Best time to see Duluth before tourist season kicks in? (Woodland: condos, neighborhood)

[pannierpacker]

Hello Duluth residents,
For years I've been coming to visit your city (from the Twin Cities). Often times it's been during the summer but I have gone up during late October on a good weather day. I'd like to do it again, and I'd like to do it while things are off-peak so to speak. I want to see Duluth in it's normal day-to-day life. When is the best time to do this in the Spring? When is the best time to go before things get crazy?

I see that Canal Park does free parking before the middle of May so I definitely want to hit up the city before then. I also am seeing that there is a possibility of snow this weekend and am thinking things may just be a bit too early yet. My Duluth itinerary does not require jumping in Lake Superior. Simply finding a dive coffee shop and finding a new street to walk up "the hill" is good enough for me.

Any suggestions?

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by pannierpacker

Hello Duluth residents,
For years I've been coming to visit your city (from the Twin Cities). Often times it's been during the summer but I have gone up during late October on a good weather day. I'd like to do it again, and I'd like to do it while things are off-peak so to speak. I want to see Duluth in it's normal day-to-day life. When is the best time to do this in the Spring? When is the best time to go before things get crazy?

I see that Canal Park does free parking before the middle of May so I definitely want to hit up the city before then. I also am seeing that there is a possibility of snow this weekend and am thinking things may just be a bit too early yet. My Duluth itinerary does not require jumping in Lake Superior. Simply finding a dive coffee shop and finding a new street to walk up "the hill" is good enough for me.

Any suggestions?

Come up here before the Grandmas Marathon, which is in a few months. It may start getting busier during the last week of May, or around Memorial Day? For a nice neighborhood walk try out in Lakeside, along the
Lakewalk, and head into Brighton Beach. Or in the Lester Park area, up the Seven Bridges Road, up to Skyline, it follows a beautiful river, Lester River, and crosses several or many bridges made from rock, and in the summer, even now is beautiful.
Another really nice area would be up in the Twin Ponds area, and over to Enger Tower, climb up the tower to the top for a commanding view of the lake and the harbor. Bring the camera. Another neighborhood that is really neat to walk around is Vermillion area, especially in the fall time. It is located just off of Woodland down Snively Av.
You could also check out and walk around in Hartley Park, the area is full of hiking trails and Has a small lake to hike into. It is a nature center and is open year round.

Another neat place to walk is at the end of Park Point, park the car and walk the several mile one way hike out to the end of the point, or walk the distance along the shore of Lake Superior. Doing this in the middle of the night at 2am, is absolutely stunning. Especially with the dark night sky, filled with stars, no wind, and quiet, with the lights of Duluth off across the lake. Amazing. There is a established hiking trial there to follow. It leads though old growth large white pines and other trees.

[wamer27]

Originally Posted by demtion35

Come up here before the Grandmas Marathon, which is in a few months. It may start getting busier during the last week of May, or around Memorial Day? For a nice neighborhood walk try out in Lakeside, along the
Lakewalk, and head into Brighton Beach. Or in the Lester Park area, up the Seven Bridges Road, up to Skyline, it follows a beautiful river, Lester River, and crosses several or many bridges made from rock, and in the summer, even now is beautiful.
Another really nice area would be up in the Twin Ponds area, and over to Enger Tower, climb up the tower to the top for a commanding view of the lake and the harbor. Bring the camera. Another neighborhood that is really neat to walk around is Vermillion area, especially in the fall time. It is located just off of Woodland down Snively Av.
You could also check out and walk around in Hartley Park, the area is full of hiking trails and Has a small lake to hike into. It is a nature center and is open year round.

Another neat place to walk is at the end of Park Point, park the car and walk the several mile one way hike out to the end of the point, or walk the distance along the shore of Lake Superior. Doing this in the middle of the night at 2am, is absolutely stunning. Especially with the dark night sky, filled with stars, no wind, and quiet, with the lights of Duluth off across the lake. Amazing. There is a established hiking trial there to follow. It leads though old growth large white pines and other trees.

We’re looking at doing this when we saw it in late Nov. Can you put a tent up and camp along this route? Leave a vehicle parked overnight at the last parking lot next to airport?

[Deserterer]

Originally Posted by wamer27

We’re looking at doing this when we saw it in late Nov. Can you put a tent up and camp along this route? Leave a vehicle parked overnight at the last parking lot next to airport?

No.

[SteveC1024]

The end of May and beginning of June are perfect, I'd say....right before the tourist season kicks in, which is mid- to late June.

[pannierpacker]

Originally Posted by demtion35

Come up here before the Grandmas Marathon, which is in a few months. It may start getting busier during the last week of May, or around Memorial Day? For a nice neighborhood walk try out in Lakeside, along the
Lakewalk, and head into Brighton Beach. Or in the Lester Park area, up the Seven Bridges Road, up to Skyline, it follows a beautiful river, Lester River, and crosses several or many bridges made from rock, and in the summer, even now is beautiful.
Another really nice area would be up in the Twin Ponds area, and over to Enger Tower, climb up the tower to the top for a commanding view of the lake and the harbor. Bring the camera. Another neighborhood that is really neat to walk around is Vermillion area, especially in the fall time. It is located just off of Woodland down Snively Av.
You could also check out and walk around in Hartley Park, the area is full of hiking trails and Has a small lake to hike into. It is a nature center and is open year round.

Another neat place to walk is at the end of Park Point, park the car and walk the several mile one way hike out to the end of the point, or walk the distance along the shore of Lake Superior. Doing this in the middle of the night at 2am, is absolutely stunning. Especially with the dark night sky, filled with stars, no wind, and quiet, with the lights of Duluth off across the lake. Amazing. There is a established hiking trial there to follow. It leads though old growth large white pines and other trees.

Thanks for all the tips! I've seen Enger Tower before, but I had no clue there were ponds by there.

I ended up going this past weekend. I checked out Park Point and went out to the end of the concrete ledge. Very neat area and hope to go back there and bring some people.

I was also pleased to see that they fixed the LakeWalk where it passes in front of Beacon Point condos. Much better!

I'm going to have to get back up there again soon, hopefully before Grandma's weekend. I have a long list of suggestions now!