The best spots to watch the ships on Lake Superior

Wisconsin’s North Shore is a beautiful place to visit.
 
Over a century ago, however, the Twin Ports of Superior, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota were made famous for another reason: as the cargo capital of the great lakes.
 
Large ships rushed in and out of the harbor, transporting products like coal, iron ore, grain, cement, and wood pulp. Today, not much has changed. The port still handles an average of 35 million short tons of cargo. That’s nearly 900 vessel visits each year!
 
For the area, that means a booming industry and over 11,500 jobs. For the visitor, that means there’s always a chance to catch one of these massive ships – both domestic and international – on the way in or out.
 


Website Duluth Shipping News keeps track of the vessels making their way through the ports. Harbor Lookout helps you put a name and year to what ships you’re seeing, and track them in real time.
 
The best part? Ship watching is a nearly year-round activity, beginning when the ice recedes in March and going all the way through January.
 
One of the Superior area’s best spots to catch ships is Wisconsin Point. Situated on a massive freshwater sandbar, one of the largest in the world, Wisconsin Point is famous for the Superior Entry Lighthouse along its rocky shore.
 
While you can’t go inside, the beautiful 1913 lighthouse is a popular visitor destination and well-frequented by photographers. Its positioning also makes it perfect for watching ships as they roll into the harbor.
 
The ships are just one of the beautiful things to see in the Superior area. For more information about places to go and things to do, visit our website.