Duluth, Minnesota, tourism highlights its world-famous lift bridge, which leads to charming neighborhoods filled with local breweries and restaurants. Duluth is seen as a true original along the pristine shores of Lake Superior. Part rugged, part refined and 100% one-of-a-kind.
Duluth is a popular Midwest tourist destination. The city is home to the Great Lakes Aquarium, a freshwater aquarium. The Aerial Lift Bridge, next to Canal Park, crosses the Duluth Ship Canal into the Duluth–Superior harbor. Minnesota Point, known locally as Park Point, is the world’s longest freshwater baymouth bar, stretching 6 miles (10 km).
The city of 90,000 is also the starting point for road trips along the North Shore of Lake Superior to Thunder Bay, Ontario, in Canada.
In its summer tourism update at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on August 13, local tourism leaders blamed the absence of many Canadian Travelers, due to the Trump-led government, and smoke from wildfires, as the reasons for what they framed as a lull in the tourism season.
This slower-than-usual summer tourism season is particularly impacting the hospitality, food, beverage, and town’s attraction industries.
But the city fared well in comparison to statewide and national trends, community leaders said during Visit Duluth’s summer tourism update at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center on Aug. 13
“The national numbers are a little bit challenging, but we continue to punch above our weight here in Duluth,” Mayor Roger Reinert said in a video played during the event.
Haley Hedstrom has recently accepted the position of Visit Duluth executive director, which she will assume later this month.
She explained herself as an outward-thinking executive with deep experience leading mission-driven, tourism-focused organizations through strategic growth and community transformation. Proven ability to build strong public-private partnerships, align diverse stakeholders, and deliver high-impact results with lean resources. Skilled in organizational leadership, marketing and communications, and inclusive program development—with a focus on accessibility, equity, and economic growth.
Adept at navigating complex funding models, including tourism tax funding and municipal relationships. Passionate about place-based storytelling, civic engagement, and building vibrant visitor experiences that reflect community values and drive regional growth.
“Returning to our roots as the city’s primary destination marketing organization is more than a structural change,” Hedstrom said. “We can open new doors for year-round tourism.”
Hedstrom began her career working in hotels and later transitioned to a marketing agency before joining Spirit Mountain. Most recently, she served as the executive director of Lake Superior Zoo.
Karen Pionk, general manager of Sheraton Duluth, presented hotel and lodging data from the STAR Report for Smith Travel, a system used by hotels to measure occupancy, average daily room rate, and revenue per available room across the industry. As of June, revenue per available room in Duluth is down about $5.
The focus on the Visit Duluth website will shift to attract meetings, conventions, weddings, and sporting events to this small midwestern town.
Entertainment at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center ( DECC ) is up 33% over 2023, with 2025 continuing to rise, Executive Director Dan Hartman said.
