1. People From Twin Ports Love Their Breweries
If you have a taste for great beer then you’ll fit right in in both Superior and Duluth. Both cities boast some fantastic breweries, like Fitger’s Brewhouse, Bent Paddle and Thirsty Pagan, where you can enjoy a cold brew after work or go for a tour and tasting. Duluth even has its own beer trail. Talk about dedication.
2. Twin Ports Is Divided By Purple And Green
The Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers share one of the most intense football rivalries of all time. Given that Twin Ports is in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, the area is home to devoted fans of both teams, proudly sporting their purple or green colors. Not to worry though, everyone usually gets along fine (at least until game day rolls around).
3. Hockey Is The Sport Of Choice
With all the snow and cold weather, it may not come as much a surprise that people in Twin Ports love their hockey. Watching it, playing it, sporting their favorite player’s jersey—they practically live and breathe the sport. It’s a favorite pastime and you’ll often find people practicing at skating rinks or catching a game at a university.
4. People From Twin Ports Like To Kick Back And Relax On The Shores Of Lake Superior
When you think of the Midwest, sandy beaches may not be the first thing that come to mind. But Twin Ports is located right on the shores of Lake Superior and is home to miles and miles of shoreline.
5. But Don’t Expect A Tropical Getaway
While the waters of Lake Superior may look tempting (especially in the summer months), you might want to think twice before diving in. The lake is one of the largest in the world by volume meaning that,Source: Flickr user Margarita Banting
after all the winter ice has melted, the water isn’t going to heat up that quickly. Take a dip if you dare, but don’t expect to stay in the frigid water for long.
6. Nature Lovers Feel Right At Home In Superior Municipal Forest
If you’re a fan of the outdoors you might never want to leave Superior Municipal Forest. It has an impressive 4,400 acres of forest and natural habitat, making it the 3rd largest forest within a city in the nation. It’s also the best remaining example of boreal forest in the state of Wisconsin. With all that nature, it’s near impossible to run out of things to see and do.
7. Folks In Twin Ports Don’t Need Steep Slopes To Have Winter Fun
There’s no need for towering mountains in Twin Ports. The cities have several nearby cross country skiing trails that’ll have you hooked on the winter sport in no time.
8. Canal Park Is The Centerpiece Of Duluth
But if dirt and trees just aren’t your thing, you can head over to Canal Park in Duluth for lots of boutiques and wonderful restaurants. Talk a stroll on the Canal Park section of Duluth’s Lakewalk, watch ships pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge or simply skip rocks in the water. The Canal Park has plenty of opportunities for drinking, dining and dancing, making it a perfect spot to hit the town.
9. Twin Ports Is Dripping In Culture
Home to the Minnesota Ballet, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, Duluth Playhouse and more, Twin Ports has boundless cultural opportunities. See a show, concert, play, comedy show—the options are endless!
10. The Spooky Halloween Ship Might Really Be Haunted
Each October, your nightmares come to life when the William A. Irvin is transformed into the Duluth Haunted Ship. But if the seasonal spookiness of the boat isn’t enough to scare your socks off, the ghostly sightings that have been seen on board the ship just might. Many claim a deceased sea man haunts the ship.
11. The Dragon Boats At Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Aren’t Just For Show
The annual festival has some serious competitors who are ready to race with all they’ve got. Of course, it’s all in good fun, and the event is held to raise money for charity and the Twin Ports Rotary Clubs. You can join a team and compete yourself or just watch from shore while enjoying the great food, music and activities.
12. Pattison Isn’t Your Average Run Of The Mill Park
You’ll find much more than a simple swing set or patch of green lawn at Pattison State Park. The Superior-based spot is home to Big Manitou falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin, as well as beaches, hiking trails and camping spots. Talk about the great outdoors.
13. The Burgers At Anchor Bar And Grill Will Keep You Coming Back For More
Your waitress may have zero time for small talk, but you’ll be glad to be left alone with your food as soon as you bite into one of their mouth-wateringly juicy burgers. They’re so good, many people swear that the spot has the best burgers in Twin Ports.
14. Ditch Your Snowshoes For Something With A Little More Horsepower
After moving to Twin Ports, your new favorite form of winter transportation will be snowmobiling. It won’t take long before you’re zipping across the snow on one of the several trails in the area. It’s so fun, you might not even notice the freezing cold weather (keyword: might).
15. If You Like Big Boats And You Cannot Lie...
…then you’ll love Twin Ports. Together, Superior and Duluth are considered to have the largest freshwater port in the entire world. What does this mean? You’ll be seeing plenty of enormous boats coming to town on the regular.
16. Who Needs Movie Theaters When You Have A Park?
Twin Ports doesn’t. Grab your popcorn and Twizzlers and follow locals over to Leif Erikson Park each Friday night in the summer for a free movie showing. There’s just something about watching a film under the stars that’s so much more appealing than a sticky theater seat.
17. The Apostle Islands Are Just Waiting To Be Explored
Lake Superior is home to this stunning set of 22 islands. They’re full of diverse wildlife and can easily explored by boat, kayak and canoe. You can camp, fish and hike when on the shores, making the Apostle Islands perfect for outdoor adventuring.
18. You’ll Be Drooling Over The Pancakes At Duluth Grill
And the omelets, cinnamon rolls, breakfast skillets, French toast and…well, you get the picture. The spot is one of the best places to go for breakfast in Twin Ports. Some may claim it’s more of a diner than a grill, but nobody really cares when the ingredients are that fresh, the food is so tasty and the service is so friendly.
19. When The Weather Warms Up, The Bikes Come Out
After pedaling around Twin Ports you may want to ditch your car for a greener alternative, at least for the warmer months. The cities have many biking opportunities, whether it be by the lake, up in the hills or through the city. It’s a great way to get to know the towns and take advantage of the nearby wilderness.
20. Discover What Lies Beneath The Water At The Great Lakes Aquarium
After exploring on (or in) Lake Superior, you can take a peek at what’s thriving underneath the surface at Duluth’s Great Lakes Aquarium. And don’t think you’ll be limited to seeing only local wildlife either. The aquarium has creatures from several different ecosystems, including the exotic Amazon River.
21. Wildlife Never Looked So Scenic Than At Gooseberry Falls State Park
Gooseberry Falls State Park is a true Twin Ports gem. Located on the North Shores of Lake Superior, it has spectacular water falls, a river gorge and diverse wildlife. There are even camping sites so you can pitch a tent and breathe in that fresh air for days.
22. People From Twin Ports Cozy Up With A Cup Of Coffee At Red Mug
The Red Mug Coffee House can be hard to miss, especially since it’s housed in the basement of a historic building. But, once you have a sip of their fantastic coffee, you’ll be glad you didn’t overlook it. It’s small, cozy and the perfect atmosphere to relax with a warm mug of coffee or tea.
23. The Lighthouses Will Have You Thinking You’re In A New England Town
You don’t need to head to the East coast to find lighthouses that are scenic enough to stick on a post card. Twin Ports has enough of the seaside towers to give Maine a run for its money.
24. Grandma’s Marathon Run Isn’t For The Elderly
Or really anyone who can’t handle a 26.2 mile course. However, as far as marathons go, it’s apparently not that difficult and has a relatively flat terrain. Plus you get to enjoy some great lakeside views.
25. Snow Covered Golf Courses Are Perfect For Sledding
Ask anyone in Twin Ports for the best sledding spots and they’ll direct you straight to the nearest golf course. When the greens are covered in snow, they make the perfect place for zipping down their hilly landscape. It sure beats being cooped up inside during the entire winter.
26. People From The Twin Ports Satisfy Their Sweet Tooth At The Amazing Grace Bakery Café
The Amazing Grace Bakery Café is a must stop for those who can’t get enough of sweet and sugary treats. The cozy spot, often called “hip” and “indie,” dishes up some of the moistest muffins, richest brownies and chewiest cookies around. For those who don’t have much of a sweet tooth, the café also has great lunch options and serves a mean cup of coffee.
27. Take A Scenic Drive For Some Unparalleled Views
Make sure to have your camera ready on this drive. The Duluth Skyline Parkway Scenic Byway showcases the entire city from one end to another. You get great views of the area, as well as birds-eye glimpses of Lake Superior and Superior, WI.
28. You Don’t Need To Be Irish To Love Shamrock’s Pizza
Some of the best pizza in Twin Ports is at Shamrock’s Bar and Pizza in superior. They have a great variety of toppings (a popular favorite is the cheeseburger pizza), but really any type is fantastic. Whether you settle on simple or extravagant, you’re sure to fall in love with the cheesy slices from your first tasty bite.
29. The Homes Have More Than Just Looks Going For Them
While both Superior and Duluth are changing all the time, they’ve still managed to preserve some of their past. Both cities have several historic homes that range from quaint to majestic. Duluth in particular has some very notable 19th century architecture.
30. Duluth And Superior May Be Twin Ports, But They Aren’t Identical
Instead, each Twin Ports City has its own unique geography. Duluth, which has been called “the San Francisco of the Mid-West” boasts a steep hillside. Superior, on the other hand, is mainly flat. Luckily you don’t have to choose between the two landscapes, since the cities are right next to each other.
What do you love about living in Twin Ports? Tell us in the comments below! 
