Outdoor Adventure
During your Minnesota vacation at the Firelight Inn Bed and Breakfast, you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the area. For the truly adventurous spirit, take a guided whitewater rafting trip on the St. Louis River, go skiing at Giants Ridge or Lutsen Mountain, or go hiking or mountain biking on Spirit Mountain. To enjoy the great outdoors at a slower pace, take a walking tour of Duluth’s historic neighborhoods, such as the venerable Mansion District. Don’t let the big one get away! Take a charter boat and have an unforgettable experience fishing on Lake Superior. If a leisurely game of eighteen holes is your idea of heaven, then the local golf courses will provide just the kind of relaxation you’re seeking.
With over 20,000 square feet of sail and thousands of nautical miles between them, Duluth will often welcomes "tall ships" into the harbor. The luxury passenger ship Clelia II begins and ends voyages on the Great Lakes here in Duluth.
Boulder Lake Ski Race is scheduled for January 17, 2010 in Duluth, Minnesota. Over its six years, the Boulder Lake Ski Race grows with almost 250 athletes last year. This year race under the towering White Pines and over rolling hills in the 31 km or 10.3 km skate races, or the 4 km snowshoe. The race is 17 miles north of Duluth on the beautiful Boulder Lake Management Ski Trails managed by Minnesota Power. Stay at The Firelight Inn for the weekend to prepare for the race on Sunday at 11 a.m.
If disc golf is your thing, there are a handful of courses in addition to those on the UMD campus and College of St. Scholastica. Morgan Park, 1242 88th Avenue West is the new (summer 2009) free course featuring seven holes, with the possibility for growth, depending on its popularity. Mont Du Lac has straight shots, tunnel shots, water shots, and the 18-hole course features holes that range from 185 feet to 605 feet that run through woods, open fields and along the ski hill. It costs $5 to play at Mont Du Lac. Miller Creek Disc Golf is a 18-hold public courrse near Lake Superior College.
Interested in sea kayaking, rock and ice climbing, dog sledding, sleigh and wagon rides? The programs at Positive Energy Outdoor (Ed)Ventures emphasize teamwork, healthy risk taking and positive communication, creating learning opportunities that can lead to a lifetime of active adventures. www.outdooredventures.org
Duluth, Minnesota and The Firelight Inn offer wonderful birding opportunities to include owls, warblers, and raptors right outside our window to Oregon Creek. You can experience shorebirds, waterfowl and more birds in Duluth, MN at Hawk Ridge, Hartley Nature Center, the St. Louis River, along the North Shore, and on Park Point. Give us a call and ask us for all the information on a birding package to include maps, guides, breakfast or lunch to go and the best of all--your luxurious stay at The Firelight Inn on Oregon Creek.
A guide to bike trails and outdoor adventures is found at bbbiking.com
Do you want to know what is going on in Duluth when you are in town? Check out the latest clubs, comedy clubs, karoke bars, movies listings and times and more at www.twinportsnightlife.com
Duluth's Skyline Parkwayoffers a birds-eye view of the harbor and the city. There are special observation points, trailheads and picnic areas along the way. At the northern end is Hawk Ridge, known for migratory bird watching. For more details, visit www.superiorbyways.com
Take a walk across the many creeks on Seven Bridges Road, a scenic historic route along Amity Creek, one of Duluth's trout streams. Learn about the history of this nearly secret road at www.duluthstreams.org
The Lakewalk along Lake Superior offers more than beautiful lake views and charming shops and restaurants, Duluth’s waterfront is an expression of art. Experience the horses and carriages, a great old, thundering train, the gulls and the waves and a view that lasts forever.
Spirit Mountain is the place to be for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, winter hiking and all around fun! Check out their website for the latest information, events, rates and conditions. www.spiritmt.com
Snowflake Nordic Center and Camping is a privately owned campground and system of cross-country ski trails in the city. 5k and 10k main lighted trails with routes for beginners. Located off Rice Lake Road on the top of the hioll and east of the intersection with Arrowhead Road.
You’ll find a different view of Duluth on any of the many bike trails. Spirit Mountain is idea for mountain biking, with wooded trails, challenging terrain and breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis Bay. At 14 miles long, the Willard Munger State Trail is the longest paved trail winding through split rock canyons and past endless scenic overlooks from West Duluth to Jay Cooke State Park. The Western Waterfront Trail is an out-of-the-way trail, perfect for watching birds and other wildlife as you ride. The trail is about two miles long. Want the best view of the lake? Pedal up to Two Harbors on the North Shore Scenic Drive. Unique gift shops, delicious restaurants and incredible overlooks are along the way to provide a perfect reason to take a break.
Superior Whitewater Raft Tours are available on the St. Louis River in Carlton, just 15 miles south of Duluth. On-water trip is 2 to 3 hours. Everything is supplied—equipment, shuttle service and the friendliest, most experienced guides you’ll find. Cost is $38 per person. Trips run daily May through September. No experience is required. www.minnesotawhitewater.com
TheCanoeist.com offers summer and winter rentals of canoes, kayaks, bikes, snowshoes, skis and camping gear! 701 7th Avenue (on the main drag through town) in Two Harbors, MN.
Get into the swing of things and enjoy a game of golf. The Northland's golf courses offer a wide variety of challenge and great scenery. Many offer pro shops and lessons, along with other amenities. Golf courses in the area are. . .
Enger Park, 1801 W. Skyline Parkway Boulevard, (218)723-3451
Lester Park, 1860 Lester River Road, (218)525-0828
Nemadji Golf Course, 5 N 58th Street E, Superior, WI, www.nemadjigolf.com
Black Bear Golf Course, 1791 Highway 210, Carlton, www.golfatthebear.com
Dive in deep and take a scuba class through Duluth's Innerspace Scuba Center. With several courses to choose from, ranging from beginner to the more experienced diver, each person can practice in the pool or try the real thing in Lake Superior. Learn more about scuba diving at www.innerspacescuba.com
Get the schedule of ships arriving and departing from the harbor and enjoy watching a ship slip in to Duluth’s harbor under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Canal Park. www.duluthshippingnews.com
Outdoor music in the summer is a Northland tradition. Duluth and Superior have scheduled more than two dozen free daytime and evening concerts at various city parks. For a complete schedule visit the parks and recreation page at www.ci.duluth.mn.us or www.ci.superior.wi.us
If you want to see the kind of wildlife you’re going to see when you get here, head to www.visitduluth.com and check out the Watchable Wildlife Link on the home page. It will introduce you to the friendly forest and provide links to all sorts of outdoor activity.
Hiking and trail maps are available at Duluth Parks and Recreation, 12 East 4th Street. For more information, call (218)723-3337. In the winter, for trail conditions, call (218)723-3678.
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