The Best Place To…
A FEW FRESH IDEAS FOR HOW TO SPEND YOUR NEXT DAY OFF
You probably already know the best place to grab a slice of pizza, catch a movie, or get a tepid cup of cheap coffee. But what if you like eating plants, playing five-hour long board games, or making useless stuff with your hands? This is for you people. Here’s a few fresh ideas for how to spend your next day off.
VEG OUT: THE PHARM JUICE BAR & KITCHEN
208 E 1st Street, Duluth
Tempeh, nutritional yeast, and spirulina. If you made it to the end of that list without gagging or getting confused, we have just the spot for you. Plant-based eating is gaining popularity with those who are brave enough to ditch the deep-fried cheese curds and bacon bits. The Pharm is a globally inspired juice bar and kitchen in downtown Duluth, with plenty of kale and dates to satisfy any bizarre craving. Their most popular dish is the Mexicali tacos, made with walnut-chorizo “meatish-looking stuff”. If you’re being dragged here against your will by one of your hippie friends, we recommend trying an acai bowl – nothing too scary in there. It will require courage, but you could also try one of their…liberating… juice cleanses. Bonus: on Sundays, students can get $1 off smoothies with an ID! Plus, their homey setup makes a great study spot.
GET IN CHARACTER: DULUTH UNDERGROUND THEATER
506 W Michigan Street, Duluth
Do you burst into song in the middle of conversation because that sentence just reminded you of a line from Les Misérables? Or do you, perhaps, respond in character (with a slight British accent) when answering questions about Oliver Twist during English class? We’ll refrain from labels, but you might be the type of person who is interested in live theater performance. There’s a ton of places to catch a show in Duluth, but this is the only place where they claim to “blur the typical relationship between audience and the performer”. For the true theater geek (oops), that allure will be enough. The Underground features more contemporary shows that may not have big name but provide lots of offbeat charm, at a more affordable price. The theater is in the historic Duluth train depot, giving it an intimate, old-world feel… and making it the type of place you can wear your bowler hat and monocle without suspicion.
GET LOST IN TIME: DULUTH FOLK SCHOOL
1917 W Superior Street, Duluth
Let’s be honest here – it might be time to put down your phone and learn how to hand carve a wooden spoon. For those of you feeling drained from staring at laptops and Instagram, we recommend a visit to the Duluth Folk School. Soap-making, foraging to make your own tea, and creating junk sculptures are just a sample of the many classes you could join to learn a new, albeit pointless, skill. Think of how impressed Grandma Helga will be when you tell her you learned the art of Gudbrandsdal Rosemaling! And you definitely need to brush up on peg loom weaving if you ever hope to get a job nowadays. If we can’t convince you to sign up for forest bathing (yeah… it’s supposed to reduce stress), stop by anyway – their location also houses The Dovetail Café where you can get a cup of warm cheer or catch some live music.
HOLD YOUR D&D NIGHT: LEVEL UP
525 Tower Avenue, Superior
Is there a magical place where you can get the latest graphic novel, embrace your inner dungeon master, AND paint tiny dragon figurines? Friends, we are here to tell you that, yes, there is. Level Up is Superior’s very own gaming epicenter. Not only can you buy comics and tabletop games, but there’s always an opportunity to use their massive venue for your next Magic Gathering or D&D night. This is a safe space – no one here will give you a funny look and back away as you breathlessly and with sweaty fervency rant on about why the newest RPG is the most important thing in the world. You can unleash your competitive spirit in one of their many tournaments or meet other like-minded sages during a gaming event. Perhaps you just want to paint your tiny dragon figurine… there’s a night set aside for you as well. For the novice, just grab that old Monopoly game (you know, the one with half of the crumpled-up money and the missing dog piece), a few friends, and sit down for a long… very long night of fun.