Itinerary #1: Find Nature
A trip outdoors will do you wonders.
Day One
9:00 am Interstate Park Tour
Visit the Wisconsin’s oldest state park including 10,000-year-old glacial handiwork and stunning views of the St. Croix Valley. Stop at the Interpretive Center, then meander trails on both WI and MN sides of the river.
11:00 am Scenic Boat Tour
View the world famous Dalles of the St. Croix River when you board the Taylors Falls Princess. Enjoy a delicious box lunch as you cruise.
1:30 pm St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitor Center
Newly built in 2006, this federal headquarters is a wonder in a wonderful location. A new National Park System film featuring the St. Croix will inform and inspire you. Park Rangers are available and happy to share their knowledge of the St. Croix and Namekagon riverways.
2:30 PM Ice Age Trail
Just one of the many sections a 1,200 mile trail spanning the state of Wisconsin, the Indianhead Trail follows easy terrain along the river. Babbling creeks, the seasonal marsh marigold, state flower trillium, the greygreen basalt all along views of the St. Croix, reveals the characteristic natural features of our area.
3:30 pm Chateau St. Croix Winery
Now its time to relax and enjoy nature’s work in a glass of award-winning, hand crafted wine at the Chateau St. Croix Winery. Styled after a European Estate, with an art gallery, carriage house, stables, and fishing pond. A wine-tasting dinner will be served in this beautiful country vineyard.
6:00-7:00 pm
Return to hotel to freshen up for evening performance.
7:00 pm Festival Theatre
This 1917 Vaudeville house has been home to a professional theatre company for the past seventeen
years. Expect an exceptional performance in an historic building.
Day Two (30 minute drive to Grantsburg)
7:30 am Crex Meadows WildLife Area
At 30,000 acres, Crex is the largest state owned wildlife area in Wisconsin. 270 species of birds, 600 species of
plants and brush prairie habitats make a utopia for wildlife–which, in turn, makes Crex a paradise for bird watchers, naturalists, botanists, hunters, trappers, and all hearty explorers who are interested in the great bounty nature offers. Driving tour and interpretive center.
Noon Café Wren
Proclaiming the most creative menu in the north woods, Café Wren is a unique environment where folks gather
to enjoy delicious, thoughtfully made food. Fresh local ingredients on the tables and art from local artists on the
walls, it’s such a popular destination, people drive from miles around to feel right at home!
1:30 PM Straight Lake State Park
“Straight Lake is one of Wisconsin’s best places–a pristine natural area with beauty that is second to none,” Governor Doyle said of Wisconsin’s newest state park. Containing 850 acres of mature forest with trees
approaching 100 years old, only foot traffic is allowed. On a quiet walk through this untouched land, you’ll feel
like you’ve traveled to another era.
4:00 D.D. Kennedy County Park
A 106-acre preserve through central Polk County, D.D. Kennedy is rare gem. A prairie restoration area features
native grasses and wildflowers amongst a park that includes a dam, millpond, and the newly built
educational center modeled after the old, once functioning mill. Birding, hiking, and general fresh air
relaxation.
6:00 Paradise Landing
The site of an operating supper club since the early1900’s, you’ll quickly understand why its been called
“Paradise” for so long. Fantastic food and fantasticviews, the newly rebuilt space is roomy, comfortable and
gorgeous.
Itinerary #2 The Good Life
Like a cup coffee at a dear friend’s, this place reminds us, “It’s the simple things…”
Day One
9:00 Small Town Stroll
Explore the local galleries and quaint shops in St. Croix Falls, WI and Taylors Falls, MN. Unique boutiques, folk art suppliers, a resident artist/potter duo and a 107 year-old family-owned hardware store are certainly not the mall!
11:00 Scenic boat Cruise
View the ancient Dalles of the St. Croix River when you board the Taylors Falls Princess. The river and towering rocks are what attracted the first settlers to this area forindustry and well, a good life. Enjoy a delicious box lunch as you cruise.
1:30 Festival Theatre
Intimate and welcoming, an exceptional professional show will be performed just for you in this 1917 Vaudeville house. Recently listed on Wisconsin’s Register of Historic Places.
4:00 Franconia Sculpture Park
Imagination abounds at Franconia Sculpture Park. The rotating collection of over 75 contemporary sculptures reflects the creative talents of local, national and international artists. Walk the grassy paths at your own pace and be amazed.
6:00 Eichten’s Market and World Bistro
Since 1976, the Eichten family has been producing award-winning European cheeses on their 150-acre Bison and Cheese Ranch. You are invited into their world for a cheese house tour and dinner at Eichten’s World Bistro. Begin your experience with an artisan cheese board accompanied by a fine wine or one of 40 different beers from Belgium to Germany. Dinners are not just an entree, but an experience designed by a chef with European cooking techniques. Quaint and comfortable, watch the sun go down with a touch of class.
Day 2
9:00 Artists and Growers tour
Take a country drive featuring artists and growers: organic cheese makers, painters, potters and a wool farmer/fiber artist. Face to face conversation and handshakes are a guaranteed demonstration components.
Noon Paradise Landing
Lunch at Paradise Landing’s patio on beautiful Balsam Lake. With fantastic food and fantastic views, the waterside will seem to say, “Look. Relax. Enjoy.” A local institution, the newly rebuilt space is roomy comfortable and gorgeous.
1:30 Polk County Museum
The Polk County Historical Society provides a glimpse of early 20th century Polk County life. The old courthouse, built in 1899 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, was converted into three floors of galleries in 1976 and contains more than fifty exhibits featuring a fully equipped general store, early household, ethnic and military rooms, and Native American display with a full-sized wigwam.
3:00 Seasonal Options
Little Falls Pottery in the spring
Woodfired pots made at an antique general store in the middle of Wisconsin countryside—a picturesque and stimulating combination.
The Osceola & St. Croix Valley
Railway in the summer
Steam locomotive #328 was built in 1905 for the Northern Pacific Railroad but you can still board the train at the historic Osceola Depot. 45 minutes takes you round trip through the St. Croix Valley of the past.
Orchard House in Autumn
Nothing is sweeter than abundant red orbs awaiting their harvest. Baker Apple Orchard has over a dozen varieties of apples and fresh pressed cider. Pick your own bagful for later—heck, try one right off the tree! Take a hayride through the orchard and stroll the hiking trails past a boulder garden and sculptural art. Orchard House Gallery contains the art of over 40 local artists.
4:00-5:30
Freshen up and relax before dinner.
5:30 Chateau St. Croix Winery
Grazing horses, the rolling hills at sunset, and a glass of handcrafted wine—an idyllic setting. Styled after a European Estate, an art gallery, carriage house, stables, and fishing pond take you to a different place and time. Enjoy a tour and wine-tasting dinner served in a truly impressive great hall.
