Exploring Duluth, Minnesota Hiking at Lester Park: A Picturesque Rocky Landscape Full of Gentle Cascades

 

A visit to Duluth, Minnesota, offers a wonderful launching point for hiking all along Minnesota's North Shore. However, visitors should remember Duluth holds its own fabulous hiking trails. In the past, we enjoyed a hike at Congdon Park. During our most recent Duluth vacation, we wandered the trails of Lester Park.

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Exploring the St. Croix Boom Site in Stillwater, Minnesota

 

During our recent Minnesota adventure, we explored the St. Croix Boom Site in Stillwater, Minnesota. We found our hike along sandstone cliffs to have a bit of a welcome challenge and beautiful views. With very few other visitors, we enjoyed nature totally in peace.

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Nature Flourishes at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in St. Cloud, Minnesota

 

Exploring a Wonderland of Rock Formations and Reflecting Pools at Quarry Park and Nature Preserve in St. Cloud, Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota bears the nickname 'Granite City' as an homage to a long history tied with granite quarries. Today, the rehabilitation of 20 former granite quarries crafts a fascinating and beautiful nature preserve for all to enjoy at  Quarry Park and Nature Preserve. During our visit, we savored a summer morning exploring the 684-acre preserve.

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Hiking in the Wooded Bluffs of St. Cloud, Minnesota

 

River Bluffs Regional Park in St. Cloud, Minnesota Dazzles with Woodlands, Natural Trails and Ravines Above the Mississippi River

Shade and rolling trails upon the bluffs of St Cloud, Minnesota at River Bluffs Regional Park welcomed us while on a tranquil and rejuvenating nature adventure. Our hike on the natural trails under sunlight dancing through the leaves provided us with the perfect nature uplift that we needed.

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Basking in Summer Blooms at Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, Minnesota

Admiring Summer Flowers at Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, Minnesota

Munsinger Clemens Gardens in St. Cloud, Minnesota dazzles visitors with a patchwork of beautiful gardens right along the Mississippi River. We quickly fell in love with the beautiful assemblage of plants and striking aesthetics of fountains during our visit.

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Peaceful Solemnity at Pipestone National Monument in Minnesota

 

Pipestone National Monument in western Minnesota has long held sacred significance for Native Americans. For many generations, tribes quarried pipestone at the site in order to fabricate ceremonial pipes. Smoke from the pipes is believed to carry one's prayer to the Great Spirit.

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Hiking to a Delicate Cascade at Shadow Falls Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota

 

Shadow Falls Park Provides a Minnesota Hike Complete with Stunning Ravine, a Gentle Waterfall and Mississippi River Views

Shadow Falls Park effortlessly captivates wanderers with magical tree-covered ravines and a waterfall that delicately unfurls amidst soft, olive moss and verdant forest greens over nature sculpted rock. Whiled wrapped in the natural treasures of the preserve, we easily forgot that we were hiking in the Twin Cities. 

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Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit in St. Paul, Minnesota Delights Taste Buds with Pure Food Magic

Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit in St. Paul, Minnesota Delights Taste Buds with Pure Food Magic

Biscuits. Pie. What could be better on a road trip than a stop to treat oneself with a meal of biscuits and pie. Cue Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit, a true must-visit destination in St. Paul, Minnesota. We visited not once but twice during a two day visit. Our treats delighted us so much that we almost made a third trip. Entirely true.

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Scaling Unique Rocky Terrain and Waterfalling at Jay Cooke State Park in Minnesota

Scaling Unique Rocky Terrain and Waterfalling at Jay Cooke State Park in Minnesota

Jay Cooke State Park on the St. Louis River in Carlton, Minnesota affords a unique landscape for hiking as adventurers navigate rock formations to enjoy fantastic views. The intriguing geology of the park consists of slate and greywacke  folded and fractured by earth movements and underground pressure. Red clay and silt overlaying the bedrock was laid down during the Ice Age. The distinctive rocky landscape will inspire exploration as nature enchants.

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Exploring the Flavors and Sights of Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

Exploring Flavors and Sights of Canal Park in Duluth, Minnesota

Canal Park in Duluth is a fun spot full of local makers, craft brewers, interesting shops, entertainment, history and Lake Superior views. We found Canal Park to be a fun and lively spot to explore. Plus, the weather was nice so we certainly enjoyed strolling along Lake Superior!

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History, Opulence and Awe at Glensheen in Duluth, Minnesota

History, Opulence and Awe at Glensheen in Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Glensheen stands magnificently perched up above Lake Superior in Duluth. Constructed in 1905-1906, Glensheen was home to Chester Congdon who was a teacher turned lawyer that amassed great wealth in iron mining and banking. Upon entering the grand estate, a sense of awe quickly descended upon us as we measured the incredible landscape and architecture and were engulfed by the treasures of Congdon's wealth. Early one morning, we embarked on the General Tour which was a self-guided tour of 3 floors of the home.

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Exploring the Parks of Duluth at Enger Park and Congdon Park

Exploring the Parks of Duluth at Enger Park and Congdon Park

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Opportunities for hiking and other outdoor recreational activities abound in Duluth. At the beginning of our getaway, we escaped a bit up the Lake Superior coast to Gooseberry Falls. On the second day of our trip, we explored two of Duluth's incredible parks -- Enger Park and Congdon Park. Each park provides a unique perspective of Duluth.

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Hiking at Gooseberry Falls in Minnesota

Hiking to Stunning Cascades at Gooseberry Falls State Park in Minnesota

While visiting Duluth, we certainly had waterfalls on our minds! On our first afternoon, we traced Lake Superior until we reached Gooseberry Falls State Park.  Our nearly 3.5 mile hike greeted us with many vantage points to enjoy the falls and rapids.

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Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota

Learning about shipping history and sailing on Lake Superior at Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Located right on Lake Superior in Canal Park, Duluth's Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center introduces visitors to the shipping and transportation history of the city. From start to finish, the museum is incredibly fascinating and incorporates artifacts as well as multimedia experiences to educate the public.

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Exploring the Wildlife Wonders and Ecology of Lake Superior at the Great Lakes Aquarium

Exploring the Wildlife Wonders and Ecology of Lake Superior at the Great Lakes Aquarium

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Lake Superior figures prominently in Duluth's ecology, history, economy and everyday life. So, understanding the lake provides a nice foundation for a visit to the city. A morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium gave us a fantastic and informative look at the marine life calling Lake Superior home as well as a taste of different aquatic environments throughout the world. Spend a little time exploring this incredible lake with us and see why the Great Lakes Aquarium is great to add to your Duluth visit especially when traveling with littles:

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Weekend Getaway to Duluth, Minnesota

**Disclosure: I did receive complimentary admission to Glensheen and the Great Lakes Aquarium in partnership with Visit Duluth in order to bring you detailed reviews. No other compensation was received. All opinions are 100% my own.

Weekend Getaway to Duluth, Minnesota: Nature, Lake Views, History, Makers Food and More

Visiting Lake Superior has long been on my travel list. When a free weekend presented itself, my husband and I seized the opportunity to head to Duluth, Minnesota for a weekend away. We quickly fell in love with Duluth's position on the serene, nearly thawed, magnificent Lake Superior:

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Fort Snelling: Frontier Fortress on the Mississippi

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

I first visited Fort Snelling as a child when my grandparents took our family to visit St. Paul. Always the history buff, I was immediately fascinated by the fortification sitting above the Mississippi River. When we decided to visit Roseville, Minnesota for a family weekend, I knew that I had to bring my daughter. The day was sweltering and there is little shade at the fort, so we didn't spend as much time as I would of liked. However, we still learned quite a bit!

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Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

Our home base at the Residence Inn Minneapolis-St. Paul/Roseville was a short drive to the Mall of America. On an incredibly hot day during our stay, we were happy to have a little indoors adventure at Nickelodeon Universe inside of the mall. It is certainly a novelty to have an amusement park in a mall. Since it is indoors, it is perfect for exploration all year round.

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Large Scale Art Inspires at Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden looked absolutely stunning on our visit during a bright and sunny day. The beautiful skies and intriguing sculptures beckoned for exploration.

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Laughs, Games and Fun at Can Can Wonderland in St. Paul, Minnesota

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

Boardwalk arcade games and mini golf -- what can be a better way to spend a family evening! Temperatures were pretty steamy during our visit to Roseville, Minnesota, so we were happy to take some evening time out of the sun at the indoor fun venue of Can Can Wonderland in nearby St. Paul.

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