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Part 2: On calm days we cruise to the south end of the lake and dock at Dan’s Pepin Marina in Pepin, Wisconsin, the birthplace of author Laura Ingalls Wilder.
By Liz Pasch — Fall
2004
For golfers, Mississippi National Golf Links has two championship courses, my favorite being the challenging Highlands Golf Course, which offers stunning views of the Mississippi River Valley. Greens fees plus cart and club rentals will bounce your total long-weekend budget over the $650 mark, but it’s worth it—and there’s plenty of dough left to spend.
Choosing where to dine in Red Wing is always our biggest challenge. The historic St. James Hotel has four restaurants and provides a complimentary shuttle from the marina. The Staghead has gourmet food and 186 varieties of wine, but we usually go to Liberty’s for its fantastic pizza and a pitcher of beer.
From Red Wing, the scenery downstream is spectacular. Barn’s Bluff, a popular spot for rock climbing, towers overhead. Then the river widens into Lake Pepin, a 22-mile stretch where steep sandstone bluffs on both shores flame with color in the fall. Lake City Marina (midway on the Minnesota side) has a large transient dock and a beautiful view. For Sunday brunch, nothing beats the family-style breakfast at Chickadee Cottage Restaurant. Try the homemade cinnamon rolls, wild rice sausage, and cheesy potatoes. On the way back to the marina we always walk along the lake to let off a little “steam.”
On calm days we cruise to the south end of the lake and dock at Dan’s Pepin Marina in Pepin, Wisconsin, the birthplace of author Laura Ingalls Wilder. The Harbor View Cafe is two blocks from the marina, and its gourmet menu is well worth the wait. After splurging on appetizers, entrées, wine, and dessert for four, your trip total will be $940 to $990, depending on whether you’re a big tipper.
If you’re traveling with kids, skip the Harbor View Cafe and go to the Pickle Factory Restaurant instead. You’ll still get a great view of the lake but without the fancy food, and you’ll have a starter budget left over for your next grand weekend.
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