“Visiting Duluth, Minnesota in winter? Are you crazy?” That was the reaction of just about everyone I told when I laid out my travel plans. Sure, maybe it’s a little crazy but if you’re searching for a winter getaway, Duluth is your place! While in some ways it is no different than other winter destinations, there are certainly special considerations to take note of. Here are 5 tips for visiting Duluth, Minnesota in winter!
Read More: How to Spend a Winter Day in Duluth, Minnesota
Watch the “feels like” temperature
This may be an obvious for those who are used to winter weather. For those that aren’t, you may see the air temperature on your phone and think “that’s not too bad!” What you’ll want to do is scroll down to the “feels like” temperature. Because Duluth is right on Lake Superior, you’ll get some pretty serious wind chill. For reference, when walking around Canal Park one night, the air temperature read 20 degrees, which isn’t bad. However, the “feels like” was -5 degrees. That’s a huge difference and is seriously cold. Always have extra layers with you!
Get a rental car with 4WD
Maybe I didn’t do enough research, or maybe it’s not obvious- but I was so surprised to find that Duluth was a city on a cliff! If you’re able, make sure you rent a car with four wheel drive or snow tires. There are many streets that go straight up the hills and gave me major San Francisco vibes! Going down them is no joke either- you’re definitely going to want to be very careful especially if there is winter weather.
It gets really, really dark
Duluth is a city that is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Once you venture just a few blocks out of the downtown area, you’ll find it is really, really dark. In fact, the bartender at OMC Smokehouse was explaining to me one night over dinner that the lack of lights is intentional. They go to great lengths to limit light pollution here. So much so, that a documentary was made about it!
It’s possible to see the northern lights
While it doesn’t occur every single night, it is possible! And much in thanks to the lack of light pollution mentioned above, northern Minnesota is a great place to chase the lights! My favorite website for tracking the Northern Lights is here (I used this site frequently on my trip to Alaska!). For a better chance, locals recommended driving just an hour or two north of Duluth into Cook County– the best place in the lower 48 to see the lights! If you have a few days, you can opt for a tour where guides will chase the lights and increase your chances.
Enjoy the outdoors!
Sure, it’s cold out. But that’s half the fun! Duluth has a ton to offer to get you outside and embracing winter, instead of escaping it. Spend a morning snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at Hartley Nature Center. Rentals are cheap and there are miles of trails to explore. If you’re looking for a unique experience, consider taking a dogsledding tour! I went with Positive Energy Outdoors and it was without a doubt the highlight of my trip.
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