The Best Place to Enjoy Fall in Minnesota

Now is the perfect time to start planning for the upcoming Autumn season in Duluth, Minnesota.  Fall foliage is already showing hints of its colorful hues in the surrounding hillsides.  As the air begins to cool, we’ll soon be surrounded by the season’s hallmark hues of crimson, orange, yellow, and green. Whether you want to enjoy these colors by foot or behind the wheel, you won’t have to go far to see the finest fall foliage Minnesota has to offer.  This is also the perfect time for birdwatchers to make a trip to Duluth. The annual fall bird migration at Hawk Ridge Observatory is underway. We recommend a midweek stay if possible, which will help you to avoid the inevitable fall crowds. Book your room at the luxury A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast in Duluth, and come enjoy these incredible fall months with us.  

Fall Puts on a Show in Duluth

The fall color show in Duluth is nothing short of spectacular.  The unique climatic effect of Lake Superior allows for an incredibly vibrant and long lasting display, which typically stretches from mid-September through Late October.  The first to turn will be the inland trees, especially the maples along the ridge lines.  Afterwards, the aspens and birch will follow with bright pockets of gold. Getting up close and personal on the many hiking or biking trails around Duluth is the best way to experience fall foliage season, but there are also a variety of scenic drives and other activities that are just as rewarding.  The Fall Color Report provided by North Shore Visitor is a great place to stay up to date on what is happening, and where you’ll have the best opportunity to view colors.  Here are our favorite ways to enjoy the array of fall colors in Duluth:

• Take in the fall colors on a scenic ride up the North Shore on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
• Head up to Spirit Mountain, where you can explore the miles of scenic hiking and biking trails.
• Tour the beautiful grounds at the historic Glensheen Mansion.
• Drive the North Shore Scenic Byway, which is without a doubt one of the most popular scenic drives to take each fall in Minnesota.
• Ride the Summit Express Gondola at Lutsen Mountains, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior’s dramatic coastline.
• Take the two mile trek to Oberg Mountain, where you’ll find incredible views of inland maples lit in brilliant hues of reds and oranges.

2018 Fall Bird Migration

Witnessing the fall bird migration is a very popular activity in Duluth, especially at Hawk Ridge Observatory, which was named a birding hotspot by Audubon Magazine.  A wide variety of hawks, coming from as far north as the Arctic, fly through Duluth on their way to the warm winter breeding grounds.  The annual bird count varies each year, but averages an impressive 94,000 birds each fall. The rarest of species that visit these woods are the Peregrine Falcon and the Gyrfalcon.  Though the migration typically starts in mid-August, peak migration season is from mid-September through late-October, with the final species trickling through the area into December. The 2018 Hawk Weekend Festival, taking place September 21-23, is a great time to enjoy the peak fall bird migration.  Throughout the weekend, there are field trips, workshops, presentations, social gatherings, and more.

Though these are all guaranteed ways to enjoy Mother Nature’s show this fall, you don’t even have to leave the beautiful grounds of the A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast to enjoy fall’s splendor. Relax in our 2 private and beautiful acres, where you’ll find our award winning gardens, a spacious veranda, a gazebo, and our very own waterfall.  There’s no better choice for lodging in Duluth.  Book your stay at our award-winning Bed and Breakfast today.