alisonrider

My elderly mother (94 years) and I are taking a fall foliage road trip, starting in St. Paul, Minnesota (Prairie Home Companion). We will have about 7 days to drive from there via Wisconsin and Michigan, and back to Omaha. Want to know what are "must sees" -- Duluth, Mackinaw, Lake Geneva, The Dells, Galena, Madison (???) and what highways to take. We love small quaint towns, charming inns, lovely scenery and back roads. Looking for route suggestions, places to stay, great little hideaways. Physical activity will be minimal. Thanks for any help. Alison

flpab

http://www.northshorevisitor.com/lod...s/two-harbors/

A little north of Duluth but so pretty. Highway 61 is one of the most scenic roads in America. Bob Dylan even wrote about it. There use to be a lighthouse you could rent there.
Duluth has changed so much for the better. We stayed last trip by the lift bridge. I will do a little research.

flpab

http://southpierinn.com/ Was very nice and loved seeing the bridge lift.

https://www.lighthousebb.org/accommodations

Split Rock lighthouse north of Two harbors is beautiful. I know you plan on going to Superior so will stop.

WhereAreWe

When are you going? I know its fall but what are the actual dates? There's a big variation in the timing of fall color from Northern Minnesota to southern Wisconsin and it could make a difference in the route you decide to take.

And are you driving from Omaha to St. Paul?

I'm thinking Mackinac Island is a bit out of the way. Doable but it depends on how much driving you want to do.

All of the suggestions below depend on the timing of your trip and the fall colors....

The route along the Mississippi River in Minnesota has some nice state parks and little towns. It is somewhat out of the way but if you're driving from Omaha to St. Paul, you could make that detour for a more scenic trip.

Close to St. Paul is Stillwater, lots of little stores and antique shops. If you make it over there and want to head north to Duluth, I would recommend taking Highway 95 north a ways. It roughly follows the St. Croix River and takes you past three nice state parks (William O'Brien and Interstate - there's an Interstate State Park on the Minnesota and Wisconsin side of the river).

In Northern Minnesota, definitely drive north of Duluth on Hwy 61 to at least Two Harbors but even further to Grand Marais would be best. For an alternate route, you could head north from Cloquet to Ely, then drive from there to Silver Bay (on the shore of Lake Superior) and either head north Grand Marais or south to Duluth. Ely is the little town at the edge of the Boundary Waters, lots of great scenery and wilderness up there. That loop would prevent some backtracking along Hwy 61. Ely, Grand Marais and Two Harbors would all be good little towns to spend a day/night.

If you are interested in Judy Garland (or if your mother is), Grand Rapids is her birthplace and has a museum dedicated to her. It is a couple hours southwest of Ely but could be included in that Ely loop if you wanted.

There are 3 easy state parks to stop at along 61 - Tettegouche has an easy trail to the cliffs overlooking Lake Superior, Split Rock Lighthouse has a tour of the lighthouse, and Gooseberry Falls has a pretty easy trail to see the waterfalls (which may be fairly dry in fall).

Duluth is also nice to spend a day walking around. Superior is not very exciting compared to Duluth.

If you are skipping Mackinac, I would head to Bayfield, WI instead and take the ferry to Madeline Island. From there make your way along the southern edge of Lake Superior until you need to head south to go back to Omaha. Wisconsin Dells (the area) is beautiful, the town is very touristy.

If you are going to Mackinac, I'd drive along the northern edge of the UP and visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along the way.

I can't say much about Michigan, hopefully someone else will weigh in on that.

gardendiva

In Baraboo, WI is Circus World. They have a museum featuring The Ringling Bros Circus and a huge building full of various circus wagons. Through out the day they have guides that will tell you about all of the wagons. It was very interesting. I took my Dad who was 86 at the time and he loved it. They also have a huge yard with a few train cars and various circus acts during the day.

Baraboo is about 30-40 minutes south of the Wisconsin Dells on Rte 12. It is a beautiful drive.

alisonrider

Thank you all for your very helpful responses. Regarding the timing of our trip, I was thinking about getting tickets to the 9/26 Prairie Home Companion show and then heading on our weeklong road trip. However, if it would be best to delay, I could get tickets for the following week. Now, I'll have to sit down with the maps and figure it out!

TC

Although pretty, Duluth is nowhere near a route between St. Paul and Omaha. In Wisconsin, I would skip the Dells and have a look at House on the Rock. Nothing to do with fall colors however.

mdwest

You’ve already gotten some good feedback so I’ll just add my 2cents worth.

The first thing I need to stress is to make sure you book accommodations very early. It is a really busy time in scenic areas along the Mississippi and Lake Superior. Things book solid that time of year and you don’t want to be left out. We have had bad luck a couple of times.

As for timing, I personally would choose the later date for the Prairie Home Companion tickets. To get a better idea of timing the leaf color you may want to refer to this article from a year ago, (which by the way was an amazing show of color). http://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_tr...ll_colors.html

This next site will keep you pretty well up to date on where to find peak color once the season arrives.
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/fall-color-report

I wouldn’t recommend straying far from the Wisconsin / Minnesota border. There is plenty to keep you busy for 7 days. Driving North to South is probably the best opportunity to see color. Here are some of my favorite places and some links that give more & better info than I can provide.

Bayfield, WI: We love the shows at Big Top Chautauqua and I believe they have staff with golf carts to help people negotiate the grounds. http://www.bigtop.org/

Duluth: I only go if I can stay at a hotel in Canal Park and overlook Lake Superior. There are a few hotels that have great lake views. There are several cute shops and good restaurants. I find it fascinating to watch the lift bridge open and allow ocean-going vessels into the harbor. http://www.canalparkduluth.com/

Stillwater, MN: is right on the St Croix River and has lots of cute shops and some nice restaurants. We like to have a late lunch along the river at the Dock Café. The food is good and the views are wonderful. Make sure you get a window seat. http://www.discoverstillwater.com/

Lake Pepin Area: Lake Pepin is actually a widening of the Mississippi River. We rent a condo at Willows on the River in Lake City, MN. However, they have recently changed management and their web site is not currently up and running. Not sure what’s going on there. It is right on the water and all condos have great views. They also have a Paddlewheel boat tours from this location. We’ve been to most of the places in this next article and enjoyed them all.
http://midwestweekends.com/plan_a_tr...ake_pepin.html

While in the area we never miss a chance to stop at the Nelson Cheese Factory for ice cream. The Eagle Center in Wabasha has nice indoor, sit-down presentations and an exhibit with live rescued eagles. http://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
This next recommendation may sound odd but there is a large toy store in Kellogg, MN just south of Wabasha. Lark Toys has a beautiful carousel with hand carved animals. It is in a separate room and you can park close to the door so your mother won’t have to walk far. It is well worth the stop if you enjoy artsy things. http://www.larktoys.com/

After leaving the Lake Pepin area, drive south along Hwy 61 for best views of the Mississippi along this stretch. Switch to the Wisconsin side and Highway 35 between La Crosse, WI and historic Prairie du Chien, WI. It hugs the Mississippi River and provides a beautiful ride.

La Crosse, WI: There is a scenic overlook called Grandad’s Bluff with great views of the entire city. There is also a boat cruise on the Mississippi. Just outside of La Crosse you’ll find the Guadalupe Shrine. I’m embarrassed to tell you that we go there just to eat at their café. The food is wonderful and the view over the valley and the bird watching is great. I’m sure all the Catholics are rolling their eyes at my recommendation of the café instead of the shrine but they do offer rides to the top of the hill for those who want to visit that as well.
http://www.guadalupeshrine.org/visit/cafe

Prairie du Chien offers wildlife boat tours of the backwaters of the Mississippi. I’ve been on it a few times and highly recommend it.
http://www.mississippiexplorer.com/p...e-du-chien.php

Galena, Illinois: Marvelous historic buildings from the 1800’s. Some parts of the town are very hilly but the main street of shopping and restaurants is pretty flat. A trolley ride is always fun. I like to stay at Farmer’s Guest House http://galenabedandbreakfast.com/ but I think they only have one room on the first floor. http://www.visitgalena.org/

If your trip takes you through Dubuque, Iowa I highly recommend the Mississippi River Museum but obviously not for the fall colors. It is not a really large museum but very well done and informative. They probably have wheel chairs for your mom. http://www.rivermuseum.com/

Last but not least, don’t forget your binoculars to get the best eagle viewing. There are also tundra swans and other birds migrating along the Mississippi River during this season. Enjoy your travels.

WhereAreWe

Generally speaking, early October has better fall color than late September. I would pick the later date. Keep in mind the colors right along Lake Superior usually peak a few days to a week behind anything inland because the lake moderates the temperatures.

alisonrider

Again, thanks so much for taking the time to offer ideas and routes, especially with the helpful weblinks. Sounds like I better get going and book some places to stay!

michigandra

For the Michigan part of your trip, check out http://www.michigan.org/.

Are you driving through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan? The Porcupine Mountains are beautiful, as is Pictured Rocks in Munising, and the drive along M2 is gorgeous. While I haven't been up in the UP that time of year, there is probably fall color at that time. As for Mackinac Island, there are still ferries running in later September (actually through the end of October!).

Enjoy.

alisonrider

I have been working on an itinerary and would welcome any recommendations/changes you might have. My main concern is that I have not found a really great place suitable for my mom along the north shore, so I am wondering if it's feasible or advisable to try to spend only one night somewhere up the coast a ways from Duluth, arriving early afternoon and having the following day for more exploring while making our way back down to Duluth, or even better, to Bayfield. That may be a bit ambitious, and I don't want to sell that leg of the journey short, but am trying to fit a lot in (and maybe too much!).

Here's a draft itinerary:

Oct 1, 2 -- St Paul
Oct 3 -- leave St Paul early a.m. and drive up North Shore, staying at least half-way to Grand Marais
Oct 4 -- explore North Shore, eventually heading south to Duluth or Bayfield, WI
Oct 5 -- Madaline Island and Bayfield (stay at Rittenhouse in Bayfield)
Oct 6 -- Stillwater and on to Lake Pepin
Oct 7 -- Prairie du Chien
Oct 8 -- Galena
Oct 9 -- home to Omaha

Appreciate any comments, cautions, improvements.

mdwest

Personally, if I was making the trip, I'd spend 2 days in one nice spot and enjoy the nearby sights rather than packing up the suitcases and traveling every day. When we stay in Duluth's Canal Park area we usually just take a day trip north about 40 miles or so along the Lake Superior shoreline.

The drive around the Lake Pepin area has plenty of scenery to merit two days as well. The stores in downtown Wabasha gets all decked out for their fall festivities. http://www.wabashamn.org/septoberfest/

It has been several years since we stayed at the Rittenhouse in Bayfield but we loved their property called Le Chateau. It is a few blocks from the main building (where they serve meals) but it was a spectacular place, quieter and with magnificent views of the lake. During a rainy day visit we pretty much had the home to ourselves. However, as I recall, both properties have stairs. Not sure how that will work for your mom.

WhereAreWe

What kind of accomodations are you looking for along the North Shore? Have you looked at anything associated with Lutsen Mountain?

http://www.lutsen.com/winter/communi...ging_guide.cfm


It's an hour and 45 minutes past Duluth, almost to Grand Marais.

Duluth to Bayfield is also about an hour and 45 minutes, so you'd be looking at a 3.5 hour drive the next day to arrive at Bayfield (plus stops of course).

TC

That is a lot of driving and not much time sightseeing.

St. Paul to Grand Marais is about 6 hours if there's no traffic or road construction....which I think there is major road construction, meaning detours.

Grand Marais to Bayfield is 3 1/2 hours.

Bayfield to Stillwater is 4 hours.

I suggest you confirm your routes on the MNDot (Minnesota Dept of Transportation) web site and sign up for alerts on road delays. Our children live 45 mins away, but his summer it can take 2 hours to get there. http://www.dot.state.mn.us

This web site has suggestions for unique lodging:
http://www.uniquelyminnesota.com/wee...-road-trip.htm

This one has an interactive map for North shore lodging and activities:
http://www.visitcookcounty.com

Enjoy!

WhereAreWe

"St. Paul to Grand Marais is about 6 hours if there's no traffic or road construction....which I think there is major road construction, meaning detours"

Google maps has that route at 4 hours 15 minutes. I've driven from Minneapolis to Duluth in under 2.5 hours, and since Grand Marais is another two hours from that I'd say Google maps is pretty accurate. No idea where that 6 hour estimate (without traffic or road construction) is coming from. You'd have to stop for lunch and a couple rest breaks to take 6 hours for that drive.

Currently there are only 2 sections of I-35 North that have road construction, and both have one lane open (no detours). No other issues on the drive from St. Paul to Grand Marais - and since this trip is not until October I'd wager there won't be any major projects to cause any significant delays. Certainly nothing that would add almost 2 hours to that drive.

Googs

Great trip! It does feel like a lot of driving. When we drive 4+ hours in one day we feel fatigue to do a ton. Think about cutting something out.

Stillwater to Prairie du Chien, I would take the Great River Road route, which follows Lake Pepin and Mississippi River. http://wigrr.com/ We took this route in March and highlights were:

Hager City, Bow & Arrow formation (easy-you don't have to get our of car)

PEPIN
• Harbor View Cafe (Yum-o and quaint along lake)
• Villa Bellezza - Italian inspired winery
Also, Pepin is Laura Ingalls Wilder country. There's a Little House Wayside which marks the author´s birthplace with a replica of the log cabin Wilder describes in “Little House in the Big Woods.”

Nelson, The Nelson Cheese Factory (well-known)

ALMA
• Lock and Dam #4 AND a steel walkway over the railroad tracks (a rush to be on when a train passes) leads to an observation deck for the lock.
• Danzinger Vineyards (extraordinary views)
• Castlerock Museum

Cocharane, Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden

FOUNTAIN CITY
• Rock in the House (a hoot, you drive into driveway and look at the rock lodged into the back of the house)
• Lefsa Time

WINONA
• Garvin Heights scenic overlook
• Minnesota Marine Art Museum (I don't love art and fell in love with this place

Kellogg, Lark Toys (historic and new toys, museum, ice cream, indoor carousel)

alisonrider

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and for recommending that I reduce the number of places we stay. This was all very helpful and will greatly add to our enjoyment of the trip.