As I've mentioned on two other threads, we're going to be driving from Madison to Grand Marais, MN on a Tuesday in July. I've got a couple of recommendations for lunch in Duluth or just past. But I have a feeling we'll be wanting to stop while we're still in Wisconsin.

I'm sure we could find a place without any problem. But I know many people here make the trip fairly often. I'm wondering whether any of you have a gem to recommend that we might not find on our own? Nothing fancy, more of a diner/local type of place.

Since we're planning to come back along the river, I'm thinking that we'll probably take 94 to Eau Claire and then 53 to Duluth. We'd like as scenic a trip as possible but it's going to be a fairly long drive as it is. However, if anyone has a better suggestion for our route, I'd love to hear it!

Thanks!

If you are going thru Eau Claire, stop at Leinkugel's and take the brewery tour and go to the Leinie Lodge for a free taste of their beer
http://www.leinie.com/

There is also the Norske Nook in Osseo, WI. Quite famous in it's own right!
http://www.norskenook.com/

When on the North Shore north of Duluth, Betty's Pies or Rustic Inn Cafe are must's. Also the New Scenic Cafe just outside of Duluth.

Should make it clear that Leinkugel's is not in Eau Claire, but just north in Chippewa Falls on Hwy 53.

Thanks a lot, isabellasu! We'll definitely keep the Leinenkugel tour in mind for another time. We probably won't have time on this trip. But I'm a big fan of their beer!

And the Norske Nook sounds like a great place to stop for lunch. It looks like there would be more than one that would be along our route. I'm definitely going to print out those locations and take them along!

Norske Nook is famous for their pies. It is popular with visitors and locals.

Dear CAPH52:
I can't really help with info, but perhaps you can help me..if you don't mind...

We are taking a Fall roadtrip which originates in South Florida. We are driving to St. Louis and then to Michigan, staying in Saugatuck, Traverse City and Harbor Springs. We are then driving thru the UP to Copper Harbor. From Copper Harbor we wanted to stop in Duluth, but since we are traveling with our small dog..it's difficult to find a "pet friendly" hotel that will allow us to leave our well behaved dog, crated in the room, while we have breakfast...so we were thinking of heading to Two Harbors for a stopover and then Grand Marais.... Where are you staying in Grand Marais? From Grand Marais there doesn't seem to be much choice as to the routing...we would have to take the same route back (down 61) and then we could stop in Duluth just to wander for a few hours.

We would like to take the Great River Road back home. We are trying to come up with some interesting small towns to stay in..perhaps Red Wing, Madison, Indiana..I'm still researching this part. Can you shed any light for me?

Thanks

Thanks, afields!

Hi welig12, I'm afraid I'm not going to be much help as this will be our first trip to the area. We're staying at the Best Western in Grand Marais and then in Red Wing one night on the way home to the Chicago suburbs.

My best suggestion would be to do a search here. I found lots of good old threads about the North Shore area and about the River Road. For starters, you can click on my screen name and scroll down my list to find my other posts on the North Shore. After you've read those, you can click on Minnesota and type in North Shore. Or click on Wisconsin and type in River Road. That'll at least get you started! Actually, since you'll be covering a lot of Wisconsin, it might be worth your while to pull up all of the Wisconsin threads and see what looks like it might be helpful to you.

Good luck and have a great trip!

I realized that both of my threads had slipped pretty far down my list so I brought them back to the top for you. Hope they're of some help to you!

I vote for the Norske Nook in Osseo. Pies are great but the lunches and dinners are delicious also.

Thanks, Wilbur!

We also like Norsk Nook. Stop there every trip summer and winter. It is in the downtown area of Ossio, WI so not right at the ramp off the freeway but still close by and worth it.

ooops, I should have read my post first. I meant Osseo!!

Thanks again, Cali! We're definitely going to do our best to stop there for lunch. My only concern is whether we'll be passing through Osseo at the right time of day. But, if not there, maybe we'll time it right for the one in Rice Lake. It certainly sounds like exactly the kind of place we enjoy.

The Norske Nook in Osseo is the original, you will get a good meal anytime you stop.

Hi, isabellasu. My concern is not that we wouldn't get a good meal. But that we may pass through too soon after breakfast (included at our hotel in Madison) to be hungry yet. Is the one in Rice Lake as good as the one in Osseo?

Thanks again for the link for Norske Nook!

Hi Again CAPH52. I had forgotten about the Norsk Nook in Rice Lake. That would be an option for you if you are too early for lunch at the Osseo location.

I've not eatten at the Rice Lake Norske Nook, I would think the food is as good, but maybe the quaintness of the original in Osseo would be missing. It looks like the one is Rice Lake is a new building, across from a Wal-Mart. The one in Osseo is "old school" and right on the main street of Osseo...takes you back in time just a bit. Maybe eat a light breakfast in Madison?

sorry to offtrack..

WELIG12... here is just one of many websites you can search to find Pet-friendly hotels.

http://www.pets-allowed-hotels.com/

And if you've the time in St. Louis, do not miss the Cathedral of St. Louis. Entire inside of cathedral, including dome, is done in one-inch mosaic tiles. Incredible. (and don't forget to stop for Ted Drew's. Great frozen yogurt! Several locations!)

I agree the original is more quaint than the one in Rice Lake, but if you aren't hungry while in Osseo the Rice Lake one does have the same good food.

Thanks, isabellasu and Cali! We'll try for the original, but keep Rice Lake in mind.