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Overview
Duluth's mild summer temperatures and close proximity to Lake Superior made this Minnesota city a hotspot for high-end citizens in the late 1800’s, resulting in the cropping up of vast mansions and Victorian era homes throughout the city. During the first half of the 20th century, Duluth was one of the leading industrial towns in the nation, with a cement mill, nail mill, shipyards and grain elevators bringing in the majority of the town's economic income. By the 1970’s, however, foreign competition all but wiped out these once prosperous mills and shipping industries. To make up for the monetary loss of industries like the Duluth Works plant, the city turned to tourism as its major economic focus, remodeling old warehouses into trendy restaurants and retail shopping centers. Duluth now acts as the center for banking and medicine for Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota as well, with two hospitals providing thousands of jobs for area residents.
Duluth continues to act as a tourist town, boasting idyllic summer vacations, providing outdoor activities - hiking, biking, scenic drives and camping – and offering a wealth of historic sites. Vacations in Duluth include shopping as well, and a number of mall districts and locally owned shops line the streets of downtown Duluth for tourists’ and locals’ spending pleasure. Family-friendly Duluth attractions include Great Lakes Aquarium, the nation’s only freshwater aquarium, the Aerial Lift Bridge, Lakewalk and the Lake Superior Zoo. And for the adult crowd, casinos are conveniently located near downtown Duluth as well as a number of trendy, metropolitan-style bars and clubs that promise lively parties until the wee hours of the morning.
Although this former industrial city has gone through some trying times, Duluth is back on its feet again as a popular destination for families, business persons, the young and the old. With strong and steady historic, artistic, and architectural scenery, mild summer temperatures, and tons of affordable things to do, Duluth is the perfect spot for those looking to get away from the usual grind.
