"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body & soul alike."  John Muir                                                         

Links of Local Interest

       NATURE...

Morgan Coulee State Natural Area – across from Journey Inn – a remnant “goat prairie”: steep hiking, prairie viewing & bird watching (on the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail)

Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area – overlooking the Mississippi River

Rush River – swimming, raft/kayaking, trout fishing

Pine Creek Conservation Area – walk along a wild rustic road, wildflowers, birds, fishing

§  Buena Vista Park, Alma – overlooking the Mississippi River

§  Rieck’s Lake Park, near Alma – observation deck, tundra swans – October & November - see the Tundra Swans in autumn

§  Nugget Park Lake – canoe, boat fishing, hiking & cross-country ski trails

§  Freedom Park Nature Center, Prescott – view confluence of the Mississippi & St Croix River, classes

§  Tiffany State Wildlife Area - a Wisconsin DNR area for hiking, birdwatching, canoeing - along the Chippewa River

§  The Chippewa River State Trail - hike or bike this beautiful trail - trail head in Durand, then hike or bike along The Chippewa or take the fork to The Red Cedar River State Trail.

§  National Eagle Center, Wabasha, MN - a chance to observe eagles and learn all about them

§  Lake Pepin (Mississippi River) – fishing, sailing, boating, beauty

§  Broken Paddle Guiding Company - kayak adventures

       ART...

§  Fresh Art Tours, Spring & Autumn, visit artist’s homes and studios. Demonstrations

§  Stockholm Art Fair, 3rd Saturday of July

§  Galleries: Stockholm – Abode, Pottery by Diane Milner and more, Indigo Swan Jewelry and more;
Maiden Rock - Cultural Cloth, Secret Heart Gallery, The Green Goddess and more.

§  Durand - Accola Fine Art gallery 

       AREA RESOURCES...

§  Mississippi Valley Partners – www.mississippi-river.org

§  Great River Road National Scenic Byway

§  Maiden Rock Area Community Association – www.MaidenRock.org

§  Stockholm- www.stockholmwisconsin.com

§  Pepin- www.pepinwisconsin.com

§  Red Wing – www.RedWing.org

§  Laura Ingalls Wilder: fair, wayside home, museum - http://www.pepinwisconsin.com/

§ Wisconsin/Minnesota Sailing on Lake Pepin
www.wimnsail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

       RESTAURANTS...

§  Shady Grove Restaurant, Ellsworth, WI. (25 minutes) 715-273-3787 Closed M & Tues

§  Chef Shack, Bay City, open weekends (10 minutes) Spring-End of year, reserve on Open Table

§  Falconer Vineyards, Red Wing, MN (30 minutes), pizza (closed for the winter)

§  A-Z Pizza Farm, rural Stockholm: open Tuesdays 4:30 - 8PM  (closed winter)

§  Ole’s Bar, Maiden Rock: Burgers, fish fry. Summer Patio

§  Six String Saloon, Maiden Rock, burgers, pizza and specials

§  Lena's Lucky Star, Stockholm, (10 minutes) 715-442-2023 –  Friday fish fry, occasional live music

§  Humble Moon Saloon, Stockholm: indoor seating & outside garden patio. Spring- Early Winter

§  The Harbor View Cafe, Pepin: (25 minutes) no reservations, wait & enjoy the view. Great food. March – November  

§  Pickle Factory, Pepin: 715-442-4400 – Great balcony patio overlooking Lake Pepin   

§  Cucina Ceci, Pepin, Italian, weekends

§  Il Forno at Villa Bellezza, Pepin, pizza, entrees

§  Nelson Cheese, Nelson (30 minutes) sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, wine bar

§  The Stone Barn, near Nelson & Durand: outdoor pizza pavilion (closed for the winter)

§  Vino in the Valley: an outdoor restaurant and developing vineyard up The Rush River Valley, about 9 miles from Journey Inn, 715-639-6677 (closed for the winter)

§  The Homemade Cafe, Pepin

§  Smiling Pelican Bakery, Maiden Rock - fantastic baked goods + quiche & sandwiches (closed for the winter)

§  The Pie Shop, Stockholm, pies pot pies & sandwiches.

§  Staghead, Red Wing (25 minutes), beer, wine, cocktails and good food

§  Red Wing Brewery, Red Wing, Old West Main St. - Local beer & pizza

§  Oliver's Wine Bar, Red Wing, tapas & comfort food

FOOD & WINE...

§  Rush River Produce – blueberry, raspberry, current - U picking- July & August

§  Stockholm General - food, wine, beer & liquor

§  E & J’s Fresh Grocery – including local & organic foods, Pepin, WI

§  Maiden Rock Apples – apple picking

§  Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery - apple wine & cider

§  The Palate – kitchen shop, wine & cooking classes, Stockholm

§  Nelson Cheese Factory: locally made cheese, sandwiches, ice cream and a great wine bar

§  Ellsworth Creamery: famous locally made cheese curds & other Wisconsin cheeses, gift shop

§  Villa Bellezza Winery - vineyard and winery, tours, food, patio in Pepin

§  Belle Vinez - vineyard, winery and small plates, patio in River Falls

§  Falconer’s Vineyard – winery, pizza, patio in Red Wing

§  Simple Abundance - natural food store in Red Wing