It truly has been an amazing year for us – our best so far thanks to you!  And now we are preparing for another one of our favorite times of the year at the AG Thomson House and in Duluth.  The city of Duluth takes on a beauty during the winter season that is extraordinary.  The shops, restaurants, and attractions are a little less crowded, so it’s a great time to enjoy the season without the wait!

One of the fantastic events to take advantage of this December includes the Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn Holiday Tour.  This year’s tour takes place on Sunday, December 11^th from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, and offers visitors the opportunity to see all seven of Duluth Bed and Breakfast Inns dressed in their holiday glory.  And believe me, the AG Thomson House Duluth Bed and Breakfast, is “dressed, dressed, dressed”!  We have always loved decorating our homes for the holidays, and now we can share it with so many tour visitors and our own Duluth Bed and Breakfast guests alike.

So whether you can get away for the Holiday tour, or you are planning your winter getaway to Duluth, take advantage of some of our amazing specials and packages that we are offering right now, we will look forward to sharing our home with all of you!!

As always, Duluth will be full of attractions and events this year.  A recent bit of great news is that a small group of Tall Ships will be once again gracing our port in July. It will not be on the grand scale of last summer, but will be a nice surprise for the season. This May the newly remodeled DECC will be hosting a couple of superstars, Elton John and Sheryl Crow.  Then later this summer at Bayfront Park we will have the great honor of Willie Nelson performing.

The Visit Fleet will be setting sail and begin their dinner cruises on May 7^th with the regular sightseeing tours beginning May 13^th!  The Glensheen Mansion will be opened daily (just weekends now) beginning on May 27^th, and the William A. Irvin has already begun limited tours.

Of course this is just a small sampling of the multitude of things to do in Duluth and along the North Shore.  A favorite stop is always Gooseberry Falls and Split Rock Lighthouse, but don’t forget about Tettegouche State Park and Palisade Head further up the North Shore.  Plus so much more!  We have a ton of information for you and can always help you plan your stay.

Finally, we are very excited to start our summer with some great recognition from one of the Midwest’s premier magazines, Midwest Living.  In April, we learned we were chosen as a “Best Bed and Breakfast” in the North Shore for the 2011 Midwest Living Travel Guide.  This guide provides travelers a list of the very best places to stay.  We were then incredibly honored to be chosen in their top 30 “Best B&B’s” in the May/June 2011 issue of Midwest Living.  We are the only Bed and Breakfast chosen for our North Shore region, and quite honored to be selected when realizing that the magazine covers and includes an entire 12 state region.  Midwest Living is also one of the rare publications that actually send its writers to stay at the places they endorse!

Thank you to the amazing travel writers and editors of Midwest Living magazine for taking time to visit us, and for choosing our Inn as a “Best B&B” in both issues!  We’re looking forward to another great year in our gorgeous port city; and to welcoming old and new friends as we embark on the season that is THE reason we love Duluth!!

When the US Air Force sent us to Duluth 5 years ago, we immediately fell in love with this spectacular Lake Superior port city.  Sitting along the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth had everything you would hope for from dining, shopping, arts & theatre; and of course an unlimited resource for all outdoor activities in an area of breathtaking beauty. 

Since 2005, we have watched and participated in the exciting growth and new additions that have taken place in Duluth.  What draws you to Duluth is the indescribable beauty that Lake Superior and the North Shore offer, but additionally what keeps you coming back are the award winning restaurants like the New Scenic Cafe, cutting edge arts and theater like the Teatro Zuccone and Zinema 2; and new, thrilling activities like the Timber Twister at Spirit Mountain – the only Alpine Coaster located in the Midwest.  The renovation and reopening of the Pickwick brings a fresh new look, along with incredible food back to this historic restaurant.  The Zeitgeist Arts Café, a place to dine then catch a movie or theater performance within the same building.  Mexico Lindo, a long standing restaurant in the area, now located in the Fitger’s Complex offers patrons authentic Mexican food while enjoying the outdoor deck overlooking Lake Superior.  And Clyde Iron Works, a renovated Ironworks warehouse now offering casual dining, along with popular musical performances like Minnesota’s GB Leighton, for example.  And that’s just a small list… 

Those of you who have stayed with us and followed us here at the AG Thomson House, are aware of all of the new, and up to date additions, amenities, and packages that we have added to the Inn, and awards received – all with our guests comfort and relaxation in mind.  Like in-room breakfast delivery to all of our rooms, new flat screen HDTV/DVD’s, more rooms with king size beds; and that’s just a small sampling. We encourage you to peruse our website, “Like” us on Facebook where we continually update, post photos, and comment about the “goings on” around the Inn and Duluth; and of course, Stay with Us!  As Trip Advisor’s #1 Bed and Breakfast in Duluth and Minnesota, we are here for you!  Duluth is not just a summer destination, Duluth is a year-round destination and we encourage you to embrace all that our Lake Superior Port City offers, and embrace your new destination of the AG Thomson House Historic Bed and Breakfast Inn, your Duluth MN Bed and Breakfast!

We began by driving up Scenic Highway 61 along the shores of Lake Superior with our ultimate destination of Tettegouche State Park. One of our first stops was Palisade Head, a rugged lakeside cliff rising nearly 300 ft up from the shores of Lake Superior.  This is a great spot to soak up the sun, have a picnic, and be inspired by the pure natural beauty and view of Lake Superior.  We continued further along the north shore, and did a little hiking along the Temperance River Gorge.

The trail stretches along side the rushing river, and is alive with waterfalls pouring through the gorges – simply spectacular and a must see!  On our return home, we stopped in at Split Rock Lighthouse, a spot we haven’t been in quite awhile, and spent some time walking the grounds and taking in the view.  The lighthouse will be open for tours in just a couple of weeks, but you can enjoy the grounds and the trails nearby now.  A short distance from Split Rock Lighthouse is Gooseberry Falls – a must see along the North Shore.  We walked around the upper and lower falls, which is a nice relaxing trail. But if you want to spend the day at Gooseberry State Park, you will find some great trails of nearly 18 miles; part of the Superior Hiking Trail & several small spur trails to waterfalls, overlooks, up the river and down to Lake Superior.

As we were heading home to our Duluth MN Bed and Breakfast, we were so happy to have been able to take the time to enjoy an absolutely beautiful, sun filled day along the North Shore!  We are now even more informed about these great spots to share with our guests!

]]> http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2010/04/tourists-for-a-day/feed/ 0 http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2010/04/duluths-exciting-summer-ahead/ http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2010/04/duluths-exciting-summer-ahead/#comments Thu, 01 Apr 2010 19:57:37 +0000 Angie Allen http://www.thomsonhouse.biz/blog/?p=165 I think we are all shaking our heads around here, and giving thanks, for the absolutely beautiful weather that we have been fortunate to experience this early in the spring. The shipping season has kicked off early with the first ship leaving Duluth’s port on Tuesday. This is a great sign for the economy; orders were ready and waiting to go out and now they are on their way!  And once again, the summer is shaping up to be exciting around Duluth, the North Shore, and the A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast. From Grandma’s Marathon to Blues Festival – Duluth is not only one of the most spectacular areas in the country for pure, natural beauty; it is jammed packed with fun activities and events throughout the year.

One of the biggest and most anticipated events taking place this summer is the Tall Ships Challenge scheduled to begin on July 28th through August 2nd. A fleet of eight international vessels will sail into Duluth’s port, one of only six cities chosen in the US and Canada, and the only Lake Superior port! It’s a rare chance to catch a glimpse, step aboard, and even set sail on some of the grandest ships of yore. The festival grounds open Thursday, July 29 with sounds and sensations ranging from a pirate school for kids to four days of performances of Gilbert & Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, a musical presented by the UMD School of Fine Arts.

Perhaps one of the most fascinating ships included in the fleet is the Freedom Schooner Amistad. It is the official flagship and tall ship ambassador of Connecticut, and more notably, holds historical significance as one of the ships used in the trading of slaves. The Amistad made history in 1839, when slaves aboard the ship revolted to secure their freedom while being transported from one Cuban port to another. The current mission of the Amistad is to provide visitors an intense and direct reexamination of the history of the Atlantic Slave Trade and its legacy found throughout the nations of the Atlantic Basin.

Of course, while you are visiting this great city, the A. G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast should be your choice to stay!  We have spent our quiet season continually working on our Inn, improving and increasing our amenities, and looking forward to each guest that walks through our doors!  This year we were named the Best Bed and Breakfast in the area, along with the Best Hotel Rooms and Best In room Dining by Duluth~Superior Magazine – an honor we are very appreciative and proud!

So as you plan your summer vacation; or short getaways this season, be sure to put Duluth and the A.G. Thomson House on your schedule. You will be surrounded by superior natural beauty while taking in some spectacular events and activities along the North Shore. Mark your calendar for the Tall Ships right away and give us a call to book your room!  In 2008, the entire city sold out as soon as news hit the major newspapers!

Join us at the A.G. Thomson House Bed and Breakfast; we look forward to seeing you this summer in spectacular Duluth, Minnesota!!

The Duluth/Superior area is one of the most beautiful, and yet still undiscovered by so many.  If you haven’t been to the A G Thomson House and the North Shore of Lake Superior yet, think about a visit soon!  The John Beargrease Sled Dog race is just around the corner, not to mention Valentine’s Day.  We have just one room left for the weekend of Valentine’s Day so don’t wait much longer!  And if you haven’t had a chance to see those amazing dogs, now is the time – why wait!!  Get here early and watch the Cutest Puppy Contest!

See you next weekend, or on your next visit to Duluth and the A G Thomson House; where you are always welcome!

Now, needless to say the city will swell to enormous levels during this time, so make your reservations at the A G Thomson House today so you don’t miss out on this event, and a stay at one of Duluth’s finest Bed and Breakfast.  We are ideally situated in Duluth’s historic mansion district, minutes from the event and a great retreat at the end of experiencing this historic event.  Our private, secluded grounds will allow you to wind down, relax, and rejuvenate after a day of experiencing history and the beauty of Duluth, the North Shore, and Lake Superior. 

At our Duluth MN Bed and Breakfast, we are ready to welcome you – always!  But we encourage you to reserve your room now, and secure this time to enjoy a once in a lifetime event.  You won’t be sorry!!!  We will see you soon!

“Visit Duluth spokesman Gene Shaw said the tourism office is working to bring as many as 10 ships here next summer for an event that he predicts would be Duluth€™s largest in more than 30 years. €œIt could be the biggest event in the state of Minnesota outside of the State Fair,€ he said.

Come visit Duluth, Minnesota today, then make your plans to stay with us at the AG Thomson House for this incredible event! See you soon! ]]> http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2009/06/tall-ships-return-to-duluth/feed/ 0 http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2009/06/become-a-fan-of-the-historic-ag-thomson-house-bed-and-breakfast-in-duluth-minnesota/ http://thomsonhouse.biz/blog/2009/06/become-a-fan-of-the-historic-ag-thomson-house-bed-and-breakfast-in-duluth-minnesota/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:44:20 +0000 Angie Allen http://www.thomsonhouse.biz/blog/?p=122 Join us on Facebook and Become a Fan!

We are looking forward to a wonderful summer of opening our home and hospitality to guests choosing to visit Duluth and the AG Thomson House; which we are very appreciative!   Our wildlife around our two acres is ready to greet you as well.  Joining our baby fawn is our most recent visitor; a young fox who is routinely annoyed by the crows.  Poor thing can’t get a  break!  We are so fortunate to have such  beautiful and large grounds in the heart of Duluth to offer our guests.  There is always a wonderful spot to lounge whether it’s the hammock that calls you by name, or one of the many adirondacks scattered around the grounds. 

We have had a wonderful “quiet season” and kept quite busy around here.  Our Spring was terrific as well and we kicked off the summer season with a houseful on Memorial Day weekend.  With the unofficial “official” summer kick off that occurs with Grandma’s Marathon on June 19th, now is  a great time to head to Duluth and beat the crowds that will be in full force.  You will get a second taste of Spring with our flowering trees, bulbs, etc.  in bloom.  We should see our Iris’ very soon, and before you know it the Hydrangeas will be gracing us with all their glory.  Our veranda will offering an incredible and restful niche for watching flora and fauna!

So head up to Duluth; we are here to welcome you home!