From budget-friendly family activities to hidden waterfalls to recommendations from locals, check out our blog for trip ideas and to learn more about what makes Duluth so special.
Experience illuminated history, a tour of the mansion lit only by lantern light. Led by expert tour guides, Lantern Tours are a favorite during the Halloween season. This tour is well suited for guests who have previously experienced the Classic or Full Mansion Tours. Available Fridays & Saturdays in October. Book your tour in advance at z.umn.edu/lanterntours
Join us for Glensheen’s Fall Family Day, a family friendly event filled with hands-on activities, crafts, nature discoveries, and outdoor games throughout the estate grounds + food trucks! FREE admission for kids 17 & under $8 grounds admission for adults
Please join Zenith Bookstore on Thursday, September 17th at the St. Louis County Depot – Great Hall as we welcome Former Minnesota Governor and Senator, Mark Dayton. Mark will be joined by his dear friend and former Senior Advisor, John Ongaro. We’ll begin this special evening with cocktails (including non-alcoholic) and conversation at 6 PM. All proceeds will go to the North Shore Scenic Railroad. At 7 PM we’ll shift into our fascinating program. Mark and John will discuss Mark’s new memoir, Perseverance. They will talk about being a Dayton’s Department Store heir, his senate and governorship, and other parts of his life. Mark will take questions from the audience. Afterwards, he’ll personally autograph his memoir for guests. This is a FREE event brought to you by Zenith and The Depot. Drinks and Mark’s book will be available for purchase. You may also pre-order Perseverance on our website or at…
The St. Louis County Historical Society is thrilled to announce the rescheduled date for the Bicentennial Boom presentation. Hosted at the historic Lake Superior Railroad Museum inside the St. Louis County Depot (506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN), this is the last of our three-part series — collectively themed “A Summer of Storytelling” — with an engaging blend of local triumph, humorous misadventures, and poignant wartime reflections. Attendees can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere complete with a cash bar while diving deep into the history and narratives that shaped our region and nation. Bicentennial Boom 6:00 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026 “Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed the ‘Spirit of ’76” While Duluth’s economic struggles of the early 1970s are well-documented, its incredible Bicentennial boom is a story waiting to be told. In 1975 and 1976, dozens of diverse ethnic festivals celebrated Northland heritage, sparking major community improvements —…
Join us during your visit to view our special art exhibit, featuring pieces painted live at Glensheen by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota. Glensheen in Plein Air invites travelers to experience the beauty, history, and artistic spirit of Minnesota through a collection of plein air paintings created on the grounds of Glensheen Mansion. Produced by members of the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, each work was painted live on-site, capturing the estate’s landscapes and architecture in real time and natural light. From quiet woodland creeks and vibrant formal gardens to the intricate details of the mansion and boathouse, this exhibit showcases the diverse perspectives of artists immersed in Glensheen’s setting. The spontaneity of plein air painting brings an immediacy and authenticity to each piece, reflecting not only the environment but the moment in which it was experienced. This gallery is available for viewing at the end of our regular tour route…
Join us at Tony Dierckins presents on historic structures of Duluth. Join us as local author and historian Tony Dierckins celebrates Duluth structures on the National Register of Historic Places, the city’s historic districts, and official city landmark buildings and homes, sharing the stories of successful and failed efforts to preserve these monuments to local architecture. Adapted from his book Duluth’s Grand Old Architecture. Doors open at 6pm, the presentation will begin at 6:30pm Admission: $5 for members, $10 for non-members To register, visit our ticketing page under the special events tab at https://tickets.umn.edu/glensheen Event Cost $10.00