Everypawdy knows the Twin Cities aren’t light on spots for Spot to see and be seen, but sometimes you just gotta leave the muttropolitan bustle behind to sniff out something new. For times like these, the North Shore’s dog-friendly Duluth is top dog.
Located just 2.5 hours north of the Twin Cities, Minnesota’s bootiful North Shore is home to Lake Superior, the largest (in surface area, but who’s counting) freshwater lake in the world. Brush your shoulders off, MN mutts, those are some barkin’ rights. Keep diggin’ for all our deets on snoot-led hikes, snaccs, bevvies, and places to rest your paws!
Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Duluth
Hikes, swims, and flights—oh my! Digging up a pawsome adventure will be zero problem, pups.
Jay Cooke State Park
Jay Cooke State Park, about 10 miles southwest of Duluth, is known for its historic swinging bridge over the St. Louis River. Peep over the edge into the rocky gorge below–if you dare. Make sure pup stays on a leash under 6 feet throughout the park tho, especially on the bridge. It’s a long way down even for hoomans!
Superior Hiking Trail
The gorrrgeous Superior Hiking Trail offers over 300 miles of tail-wagging excitement along Lake Superior. No matter how big or small your floofer’s adventure appetite, there’s a section for you. Just keep your pupper on a leash, and don’t furget to check out our hiking essentials before you go!
Lake Country Air & Beaver Air Tours
Enough of the plain ol’ ground, pup wants a bird’s eye view! For a one-of-a-kind North Shore experience, check out Beaver Air Tours and their dog-friendly charters. They offer a wide variety of flight durations and destinations, and best of all: doggos fly free! Advance registration is required as there may be a pup weight limit.
Park Point Beach
Got yourself a water-lovin’ woofer? Park Point Beach, on the other side of the Lift Bridge along a narrow, 7-mile-long sandbar, is a pupular spot for picnics, naps, and—if pup is brave enough—laps! Lake Superior is heckin’ cold, but that may not stop your pal from splashing around in the shallow end or even going all-in.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Duluth
Once you’ve borked up a Great Dane-sized appetite, chow down on these dog-friendly patios.
At Sara’s Table
Serving up delish “farm to fork” cuisine to the Chester Park Neighborhood since 2002, At Sara’s Table is happy to have you and your hound on their patio during the warmer months.
Fitger’s Brewhouse
A Duluth staple for a reason, Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille does two things and does them better than most: cooking craft food and brewing craft beer. While you’re enjoying a little bit of both, pup’ll love all the free smells (and head scratches).
Grandma’s Saloon
We’ve got four words for you: deep-fried Monte Cristo. Need we say more? Grandma’s Saloon and Grill welcomes all the four-legged frens on their lower patio when the weather’s warm.
Little Angie’s Cantina
Is your pooch extra, just like guac? Little Angie’s Cantina in the heart of Canal Park could be the pawfect place for you. Grab a couple of tacos and maybe even a margarita while your doggo does a relaxo on their outdoor deck.
OMC Smokehouse
Located in the v hip Lincoln Park Craft District, OMC Smokehouse is pawsitively guaranteed to make both you and your pupper drool. Serving up freshly smoked meats and tasty sides (don’t get us started on the mac and cheese), their dog-friendly patio is one of the best places to be on a warm afternoon.
Sir Benedict’s
Even if you don’t stroll up with an English Bulldog in tow, you’ll still be able to appreciate the authentic English pub vibes of Sir Benedict’s Tavern on the Lake. Don’t believe us? The lake views, live music, and ev-furry-day yappy hour should be enough to convince you!
Dog Friendly Breweries in Duluth
If your dogs (and your pups) are barkin’ after a long day of North Shore exploring, sit, stay, and chill with a cold one at our fave Duluth breweries.
Bent Paddle
One of the most pupular breweries in the state, Bent Paddle is a perfect option for you and doggo no matter the season! They’ve got you covered (literally) with a heated patio during the colder months and tons of grass to run around on when it warms up. Woofhoo!
Blacklist Brewing
Like many of its fellow North Shore breweries, Blacklist Brewing in Downtown Duluth uses its backyard to its advantage by sourcing water from Lake Superior. The result? Award-winning beer and seltzers for peeps and a pooch-loving patio for floofs in the spring/summer.
Canal Park Brewing Company
Why should winter put a paws on your adventures? Canal Park Brewing Company, known for its puptacular views of the Duluth waterfront, does their doggone best to keep the patio warm for anypuppy who wants to bundle up (check out our dog bootie and sweater recs) and sip some brews next to their bonfires. Tip: check their Instagram for any weather-related closures before you go.
Ursa Minor
All leashed four-legged frens are welcomed with open arms on the patio at Ursa Minor Brewing, where the doggo-watching is divine. There’s plenty of water, pats, and pooches to go around—oh, and for the hoomans—PIZZA. This writer can’t recommend it enough.
Vikre Distillery
Ok, so it’s technically not a brewery, but no trip to Duluth is complete without a stop at Vikre Distillery. Pop into their dog-friendly lower half and try one of several expertly mixed cocktails while woofer basks in the glow of all the ruv she’ll obvi be getting.
Wild State
Another non-brewery, but we gotta look out for our gluten-free friendos! And Wild State Cider has it all: fresh, crisp ciders; soft pretzels; Vermont-style soft serve ice cream; curling on the patio during the winter; and a dog-loving staff that is more than yappy to welcome you and your doggo. What the pup are you waitin’ for??
Dog-Friendly Hotels in Duluth
Woof! All that ‘splorin can tire a terrier out. When it’s time to tuck pup in for the night, Duluth has tons of options for dog-friendly hotels.
Fitger’s Inn
Take a load off with your best bud in one of the 8 pet-friendly rooms at Fitger’s Inn. Room rates start at $239/night during the week and there are no pet fees or weight restrictions! You’ll just be asked to sign a pet waiver ahead of time just in case your R&R turns a little rowdy and rambunctious. Call to book!
Grand Superior Lodge
After a long day on the trails, a stay at Grand Superior Lodge in Two Harbors will be just what the dogtor ordered. Room rates for their dog-friendly options start at $169/night during the week. There are no pet weight restrictions, but only 2 dogs are allowed per room with a non-refundable pet fee ($50 for 1 pup, $70 total for 2). Call to book!
The Suites Hotel
With more dog-friendly rooms than not, The Suites Hotel at Waterfront Plaza has no shortage of space for pup to rest her snoot. Room rates start as low as $119/night during the week. No pet weight restrictions, and a non-refundable $15/pet per night fee. Call to book!
Any pawfect Duluth spots we missed? Bark at us in the comments! And don’t forget to tag @sidewalkdog on your adventures bc we wanna follow along.
Featured photo: Andrew Ling
Sidewalk Dog’s mission is to help dog parents spend more time with their puppers by discovering and sharing activities they can do and places they can go—together! Sniff out our award-winning newsletter and Instagram, and join our Dog-Friendly Twin Cities Facebook Group.
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