Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

The North Shore Drive (aka Highway 61) is a 150 mile scenic drive beginning in Duluth and ending in Grand Portage, Minnesota.  We have printed a mile-by-mile guide off the Internet and are ready to see the sights and sounds of this Superior scenery. 

So, here we are in Duluth.  Mile 00.0 is Canal Park.  We take exit 256b and park in a lot near Canal Park ($1.50 for 2 hour parking) .  The iconic Aerial Lift Bridge was originally built in 1905 and upgraded in 1929–30 to the current lifting design and continues to operate today (25-30 times a day).  It has a span of about 390 feet crossing over the Duluth Ship Canal.  The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  

Aerial Lift Bridge

For those of us who love to see lighthouses this Park has three of them.  The South Breakwater Inner Light is a black metal frame tower next to the Aerial Lift Bridge.

South Breakwater Inner Light

There is a harbor light at the end of each pier.   The Duluth Harbor South Breakwater Outer Light is a two story white brick building with a red roof and the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light is a round white and black tower. 

Duluth Harbor North and South Pier Lights

We spend about two hours here walking along the pier, watching the boats, and yes, we heard the bells clang and watched the lift bridge go up and down during our visit.  Despite the many things to see and do here, we are anxious to begin our 150 mile scenic drive.

For information on Canal Park and the North Shore Drive, click on the following link:

Canal Park in Duluth

To view a detailed Mile-By-Mile Guide of the North Shore Road (PDF), click on the following link:

North Shore Mile By Mile Guide