Drive the Scenic Mississippi Loop
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Images: Unsplash and Cannonfalls.org
Driving along the banks of the Mississippi is a beautiful way to spend a weekend!
Whether your adventure takes place during spring, summer or fall, your drive will include beautiful scenery of the river and bluffs, local wineries, art galleries, hiking, exploration, shopping and of course: eating! Your drive time from Minneapolis to Wabasha will be approximately 2 hours depending on stops and stays.
For this adventure, you might consider a drive to Red Wing for your first night stay, and then through Lake Pepin and on to Wabasha for your second night. Take the Minnesota side on the way down - and consider the Wisconsin side for the drive back.
You'll find lots of things to do and see along the way - on your Minnesota side journey, you might want to include a stop in Miesville to see the Mud Hens play good old fashioned baseball - and be sure to stop in at Kings Inn (across the street from the ball field) for one of the best burgers around! Be sure to bring your bicycles if you are so inclined, Cannon Falls has a charming downtown area with a fun winery and great biking (and kayaking)!
On your return trip, consider a stop in Ellsworth, Wisconsin for a delicious meal, including fire grilled pizza at Vino in the Valley, a fun location tucked into the hills and valleys of Wisconsin.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are are few ideas for stops along the way:
Red Wing, MN – Duluth Trading outlet store, antique stores, Red Wing pottery museum,
Maiden Rock, WI – Smiling Pelican Bakery, Maiden Rock Winery, Cidery & Orchard
Stockholm, WI – Abode Gallery & Design, Stockholm Museum, Sandy’s Clothing & Art, Stockholm Pie & General Store, The Palate Gourmet Kitchen Store
Pepin, WI – Villa Bellezza Winery, Pickle Factory, Harbor View Café (check out their live music!), Marina, Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and the Pickle Factory where you can enjoy a great burger and crazy good basket of onion strings as you watch the boats coming into the marina
Nelson, WI – J&J BBQ Restaurant
Alma, WI – A quick 9 miles up Highway 35 will bring you to Alma where you can hike to the bluff to Buena Vista Park, overlooking the Mississippi and watch the barges and boats go through the lock and dam.
Wabasha, MN – National Eagle Center, Reads Landing Brewing Co., Historical Anderson House Hotel
Kellogg, MN – 5 miles south on 61 from Wabasha, MN you will find Lark Toys, a great stop for kids (and those that are kids at heart)
Lark Toys offers miniature golf, indoor wooden, hand carved carousel, toy museum and other treats.
Lake City, MN – Pearl Button Company (antique store and former button factory museum), marina where you can watch the sailboats come and go and Pepin Heights Orchard & Cidery
Whether your adventure takes place during spring, summer or fall, your drive will include beautiful scenery of the river and bluffs, local wineries, art galleries, hiking, exploration, shopping and of course: eating! Your drive time from Minneapolis to Wabasha will be approximately 2 hours depending on stops and stays.
For this adventure, you might consider a drive to Red Wing for your first night stay, and then through Lake Pepin and on to Wabasha for your second night. Take the Minnesota side on the way down - and consider the Wisconsin side for the drive back.
You'll find lots of things to do and see along the way - on your Minnesota side journey, you might want to include a stop in Miesville to see the Mud Hens play good old fashioned baseball - and be sure to stop in at Kings Inn (across the street from the ball field) for one of the best burgers around! Be sure to bring your bicycles if you are so inclined, Cannon Falls has a charming downtown area with a fun winery and great biking (and kayaking)!
On your return trip, consider a stop in Ellsworth, Wisconsin for a delicious meal, including fire grilled pizza at Vino in the Valley, a fun location tucked into the hills and valleys of Wisconsin.
Looking for more inspiration? Here are are few ideas for stops along the way:
Red Wing, MN – Duluth Trading outlet store, antique stores, Red Wing pottery museum,
Maiden Rock, WI – Smiling Pelican Bakery, Maiden Rock Winery, Cidery & Orchard
Stockholm, WI – Abode Gallery & Design, Stockholm Museum, Sandy’s Clothing & Art, Stockholm Pie & General Store, The Palate Gourmet Kitchen Store
Pepin, WI – Villa Bellezza Winery, Pickle Factory, Harbor View Café (check out their live music!), Marina, Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and the Pickle Factory where you can enjoy a great burger and crazy good basket of onion strings as you watch the boats coming into the marina
Nelson, WI – J&J BBQ Restaurant
Alma, WI – A quick 9 miles up Highway 35 will bring you to Alma where you can hike to the bluff to Buena Vista Park, overlooking the Mississippi and watch the barges and boats go through the lock and dam.
Wabasha, MN – National Eagle Center, Reads Landing Brewing Co., Historical Anderson House Hotel
Kellogg, MN – 5 miles south on 61 from Wabasha, MN you will find Lark Toys, a great stop for kids (and those that are kids at heart)
Lark Toys offers miniature golf, indoor wooden, hand carved carousel, toy museum and other treats.
Lake City, MN – Pearl Button Company (antique store and former button factory museum), marina where you can watch the sailboats come and go and Pepin Heights Orchard & Cidery