Call Today:Morning:
Start your day with a quick drive or walk to get some baked goods and coffee at Duluth’s Best Bread’s Superior Street location near the lakewalk.
Dive into a blend of entertainment and nature. Soak in the backdrop of Lake Superior and the breeze off the water enhancing the sound and atmosphere of live performance and events. Immerse yourself in the festival experience at Bayfront Park.
We find ourselves lucky to be resting next door to one of Duluth’s most unique and bustling event spaces. Our guests are able to walk around our slip and be in the center of summer happenings, or hang out on our harbor lawn to experience it from a distance. A stay at Pier B Resort Hotel makes it easy to attend your favorite Duluth outdoor gatherings!
Check out Bayfront’s 2024 Calendar:
Visit bayfrontfestivalpark.com/ for more information about this beautiful public park and its yearly events!
At Pier B Resort Hotel, we are so proud to be resting on a piece of extensive history. Everywhere you turn, you’re met with reminders of our old shipping town, still equipped and maintaining its reputation in the shipping industry today – allowing you to watch ships pass by from the comfort of our rooms, Harbor lawn, and Silos Restaurant.
Let’s take a journey back through time to where Pier B originated.
Around 1883, due to the mining and timber industries on the Iron Range booming, the construction of a train trestle began to connect Rice’s Point (west) to Canal Park (east). This trestle formed what is now the location of Duluth’s developed waterfront.
To facilitate the storage of limestone transported by steamer, the 7.4 acres that our resort now resides on was developed as “Pier B”. By 1892, at least 10 piers were constructed along the harbor to support the growing industries. These piers are now the location of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, Great Lakes Aquarium, and Bayfront Festival Park!
In 1920 four 100-foot-tall adjoined silos were constructed on Pier B to store powdered cement, a key ingredient in making concrete. Once an essential component to the successful pier, these silos are still resting on our property today!
Acting as a giant vacuum cleaner, the silos suck the powdered cement from ships. Attached to the side of the silos was a “Bag House”, a facility which distributed the powdered cement into bags for transportation.
Pier B was utilized for various operations including the loading of trains and trucks for bulk distribution until 2008. At this time, operations moved to an alternative site and the once bustling pier was left quiet.
As the years passed, local developers Alessandro Guiliani and Sanford Hoff recognized the tremendous development potential of the site. They saw the opportunity to restore an incredible landmark of Duluth’s history, contribute positively to the environment by cleaning and restoring the land affected by the shipping industry for over 100 years, and bring people from near and far together to enjoy the beauty of Lake Superior in the form of a Resort Hotel. And with that Pier B Resort Hotel, along with the adjoining Silos Restaurant, were born. The getaway destination later opened in summer of 2016!
And since then we have continued to grow and make our own history. We have added a Sport Court onto our property, hold concerts, events, and celebrations throughout the year, and are constantly adding unique amenities to offer our guests and give them a memorable stay!
We invite you to come make memories amidst some of Duluth’s greatest history! Visit pierbresort.com to learn more, see our packages, and book a stay.
With more than 9,160 acres of parks and natural areas, 178 miles of wooded trails, and shoreline nestled along Lake Superior, all within city limits, Duluth is heaven for the outdoor enthusiast. Even if you aren’t a lover of the wilderness, fresh air activities for every level of adventurer are aplenty near Pier B Resort!
On Land
Visible from our resort, Enger Tower, located in Enger Park, is a staple of Duluth. Climb the five stories to the top of the tower for beautiful panoramic views of the city. You can also meander the grounds to take in gorgeous gardens, ring the American-Japanese Peace Bell, and use one of the outdoor BBQ grills for a picnic! The gate to the parking lot and doors to the tower are closed during the winter months and typically open May 1, however they may be opened earlier in the season depending on weather (and the weather this year has been warm!).
Lakewalk Parks
The Lakewalk in Duluth stretches nearly eight miles along the shores of Lake Superior. Paved for walkers, bikers, runners, and bladers – various parks can be found along the path. |
- Canal Park
Full of shops, restaurants, and museums, Canal Park is constantly bustling with locals and tourists all throughout the year. On the lake side, the Lakewalk borders a pebble beach that is perfect for rock skipping, dipping your toes in during the hot summer months, and viewing ships coming through the Aerial Lift Bridge.
The Duluth Rose Garden is home to over 3,000 rose bushes and other plants overlooking blue waters. Sitting on the 4.5 acres are also a Stone Memorial Fountain and a picturesque gazebo.
Below the Rose Garden sits greenspace and a historic amphitheater designed from stone and slate with a tower on either side. This space is often used for lawn games, picnics, weddings and Duluth’s Movies in the Park held on Friday evenings throughout the summer.
A piece of fun history: the site was named and once housed the Viking ship replica vessel Leif Erickson, which sailed from Norway to Duluth in 1927.
Biking
Running between Hinkley and Duluth, the Willard Munger State Trail offers paved access through woods and neighborhoods for biking, hiking, and in-line skating. The scenic route follows the historic 19th-century trail of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad that carried goods and passengers between Duluth and the Twin Cities.
Looking for trails that are a bit more edgy? The Duluth Traverse provides a single-track natural surface trail for mountain biking. Sections of the trail offer something for everyone, from smooth and flat to rocky descents. You choose your ride!
Golfing
The Duluth area offers various golf course options for those who want to hit the links while on vacation. Our previously mentioned Enger Park is home to Duluth’s public golf course, or head over to Grand View for a relaxing round. Nearby cities including Superior, Pike Lake, and Proctor also provide scenic courses for every experience level.
By Sea
Resting in Duluth in pristine condition, the historic William A Irvin is open for tours throughout the summer (we list this as an outdoor adventure because you do get to go on the top deck). For more than 40 years the Irvin made her way through ferocious storms carrying iron ore and coal to the Great Lakes ports. She also offered comfort and luxury to U.S. Steel’s guests and dignitaries who traveled with her. This tour gives you a peek inside the ships we all watch in the harbor today!
Cruise along the harbor during a waterfront tour with professional narration and interactive entertainment. The Vista Fleet offers sightseeing cruises and dinner cruises, featuring lighthouses, ships, and breathtaking waters along the route.
Fishing & Boating
Duluth offers various fishing and sailing experiences for visitors of all abilities! Get out on the water with one of the city’s charter companies. Have your own boat, kayak, or canoe? You can launch off Pier B’s very own docks for access to Lake Superior.
In Between
Journeying across the Aerial Lift Bridge you will find Minnesota Point and Park Point. Made up of sand instead of rock, the beach is the perfect place for a chilly swim, it is Lake Superior after all! The park also offers sand volleyball, pavilions and picnic tables, a beach house, and grills for BBQ use. The park gets busy in the summer, so some of the amenities may need to be reserved ahead of time. If you’re looking for a bit of a hike, there are also trails weaving through the Minnesota Park State Natural Area.
Pier B Outdoor Amenities
After a day of playing outdoors off-site, come back to your home away from home at Pier B for more outdoor recreation and relaxation.
Challenge your family to a game on our sport court, soak up some sun while sitting on the harbor lawn watching the ships, and enjoy a meal on the patio at Silos Restaurant and Bar located on-site! We also offer bike, paddleboard and paddle boat, pedal cart, and lawn game rentals. Our amenities expand past our four walls and we are so happy to share them with you!
Plan your outdoor Duluth getaway and check out our offers at pierbresort.com!
