Scenic Fall Drives in Duluth, Minnesota

Summertime in Duluth is a time filled with adventure and fun, with time spent mostly in the outdoors.  But fall is a season unto it itself, with a special place in the hearts of many.  Duluth’s lakeshore and forested hillsides begin their gorgeous change in color, speckled with bright hues of red, orange, and yellow.  Fall is a time to slow the pace of life back down, and to enjoy your uniquely beautiful surroundings.  You can do exactly that, when you stay at the A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast in Duluth this fall.  We offer an elegant home base, from which you can enjoy a variety of fall activities, like scenic drives around the North Shore of Lake Superior. Nothing beats a colorful fall getaway. Book your room at our luxury Minnesota Bed and Breakfast today.

Scenic Fall Drives

In early September, Minnesotans start to see hints of fall color emerge around Lake Superior, with fall colors peaking in late September through early October.  The earliest fall colors can be found along the roadways and trails away from the lakeshore, whereas later season color will be found along the lake itself.  Maples are the first to peak, most often the last week of September into the first week of October, followed by the poplar, birch, aspen, and tamarack leaves turning their signature golden yellow for a second season of color in mid-late October.  Whether you’re looking for a short excursion in the afternoon or an entire day-long trip, there are plenty of choices when it comes to scouting out the most scenic of the fall drives in Duluth.  Our two favorites are along Skyline Parkway and the North Shore Scenic Drive, but there are a variety of shorter fall drives that are plenty scenic.

• Skyline Parkway:  This gorgeous drive is conveniently located right in Duluth.  The Skyline Parkway sits 500 feet above Lake Superior along the ridgeline that once was the edge of Glacial Lake Duluth.  The views from here are spectacular, and the added color makes this drive highly worth your time.  The parkway passes many of Duluth’s landmarks, and you’ll get panoramic views of St. Louis Bay from Ely’s Peak and Bardon’s Peak.  A spectacular place to stop is Enger Park.  Here, you can climb the tower or sit in the gazebo, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Canal Park and Lake Superior.
• North Shore Scenic Drive/Hwy 61:  This is without doubt the most popular fall drive in Minnesota. Every mile along this beautiful drive is scenic, and the fall colors are an added bonus.  The route starts in downtown Duluth’s Canal Park, and continues along a remarkable journey past some of Minnesota’s most beautiful places.  A few of the wonderful sites you’ll pass along the way include Stony Point, the waterfalls at Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse, Palisade Head, Tettegouche state park, Sugarloaf Cove, Temperance River State Park, and Lutsen Mountain, where you can take a gorgeous tram ride up to the peaks for an incredible view.

Even if you aren’t up for scenic fall drives, there are still plenty of parks and trails to explore where you can enjoy Duluth’s fall color.  If you simply want to stay and enjoy the casual comfort of our Minnesota Inn, you can enjoy the fall color right outside our doors.  The A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast sits on 2 beautiful and private acres, with award-winning gardens and a spacious veranda, gazebo, and waterfall.  The serenity of our luxury Inn is unbeatable. Your search for a spectacular place to enjoy the scenic fall foliage in Duluth ends at the A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast. Book your room with us today!