For a medium-sized city, Duluth sure has a ton to offer. It’s one of the best coastal towns in the United States, the jumping off point for the North Shore and Superior National Forest, and it has one of the best outdoor venues in the Upper Midwest. Not only is Bayfront Festival Park a premier concert and event venue, it’s probably the best family-friendly park in Duluth, Minnesota to boot!

As its name implies, Bayfront Festival Park sits right on Duluth's Harbor.
Kelly B/TripAdvisor
In addition to a covered event space, the park has a paved trail that skirts the water's edge.
DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center/Facebook
The trail not only connects the park with the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center ("the DECC") and Canal Park, it's also part of the Superior Hiking Trail's urban Duluth segment. So you can stretch your legs along the lake and hike part of the SHT at the same time!
Bayfront Festival Park hosts all manner of events.
Darrell Ridler/Google Reviews
If you don't ​​check the schedule, any day could be a surprise. Who expects the World's Largest Rubber Duck?
Events range from smaller community festivals to beer festivals and more.
DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center/Facebook
Of course, the park also hosts larger cultural events and concerts, like the Water Is Life Festival.
DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center/Facebook
Local, regional, and national acts play regularly at the park.
Sam Brueggeman/Google Reviews
It's also home to the venerable Bayfront Blues Festival, which may be the park's longest-running annual event.

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Many folks also know the park as home to one of the largest holiday lights shows in the Upper Midwest.
DECC - Duluth Entertainment Convention Center/Facebook
A visit to ​​Bentleyville USA has become a holiday tradition in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
What many folks may not realize is that Bayfront Festival Park is also home to Duluth's largest playground: Playfront Park.
unclekennymusic/Google Reviews
The playground is immediately adjacent to the festival grounds in a preserved area of green space.
David Pollitt/Google Reviews
It's also set back a little way from the lake, so you can enjoy the views while the kids play, without worrying too much about the water.
Eric Bigelow/Google Reviews
The playground's interactive equipment embraces its bayfront location, and it's large size ensures that it doesn't usually feel too crowded.
David Pollitt/Google Reviews
There's also plenty of shady space for a picnic or to take a break from the sun for a few minutes.
David Pollitt/Google Reviews

Next time you’re in Duluth with the family, be sure to stop by Bayfront Festival Park! Stay at Pier B Resort; it’s practically adjacent to the park – and, thus, within easy walking distance of the DECC, the Great Lakes Aquarium, the William A. Irvin museum ship, and Canal Park, as well as the Duluth Depot and Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

Have you visited Bayfront Festival Park and/or Playfront Park? Let us know in the comments!

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Playfront Park, 7243 Superior Hiking Trail, Duluth, MN 55802, USA