SENIOR SUMMER HOUSING UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH

Some Facts About Duluth

Incorporated in 1870, Duluth is the seat of St. Louis County. Situated halfway between Minneapolis/St. Paul and U.S. /Canadian border, it is the third largest city in Minnesota (population 85,493) and the major metropolitan area for northeastern Minnesota and north-western Wisconsin.

Weather:

Average high temperatures - 71°F June, 77°F July, 74°F August. The proximity of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, modifies the local weather, causing cooler summer temperatures, warmer winter temperatures, and a low frequency of severe storms.

Duluth International Airport:

Located six miles from downtown, has daily passenger service to Minneapolis/St. Paul Intl Airport, Chicago O'Hare Airport, and Detroit Metro Airport, with excellent connections to major U.S. cities and overseas destinations.

The Duluth Transit Authority (DTA):

Provider of public transportation services for Duluth, Proctor and Superior, Wisconsin operates wheelchair accessible services on 18 routes and curbtocurb STRIDE services for mobility disabled persons throughout the Twin Ports.

World Port:

The interstate port of DuluthSuperior is the region's gateway to the world. Annually over 1,100 ships call in Duluth, including more than 100 saltwater vessels which transit the 2,342 mile Great LakesSt. Lawrence system to the Atlantic Ocean.

Highways:

Duluth has the finest urban freeway in the United States and offers easy access to the downtown area: I35 from the south, US 61 from the north, US 2/53, I535 from the east, and US 2/53 and SR 194 (Central Entrance) from the west.

Health Care:

As a major medical center, Duluth has a clinic and three hospitals with services in virtually every medical specialty.

Recreation:

The Parks and Recreation Department provides year round recreation and social opportunities on a citywide basis for persons of all ages, including seniors: Recreation and dining program, annual Northland Senior Games and a variety of special events.

Duluth's parks system is one of the most extensive in the nation. The City owns and maintains 11,000 acres including the following special areas:

125 municipal parks, playgrounds and public places
22 neighborhood recreational centers and 11 senior centers
Two 27 hole golf courses
Eight selfguided hiking trails
Lake Superior Zoo
Wade Municipal Stadium
Swimming beach and indoor swimming pool
Nearly four miles of the Duluth Lakewalk
Public gardens
Major parks include: Bayfront, Brighton Beach, Chester Bowl, Chambers Grove, Lester, Leif Erickson, Park Point, Enger, Lincoln and Fairmont.

Shopping:

The Downtown Waterfront, home to many locally owned and operated shops, is easily accessible by travelers at two downtown exits off the I35 freeway. The downtown features many different businesses, restaurants, hotels and specialty shops that can be found in the Holiday Center, Canal Park, DeWitt Seitz Marketplace building, the Fitgers Complex, and along Superior and First Streets. The downtown skywalk system, over three miles long and growing, offers convenient access to many of these shops and restaurants.

At the Miller Hill Mall, shoppers will find everything they need under one roof. Shops include over 110 specialty and apparel stores. Miller Hill Mall offers nine Food Court restaurants and five specialty food stores.

Tourist Attractions:

Aerial Lift Bridge:

Duluth's landmark attraction, located between Park Point and Canal Park, is the largest and fastest lift bridge in the world.

Bayfront Park:

Many outdoor concerts and events are held at Bayfront Park.

Bayfront Blues Festival:

The sounds of the Blues can be heard at the annual Bayfront Blues Festival held in August.

Brighton Beach in Gitchee Gummee Park:

Located on the North Shore Scenic Highway, this is the perfect area for picnics or skipping rocks.

Canal Park:

The Canal Park area attracts visitors from all over the world, with its restaurants, shops, Lakewalk and the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Carriage Rides:

Visitors can take an oldfashioned horsedrawn carriage ride along the shores of Lake Superior at the Canal Park Lakewalk.

The Depot:

This distinctive building houses three museums, two art galleries and five performing arts organizations.

Duluth Omnimax Theatre:

This IMAX Dome theatre screen encompasses the audience, creating the illusion of being totally involved in the action.

Enger Memorial Tower:

Located along Skyline Parkway near Enger Park Golf Course, this landmark offers beautiful views of Duluth and Lake Superior.

Grandma's Marathon:

Every June, thousands of runners from all over the world participate in Grandma's Marathon.

Great Lakes Aquarium at Lake Superior Center:

At the foot of 5th Avenue West on the Harbor, this aquarium exhibits a natural history center, science center & cultural exhibits.Glensheen Mansion: Tour this historic estate on Lake Superior

Hawk's Ridge:

Skyline Parkway over Lester River offers a beautiful view of Lake Superior, and it's great for watching thousands of migratory hawks in the spring and fall.

Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum:

This unique museum has original historic letters and documents on display. The museum has rotating exhibits changing every three months.

Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad:

Take a 90minute scenic excursion train ride along the St. Louis River.

Lake Superior Maritime Visitors Center:

Open yearround with exhibits and other educational material on the maritime history of the Twin Ports.

Lake Superior Zoological Gardens:

See hundreds of fascinating animals in natural environments; Siberian Tigers, Australian Kangaroos and Arctic Polar Bears.

Lakewalk:

Starting in Canal Park, the 3mile long Lakewalk along the westerly shoreline of Lake Superior takes visitors directly past attractions like the Fitger's Complex, the Rose Garden and Leif Erickson Park.

Leif Erickson Park:

This beautiful park, along the shores of Lake Superior off London Road, is the site of a fullscale replica of a wooden Viking ship reminiscent of the type used by Norse sailors hundreds of years ago.

North Shore Scenic Drive:

The North Shore Scenic Drive runs 22 miles, starting near Brighton Beach on Hwy 61 to Two Harbors.

North Shore Scenic Railroad:

On this 26mile rail line between Duluth and Two Harbors, passengers are treated to fun and exciting narrated excursion rides in historic railroad coaches.

Golf:

Challenging golf and spectacular scenery lure golfers to Duluth's public and private golf courses.

Park Point:

Park Point's sandy beaches stretch out seven miles and are perfect for swimming, wading or tanning, offering picnic and play areas.

Rose Garden:

Duluth's Rose Garden on London Road offers more than 3,000 beautiful rose bushes, a marble gazebo and fountain and plenty of benches overlooking Lake Superior.

Skyline Drive:

Superb views of Lake Superior, the harbor and Twin Ports mark this 30mile drive 600 feet above the shoreline.

Vista Fleet Harbor Cruises:

Visitors can tour the harbor and Lake Superior on Vista Fleet cruises, offering gorgeous sights and delicious food.

Western Waterfront Trail:

A 3 1/2 mile path along the St. Louis River, this trail is ideal for hiking, jogging, biking, snowshoeing and sightseeing.

Willard Munger State Trail:

The Munger Trail is open for bike riding, inline skating in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. Fourteen miles linking West Duluth and Jay Cooke State Park.

William A. Irvin:

The Irvin was once the flagship of the USS Great Lakes Fleet and carried iron ore and coal to various Great Lakes ports.

Check out these Web Sites:

http://www.d.umn.edu/housing/
http://www.visitduluth.com/

Questions?

If you have questions about the
UMD Summer Senior Program,
please contact us.
Our office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. C.S.T.
Telephone: (218) 726-7390
FAX: (218) 726-8049
E-mail: sumhsg@d.umn.edu