On our way to Voyageurs National Park, we made a stop in Duluth, Minnesota, a city often regarded as a gateway for travelers heading north to the park.

Conveniently located nearly halfway between Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) and Voyageurs, Duluth serves as a natural rest point.

The city boasts several attractions, with Lake Superior and the Aerial Lift Bridge being its most notable highlights.

Situated at the westernmost tip of Lake Superior—the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area—Duluth offers a picturesque waterfront that we had the pleasure of exploring.

One of the city’s most iconic features is the Aerial Lift Bridge, a remarkable engineering structure that elevates to allow the passage of large vessels into the Duluth-Superior Harbor.

We were fortunate to be along the waterfront just in time to witness the bridge in action as it raised and lowered to accommodate ship traffic.