maybe $7 for adults, then it might be worth it.

Maybe it does better in the winter time, as it could be something to do to get out of the house on a cold February day?

Maybe the marketing department sucks? I have lived here for almost 2 years now and haven't seen much or heard much about it other than one billboard, and on the News Tribune website.?

[jmlowman]

Originally Posted by knke0204

I always wondered if the trip to Two Harbos via the train was worth it?~!

You'' have to wait until May 23rd now - the last run of the season was October 17th. We've lived in southern California for 34 years now, and going to another state and seeing seasonal closings blows my mind, even though I spent my first 22 years in Michigan.

Here's what you get for your $25/adult passenger:

-- A 2- to 2-1/2-hour trip in each direction; great for observing the scenery, since you're going only about 26 miles.

-- Courtesy shuttle on a nice mini-bus from the depot at Two Harbors to the downtown area and back, just in time for lunch. We enjoyed lunch at the Black Woods Grill and Bar, but there are a couple of other restaurant choices. It's about a three-hour layover, so time for a relaxed lunch and a chance to visit the depot and gift shop, take photos, and walk down to the shore to see the ore docks.

-- On the way up, orders are taken for dessert from Lighthouse on Homestead Restaurant, about halfway back to Duluth. Your car host calls in the orders and someone from the restaurant meets the train. For $6 I had some great bread pudding.

-- Discount admission to the rail museum at Duluth Union Station. It was an hour before closing when we returned, so I mentioned that to the person where you buy the train tickets the next day and she gave me the discount anyway. The other museums in the station are worth a look as well, and you get to see the Great Hall where passengers awaited their train years ago.

The day we took the trip, it was in the former Chicago & North Western RDC; a self-propelled passenger car. I always wanted to ride the one that New York Central operated from Detroit to Mackinaw City, over the former Michigan Central route, when I was a kid. The Sunday that we went it was less than half full, so there were plenty of opportunities to move from side to side as the scenery changed.

Try it; you'll like it!