Three Duluth attractions. One pass. Zero hassle.
The William A. Irvin, Great Lakes Aquarium, and North Shore Scenic Railroad have teamed up to offer reduced admission to all three attractions for about the price of two with the purchase of one online Duluth Passport.
If you have traveled internationally, you understand that a passport is your ticket to see the world. In a similar vein, the brand new Duluth Passport opens several adventurous doors for you.
A large part of its charm is that the Duluth Passport resembles an official document and will be hand-stamped at each location, just like a real passport. Another feature is that the Duluth Passport unfolds into a map of the area, showing the location of each participating attraction.
All three venues are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to “DU it all” in one weekend or stretch it out over the summer. The choice is up to you!
Price and Dates
The Duluth Passport costs $45 for adults and $25 for ages 3-13. Children 2 and under are free. Additionally, the passport is valid through September 15, 2025, allowing you to enjoy all the activities in a single weekend or savor them over the entire summer.
“The Duluth Passport is a ‘3 for the price of 2’ deal, showcasing the best attractions – all within walking distance of Canal Park,” said Allison Iacone, Director of Communications, Great Lakes Aquarium. “It’s not only a great value, but a flexible pass that allows holders to see all the sites over the course of a weekend or spread it out over multiple visits all summer.”
“I love that you don’t have to rush through it in a weekend,” added Lucie Amundsen, Communications Manager for the DECC. “You can spread the fun over the whole summer and benefit from the savings.”
This option to stretch out the enjoyment makes the Duluth Passport a great option for locals. However, if you are full of energy and want to hit all three sites in one day or are just visiting for a weekend, you can do that, too.
“It eliminates some of that ‘What are we going to do now’ feeling, when you have almost a whole day planned out by buying one pass,” noted Josh Miller, Station Manager, North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Great Lakes Aquarium – New Exhibit!
Each of the three venues offers great options for all ages this summer. Allison Iacone shared some exciting news about the Great Lakes Aquarium.
“Our new exhibit, Lava to Lakes, opens Memorial Day weekend,” she noted. “This exhibit dives into the land before 10,000 lakes. Guests can discover what once roamed the ancient seas that covered our region.”
“You can get up close with shark and jellyfish touch pools, explore some of Earth’s oldest rocks, and see the prehistoric fish that swam those waters between the times of lava and lakes.”
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Miller shared that the North Shore Scenic Railroad will offer a wide variety of train excursions operating on the weekends, with the affiliated railroad museum (Lake Superior Railroad Museum) open 7 days a week.
Guests are invited to climb aboard the 75-minute “Duluth Zephyr” train excursion ride, or the 2.5-hour “Northwoods Explorer” ride, using the Duluth Passport. The ride is fully narrated and travels along the lake and up to the edge of the city of Duluth. Guests will enjoy riding aboard real historic railroad equipment, making it fun for all ages.
If the trains aren’t running the day of your visit, you can use your Duluth Passport for admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
William A. Irvin – New this Summer: Paranormal Tours!
If you’re looking for the classic, fun-for-all-ages William A. Irvin tour, your Duluth Passport will get you there. Guests of all ages will enjoy an educational and entertaining adventure aboard this cool “floating museum.”
However, there is an exciting—and spooky—new tour aboard the Irvin this summer, which is NOT covered by the Duluth Passport: a paranormal tour.
Amundsen shared, “The historic freighter, with its imposing steel hull and shadowy corridors, has long been rumored to harbor ghosts. Numerous paranormal investigators have documented unexplained phenomena throughout the vessel, including temperature fluctuations, disembodied voices, and shadowy figures glimpsed in the outer passageway.
“After years of trying to accommodate ghost hunter groups individually, we have created a couple of nights for paranormal tours on the William A. Irvin. New this year, the Irvin will offer TWO limited-ticket paranormal tours in 2025 for paranormal investigators.
“These exclusive events will allow the preternatural-curious to use their own investigative equipment aboard the storied freighter on Friday, June 13th, and Tuesday, August 26th, from 8 PM – 2 AM, and costs $75. To participate, attendees must sign a contract and waiver.”
Please note: the Irvin’s paranormal tours are NOT included in the cost of the Duluth Passport. For paranormal tour reservations, please contact hauntedship@decc.org.
DU it All!
So, there you have it. Whether you’re a lifelong Duluthian or just here for a visit, the Duluth Passport is a great way to enjoy three classic Duluth activities at a reduced cost.
Consider purchasing the Duluth Passport for a great way to enjoy three Duluth adventures – for roughly the price of two!
To learn more about the Duluth Passport or purchase tickets, please visit Your Pass to Duluth’s Best Attractions│Things to do in Duluth, MN.
