Local Counsel with Jane C. Poole

Favorite watering hole  –  Bent Paddle is one of Duluth’s best craft breweries. Every time I’ve been to its taproom it has been full, so prepare for standing-room only. It is also pretty kid-friendly, which is nice for young families.

Favorite North Shore spot  –  My favorite hike is the Split Rock River Loop, which is a scenic 5-mile portion of the Superior Hiking Trail. I also love the Baptism River in Tettegouche State Park, which I believe boasts the highest waterfall in Minnesota.

Best restaurant  –  The new OMC Smokehouse (OMC stands for Oink Moo Cluck) in the West End has innovative BBQ-style food that isn’t found anywhere else in our region. 

Weekend getaway​​​​​​​  –  Madeline Island! Taking the ferry from Bayfield, Wisconsin, is quick and easy and there are two excellent campgrounds connected by a beautiful stretch of beach.  

Best view​​​​​​​  –  Coming home over Thompson Hill on I-35, where you can see all of Duluth stretched out in front of you and the deep blue lake. Never gets old.

Best local beer or spirit​​​​​​​  –  Any concoction at the Vikre Distillery; their cocktail menu frequently changes.

Where to go after a win​​​​​​​  –  Win, lose or draw, my mentor Tom Andrew often made us stop for ice cream after a court appearance—not a bad way to relax after a contentious hearing!

Favorite city event​​​​​​​  –  Grandma’s Marathon is a wonderful event because it brings people here from all over the world. However, it is often a surprise for the uninitiated how cold Duluth can be in June—Duluthians learn to always bring a sweater!

Favorite park​​​​​​​  –  Lester Park has a good playground, a well-known swimming hole called “the Deeps,” and awesome hiking, cross-country ski and mountain bike trails. 

Favorite movie theater​​​​​​​  –  The Zinema at the Zeitgeist Arts Café plays foreign films, indie films and campy weird films you don’t see anywhere else.

Best place for people watching​​​​​​​  –  The “corner of the lake” on the Lakewalk, where you can watch kids skipping rocks, see the trains go by, and watch tourists and locals take advantage of this access to the lake.

Place to take out-of-town guests​​​​​​​​​​​​​​  –  We always try to take guests up the Shore—for a hike or simply a drive up Scenic Highway 61 with a stop at the New Scenic Café.