Voted one of the Top 15 B&Bs in the U.S. for "Best Weekend Escape".

Soak in a luxurious whirlpool or classic clawfoot tub. Snuggle with your sweetie under a goose down comforter by the fire.

Awake to a stunning view of the sun rising over Lake Superior. Then follow the wafting aromas downstairs to your gourmet breakfast served in a sun drenched dining room.

Welcome to another special day at Duluth, Minnesota's elegant A.G. Thomson House!

A graceful 1909 Dutch Colonial designed by a prominent architect of the era, the Thomson House bed and breakfast inn is nestled on over an acre of park-like grounds in one of the most historic residential neighborhoods in Minnesota.

Set on a quiet dead end street, the inn is conveniently located just seven blocks uphill from Lake Superior and Duluth's scenic Lakewalk, and only a few miles from historic downtown and the Canal Park entertainment district. Several of Minnesota's most beautiful and popular state parks are just a short day trip away along the North Shore Scenic Drive.

Every guest room at the Thomson House has a private bath with shower. Most feature whirlpool tubs, and several have great Lake Superior views. Fireplaces in every room afford a warm and cozy ambiance during chillier weather, while our quiet state of the art air conditioning with remote climate control ensures a restful sleep during Duluth’s occasional summer heat waves.

You'll even find a radio/CD player in your room, so be sure to bring along your favorite music for relaxation or romance (or borrow from our eclectic collection).

If you enjoy the great outdoors, you'll definitely want to stroll (or snowshoe) the winding path through the trees, gardens, and billion year old granite outcropping that distinguishes our large scenic property. Or simply relax on the park bench under the pines.

In any case, we think you'll love the peaceful atmosphere of our historic bed and breakfast inn. It's like being in the country, but with all the convenience and year round activities the beautiful City of Duluth has to offer.

We look forward to welcoming you soon to historic elegance nestled in nature!

Rooms:

Salyards Suite:

Luxurious second floor room with French Country motif features a beautifully carved Queen bed with cozy feather mattress, private bath, and oversized in-room whirlpool for two. A beautiful gas parlor stove adds to the romantic ambiance. Awake to a stunning view of the sun rising over Lake Superior. Our most popular room for honeymoons and other special occasions!

Ryerson Suite:

Romantic second floor room with four poster queen feather bed, private bath, and deep whirlpool tub with rotating neck massage jets. View the moonlight reflecting off Lake Superior right from your bed. You’ll also enjoy the extra space and garden views from the private wood-paneled sunroom with charming electric fireplace and sofa sleeper.

Litman Suite:

Bright and very spacious second floor room features a gorgeous king size sleigh bed, private bath with classic deep clawfoot soaking tub for two, and nice views of Lake Superior. A beautiful custom built gas fireplace at the foot of the bed adds to the romantic ambiance. But the thing you'll enjoy most about this room in summer and fall is relaxing outdoors on your own private terrace overlooking the lake.

The Mayor's Chamber:

Very stately second floor room with queen sleigh bed, in-room double whirlpool, gas fireplace, and private bath. The rich colors of the uniquely patterned wallpaper and plush hearth rug give this room a regal feeling that has made it a guest favorite.

Carriage House Rooms:

Our carriage house is located just across the driveway from the main house. Both of the cozy second floor rooms feature a unique queen bed, in-room double whirlpool, charming gas fireplace, and private bath. Both rooms also have partial Lake Superior views, framed by large Spruce and Pine trees just outside your window.

Lake Superior Suite:

As impressive as its namesake, this very spacious and luxurious suite has it all! Elegant rustic décor featuring a king size bed, private bath, leather sofa fronting a ledge stone fireplace, and HydroMassage tub for two (featuring thousands of relaxing bubbles created by 26 jets of heated air). A French door opens onto your own private outdoor deck overlooking our gardens. The mini-bar and refrigerator with icemaker are an added bonus. Fully handicapped accessible, with a separate ground floor entrance.

New Mexico Ranch:

This sunny room radiates the warmth of the American Southwest, reminiscent of the Thomson family's 40,000 acre cattle ranch. Handsome Mission style furniture includes an aromatic cedar lined lingerie chest.

Brule River Retreat:

The Brule River Retreat, with its handmade Cedar log bed, has more of a Northwoods motif, recalling the Thomson family's summer getaway on a blue ribbon trout stream in northwest Wisconsin.

Breakfast:

Your sumptuous hot breakfast will be served in our sun drenched dining room at 9 AM, with coffee and tea generally available beginning at 7 AM.

If you prefer, we will as mentioned, deliver a continental breakfast basket for you to enjoy in the privacy of your room. We are happy to prepare an earlier breakfast on weekdays to accommodate the needs of business travelers.

Evening Wine Hour:

Each evening from 5 to 7 we welcome you to join us and your fellow guests for a complimentary glass of wine by the living room fire.

It's a fun and relaxing opportunity to enjoy casual conversation and possibly even make new friends. Many guests tell us the evening wine hour is one of the favorite parts of their stay at the A.G. Thomson House!

Activities:

Lake Superior:

Take a tour of Lake Superior's beautiful and rugged shoreline between Duluth and the Canadian border. Check out the special North Shore Scenic Drive travel log maintained exclusively by the A.G. Thomson House for sightseeing, hiking, and dining tips along the way.

Bicycles:

Don't forget to bring your bikes! One of the best of Minnesota's many great rails-to-trails, the Willard Munger State Trail, originates (or ends) less than 15 minutes from the inn. Not only is this northern end of the 69 mile trail the most scenic segment, but the nice gradual climb out of Duluth along the St. Louis River means it's all downhill coming home!

Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve:

View one of nature's remarkable spectacles each autumn just a few miles from the inn at Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve. Reluctant to cross the vast expanse of Lake Superior, some 20 species of migrating raptors and vultures concentrate in impressive numbers at its western tip in the skies above Hawk Ridge. Managed by the Duluth Audubon Society, Hawk Ridge is one of the best sites in the United States to witness this annual flight. Peak migration occurs from the second week in September through the third week of October.

Hiking:

Hike or snowshoe the scenic Superior Hiking Trail, named one of the top 10 trails in the country by Backpacker Magazine. Currently you can choose a leisurely to strenuous day hike along trail segments anywhere between Two Harbors and the Canadian border. But within two years the trail will pass just a few blocks from the inn as it threads its way an additional 45 miles through Duluth's bountiful green space of forested hillsides and rocky overlooks. You'll be amazed by the tranquility and stunning views that are certain to make it one of the most incredible stretches of urban wilderness trail in the U.S.

Railroad:

Take a ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Cross Country Skiing:

The Duluth area has some awesome cross country ski trails, many with breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Valley. Some are even lit for night skiing. Five City of Duluth trails and the Spirit Mountain Cross Country Center provide 65K for every level of skier. Or check out the trails at the privately operated Snowflake Nordic Center.

Brief History:

The home now known as the A.G. Thomson House was originally built for William Ryerson in 1909 at a cost of approximately $17,000. It was designed by Minneapolis architect, Edwin H. Hewitt. Hewitt was a native of Red Wing, Minnesota, "whose impeccable credentials included an apprenticeship with Cass Gilbert and a diploma from the celebrated Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris" (Millett, Larry; Lost Twin Cities; 1992). Among Hewitt's better known buildings in the Twin Cities are the Minneapolis Club, Blake School, Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church, and Pillsbury House.

A number of prominent Duluth families have owned the A.G. Thomson House during its nearly 100-year history. The inn is named for second owner, Adam G. Thomson, who purchased the original structure in 1918 and soon added a two-story addition on the rear—with a large pantry and porch on the first floor, and bathroom and sleeping porch on the second floor. He also built the two-story carriage house with upper level four-room dwelling at a cost of $4,000, and a frame “tool house” for $1,000.

Adam G. Thomson was the only child of Alexander and Helen Thomson. A native of Scotland, Alexander (generally known as A.D. Thomson) was one of Duluth’s pioneer grain merchants, and eventually became one of the largest exporters of grain in America. He joined the Duluth Board of Trade in 1883, two years after it was organized, and served as one of its first presidents.

Directions:

• North on Interstate 35 two miles beyond downtown Duluth to London Road exit.
• Cross London Road at stoplight and proceed 7 blocks uphill on 26th Avenue East.
• Turn right on East 3rd Street and the Thomson House is on the left side at the end of the block.
• Come up the driveway, park in back, and enter through the front door.

Parking:

If it helps you sleep better at night, you'll be happy to know the A.G. Thomson House provides lighted off-street parking in our private backyard.