When it comes to exploring everything that the Land of 10,000 Lakes has to offer, Minnesota's visitor centers might not immediately come to mind. After all, there's a lot of natural beauty here! But Minnesota has some pretty spectacular museums to explore, too. One Duluth, Minnesota visitor center might just be the coolest visitor center in the state, and is certainly a must-stop as part of a longer lakefront adventure - especially for history buffs. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is located right on the water in Canal Park, and it's definitely a spot worth exploring the next time you're in Duluth!

The Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center is located directly on the canal in Duluth's Canal Park district.

From the visitor center, you have commanding views of the canal, the harbor beyond the bridge, and Lake Superior.

You may notice the ship in the background of this photo. When foreign-flagged vessels wish to enter the port, they must lie at anchor on the lake until they clear customs and are granted permission to enter.

Inside the visitor center, you'll find a museum with exhibits about the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior, Great Lakes shipping and ecology, and information about the ships themselves.

For example, the walls of the visitor center are lined with the nameplates, also known as sternboards, of ships that once plied the lakes.

The two-story engine of a decommissioned lakeboat is on display to give visitors an idea of the size and power of these mammoth vessels.

You'll also find information and artifacts about the lake's most famous boat, the Edmund Fitzgerald, which began its last journey from the Twin Ports.

On the upper floor of the visitor center, you can even take the wheel in the pilothouse of a lakeboat - with a view of the canal and the lake before you.

Depending on the season, you might even catch a storm here - complete with raging waters! Stay safe and dry out there!

However, the visitor center's biggest crowds arrive whenever a ship passes under the lift bridge in the canal. Crowds line the breakwall, as the visitor center announces the vessel and some fun facts about it. It's always a spectacle worth planning for!

As one of the best visitor centers in Minnesota, this waterfront destination in Duluth is more than just your average pit stop. Be sure to take some time to explore it to the fullest!

Whenever I go to Duluth or onward to the North Shore, I stop in at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and try to time my visit with the arrival or departure of a ship. The visitor center offers a shipping schedule on its website, along with a ton of other information.

If you plan to stay in Duluth, Minnesota and want to be close to the water, there's a fantastic carriage house on VRBO that you may want to check out. You'll also find plenty of other accommodations in the Canal Park area. In fact, you might even want to explore beyond the city to check out some of our favorite cute small towns in Minnesota!

Have you visited the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center? What are some other awesome visitor centers in Minnesota? Share in the comments!