Itinerary for a Historical Christmas Weekend in Duluth
Duluth has been known as the "Christmas City of the North," since the early 1960's, when Merv Griffin recorded a song about our wintery, city known for its holiday cheer. Here is a ready-made itinerary of some historic places to visit, along with Bentleyville, of course!
FRIDAY
Evening – Dinner at Duluth Bridgemans Restaurant. The last remaining Bridgeman’s restaurant is family owned and operated. Bridgeman’s history goes back to 1883, in Duluth when an enterprising young man named Henry Bridgeman began peddling fresh milk, home to home, from a goat cart. Bridgeman’s ice cream is still a family favorite. Learn more about the restaurant at Duluth Bridgemans Restaurant. Learn more about the history of the famous ice cream at Bridgeman's ice cream.
SATURDAY
9:00 am - Breakfast at Boat Club Restaurant and Bar at Fitger's.
Then shop the 15+ stores in Fitgers – listed on the National Register of Historic Place, where craft beer was born in the 1880’s with A. Fitger & Co. / Lake Superior Brewery. Then have lunch at Fitger's Brew House
The historice Fitger's complex. Facebook page photo.
2:00 pm Tour Glensheen – Decorated with 25 Christmas Trees and 25 Hidden Elves in the 39 room mansion is a must-see. Get more info at tickets at bit.ly/GlensheenTickets
Glensheen's grand staircase has one of 25 Christmas trees throughout the 39-room mansion. Facebook photo.
4:00 pm – Dinner at Pier B Resort's Silos Restaurant directly across from Bentleyville with free parking and shuttle service to Bentleyville. Pro Tip: Make your reservation for Silos now – it is extremely busy during Bentleyville.
Silos Restaurant at the Pier B Resort is right next to Bentleyville. Facebook photo.
Alternative for families – Take the Christmas City Express – with hourly departures starting at 3:15. You’ll be treated to a classic book reading of the new Christmas City Express story, enjoy carolers, and a visit from a special guest! Then climb aboard the train for a short 30-minute ride up to Lake Superior. Onboard, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies and holiday tunes. Tickets include admission to the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Get info and tickets at bit.ly/ChristmasCityExpress. Pro Tip: Get tickets early as they sell out.
"All aboard" the Christmas City Express at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Facebook photo.
8:00 pm – Tour Bentleyville – with 5 million lights, @Bentleyville is the largest free outdoor display in the country. Pro Tip: Bentleyville is open until 10 pm, and the best time on the weekend is 9 pm. Get more info at bit.ly/Bentleyville2022
An aerial view of Bentleyville. Photo by Dennis O'Hara.
SUNDAY
10:00 am – Brunch at Dovetail Cafe & Market at 1917 W Superior St in the Lincoln Park Craft District. Built in 1915, by the Minnesota Tea Company, it was gutted and restored to its original charm five years ago. In addition to the café (where they roast their own coffee), the building houses the Duluth Folk School and a marketplace with items from local artisans. Read more on the restoration of the building at bit.ly/DuluthFolkSchoolHistory
The storefront of Duluth Folk School and Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace. Photo by Madison Hunter
12:00 pm – Visit the Richard I Bong Memorial Center in Superior. Bong, from nearby Poplar WI, was a WW2 Flying Ace. The Mission of the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is to honor the memory of Major Bong and all the veterans of WWII and later conflicts whose sacrifices maintain our Freedoms. Learn more at bit.ly/RicardIBongCenter
A replica of the plane Richard I Bong flew. Photo from their Facebook page.
2:00 pm – Visit Superior’s Fairlawn Mansion and Museum, just two blocks down the street from the Bong Center – Built in 1891 as the family home for lumber and mining baron, Martin Pattison, his wife Grace and their six children. Fairlawn became a children’s home in 1920 until it closed in 1962. Get more info at bit.ly/FairlawnMuseumDD
The Fairlawn Mansion and Museum is decorated for the holidays. Facebook page photo.
