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Twin Ports entertainment for $10 or less

By Melinda Lavine mlavine@duluthnews.com

Whether it’s ax-throwing or hitting the roller rink, there’s promising entertainment for pennypinchers in the Twin Ports. Here’s a glimpse of things to do for 10 bucks or less. Get axed (not really)

For the Paul Bunyan or Gimli inclined, there’s competitive ax-throwing in downtown Duluth.

Ten bucks gets you 30 minutes whipping an ax over your head at a wooden target at Blacklist Artisan Ales. (One hour is $18 per person.) Equipment is provided, as is training on how to throw, score — and how to do it all safely.

If you’re younger than 18, you need a guardian, and waivers are signed beforehand. They recommend booking a time slot, and keep those tootsies intact — no open-toe shoes.

► Blacklist Artisan Ales,

120 E Superior St. More info: blacklistbrewco.com

A scoop and a stroll

At the The Portland Malt Shoppe, you can have your view and eat it, too. Located at 716 E. Superior St., it overlooks Lake Superior, and you can grab a scoop, float or banana sundae for less than $8. From the malt shoppe, it’s just a few feet to a Lakewalk entrance, where you can stroll the shore, ship-watch and let the sugar and sounds of the waves lull you to bliss.

Good for group dates, regular dates and flying solo.

Highly recommended at dusk.

► Portland Malt Shoppe, 716 E. Superior St. Open for the season until Oct. 21. More info: portlandmaltshoppe. com, duluthmn.gov/parks/ parks-listing/lakewalk/

Late-night laughs

In the vein of Upright Citizens Brigade, Duluth improvisers team up in a spontaneous, fast-paced game of make-the-audience-laughthe-hardest. It’s $6 at the

door and spoiler: Everybody wins. Catch shows at 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Teatro Zuccone.

Good for definite, consistent laughs and maybeembarrassing moments with your folks.

► Teatro Zuccone, 222 E Superior St. More info: zeitgeistarts.com/ renegade/#improv

Grab your skates

If you’re in for a junior high throwback or you wanna bone up for the hockey rink, hit up the World of Wheels Skate Center in Superior. If you BYO-skates, the cost is $6.50$8 for admission. Flash your college ID from 7:30-10 p.m. Wednesdays for the lower rate. Rent skates for $3 and blades for $4.50.

Good for groups, laughs and side ponies.

► World of Wheels Skate Center, 1218 Oakes Ave, Superior. More info: wowskatecenter.com

ENTERTAINMENT: Page 10

College students, these first few weeks, you’re going to be bombarded with thousands of tips on how to make your college experience the “best years of your life.”

This column is here to do just the same — but my insight isn’t coming from someone 20 years out of school. Instead, here’s a list of the best things if you’re looking to experience more than what campus offers — made by a young adult for young adults.

I’m a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. I moved to Duluth after a college experience that was made up of late nights in Dinkytown; a never-ending list of new restaurants, bars and concert venues to check out; and a campus of more than 50,000 students that literally never slept After four years of that, I worried that Duluth might be a bit … sleepy.

Thankfully, this wasn’t the case. With a summer of exploring trails, restaurants and all corners of Duluth, I have a quick list of my favorite ways to experience the town.

Please note: When winter hits, I can’t guarantee that many — or all — of my recommendations will hold up.

Get outside

What I assumed was great scenery in Minneapolis doesn’t compare to what Duluth has. While you can experience Duluth outdoors any number of ways, I preferred hiking. It’s an easy workout and offers some of the best photo ops for the gram.

Duluth’s trails snake along steep hillsides, over rivers and through dense forests — all while Lake Superior fills the eastern horizon.

My go-to hiking trail was at Hawk’s Ridge, which I headed to several times a month for both quick and long hikes. The park’s trails climb along the edge of one of the hills that frame Duluth. It’s a 10-minute drive from the University of Minnesota Duluth and College of St. Scholastica

campuses, making for a quick trip to get away from school.

And if you have time (and a vehicle), head up the North Shore and stop at any of the numerous parks: Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Tettegouche State Park. They’re all great.

Be a tourist, seriously

For many residents, Duluth’s Canal Park is completely off limits until the slow-walking, street-clogging tourists leave for the season.

But you should embrace the chaos.

Canal Park exists and continues to exist because people — including myself — enjoy it. While exploring the small businesses and waterfront

to cute small businesses and various notable restaurants. In my opinion, spending an afternoon in the Lincoln Park craft district devouring ice cream and/or tacos and then shopping in local businesses would be the best way to bond with new friends.

Take on live events

When in doubt, go to an event.

“Events” extends to concerts, festivals, farmers’ markets, brewery tours, fairs, speeches and so much more. A lot of them are free, and you’ll meet people who live outside the campus bubble.

Attending an event involving something you’re passionate about, whether it’s music or politics, will make it even more memorable, and you’ll likely meet people who have similar interests. There’s no shortage of things to do if you hop on Facebook events and look at what’s happening in the Duluth area. Just pick one and show up; it’s that easy.

Want to eat good? Eat local OK, this extends to drinking, too. Many of the best meals and drinks I had this summer were from local restaurants. And the atmosphere of these places only added to the experience.

Experiencing food beyond chain restaurants like Chipotle and Domino’s Pizza — although still tasty — is one of my favorite ways to dive into a community. You can experience an important part of a community and something that drives people together (food) by dining local.

paths may be cheesy, it’s guaranteed to be fun. And grabbing Leaf electric scooters to zip around the bustling neighborhood would make it even better.

Duluth’s tourist areas aren’t confined to Canal, however. Make sure you wander around downtown and Lincoln Park, too.

Lincoln Park is a quickly developing area, home

Some of my favorite places were Sir Benedict’s Tavern, Duluth Cider, Bent Paddle Brewing, Hoops Brewing, At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Cafe and the list goes on. They all had great atmospheres and memorable food and/or drinks. And make sure you’re dining at places with outdoor seating — it’s only patio season for a few short months, folks.

University of

A recent

Minnesota graduate, Kelly Busche was an intern at the Duluth News Tribune before she was hired as the new business reporter. Reach her at 218-723-5320 or kbusche@duluthnews.com.

RIGHT: Spend time outside — like at the pictured Hartley Nature Center — to fully experience Duluth.

Photos by Kelly Busche / kbusche@duluthnews.com

KELLY BUSCHE 

After one summer in Duluth, here’s a recent college graduate’s guide to the best ways to experience Duluth

Spending time at my favorite hiking trail at Hawk’s Ridge was one of the best (and free) ways to experience this new community. Ellen Schmidt / eschmidt@duluthnews.com

LEFT: Be a tourist — including checking out the lift bridge — to make sure you really experience Duluth.

By Melinda Lavine mlavine@duluthnews.com

K, so if you’re new to the Twin Ports, you’ve hit the jackpot for hills, lake and woods. That also means outstanding peaks to view all of Mother Nature’s mischief. Check out these four locales to view a sunset, sunrise, full moon, you name it.

SKYLINE PARKWAY is one of Duluth’s treasures, uniquely showcasing the city from end to end while providing spectacular views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Bay. Skyline Parkway offers many overlooks along the way. Many of the neighboring parks and trails offer recreational activities such as hiking, crosscountry skiing, bird watching and more.

BRIGHTON BEACH. This rocky beach gets you up close and personal with the shore and waves. Set your seat on the billionyear-old basalt rock and enjoy.

PARK POINT. This sandy beach stretches the distance with awesome views of Duluth. There’s plenty of beach to share with the gulls — just please don’t feed them.

CLIFFTOP GAZEBO AT ENGER TOWER. Walk past the gothic tower, through the Japanese garden and Peace Bell to emerge on this hefty overlook.

Share your fave spots, email features@duluthnews.com.

The sun rises over Lake Superior as seen from Skyline Parkway in Duluth on the morning of July 31, 2019. Clint Austin / caustin@duluthnews.com

THINGS TO DO IN SEPTEMBER

EVENTS

Duluth Superior Pride Festival featuring a parade, block party, 5K, train ride, mayor’s reception or more, Aug. 29Sept. 1, in various locations in Duluth and Superior. Go to duluthsuperiorpride.com.

Grandma’s Marathon Minnesota Mile, 6 p.m. Sept. 6, Duluth. Cost: $20 for adults, $10 for ages 6-14. Go to grandmasmarathon.com to register.

2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Sept. 7, DECC. Registration at 8:30 a.m., ceremony at 10 a.m. and walk at 10:20 a.m. Go to act.alz.org.

Lake Superior Harvest Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 7, Bayfront Festival Park. Features food, exhibitors, farmer’s market and more. Free admission and free parking. Go to sfamn.org/harvest-festival.

KIA Drag Races and Car Show, Sept. 7-8, Garfield Avenue in Duluth. Go to kernkompany.com/ kia-of-duluth-dragraces-car-show.

Spike Out ALS, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 8, Skyline Lanes & Volleyball, 4894 Miller Trunk Highway. Spikeball is known as “the trampoline game” or “if volleyball and foursquare had a baby.” Teams are made up of two players and the tournament format will be round-robin with seeded playoffs. Check-in at 11:30 a.m., rules at 11:45 a.m. and games begin at noon. Pre-registration is required. Cost: $40 per team; proceeds go to Black Woods Blizzard Tour which benefits the ALS Association. Call (218) 727-8555 or go to skylineleagues.leagueapps. com/tournaments.

Northshore Inline Marathon and Skatefest, Sept. 13-14, Duluth. Go to northshoreinline. com/ to register.

Duluth Oktoberfestival, Sept. 13-15, Bayfront Festival Park. Features authentic German food, beer, activities, and music. Go to kernkompany.com.

Superstition Tour, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13, Fairlawn Mansion, 906 E. Second St. Learn about all the superstitions of the Victorian Era and those who lived in this mansion at the turn of the century with this darkened tour. Bring a flashlight. Call 715-394-5712 or go to superiorpublic museums.org.

Buzz Fest, 1-11:30 p.m. Sept. 14, Wessman Arena, UWS, 2701 Catlin Ave., Superior. Features beer, tribute bands and beer. Proceeds benefit hockey teams. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 day of event. Go to buzzfest20192. simpletix.com.

United Way Chili Cookoff, 5-7 p.m. Sept. 19, DECC. Sample chilis and vote for your favorite.

Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-12. Go to hlunitedway.org.

Duluth Playhouse presents “Smokey Joe’s Cafe,” Sept. 19-21 and Sept. 26-29, to open the season at NorShor Theatre, 211 E. Superior St. Go to duluth playhouse.org.

Chester Bowl Fall Fest, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21, Chester Bowl, 1801 E. Skyline

Parkway. Enjoy music, food, crafts, locally grown fresh produce, vendors, and informational booths about local programs.

Suggested donation: $5 per person or $10 per family; proceeds go to support Chester winter program scholarships for kids in need who want to participate in winter sports. Go to chesterbowl.org/ fall-fest.

County Seat Theater presents “Hilda’s Yard,” Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 3-6, Encore Performing Arts Center, 2035 Highway 33 S., Cloquet. Go to countyseattheater. com/2019-season/ for tickets.

Lester River Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28, Lester Park. Features 60 food and craft vendors, stage musical acts, and the Voyageur Village with 30 skilled re-enactors demonstrating the daily life of a Voyageur during the fur trade era. Free Admission and free rendezvous train shuttle provided by the North Shore Scenic Railroad. Rain date: Sept. 29. Go to Lester River Rendezvous on Facebook. Beargrease and Bacon Bash, 3 p.m. Sept. 28, Proctor Fairground, 800 N. Boundary Ave., Proctor. This family-friendly tasting event is the kick-off to the Beargrease season. Enjoy a Bloody Mary battle, beer battle, bacon battle, human foosball, live music, raffle and auction. Find the event page on Facebook.

ONGOING

► Glensheen Historic Estate, 3300 London Road, Duluth, offers a 39room mansion and 7 acres of formal gardens and working vegetable gardens. Grounds hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily with tours offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit glensheen.org or call (218) 726-8910.

► Duluth Children’s Museum, 115 S. 29th Ave. W., Duluth, offers programs and exhibits for children and families. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Visit playduluth.org or call (218) 733-7543.

► Duluth Depot, 506 W. Michigan St., includes Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth Art Institute, St. Louis County Historical Society and Veterans’ Memorial Hall. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visit duluthdepot.org or call (218) 727-8025.

► Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Ave., Superior, offers exhibits, events and history theater. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call

(715) 392-8449 or go to douglashistory.org.

► Great Lakes Aquarium, 353 Harbor Drive, Duluth, models a number of habitats from the Great Lakes and around the world. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit glaquarium. org or call (218) 740-3474.

► Lake Superior Zoo, 7210 Fremont St., Duluth, is the only zoo in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. It features a wide variety of animals and educational displays.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Visit lszooduluth.org or call (218) 730-4500.

► North Shore Scenic Railroad, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth. Go to

northshorescenicrailroad. org or call (218) 722-1273 for details.

► The Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad, The River Train, offers tourist excursion rides along the St Louis River. The 1946 Switch Engine & 100+ yr old coaches provide a leisurely trip over part of the original 1870s tracks into Duluth. Available 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays Buy tickets on-line at lsmrr.org

► Vista Fleet offers a wide variety of boat sightseeing tours, Canal Park. Go to vistafleet.com.

Find more Things to Do every Friday in the Variety section of the Duluth News Tribune and online at duluthnewstribune.com.

The stage is set for “Mamma Mia!” when the Duluth Playhouse opened the restored NorShor Theatre in 2018. The 2019-20 season opens with “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” on Sept. 19.

Johnson of Hermantown, dressed as a voyageur, demonstrates the art of starting a fire with dry pine needles at the Lester River Rendezvous in 2001.

People gather under a balloon display at the entryway to the Duluth-Superior Pride Festival in 2011.

BEST BETS

Duluth’s in the coming months

By Christa Lawler clawler@duluthnews.com

► September Welcome to Duluth. Now get back in the car. Trampled By Turtles, which we could maybe consider among Duluth’s favorite bands, returns to the area for an outdoor concert at Big Top Chautauqua. This venue near Bayfield, Wis., is at the base of a ski hill, and everything that happens there is extra magic. Now throw in Ryan Young’s fiddle. Trampled By Turtles plays at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Big Top Chautauqua. Tickets: $44 in advance at bigtop. org, $49 at the gate.

► October

Among the cultural rites of passage: a viewing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” complete with all the things: newspapers, fishnet, call-backs.

About this time every year, The Underground hosts a staged event. Actors perform alongside the screening during the event that insists upon audience participation. Also: This is among the small, off-campus theaters serving up think-y, feel-y content. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” plays Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at The Underground, 506 W. Michigan St. Tickets: duluthplayhouse.org

► November Duluth does holiday lights, like, really well. There is this not-solittle thing called Bentleyville Tour of Lights that extends across Bayfront Festival Park, and it’s as festive as is humanly possible. There are light displays, photo opportunities, and the laps of Christmas royalty. Also: marshmallows for roasting, warm drinks for sipping. Since

you live here, go on a weeknight.

Bentleyville Tour of Lights runs

Nov. 23-Dec. 28 at Bayfront Festival Park. Free, open to the public. Dress warm.

► December

The first big show at Amsoil Arena, for the new-to-towners, will be the are-they-the-best, are-they-the-worst or are-theyhilarious metal act Five Finger Death Punch with Three Days Grace, Bad Wolves and Fire From the Gods opening. The Vegas-based band’s most recent album is “And Justice for None,” which was released in 2018. Five Finger Death Punch plays at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Amsoil Arena. Tickets at ticketmaster outlets including the DECC box office.

► And, beyond

One of the biggest and best things this city does is Homegrown Music Festival, an eight-day, nearly 200band fest in Duluth and Superior. Rules for performers: acts must have a connection to this area.

So, whether you want to bump a tambourine with your roommates, or you want to watch an unending flow of local musicians share their souls, this is for you. There are also other art events associated with the fest, including a poetry reading, an art show and vids. The one must-know bit of trivia: The event was originally created as a birthday party for local funmaker Scott “Starfire” Lunt. His band, Father Hennepin, is a delight. Homegrown Music Festival is April 26-May 3.

Best Bets

A&E reporter Christa Lawler curates a list of the week’s Best Bets in entertainment every Thursday online and in print.

Trampled By Turtles will play in September at Big Top Chautauqua. It’s worth the road trip.

By Christa Lawler clawler@duluthnews.com

In the past six months, Duluth has added a cool new pop-up music venue, an old school movie theater and has doubled its commitment to Thai ice cream. Here are some hot, fresh, new things about the city that you might have missed over summer vacation.

Brewer’s Garage

205 E. Michigan St.

There are a lot of places to see live music, ranging from the Duluth Folk School to Blacklist to the NorShor Theatre to Amsoil Arena. Points for coolness, though, go to a pop-up shop on Michigan St. The Brewer’s Garage, with its ties to Fitger’s Brewhouse, opens to the public only occasionally. Bad Bad Hats played there this summer, and Har Mar Superstar played there in April. Next chance to check out this secret-seeming warehouse space:

Actual Wolf and Silverback Colony play there Sept. 12.

T-Icy Roll

202 E. Superior St.

If you’ve never watched the art that goes into creating Thai ice cream, you’ve missed one of the most visually appealing experiences. A mix of cream is spread across a cold steel surface, then a tool like a paint scraper is used to push the ice cream into pretty (and delicious) rolls. Add toppings: Fruity Pebbles, Nilla Wafers, Pocky, fruit, Oreos, gummy things. The keepers of the West Duluth shop opened a second one downtown in March.

Taco Arcada

1902 W. Superior St.

By the people who brought you Duluth Grill, OMC Smokehouse and Corktown Deli: a place for taco eating and pinball playing.

Taco Arcada, on the hot Lincoln Park block, opened in early May. The menu has chips and guacamole for snackers and street tacos for the supersnackers in addition to, say, Ms. Pacman or Big Buck Hunter.

West Theater

317 N. Central Ave.

There is a new (old) movie theater in town. West Theater, in West Duluth, has been renovated with an eye toward the aesthetic of the space’s past life. Think art deco. It seats more than 200 and has vintage touches — including the marquee. So far there has been a mix of old films like “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” and new films like “The Lion King.” According to its

Facebook page, “It 2” opens in September.

Wild State Cider

2515 W. Superior St. Duluth’s second cidery opened — not far from Duluth Cider, the first — in April. Wild State Cider is modern and wide-open with living walls and a loft. Expect food trucks, trivia, music, maybe even a plant sale or yoga alongside flights of cider brewed on site.

Wussow’s Concert Cafe

Before you were born, probably, a guy with a certain punk-rock lean opened a coffee shop-slash-venue in West Duluth. And over the years, musicians-upon-musicians have played its not-huge stage — whether it’s an open mic, a CD release show or, like, a regular Thursday night in an underrated neighborhood. Jason Wussow celebrated the spot’s 20th anniversary with a name change this past summer. Goodbye, Beaner’s Central; Hello Wussow’s Concert Cafe.

Cool stuff that popped up while you were summer vacationing

2019 file/ News Tribune Among the new venues is the Brewer’s Garage, a pop-up spot on Michigan St.

2019 file / News Tribune

LEFT: Jason Wussow recently renamed his coffee shop Wussow’s Concert Cafe.

2019 file / News Tribune

Daniel Huang prepares an order of Thai rolled ice cream at T-Icy Roll in West Duluth. A second ice cream shop has opened downtown.

ON YOUR PHONE IN DULUTH &

Accounts to follow to be in-the-know

By Samantha Erkkila serkkila@duluthnews.com

Search for #duluth on Instagram, and you will find nearly half a million posts highlighting the hillside city on the shores of Lake Superior.

Aside from the few Duluth, Ga., posts that may have trickled their way in, the photos showcase not only the big lake, but the many city parks, favorite restaurants and shops, and of course the Aerial Lift Bridge.

Scrolling through this hashtag between classes is a great way to get to know your new home for the next four years. But don’t just scroll, be sure to get off campus and go explore those places IRL.

Instagram

Here’s a handful of other hashtags and people to follow to get you feeling like a Duluthian in no time:

#duluthnews features posts from yours truly. The @duluthnews account has a little bit of everything: sports, outdoors, food and Northlanders just doing their thing.

#authenticduluth, created by @visitduluth, features some of the more touristy attractions around the city.

#befromduluth is full of images that will make you want to stay in the area after college and become a Duluthian.

Open

@DuluthLovesLocal highlights the many small businesses in the Twin Ports. A great account to look at when you are searching for your next meal off campus.

@tyschank is a staff photographer here at the News Tribune so you will see her photos everywhere, but her feed features some of the amazing photos that don’t always make it into print.

@KidNorth features Duluth’s music and craft beer scene with an occasional alpaca portrait.

@TofteTom’s account gained popularity when he captured a rare sighting of five lynx gathered on a snow covered road. His moose and other North Shore wildlife photos don’t disappoint either.

@Glensheen is always up to something. And they seem to get the best sunrises there.

Twitter

For the Twitter users in the group, @duluthnews has

a handful of knowledgeable reporters to follow for sports and entertainment news:

@mattwellens has all your Bulldog hockey and misc. hockey news

@TacoJon1 is good for all the other college sports — Saints, Yellowjackets and Bulldogs

@DNTAnE has got you covered for arts and entertainment news

Other Duluthians to follow:

@LarsonForDuluth Mayor Emily Larson’s take on city

news, politics, community events and running.

@ChiefMikeTusken Crime updates from the Duluth chief of police himself.

@PerfectDuluth Duluth culture, history and events

And of course be sure to follow your respective school:

@KirbyUMD UMD has an account for almost every department and activity, but this

is the account to find out what events are happening around campus.

@StScholastica See what your CSS peers and Saints alumni are up too.

@UW_Superior Campus news for the folks on the other side of the bridge.

@LSC_Duluth Lake Superior College news and events.

Facebook and more

Of course you can always find us on Facebook: facebook.com/duluthnews

We also have a weekly podcast, Bulldog Insider, which features local hockey news and personalities. Don’t just experience the Twin Ports from your phone. Get out there and discover it for yourself! And tag us in your photos as you do so.

@tyschank

@LarsonForDuluth

@Glensheen

Welcome to Duluth. You live here now.

As a resident of this gorgeous-arty-craftbeer-and-mountainbikey city, there are some insider tips and hacks that we save for people who have made a commitment heavier than, say, spending MEA weekend at the Radisson Hotel.

(Those people are great, too, but they don’t get the hardcore 218 intel. You do.)

One pitcher, six reusable straws

This has nothing to do with you or me or the future. This is about honoring the past, a rite of passage passed on through the ages. Get thee to Grandma’s Sports Garden for a night of dancing your fanny pack loose. It’s a thing.

Bonus points for ordering a pitcher of Long Island Ice Tea and sharing it with six friends and then getting a safe ride home. Your ancestors are nodding. They did this, too.

Life after the lift bridge

We admit it. The Aerial Lift Bridge is a very scenic bit of Duluth property. You will want to take photographs of it when it’s up, when it’s down, when it’s stoic in the face of big waves and when everything around it is frozen. Just do it. There can never be enough photos of the Aerial Lift Bridge. But. Consider some other great images and vantage points: Enger Tower, Rock Knob at Hartley Park, Skyline Parkway. At the very least, try facing away from Lake Superior and capturing that gorgeous hillside.

Get muddy

This city is rich with trails — sometimes intense trails that make the trails in other cities look like an adorable way to spend a yawn.

The Superior Hiking Trail is 310 miles from Wisconsin to

the Canadian border. More than 40 miles of it runs through Duluth. Close your eyes, throw a suction cup dart at the map from superiorhiking.org on your laptop screen, hike that

many productions — ranging from fan-faves to contemporary to Shakespeare to abstract — that pop up on one of the local stages, there are things to see/hear/touch. There is innovative stuff happening at Prove Gallery and AICHO, which both regularly host visual art

has been the go-to for an inexpensive burger (though a solid argument can be made for Gronk’s). Wasabi, which has a downtown Duluth

I’m cold” while your women’s soccer team heads into the playoffs. Or you can be like, “now I’m a skier” or “toss me a snowshoe”

Speaking of weather

The best thing about the fiercest of fierce days: that big, gray lake. The first thing you do during any kind of storm is to get as close as is safely possible to the water and watch it whip and whirl and break the Lakewalk and spray cars on the Aerial Lift Bridge and freak out the squares from The Weather Channel. Some people surf in those swells. But watching them is really cool, too.

Be of here

spot, is also in Superior in place that was once a fast food restaurant. That offers a touch of quirk.

“sometimes

exhibitions. The Joseph Nease Gallery blends larger solo shows by local artists with works from Midwest artists. If you’re into adding a side project to your majors and minors, Duluth Folk School has classes in chainsaw sharpening, Ukrainian-style egg decorating, yoga, bicycle maintenance and more. You can really find your you in Duluth.

Feeling Superior

segment. There are also well-maintained mountain biking trails at places like Lester Park, Spirit Mountain and Piedmont Trails. Wear your helmet. Deets at coggs.com.

Art, craft, etc. Duluth does art. Lots of it. Whether it’s the nearly 200 local bands that play Homegrown Music Festival, and tons who play throughout the year, or one of the

Embrace your degrees

Correct me if I’m wrong, but when you told someone you were moving to Duluth, they probably reeled and mentioned the weather. THE WEATHER. Sure, you can get all “boo,

I snowboard to The Reef.” And then when it’s warm again, fasten your slack line to whatever and become your spring self. Not better, just different. Embrace your degrees, whether they are above or below zero. That said, always carry a jacket. And a rain jacket. Maybe a full change of clothes. It’s unpredictable.

Join in. Root for the teams, whether its high school hockey or Northwoods League baseball or anything in between. Get as local as you can be: Buy the DLH T-shirt, the growler of Snooty Fox kombucha, vote for city councilors and volunteer at Animal Allies. Tour Bentleyville and buy vintage Low from Electric Fetus. You live here now. Welcome.

(Also, it’s a “skywalk” not a “skyway” and Denfeld doesn’t end with “field.”)

Christa Lawler is a features reporter for the News Tribune. Write to her at clawler@ duluthnews.com and follow her on Twitter at @dntane.

Let’s talk about Superior, shall we? This not-quite twin city has the counterpoint to Park Point, which is Wisconsin Point — a far more lenient place to hang. You can have a beach fire in Superior and during a certain drift-woody period this past year, Mayor Jim Paine actually encouraged it. Also: per capita, this place has some of the best restaurants in the Twin Ports. Thirsty Pagen Brewery is the gold standard for pizza, Pak’s Green Corner is a super-casual Thai restaurant and the Pad Thai Burrito should have its own fan page. The Anchor, for years,

RIGHT: Joe Klander stands next to his piece based on “The Terminator” movie franchise in the Steffl Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute in 2017.

People gather to take photos near the Aerial Lift Bridge during a spring snow storm on April

In case you need a little nudge to get out and about, here’s a Bingo card you can clip and keep this year. Mark off the boxes as you either see the thing or do the thing pictured. The gull gets you a free space because we know you’ll see one of those. Happy hunting!

Get your Katniss on

For $8, you can shoot as long as you want at Charlstrom’s Archery. That covers renting a bow and arrows, and if you’re new, a light lesson on technique, draw length and poundage.

Archery hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. No reservations required. Good for delusions of “Hunger Games” herodom.

► Charlstrom’s Archery, 5067 Rice Lake Rd. More info: facebook.com/ Chalstroms-138945296154241

Get a bev and play it out

Duluth is flooded with breweries, pubs and cideries, many with ample opportunities to pair an IPA or fancy lemonade with Scrabble, pingpong or Galaga. Here are a few Twin Ports locations with a solid selection of games with a side of bevs for $10 or less: 310 Pub, Sir Ben’s, Hoops Brewing, Ursa Minor, Taco Arcada, Duluth Cider.

Nerd alert

If you wanna hear locals geeking out on everything from Zelda to Viking magic to Japanese toilets, head to Nerd Nite. The monthly event is like “a low-pressure Ted Talk.” The $5 event ends with free giveaways, there’s a good chance someone’s in costume. Next up: 7 p.m. Sept. 21 at Teatro Zuccone, 222 E Superior St. ► More info: facebook.com/ groups/339090973232/

At da movies

Check it. Once a week, that crumpled-up fiver in your pocket pays your way into a new movie. Depending on the night, area theaters in Duluth, Hermantown and Cloquet offer discounted prices for all students of life. Tuesdays, it’s on at Duluth 10, Lakes 10 and Premiere Theatre; Wednesday is the day at Zinema 2. Good for study breaks, groups and we’re-nottalking-to-each-other first dates.

► More info: marcustheatres.com, zeitgeistarts. com/zinema, premieretheatres.com

Spacing out

UMD’s Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium hosts everything from immersive films on cosmic colors and superhero stars to shows on solar system moons and Native American skies. There’s stuff for all ages, and tickets run $5; students with an ID pay $3.

► Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium, 1023 University Dr. More info: scse.d.umn. edumarshall-w-alworth-planetarium

Story-share

Expect hip-hop or folk performances, stories about near-death experiences or cockroach infestations. It’s all heart at Gag Me with a Spoon, a monthly Duluth story-share in the vein of The Moth. Nothing’s off-limits, and the only rules: no -isms of any kind.

► Next up: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 21 at Teatro Zuccone,

222 E Superior St. More info: facebook.com/

GMWASDULUTH/ Get Laser-ed

Six bucks gets you two five-minute sessions in Adventure Zone’s multi-level laser tag arena — and time flies when you’re getting zapped by 11-year-olds. Expect nonstop laughter and creeping competitiveness against kids half your age.

► Adventure Zone, 329 S. Lake Ave. More info: adventurezoneduluth.com

F-R-E-E SCI-fi

Find biology + zombies, funga and the future of humans in space at Cafe Scientifique. This free monthly event joins area scientists, artists and the like for an informal presentation and Q&As. It’ll probably be different than class. 7 p.m. the last Thursday of the month at varying locations. Free.

► More info: cafescitwinports.or

Let’s hear it for the gamers

The Twin Ports sports local gaming shops offering free spaces to play — along with an array of goodies to discuss and buy. Expect Magic the Gathering, Pokemon tourneys and miniature painting contests.

► More info: Rogue Robot Games & Comics, 3 S. 4th Ave. W., roguerobotgames.weebly.com; Dungeon’s End Game Store, 325 N Central Ave., dungeonsend.com; Level UP Superior, 525 Tower Ave, Superior, levelupsuperior.com

More than reads

Local libraries stack their offerings on both sides of the pond with movie screenings, Vegan Cookbook Club, guitar lessons, even a weaving class. Check out what’s on tap, and if it’s books you want, they have those, too.

► More info: duluthlibrary.org, superiorlibrary.org

Email your fave things to do on a budget to mlavine@duluthnews.com.

File / News Tribune

Pair your IPA or root beer with a game of Scrabble and other games at local breweries and pubs in Duluth.

File / News Tribune

Get personal at local Duluth story-share Gag Me with a Spoon. It’s $5 and runs once a month at Teatro Zuccone.

2012 file / News Tribune Duluth’s Lakewalk is a go-to for strolling the shore, people-watching and ice-cream eating.

2016 file / News Tribune

Dungeon’s End is one of the local stores in the Twin Ports offering free spaces for gaming.

By Mark Nicklawske

For the News Tribune

Jarrow Wahman was a cross-country runner at Duluth East High School

some 40 years ago

when teammate Sten Rudstrom took the squad to a hilly, forestcovered area outside of town called Hartley Field.

Rudstrom said the largely abandoned property — crisscrossed with unofficial trails — was a good place to run.

“I think there were dirt bike trails back then,” Wahman said. “He had discovered them, and he took us back there, and we were freaked out because we had never run off the road before.”

The team learned the haphazard trail network and quickly realized the magic generated by a run through the quiet, empty and endlessly challenging forest.

“It was a blast,” Wahman said. “When you’re running in the woods, the trails are relatively narrow, and you get a much better sense of speed — even if you’re going the same speed as you would on the road. The trees are on your left and right, and you’re going up and down hills … it’s a real satisfying type of running.”

Soon the Northern Minnesota Track Club was born, and the group held its first official trail race in 1981. There were 11 competitors.

Wahman helped organize the club and, when Rudstrom moved away, took over its leadership. The club continued to grow and has directed runners into what is now called Hartley Nature Center ever since. Today, Northern Minnesota Track Club trail

runners are in their 20s, so it must be the next generation that’s picking up on this. It’s a way to exercise and/or socialize,” he said.

“I think it’s getting into nature and getting in a workout at the same time.”

Duluth-based runner Ben Cogger,

all over.

Cogger started trail running as a teenager growing up near the Chequamegon National Forest in Washburn. He said the practice has always been popular in rural areas, but numbers have grown as more organized competitions attract

rocks, you’re dodging roots, you’re turning. Sometimes you’re walking because you’re climbing up a really steep hill,” Cogger said.

“That aspect of trail running is really good for your body. I think a lot of people found that maybe they can’t go pound up

get outdoors. You don’t really get the same experience running on the road.”

Cogger and his wife, Sara, have three children and live in the Observation Hill neighborhood of Duluth. He said the nearby Superior Hiking Trail and Duluth Traverse offer excellent access to Piedmont ski and bike trails, which are both challenging and beautiful.

Cogger recommends beginners use sturdy shoes designed for traction and water resistance. He also suggested regular attendance at the informal Northern Minnesota Track Club weekly trail runs.

“The majority of people there are not racing,” he said. “It’s a bunch of people that love trail running.”

running competitions — such as the Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon — enlists about 200 competitors and the organization holds informal weekly runs each spring and fall.

The last five years have seen a tremendous spike in trail running participation, said Wahman, who established the Duluth specialty running store Austin-Jarrow with Bill Austin in 1984.

“Most of those

34, has competed in countless trail running events over the years and established course records in the Lutsen 50K and the Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon. None of the races are easy. The Voyageur, for example, follows an off-road course from Carlton through Jay Cooke State Park to the Lake Superior Zoo in Duluth and back. Roughly 50 miles of rocks, mud, trees, up and down and

runners from all over.

“I think the big shift we’ve seen in trail running is in trail racing,” Cogger said. “There are a lot more trail-specific races available today than there were 20 years ago.”

Trails provide a more rounded and healthier workout than road running, he said, so people are actively seeking out more races. Marathon running, for example, works the same muscles over and over, some not at all. Trail running takes on the whole body.

“You’re hopping

marathon after marathon on the road but they can go run marathons on the trails and it really doesn’t treat your body as harshly as a road marathon.”

As a youth, Cogger discovered trail running benefits beyond physical fitness.

“I always enjoyed nature,” he said. “I could go run 15-20 miles without seeing a soul the entire time. It was nice. It was a good way to see some country, too. Oftentimes you’re running in places you can’t drive a car to. It’s just a great way to

The weekly runs explore Duluth trails, offer different lengths and draw runners with a variety of experience. Newcomers pick up tips and make friends quickly.

“A lot of this is community,” Cogger said. “A lot of the friends I have in Duluth are friends I’ve made through running and trail running. It’s a good social activity. Getting together with the guys and go out on a Saturday for a couplehour run together. It’s just fun.”

For more information

The Northern Minnesota Track Club website at nmtc.run. Mark Nicklawske is a Duluth freelance writer.

Photos by Ellen Schmidt / eschmidt@duluthnews.com

The Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon’s course spans 50 miles through parts of the Superior National Forest and Jay Cooke State Park.

Adam Doe runs across the Swinging Bridge at Jay Cooke State Park during the Minnesota Voyageur Ultramarathon on July 27. Doe led the 50-mile race the whole time and went on to win.