20 Great Lakes Getaways
From Minnesota to Ohio, towns along the Midwest's Great Lakes capture the summer vacation spirit. Here are some of our favorite Great Lakes getaways, with tips on exploring each one.
Duluth
As the gateway to Minnesota's North Shore vacationland, Duluth lures visitors who come for outdoor adventure, the glamour of 1900s-era lumber-boom mansions and breathtaking views of Lake Superior.
Five Fun Stops
1 Explore themed gardens and climb the five-story tower at Enger Park Tower overlooking Duluth (218/730-4300; engertowerduluth.com).
2 Check out the freshwater critters (gigantic sturgeon, otters, trout) at the two-story Great Lakes Aquarium (218/740-3474; glaquarium.org).
3 Historical elegance melds with modern-day luxuries at the newly restored AG Thomson House Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn, a 1909 Dutch Colonial (218/724-3464; thomsonhouse.biz).
4 At Valentini's Vicino Lago, you can eat breakfast bruschetta on a patio overlooking Lake Superior, grab a picnic for romantic lunches in the Leif Erikson Rose Garden next door, or linger over wine and from-scratch pasta for dinner (218/728-5900; valentinisduluth.com).
5 The beautiful Park Point Beach (pictured) lies on a sandy swath of land separating Lake Superior from the Duluth harbor. Watch massive 1,000-foot ore boats come and go or brave the lake's frigid temps and frolic in the water (800/438-5884; visitduluth.com).
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