Duluth has a pleasant mix of new facilities as well as old. Duluth has many victorian style houses, apparently a legacy of the heyday of iron ore shipping. If you'd like a peek at Duluth right now check out the 'live camera views' pointed to by the University of Minnesota Duluth or somewhat more scenic perceptions by Dennis O'hara . The North Shore of Lake Superior is lined with coastal vistas, pristine rocky, cobbled beaches, and steep scenic rivers plunging down to the lake. Within about an hours drive from Duluth are several state parks and 'wayside' parks which provide easy access to the shore including the well known Split Rock Lighthouse .
More state parks continue up the shore to the Canadian border.
Of course, there's plenty more to be seen across the border and well worth the time, but give yourself a week or more if you intend to round the entire lake . Some communities or regions such as Silver Bay or Lake county have more detailed information online. It is still accessed primarily by canoes or kayaks. Also an hour or two inland from Superior is the iron range area. Iron ore is still mined but many of the old pits have been transformed.