This weekend WCCO Radio is kicking off a summer-long series called One Tank Trips, highlighting some interesting spots for a quick getaway that won't take much more than a tank of gas to get to. First stop? Duluth.
It seems everyone has some kind of connection to Duluth whether it has to do with college, Lake Superior, or maybe as the launching point to a North Shore vacation.
This year's "Love it Like We Do" tourism campaign hopes to draw visitors beyond the obvious Canal Park and Aerial Lift Bridge into the nooks and crannies of what Mayor Emily Larson considers to be a magical place.
"I actually can't believe I get to live here," says Larson, a mother and former city councilmember, who says Duluth offers something for everybody, from high-end hotels and restaurants, to a simple picnic at Park Point Beach with handcrafted smoked sandwiches and a local brew.
"Those are the memories that settle into the core of who you are, and help you come back to yourself after this pandemic, come back to your family, and rebuild joy," says Larson.
The city is preparing for its annual flock of summer visitors, many of whom kick off their summers either by running in June's Grandma's Marathon, or enjoying the festivities of that blockbuster weekend as a spectator. The marathon brings a $20.6 million dollar impact to the region, according to race Executive Director Shane Bauer.
"As the first, full-scale Grandma’s Marathon since 2019, the runners’ response has been at peak level. This will be one of the biggest fields in the 46-year history of the event," says Bauer.
Bauer says the weekend highlights the best of what Duluth has to offer.
"The entire community comes out to make marathon weekend happen in some way, whether it’s supporting the runners as spectators or as one of our 5,000 volunteers. It’s regarded by many as the kick-off to summer around here, and it’s no secret how much northern Minnesotans love summer," says Bauer.
And it's safe to say Duluth's charm isn't exactly a secret anymore either. Mayor Larson says they're seeing an influx of people who can work remotely snapping up homes and condos, where a slower pace of life, loads of nature, and the Midwest's biggest natural air conditioner are just a step out their new backdoor.