I've previously read the Minnesota and Minnesota Northwoods versions of the books, and it turns out that there are actually dozens more of the 100 Things series. These books make great gifts, especially for anyone who wants to travel a little more in 2026, but doesn't necessarily want to do huge expensive vacations.
100 Things to Do in Duluth is great for people who like to travel to the area, anyone who likes travel in general, or even for people who currently live in northern Minnesota and just wants to do a staycation or day trip. The attractions are clearly and succinctly described, and even though I've been do Duluth quite a few times, the book still gave me more ideas for my next trip!
You can learn more in this Q&A:
Who is this book for?
Tourists are the most obvious answer, but I think it will also be of interest to locals — even lifetime locals. Sure, if you live here you've probably strolled the Lakewalk, but have you been ice climbing? Visited each one of the
independent bookstores? Paid homage to pavement at Granitoid Memorial Park? If there's a single person who's done every single thing on this "bucket list," I'll be surprised. Duluth also attracts a lot of repeat visitors, and I think this book will be especially valuable for people who want to switch it up: do something a little different than they did last summer, or visit in a different season.
Why is Duluth so compelling, as a place to explore?
On the one hand, a lot about Duluth rarely changes: this city loves its history, and things that would be long gone from most cities (say, a revolving
restaurant) tend to stick around here. In Duluth, you can still ride a train pulled by a steam locomotive. If the Pickwick ever stops serving Tom and Jerrys in December, there will be a riot. At the same time, the city never stops surprising you. Have you checked out the avant-garde mini golf course? Did
you know that Duluth makes private planes that come with their own parachutes? Have you seen a surfer on Lake Superior? For me it's this intersection of venerated and unexpected that makes Duluth so fascinating.
Duluth is basically a city for people who like to be active outdoors, right?
It's certainly hard to beat if that describes you! Duluth is an internationally renowned mountain biking destination, there's gorgeous sailing, you can look up from the harbor and see a ski slope, there's whitewater kayaking and placid paddleboarding. Did I mention ice climbing? But this city has a wealth of things to do even if you don't want to break a sweat. I prefer the great indoors myself — my day job, after all, is writing about things like theater and visual art. This city has an adventurous arts scene, a million (I'm only slightly exaggerating) museums, and fun shops around every corner.
What did you learn about Duluth while writing this book? Just how eager Duluthians are to welcome people and help them get involved. Whether it's birding or biking or playing Dungeons & Dragons, there's an easy entry point for people at any level to meet fascinating locals and get going with whatever it is that piques their interest. Something I've really enjoyed about living in Duluth is discovering new activities to try, and it's amazing how many opportunities there are to do that without even stepping outside city limits.
There are lots of books about Duluth. What makes this one different? It's an honor to be shelved alongside some of the other incredible books — nonfiction and fiction alike — about this city. I hope that people use 100 Things To Do In Duluth Before You Die as a quick-start guide, with lots of ideas for things you can do right now. Then, readers can revisit the book over days, weeks, or even years as a reminder of what they still have to do, or want to do again.
About the Author
Jay Gabler is a writer and editor living in Duluth, where he is the Duluth News Tribune’s arts and entertainment reporter. He is also editor at The Tangential, a pop culture and creative writing blog. He grew up in St. Paul and Duluth, then attended college at Boston University and graduate school at Harvard University. Books he has written, co-written, or co-edited include three about the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) and two on sociology.
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