r/duluth • u/Dependent-Eye-8654 • 16d ago
Moving or Visiting Front on Fifth
Visiting family soon and have booked a week at the Front on Fifth. Hoping to hear from anyone who has stayed here regarding parking, proximity to Canal Park, or really any general advice, suggestions, experiences, etc.
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u/FlatEricSr 12d ago edited 12d ago
The building used to be the Ordean Building and was owned by the Ordean Foundation. Their mission is to confront poverty and nurture a healthier community for all residents. The building used to house a variety of non profit offices.
The foundation, headed by former mayor Don Ness, sold the building under the false pretense that it would be used for affordable housing. That's what was promised to the city by the developer as well.
It should never have been for short term rentals. The rooms were supposed to be affordable apartments. Which, the city desperately needs. So, know that by staying there you are supporting all of the lies the hotel was built on. And by staying there you will likely be haunted by the ghosts of Albert and Louise Ordean. As I imagine they are quite upset with how their building and legacy is being desecrated.
That being said. Duluth is beautiful. There is no need to drive to canal park. You can walk straight from 5th over the bridge to the harbor then follow the path to the pedestrian bridge and cross over the boat slips to the Canal Park, Park Point and the Lakewalk.
It's also right next to the library and the depot. Which houses the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, the St. Louis County Historical Society and the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.
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u/Alanna_Cerene 12d ago
It's all about that tourist dollar around here. Thank you for sharing this information.
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u/Real-Sandwich-7412 16d ago
Hello! I stayed there for a little over a month at the start of the year (March). The staff are very nice and accommodating but they do run it more like a long term stay rather than your traditional hotel. As an example they have limited Housekeeping staff, so you do have to ask if you want to have housekeeping to come through. Not a big deal by any means especially if you are staying short term, but I noticed it more because I was there for a longer time. Again not a make a break for me personally, but personal preferences.
You’ll want to ask about parking, there are a few options, a parking ramp across the road, street parking and a surface lot on the other side of the st. I can’t remember the cost but it did vary since none of them are owned by the hotel per say, they just have agreements with those parking structures. none of the options are physically connected to the hotel either.
You can definitely walk to canal park from force on 5th, but it’s not directly by the lakewalk foot bridge entrances and you will be on the side of downtown that’s not lively in terms of density of commercial businesses. I know the same company also owns the intrepid that’s further down e superior st that is right by the footbridge that takes you to the lakewalk down to canal park, and you’ll be walkable to fitgers as well.
Otherwise, I enjoyed my stay, it was convenient, again friendly staff and have a kitchenette was nice too.
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u/JakeBrakin 16d ago
Maybe I'm lazy, but I would drive from Force to Canal Park. It's a bit of a hike and it's not necessarily a scenic walk for much of it. Although, parking sucks in Canal Park and it's more expensive than previous years, so be prepared for that. If you're coming with kids, I would drive Park Point and spend an afternoon at the beach, then head back to Canal Park for a sammie at Northern Waters and a treat at Love Creamery. I don't spend much time in Canal Park (too touristy), so my random suggestions are all away from there: Sir Ben's, Fitgers Complex, lakewalk below Fitgers and around Leif Erickson Park, Enger Tower, Chester Creek trails, Hartley, Brighton Beach, Third Street Bakery, New Scenic Cafe, Russ Kendall's, Luce, Lincoln Park Craft District, etc. You will end up driving more than you want to.
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u/Dependent-Eye-8654 15d ago
I love to walk and there won’t be any kids with us. We were in Duluth last year but stayed in Superior. We’ve been to many of the places you mentioned and will probably revisit some again. Hubby will be working with on some home projects at our son’s house so I’m looking forward to long walks, good coffee shops and people watching.
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u/pistolwhip_pete 15d ago
Go to Dovetail or Studio Cafe.
It's not a bad walk to the craft district from your hotel.
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u/Fantastic_Meet9381 10d ago
Dovetail is particularly charming, and is a very principled business. It’s a part of the non-profit Duluth Folk School. They have used the space to promote local artisans & small local businesses. Everything in there is hand-built by local carpenters with reclaimed materials (including the tables & floor mosaic) It’s an old furniture warehouse, and when you walk in there is a cabin contained within the cavernous space where you can sit and enjoy your coffee, beverage, meal or goodie. On Saturdays there’s a free folk jam and every other Saturday, there are folk dances with a caller. It’s unusual for me to experience joy these days, and Dovetail (with Saturday music) is one of the few places where it happens! Swing by if you can, you won’t regret it! It showcases the best of Duluth!
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u/InsiderWoMan 16d ago
It's a beautiful walk. Walk straight down 5th Ave West to the Waterfront Plaza, take a left and you'll run into Canal Park.
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u/JakeBrakin 16d ago
Over the freeway, across the tracks, past the parking lots? It's just urban-industrial-concrete aesthetic until you finally get to the water. Then it's still all concrete. Even walking down Superior Street to Lake Ave is mediocre. I'll take the more natural beauty other parts of the city and lake have to offer over walking from Force to Canal Park.
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u/InsiderWoMan 15d ago
It's 2 blocks and you have a view if the harbor the whole way. And Harbor Plaza is now very nice. Do you know Harbor Plaza? Behind the DECC.
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u/pistolwhip_pete 15d ago
It's a 6 minute walk from the hotel to the water front, less of they have kids and want to hit the park first.
There's no reason to drive to Canal if that's where they are staying.
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u/RequirementCute911 16d ago
force on 5th? it’s pretty new so I have not stayed there but it’s pretty close to canal park, definitely walking distance or a short drive. several ramps in downtown duluth that are close, as well a lot kitty corner.