A Guide to Duluth’s Spooky Season

Buckle in, folks, because we’re starting off strong! Duluth has several beautiful historic graveyards, but the Oneota Cemetery is, in our opinion, criminally underrated. Open daily from 8am to 8pm, this cemetery has absolutely beautiful grounds with stones that tell the stories of the people who called this neighborhood home. Cemeteries are a great place to walk around in nature while learning about the history of a place. It might not be for everyone, but we know we’re not the only weirdos who visit graveyards while on vacation.

After a stroll through the cemetery, why not Kom-On-Inn and warm up? See what we did there? Hiding inside an unassuming exterior is one of Duluth’s most beautiful dive bars. Its interior features a 1951 mural showing West Duluth as it existed in the middle of the last century. Many of the folks buried at Oneota Cemetery worked in the industrial buildings that decorate the barroom, and many of those buildings have now been lost to time. So grab a booth, a very competitively priced beverage, and contemplate your own mortality. ‘Tis the season!

The Jade Fountain began its life as a full-service bar and restaurant in 1968, and after nearly 40 years of operating, it closed in 2014. In 2020, the establishment re-opened under a new vision. This reimagined Jade Fountain is now an eclectic tiki bar that immediately wins you over with its kitschy charm. The bar is decorated with pieces that remain from its days as a Chinese restaurant, with tons of additional pieces that look like they were lovingly selected by your weirdest great aunt. Taxidermy, creepy portraits, and funky lamps are littered throughout the establishment, and we can’t get enough of it. The atmosphere alone makes The Jade Fountain a favorite of ours, but on top of that, the drinks are great! Hailey says The Jade Fountain makes the best Mai Tai in town, and it’s not even close.

Just a few doors down from The Jade Fountain, The West Theater is an absolute gem in West Duluth. Opened in 1937, this beautiful Art Deco theater fell on hard times in the 1950s and movies and performances wouldn’t return until 2019. Watching new releases in this historic theater is such a cool experience, but live performances still come through the venue on a regular basis. In October, The West hosts Zenith City Horror’s production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which we cannot recommend enough! It’s the most fun you’ll ever have dodging the blast of a squirt gun in a movie theater!

Built in 1896, this neo-gothic landmark is one that could easily be overlooked by out-of-towners, but that would be a grave mistake! Sacred Heart Music Center is now a deconsecrated cathedral that operates as a 400-seat venue that attracts some of the best musical acts in and out of Duluth, while being one of the most strikingly beautiful buildings on the hillside. Look for upcoming events, and if you see anyone playing that you’re even mildly interested in checking out, snag those tickets! Once you’re inside do yourself a favor and head upstairs to look at the Felgemaker pipe organ – it’s nearly 130 years old and absolutely breathtaking. If you can’t make it to a show, they might be willing to let you in to show you around at another time, but this non-profit is entirely volunteer-run, so we can make you no promises.

The St. Louis County Depot is near and dear to Hailey’s heart. For as long as she can remember, her dad’s had a giant print of The Depot hanging in his home office, and now all these years later she gets to spend her 9 to 5 working in this incredible historic building. First opened in 1892, The Depot acted as a central transportation hub for as long as passenger rail was the preferred mode of transportation in the United States. Since the 1970s, the building has acted as a heritage and arts center for the region. There are always tons of local exhibits and fun events, but in October, the Depot is a hub for family fun with its Eek at the Depot event. It’s a perfect way for kids and adults alike to celebrate spooky season with fun activities, music, and more, all within this historic building. You should come, it’s really fun!

Located in Duluth’s Historic Arts & Theater District, the Zeitgeist has a great bar and restaurant, live theater, two movie screens, and some really great vibes. Throughout the year, their movie theater, the Zinema 2, will play a series of older releases all united by an overarching theme. Historically, October features cult classic horror films, and folks, there is nothing like seeing a John Carpenter flick on the big screen. If horror isn’t your thing, be sure to check out Renegade Improv Nights on their stage upstairs. Duluth is fortunate to have hilarious local talent, and Renegade features some of our very best.

If you’re coming up to visit Duluth, you have to do Canal Park. While you’re down by the lake checking to see if the gales of November came early or not, you should pop into the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center. The staff on-site are all super knowledgeable, and if you want to talk about shipwrecks or ghost ships, there are few people better qualified. In addition to the awesome interpreters at the visitor center, my favorite museum display gets a bit of an upgrade around Halloween. The mannequins, who are freaky any time of year, get decked out with fake cobwebs and costumes to celebrate the season. They’re just begging for you to take pictures with them!

The Glensheen Mansion is already a must-see in Duluth, but its tragic history makes it a prime stop for spooky season. The 39-room historic home and its beautiful estate are the site of one of Minnesota’s most notorious unsolved crimes. Tour the mansion and hear the stories of the Congdon family, a classic tale of wealth, mystery, and a chilling end that will leave you with goosebumps.

Located in Canal Park, the William A. Irvin is a can’t-miss Great Lakes vessel that comes alive with scares each October. Once the proud flagship of U.S. Steel’s Great Lakes Fleet, it now serves as the backdrop for one of Duluth’s premier Halloween attractions: the Haunted Ship Tours. Walk the dark, narrow corridors of this historic freighter and prepare for a fright as the ship’s chilling past is brought to life.

Want to hear all of Duluth’s best ghost stories? Join Duluth Ghost Tours for a walking tour of the city’s most haunted spots, from downtown to Canal Park. Learn about the city’s eerie past and the restless spirits that may still haunt its streets today.

Okay, it’s not Duluth, but this is our list, and we just wouldn’t feel right without mentioning the Fairlawn Mansion in Superior! The Fairlawn is the ultimate haunt for a Halloween-minded visitor to the Twin Ports. This mansion was a family home from 1890 to 1920, and then served as a children’s home for the next 42 years. The house museum has its fair share of ghosts running through the mansion, and tour guides are more than willing to talk about the things that go bump in the night. Hailey was able to chat with Brittany Plachecki, who has spent lots of time with the spirits of Fairlawn, on the Attracted to Duluth podcast, so if you’re looking for a sneak peek at some of the best ghost stories to come out of the mansion be sure to check it out.