Mother Nature likes to show off in Duluth, especially in fall! Our city’s unique position on Lake Superior creates a perfect climate for cool autumn days and eye-popping fall colors that typically arrive around mid-September. This collection of attractions and adventures pairs perfectly with any style, from cozy indoor retreats to exhilarating outdoor treks. Get ready to embrace the season and make some truly Duluthy memories!
Immersive Outdoor Experiences
Fall is the perfect time to get outside and witness the breathtaking transformation of the landscape. Get up close with the colors on foot, by bike, or from a scenic overlook.
Peep the Leaves
The vibrant fall colors on Minnesota’s North Shore Scenic Drive are best enjoyed with a pumpkin spice latte in hand. Our fall foliage guide provides everything you need for the ultimate leaf peeping experience, from prime viewing spots to insider tips for finding that perfect photo op.
Flock to Hawk Ridge
One item for the top of your list: a colorful stroll in Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Founded by the Duluth Audubon Society in 1972, this park overlooks the western tip of Lake Superior and is home to one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles each fall: the migration of over 20 species of raptors.
Hit the Cruise Button
Completely paved and ready to roll, the Munger Trail in Duluth winds through some epic scenery. Highlights include views of the St. Louis River, dramatic rock cliffs, and the Twin Ports Harbor. And if two-wheel tours are your jam, we’ve got plenty more where that came from, including scenic bike routes all over town.
Cozy & Cultural Retreats
When the air gets a little crisp, Duluth offers plenty of warm, inviting spots to embrace the season with a good book, live music, or a tasting flight of local flavors.
Curl Up with a Book
As far as travel partners go, it’s hard to beat a good book! Head to Zenith Bookstore, a locally-owned gem in West Duluth, for a literary litany of new and used reads, plus unique gifts for the bookworm in your life.
Catch a Show
Speaking of cozy spots, one of our favorites for a brew and breakfast is Wussow’s Concert Café. This locally-owned West Duluth coffeehouse is a hotbed for live music and artistic expression in all forms. Check their event calendar to see what’s coming next!
Grab a Pint
Got a thing for local flavors? Map a do-it-yourself Oktoberfest around the city. From Lincoln Park’s craft collection to other unique breweries around town, we’ve got some fine flights ready for sampling that are a perfect match for the season.
Spooky & Celebratory Fun
Fall is a time for festivals and folklore! Get in the holiday spirit with lively community events, or embrace the spooky side of Duluth’s history.
Break Out the Lederhosen
What goes together better than pretzels and bier? How about fall festivals and the always-scenic Bayfront Festival Park! This authentic German Oktoberfestival features tons of games, live music, activities, and more ways to fill your cup. It all goes down mid-September each year, so mark your calendars!/
Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid
Looking for something spooky? Look no further than Duluth! From the SS William A Irvin’s Haunted Ship Tours to ghost tours in Canal Park, Duluth offers fun and thrilling ways to get in the Halloween spirit.
Shop Around
Every weekend is a harvest festival on the corner of 14th Ave. E. and 3rd St. Shop local at the Duluth Farmer’s Market, open every Wednesday and Saturday until October, where you can find fresh produce, crafts, and other unique local goods.
More Fall Fun in Duluth
This is just a glimpse of the great things happening in Duluth this fall! We have more tips on tap, filled with local insight and the occasional dad joke. Check out more on fall family trips, the arts scene, and everything you ever needed to know about shipping, as well as all of our Duluth itineraries for even more inspiration!
