The forests and woodlands of the Upper Midwest will soon explode into a vast and breathtaking myriad of color. Whether traveling north, south, east or west you will be amazed at the brilliant hues that have been created by nature’s paintbrush. Be sure to take a few days to relax and enjoy the majesty of the forests as well as the beauty of our lakes and rivers.
Following the Mississippi Nature has provided the perfect tour guide for a great weekend vacation. Just follow the mighty Mississippi southward to experience a taste of the past combined with great food and lodging.
Red Wing To begin your weekend, start out on Highway 61, and head southwest toward Red Wing. If it’s close to mealtime before you approach Red Wing, you can take a side trip to Treasure Island Resort and Casino for a great buffet. Entertainment always is provided in the evening, and plush lodging accommodations are located in the facility. Back on the road and again heading southward, the Mississippi will become the background for a picturesque view as you enter historic Red Wing. Once in town, you will notice the former Red Wing Pottery building on your left. The pottery business was once a key industry for the town, and many of us have a treasured piece of Red Wing Pottery. Today the building has been converted into an interesting mall with a wide variety of vendors, which draws many visitors and tourists all year long. This charming city has several antique stores and other interesting shops, and the Sheldon Theater showcases the best arts and entertainment.
Once you have arrived in downtown Red Wing, you can’t miss the St. James Hotel, which underwent a complete renovation several years ago. During the restoration process, the owners were very careful to retain the original 1875 atmosphere of the hotel, while providing luxurious rooms and wonderful restaurants. Before you leave Red Wing, be sure to take a short drive to the top of historic Memorial Park for a breathtaking view of the city and the entire river valley.
Reads Landing and Wabasha As you travel south along Lake Pepin, be sure to stop at Reads Landing, one of the top bald eagle nesting sites in Minnesota. Although just a small village, Reads Landing attracts many tourists who are interested in seeing bald eagles and their large nests in trees along the riverbank. Just down the road in Wabasha, you will find the National Eagle Center where families can see and hear in-depth information on these majestic birds.
Lanesboro Just a few more miles to the south, and then westward into the hills of southeastern Minnesota, lies a small village that is truly unique. Surrounded by the bluffs of the Root River Valley, Lanesboro is nestled deep into the hearts of those who live there. No chain motels or franchised restaurants will be found here – not even a stoplight can be seen! The residents have decided to preserve the history of their area and expand on it. The Root River Biking Trail is popular with tourists and provides a wonderful family activity. Lanesboro is considered to be the Bed and Breakfast capital of Minnesota and you are sure to find lodging that is comfortable, cozy and homelike. There are fourteen bed and breakfast accommodations so visitors have a wide choice of accommodations. Many options are available for dining in Lanesboro, from pie shops and hometown cafes to German Restaurants and pizza parlors. Be sure to stop and spend some time in Lanesboro, and take a step back into the peacefulness of the past.
Set Your Sights on Superior If you are longing to get away from your usual routine and would like to enjoy a few days in a simpler lifestyle, consider a trip to Lake Superior — so close yet so amazing! The villages and towns located on the shores of this vast lake are rich with history and provide majestic scenery. They offer great entertainment, parks and lodging — all in a relaxed, back-to-the-basics atmosphere. In the fall of the year, vibrant colors will surround you as you travel along the scenic shoreline on your north shore vacation.
Duluth Duluth is a good place to begin your tour, because it is one of the major cities on Lake Superior, and it has the honor of serving as one of the Great Lakes major shipping ports. If you approach Duluth from the south, you will be amazed at the breathtaking view of the city with Lake Superior in the background. For information on the history of the area, visit Duluth Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and Museum. There are many displays explaining the Lake Superior shipping industry, and visitors can watch the departures and arrivals of the massive Lake Superior freighters. Plan to stay a few days and enjoy any one of the comfortable and convenient lodging choices, which are located in Duluth.
Canal Park is right on the Duluth waterfront, and a leisurely stroll will reveal interesting shops, great restaurants, a variety of entertainment and various motels.
North Shore Scenic Drive As you continue northward along the lakeshore, you will enjoy the rugged and undisturbed shoreline of Superior, the world’s largest fresh water lake. There are at least eight State Parks that are conveniently located along the North Shore Drive and the Superior National Forest offers unlimited opportunities for family recreation and activities.
Grand Marais There are several interesting small villages and attractions, but be sure to make a stop at Grand Marais. Bird watching is very popular in this area since there are over 150 species that call this area home. Many visitors enjoy hiking through the natural woodlands and are delighted when experiencing the calm and relaxing environment. Biking trails are a popular attraction and gear can be rented for most activities, including camping and climbing. Charter tours are easily set up at the marina, and a wide variety of galleries display many forms of outstanding artwork. Visitors return again and again to this unique village, which seems to take the stress out of their lives and helps them reconnect with family, friends and the natural world. To enjoy even more of this scenic lakeshore drive, continue traveling northward toward the Gunflint Trail, and even into Canada.
Bayfield Bayfield is located on the Wisconsin side of Superior, is well worth the trip. In late September and early October, the Bayfield area comes alive with color as the trees slowly transform from shades of green into golden hues of orange, red and yellow. This village is famous for its annual Fall Apple Festival each October — when the town comes alive with good food, art, entertainment and lodging. The Society of American Travelers considers this fall festival among the Top Ten Autumn Festivals in North America. A large variety of apples are only the beginning of the culinary treats. Apple pie, apple wine, apple butter, apple cookies and even apple bratwurst can be purchased and enjoyed. Several local campgrounds offer great camping sites with outstanding views for the family that prefers a lodging style that brings them closer to nature. If camping isn’t your style, you will be pleased with the lodging choices that are available in Bayfield. Once you visit Bayfield, you will surely want to return again.
Copper Harbor Copper Harbor is Michigan’s northern most community, and you will enjoy stepping back into the past in this unique settlement. No vehicular travel is allowed to ensure a more peaceful environment for the visitors, as well as the natural inhabitants such as bear, fox and moose. The lighthouse, which was built in 1867, still stands watch over the village while guests enjoy scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Campgrounds, charter boats, ferry service and several outstanding restaurants are enjoyed by visitors who seek a return to a simpler, more peaceful lifestyle.
Porcupine Mountains The Porcupine Mountains area is located on the Michigan shore of Lake Superior and is well know for its incredible mountain range. The Porcupine Mountains area boasts the largest parcel of undeveloped forestland in Michigan. Many of the stately trees are over 200 years old and visitors can learn about the importance of this area at the visitor center, which is open from May through October each year. Hiking trails, campgrounds and cabins are readily available for visitors. Be sure to bring your binoculars so you can watch the peregrine falcons as they return to this area to nest and raise their young each year. Over a dozen hiking trails are located within the park, and visitors can rent mountain bikes, canoes and kayaks.
Thunder Bay Thunder Bay, Ontario is located on the northern shore of Lake Superior, and at the head of the Great Lakes. Its unique location has made it a natural choice for a trading post for thousands of years, back as far as the earliest Indian inhabitants. In 1798 the Northwest Company built Fort William and it quickly became a popular gathering place for Indian, French and Scottish fur traders. Today, Fort William Historical Park recreates the fur-trading era where visitors can step back in time and tour the re-creation of the world’s largest fur trading post.
Today, Thunder Bay is the largest center of Finnish tradition and culture outside of Finland. The city is alive with fine Finnish food, saunas, and a variety of shops selling soaps, brushes and other authentic Finnish items. The Sleeping Giant is unique peninsula extending into Lake Superior and is a popular attraction for tourists. There are a number of nature trails on the peninsula and bird watching is combined with spectacular views of the lake. Cruise ship tours and guided excursions are available from the mainland for those who would like to get an overall view and learn the history of the area. Be sure to take advantage of the Tai Chi lessons at Marina Park every Wednesday from May through November. For shoppers, there are many quaint stores where stained glass, wooden furniture, original jewelry creations and many other hand-crafted items can be purchased.
Various vacation packages are available for the Thunder Bay region and accommodations vary from fine lodging to cottage rental. Make it a priority to visit this uniquely historic area.
Planning Ahead for Winter Fun The North Shore area is vibrant with color and full of recreational opportunities in the fall, but there are also many lodges and ski resorts that provide excellent winter vacation destinations. Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest are right at our fingertips and cannot be surpassed for their beauty in all seasons. Start making your vacation plans now and enjoy our northern vacation wonderland.
