Wisconsin's big port city on Lake Superior, shares a shorefront and name ? Superior, the land-based place, sits just across the water from Duluth, Minnesota, an industrial center frequented by enormous ships and balanced out by serene forested stretches. Though not quite a mega-tourist destination, Superior, along with Duluth, have a variety of cultural sites locally, and offer easy access to some of the surrounding natural attractions.
Of course, one of the biggest sights around are the suburb-sized ships going about their business in the harbor. A seemingly endless horizon checkered with docks, cargo and looming grain elevators make this an industrial scene worth recording on film. Imagine life on deck with a tour of the SS Meteor, an out-of-service whaler, that is now a maritime museum permanently moored off of Barker's Island, a short bridge away from mainland. History buffs can learn more about ace World War II pilot and his plane at the Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center, coming or going to Barker's Island, then head over to visit the exhibits housed in Fairlawn Mansion that explore Superior's past.
Those not tired by sight-seeing strolls can put on their list of options a cruise out of Superior (on a slick vessel based out of Barker's Island Marina) or an easy hike to the lofty Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park and the cataracts in Amicon Falls State Park. For longer trails, try the Superior Municiple Forest, also open in winter to cross-country skiers. Anglers won't want to pass by the opportunity to spend some time out on the water reeling in big fish on the lake, or whiling away a day on the river running with salmon and trout.
Superior is 77 miles west of Bayfield along scenic WI 13, and 151 miles north of Eau Claire. Duluth, MN, is a short bridge distant.
