Historic Mineral Point Wisconsin

mineral point wisconsin

Mineral Point is one of our favorite towns in the Driftless area and in Wisconsin’s Cheese Country.

Settled in 1827, Mineral Point was prominent in the creation of the Wisconsin Territory, serving as the host town for the July 4, 1836 inauguration of the first territorial governor, Henry Dodge. As the center of the evolving lead mining industry, Mineral Point grew quickly and drew immigrants from Cornwall England an area with a rich mining history. By 1850 the majority of the residents of Mineral Point had Cornish ancestry. The Pendarvis Settlement, a Wisconsin Historic Site, preserves some of the early structures and relates the history of Cornish settlements and mining in Mineral Point. Many other Mineral Point buildings from its early history have been restored and are found along Commerce Street, High Street, and ShakeRag Street.

Today Mineral Point is a center of artists, artisans, unique restaurants, galleries and boutiques.  There is about 25 galleries and studios of sculptors, fiber arts artisans, woodworkers, potters, glass workers, painters, etc. The town hosts several annual events including a 4th of July Festival (always held on the actual 4th), the Mineral Point Car Show, the Fall Art Tour, and the annual Cornish Festival. Mineral Point is also home to Hooks Cheese, producers of over 50 varieties of award-winning cheese.

A few highlights around Mineral Point

The Gray Dog Deli is one of Mineral Point’s favorite cafes.

Shake Rag Alley

In addition to preserving several historic buildings that was the heart of early Mineral Point, Shake Rag Alley is an arts education center offering  workshops and classes are offered in a wide variety of arts and crafts. In the summer they offer day camps and programs especially for young people.

Shake Rag Alley Mineral Point
Jo checks out the information booth at the entrance to Shake Rag Alley
Shake Rag Alley Mineral Point
Taking a walk through the gardens and “village” of Shake Rag Alley
Shake Rag Alley Mineral Point
This pioneer cabin is one of 9 historic buildings in the Shake Rag village.
Shake Rag Alley Mineral Point
Many of the historic buildings in the Shake Rag village are used as classrooms and workshops.

Pendarvis Historic Site

The Wisconsin Historic Society offers narrated tours, with costumed interpreters, of the buildings, artifacts and gardens of the 5 acre historic site. Pendarvis is open Thursday through Sunday, June 1 to October 15th. Guided tours are available 4 times a day or at other times you can do a self-guided tour.

Miner Home Pendarvis
The original Pendarvis and Telawny Miners homes. on Shake Rag Street.
Mineral Point Pendarvis House
The Pendarvis House Restaurant operated for 35 years until 1970

Fourth of July Celebration

A rarity these days, the annual Independence Day celebration is always held on the 4th itself. It is an “old school” day-long and evening celebration featuring a Parade, an Ice Cream & Pie Social, a Community Band Concert, a Softball Tournament, and Fireworks.

Mineral Point Ice Cream Social
Young and old alike line up for ice cream and pie before the concert at the Soldiers Park pavilion.
Mineral Point Fireworks
Fireworks are on Christmas Mine Hill next to Soldiers Memorial Park.

High & Commerce Street Galleries

Several interesting galleries, shops, and pubs line both High & Commerce Streets. Check out a list of artisan shops, boutiques, studios, and specialty retail.

Mineral Point Artisans
One of several artisan studios in town
mineral point galleries
The Longbranch Gallery features rustic, folk, and fine art, the works of over 60 local, regional and national artists

Mineral Point Restaurants & Pubs

One of Mineral Point’s most popular places to eat, according to Zomato Reviews, is Brewery Creek Pub (see our review here) on south Commerce Street near the old Depot.

Jo enjoying her burger and fries at Tony’s Tap outdoor patio.

Other highly rated places to eat and drink are Tequila Point and the Gray Dog Deli both on High Street. We’ve eaten a few times at Tony’s Tap Bar & Grill also near the Depot and although nothing fancy about the menu, the food and prices were decent and they gave us attentive, friendly service. Nice outdoor patio too.

Mineral Point WI Visitor Links

Links: Driftless Area Scenic Drives

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Nelson Creamery Great River Road

Nelson Creamery

Restaurant Review – Nelson Creamery, Nelson Wisconsin

People shopping for cheese, lining up at the ice cream counter, and placing their luncheon order.

About 50 cars filled the Nelson Creamery customer parking lot on a Thursday afternoon in little Nelson, Wisconsin on Hwy 35 – the Wisconsin Great River Road Scenic Byway. Same thing happened last year. We were through Nelson last year mid-week about the same time for our annual fall River Road Color tour and the parking lot was full then and in fact there was somewhat of a traffic jam in front of the Creamery as people were looking for street-side parking. Lots of people sitting on benches in front and walking around eating ice cream cones. So we figured the Nelson Creamery must have some terrific ice cream to get so many people to stop here. Last year stopping just wasn’t on our plans, plus it was really crowded. But we made a note of a must stop the next time we were passing through.

Nelson Cheese Factory Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato
So October 19, 2017, on our fall color drive from Winona to Wabasha, we did stop, initially to get an ice cream cone but ended up getting lunch as well. Once inside the Creamery we discovered ice cream isn’t the only reason people stop there. They have a huge selection of Wisconsin cheeses, an extensive wine collection, a wine tasting room, and indoor and outdoor seating for dining. Great sandwiches, soup and pizza bring people here as much as the ice cream. There were two separate ordering lines, both quite full. One for ice cream, one for lunch food service. At the luncheon counter, you order your sandwich or pizza, pay for the food, leave your name and seating location (inside or out) and a server will bring you your order when ready.

On a sunny day the Creamery’s secluded patio offers a most pleasing dining experience.

It was a pleasant sunny day so we dined in their cozy outdoor patio. The food service was courteous and fast. The wait for our order wasn’t very long considering they were quite busy. Kudos to the management for good staffing levels and competent help. Our hot toasted Pita Veggie Sandwiches were jam-packed with garlic hummus, guacamole, kalamata olives, cucumber, red pepper, tomato, onion, sprouts & feta cheese. Super yummy. The sandwich menu is quite extensive and there are soups and salad too, plus their personal pizza offerings.

Good food, reasonable prices, fast service, nice ambiance inside and out. We can see why Nelson Creamery is a favorite among travelers on the Great River Road.

Links:

Nelson Creamery – Nelson, Wisconsin

Upper Mississippi Great River Road Scenic Drive

A fall scene between Alma and Nelson along Hwy 35, Wisconsin’s Great River Road Scenic Byway.


Great River Road Map & Article Directory

Click on map to go to Great River Road map and directory page

Brewery Creek Pub Mineral Point Wisconsin

Brewery Creek Inn and Pub – Restaurant Review

According to Zomato reviews and recommendations from friends, Brewery Creek Pub is one of Mineral Point’s most popular places to eat. The Inn and Pub are located in a restored 1854 Warehouse. In the pub the original thick limestone walls, exposed hand-hewn timbers, solid oak tables and chairs, and classic bar complete the intimate and genuine old time pub atmosphere. The dining area and its adjacent bar are not very spacious, yet you didn’t feel crowded. Something to do with how the space was arranged with an eye towards good use of space and providing variety. Perhaps it was also the high open ceilings exposing the thick old floor joists of the floor above and the rough sandstone rock walls did a nice job of cushioning conversation from the bar or adjacent tables.

Their own beer is brewed on-site and they offer a limited but diverse selections of brews. They were temporarily out of their Porter so we chose their Dark Amber ale instead. While advertised in their menu as “mild” we found the brew had good body and a full taste. And it was darker in color than the usual amber brew. Perhaps the “mild” referred to alcohol content, which we didn’t miss, particularly on a day when the temperatures were headed above 90 degrees!

Jo ordered their California Burger and I had their Wild Sockeye Salmon sandwich. Each came with a choice of sides; we both elected the fries. Brewery Creek touts their use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and injects an home-cooked artisan approach to their pub menu. The California burger came with tomato and red onion and their specialty garlic mayo sauce. Jo gave it good marks for taste. The hand-made patty was moist and not over-cooked and just the right size for a filling meal but not over-board.

Brewery Creek Brewpub Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

In contrast, my Sockeye Salmon sandwich was a disappointment. All the ingredients were right. Nice sesame seed bun, adequate size salmon fillet, crisp fresh lettuce and tomato, decent sauce, etc. But as I picked up the bun, I could feel the top slice was chilled! And when I removed the tooth pick with the mini-cucumber at the end the mini cuke itself was chilly too. Undeterred I took my first bite, the salmon was room temperature, not at all hot. I was too hungry to send the dish back for a replacement, so I finished my meal. Something weird must have happened to my salmon sandwich because this is not the usual customer experience. Perhaps the finishing procedure of preparation is to flash microwave the entire sandwich once all the ingredients are assembled and somehow mine never got this final treatment. Perhaps the cold bun and cuke fresh from the fridge served to cool off the salmon which sat too long before served. A mystery.

Our waitress was friendly and courteous but only gets about a C+ compared to what one would expect from Brewery Creek’s reputation. She wasn’t attentive in asking how things were going mid-meal, nor noticing that my water glass was empty. She didn’t inquire how we “liked the meal” until we just about done. When I told her about my salmon sandwich, she’d said she’d have to tell the kitchen staff about it. But she never came back later with any mention of my complaint. It was as if I never said anything. Our dining at Brewery Creek was on a Sunday lunch time. They were busy but not over-crowded, still a few empty tables. Considering its reputation and neat ambiance, this dining experience was a disappointment. We’ll do a re-visit sometime and hope our next experience rises to their reputation.

Ross Reinhold, Sept 2017

2023 update. Since our earlier visit, Brewery Creek was converted into Commerce Street Brewery & Hotel

Links

Visiting Monroe, Wisconsin Cheese Capital USA

Monroe's Baumgartner Tavern Sidewalk cafe

Monroe Wisconsin – Gateway to Cheese Country

Billing itself as the Cheese Capital of USA there are about twenty cheese factories and producers within 25 miles of Monroe. While best known for its cheesemaking and related dairy industries, the town itself is steeped in Swiss Heritage. Lots of interesting things to see and do. I cover some of them in this article.

1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)
1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)

Downtown Monroe has a traditional historic town square, centered by the 1891 Green County Courthouse with a 120 foot clock tower. All around the square are interesting shops, restaurants, and retail operations.

Monroe Area Cheese Factories and Stores

In addition to being the home of National Cheesemaking Museum, the Monroe area is home to several prized cheese factories, many with retail factory outlets that will give you an opportunity to taste and buy exceptional and frequently award-winning Wisconsin cheese.

One of the largest of these cheese outlets is the Alp & Dell Cheese Store located adjacent to the Emmi-Roth Cheese Maker’s factory and warehouse.  In addition to being able to browse and sample over a 100 different varieties of locally produced cheese and sausages, there is a a viewing hall where you can watch the Roth Kase cheesemakers at work. Currently they offer 17 varieties of state, national, and international award winning cheese including Gran Cru, Grand Queso, Butter Kase, Vintage VanGogh and Raclette. The store also offers imported cheeses from Europe and a selection of wines, distilled spirits, and locally produced beers.

Alp & Dell Cheese Store is the factory outlet for Emmi-Roth, a world class cheese producer.
Alp & Dell Cheese Store is the factory outlet for Emmi-Roth, a world class cheese producer.

Here’s a list of Monroe Area Cheese Factories and Outlet Stores.

Visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center and learn about the Cheesemaking process, Monroe’s Cheesemaking past, and present cheese producers

More Monroe Wisconsin Visitor Attractions.

The Historic Town Square, surrounded by the stately 1891 Green County Courthouse, is not only steeped in well-restored historical structures (built between 1870 and 1910) it hosts several unique shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, pubs, and retail businesses.

One of my favorite town square establishments is Baumgartner’s Tavern and Cheese Store. We always have a great time enjoying a draft beer, a bratwurst, a cheese sampler in a real swiss tavern. They’ve been doing business in the same location since 1931.

Having a brat, cheese, and a beer at Baumgartners

Here’s a slide show of just a few of the interesting shops around the square, all of them located in historically significant buildings.

Slide Show: Walking Around the Monroe Town Square


Edelweiss Gifts Monroe WIrainbow confections Monroechocolate temptations MonroeBaumgartner's Tavern & Cheese Store Monroe, WI


Visiting the Monroe-Huber-Minhas Brewery

About two blocks off the square, within walking distance, is one of Monroe’s oldest establishments – the 1845 Joseph Huber Brewery – now doing business as the Minhas Craft Brewery and Distillery.

The Minhas Brewery offers tours and their own retail store and sampling room.
The Minhas Brewery offers tours and their own retail store and sampling room.

Minhaus claims the title to the Midwest’s oldest brewery, originally founded as the Monroe Brewing Company in 1845. It became the Blumer Brewery in 1906 and continued operations under that name until Joseph Huber purchased the brewery in 1947. The Huber family managed the brewery for several years until 1994 and then was sold to Weinstein family who continued to operate it under the Huber name. In 2006 the Minhas family acquired the brewery, modernized its operation, and renamed it the Minhas Craft Brewery.

The Brewery Sampling Room has an old world pub look and feel to it.
The Brewery Sampling Room has an old world pub look and feel to it.

Minhas Brewery Tours

Minhas Brewery offers tours 7 days a week. When my wife and I took the tour two years ago, we also received a complimentary six pack of 4 craft beers, a Blumers Soda, and Minhas Sampler glass. After the tour we were able to sample up to 30 different brews in their tasting room. It was a fun and interesting tour.

While modern methods and business practices are used in the Minhas Brewery, they have retained some traditional brewing methods and traditional equipment. So you’ll see a mixture of old and new in the brewery facilities. It will be quite a contrast to those who have taken the New Glarus Brewery (15 miles north on Hwy 69) tour, a very new facility that is the apex of automation and modernization.

Minhas brews quite a variety of brews and most of them are not under their own label. An important part of their business is private label brewing and bottling for a number of smaller breweries using their recipes and specialty brewing for other retailing entities (like Trader Joes) who want their own branded beer product.

The Welcome Center and Gift Shop is very modern and filled with several varieties of beer at sale prices, and beer and brewing clothing, glassware and collectibles.



Top Monroe Restaurants

Turner Hall provides one of several excellent restaurant options while visiting Monroe. Turner Hall is located in a historic building with a Swiss Ratskeller atmosphere & Swiss cuisine in their restaurant.

The Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
The Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

The Monroe Turner Hall organization was established in 1868, it is believed to be the only Turner Hall of Swiss origin left in the United States, and is likewise one of the oldest, continuously-running Swiss entities in this country. The building, a Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet designed by German architect Max Hanisch, is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is handicapped-accessible.

The original structure burned to the ground in 1936 and was replaced on the same site by the current swiss chalet style building in 1938.

Within the historic Monroe Turner Hall is an authentic Old World Ratskeller Restaurant, an elegant Grand Hall with the area’s largest wooden floor, and a “retro” 8-lane Family Bowling facility. Its’ Swiss Heritage Series of special events features an annual line-up of programs, concerts and events that perpetuate and nurture all things Swiss.

The weekend after Thanksgiving Turner Hall hosts their annual Christkindlmarkt – Old World Holiday Shopping Market Christkindlmarket is a German tradition dating back to the 14th century, the Christkindlmarkt features unique items from hand-selected quality vendors for your holiday gift-giving.

Here’s some more Monroe Area Attraction Links

grn_tri

Cheese Country Scenic Drives – Gratiot – Monroe – New Glarus

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Historic Shullsburg Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin – Driftless Area Scenic Drive

Shullsburg History

Founded in 1827, Shullsburg’s early development, like many communities in SW Wisconsin, came from lead mining. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad established rail service in the 1880s which added more impetus to the development and prosperity of the town. Most of the brick buildings that now occupy the Water Street Historic District were built from 1880 to 1900. Mining remained an important economic mainstay to the Shullsberg economy well into the 1940s but ceased altogether by the 1970s.

Visitors can learn about Shullsburg’s mining history at the Badger Mine and Museum. Several exhibits and artifacts illustrate Shullsburg’s mining history and guided tours are available through what is said is the only primitive lead mine open to the public in the country.

Cheese Factory & Store

Dairy products and cheese is another lynchpin in Shullsburg’s development in the 20th century. The Shullsburg Creamery began operations in 1934 and continues to this day manufacturing and selling Shullsberg Cheese.

Shullsburg Creamery

The Shullsberg Cheese Store is the factory outlet for the Shullsburg Creamery products. They also package products from other area cheese producers in their private label. Like many other factory outlet cheese stores along the Cheese Country Scenic Drives, the Shullsberg store offers an array of other artesianal food products, including craft beers. You can purchase pre-packaged cheese products or have your cheese cut to your desired amount from their deli case.

Shullsburg Creamery Factory Outlet Store
The Creamery Outlet Store also has many other artisanal products and unique gift items

Beginning in the 1980s local business people and civic minded entrepreneurs began restoring the old and abandoned commercial buildings along and near Water Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. Today there are 44 buildings that are part of Shullsburg’s historic district that now contain interesting retail shops, artisan galleries, gift boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and pubs, inns, and of course cheese shops. See our slide show below from some of the historic buildings in downtown and lower down the page see our link to the “Walking Tour of Historic Shullsburg.” 

Slide Show: Walking around Downtown Shullsburg


  • shullsburg creamery
    The 1881 Brewster Hotel building currently hosts the Shullsburg Cheese Store and Brewster House Restaurant.
  • Kingsley Crossing
    Located in the 1887 former Hillenmeyer general store, Kingsley's is a unique shop offering home decor, gifts, coffee, ice cream and other attractions.
  • Risken Lee Building Shullsburg
    The 1842 Edward Vaughn building is now home to the Risken-Lee Gift Shop in the lower level
  • water street market
    Built in 1894 and for many years a grocery store, it is now the home of the Water Street Market, an eclectic emporium of antiques, house and garden furnishings, etc.
  • Water Street Place
    The 1883 building was the former home of the Douglas Bank is now a Restaurant-Pub with a B&B rooms on the second floor.

A unique Shullsburg Attraction: See our video of coasting UP the amazing Gravity Hill


Shullsburg Restaurant Reviews

Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this buildings was originally a three shop building built in 1886.
Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this location was originally part of a three shop building built in 1886.

Dining Review The Burg Tavern.

We first dined at the Burg Classic Tavern on a late Sunday afternoon when the other popular dining establishments were closed. The Burg opened in November 2015 after remodeling a space that had served a variety of business enterprises since 1886. The ceiling was raised and plaster removed from the walls to reveal beautiful brick stone work. The high ceiling and brickwork present a nice combination of historic and new, offering spacious and comfortable dining with a touch of sports bar atmosphere provided by several large flat screen TVs. Jo had her favorite sandwich, a ½ pound Mushroom and Swiss Burger that came with a fresh portabella mushroom vs the canned stuff you sometimes get with this style burger. While the burger was large, the bun wasn’t overly big which made it easier to eat. Taste-wise it rivaled some of the best she has had. I had the Chicken Ceasar Wrap which came nice and hot, good portion size, and very tasty. We loved the sweet potato fries side dish. Service was super-friendly and efficient. Price was decent for the quality. The Burg menu, in addition to sandwiches, wraps, and pizza also offers a good variety of traditional dinner entrees – steaks, seafood, chicken, and ribs.

The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.
The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.

Second impressions. We did a return visit on the first Saturday in November of 2016 to see how things were going at The Burg. Upon arrival we were greeted by the friendly bartender as soon as we were in the door. I ordered a Leinie Oktoberfest while Jo sample tasted the cabernet and merlot (eventually picking merlot) while we deciding on our late lunch. We decided to split a 12 inch veggie pizza and each order a salad bar add-on to go with it.

The pizza was decent, but what we found exceptional was the salad bar, offering a wide variety of salads and fresh vegetables. It would have been easy to make a meal from the salad bar alone. Jo felt it was one of the best salad bars she’s had in ages. And as an add-on to a sandwich or pizza for only $3 more it was a terrific deal.

Later one of the owners, Jeff Doyle, whom we met a year ago, returned to working behind the bar. That’s another thing I like about the place – ownership is on site and working side-by-side with the staff. So the Burg continues to get high marks from us for service, good food, and a comfortable atmosphere.

Two other restaurants in Shullsburg get very good reviews in Trip Advisor (see below). We’ll have to try them the next time we are in town.

Brewster House Restaurant & Cafe
Located next to the Shullsberg Creamery, in the former 1886 Brewster House Hotel. It gets strong favorable reviews on the Internet with many repeat customers who make it part of their tradition in visiting Shullsburg. The restaurant is connected to the Shullsburg Creamery Cheese and Gift Shop, another favorite stop for Shullsburg visitors.

Water Street Pub & Restaurant
The Water Street Pub is part of the Water Street Place Inn originally built in 1883 and for a time served as the First National Bank of Shullsburg. The bank ceased operations in the Great Depression and later was home to variety of professional services and offices. In 2001, after being vacant for 20 years, it was purchased and remodeled by Chuck and Jill Staab, experienced Inn Keepers and Restaurant Managers. The Staabs continue to run both the historic hotel and the Pub & Eatery. It gets 4 ½ stars from Trip Advisor. Reviewers particularly like their Reuben Sandwich and enjoy the old time atmosphere including the old bank vault which has been re-purposed as part of the Tap Room.



More Shullsburg Visitor Attractions Links:

Cheese Factory Scenic Drive – Mineral Point to Shullsburg

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Fall Colors and Scenic Travel in Door County

Sturgeon Bay sunset

Fall Scenic Drives and Interesting Places to visit in Door County Wisconsin

Traveling in Door County catching some great fall colors, visiting Door County’s quaint villages, playing a little golf, and finding who has best hamburgers and sandwiches on the peninsula.

Ephraim, Wisconsin
Along the lakeshore in Ephraim in Door  County Wisconsin

Sunday, October 7th.

While the temps were cool (50 degrees) the sun came out to show off the colors and offer a beautiful day to drive around the peninsula. Our first stop was at Door County Coffee’s Café and Coffee Roasting headquarters, a place we first heard about on Wisconsinmade.com. A great place for breakfast or lunch if fresh roasted gourmet coffee with your meal is an important ingredient. Over 100 coffee blends are available in their company store. In addition they have a pretty decent selection of unique gift items that are fun to browse through even if you are not in the market for gift ideas.

Door County Coffee Company
Door County Coffee Company – Outdoor Patio
Door County Coffee Company
Picking our coffee


Next stop was Egg Harbor’s PumpkinPatch Festival. We found the town in full swing with arts and crafts &tents all about town and all the artisan shops open with specials available. Down by the lakefront music by Big Mouth & the Power Tools playing classic rock and blues and lots of food for the hungry festival goer. Even though I just had breakfast, couldn’t pass up the BBQ roasted corn-on-the-cob.

Egg Harbor
Egg Harbor Pumpkin Patch Festial
Egg Harbor
Pumpkin PATCH Festival, Egg Harbor

Ephraim, Wisconsin

Wilsons Root Beer
Yummy Whitefish sandwich and fries with homemade
Root Beer

We drove through Fish Creek but didn’t stop as our destination was Ephraim, Wisconsin and Wilson’s Old Fashioned Café and Soda Shop. We ate on their screened in porch as the sun was keeping it warm enough.

Others stayed inside in the 1950’s Soda Shop mileau. You’d expect LaVerne and Shirley or Fonzi to walk in any minute. Playing on the authentic juke box were some a selection of Chuck Berry, Elvis, and Beach Boys tunes.

Jo and Donna had the burgers and pronounced them tasty. They came with a generous helping of fries, more than either could handle. Dan had the Reuben Sandwich which came with an extra generous helping of sauerkraut and chips + home made cole slaw. I had the Whitefish Sandwich and it passed the test – hot, not fishy tasting, and not overly breaded. I also had the fries and homemade cole slaw. I couldn’t finish all my meal either. Both Dan and I also had Wilson’s signature old-fashioned draft root beer served in a frosty mug. Beats A&W for sure.

Wilsons Ephraim
Wilson’s Soda Fountain & Cafe, Emphraim, WI
Wilsons Ephraim, WI
Old fashioned booths and juke box at Wilsons

Peninsula State Park

While Dan and I golfed the course at Peninsula State Park, the girls went hiking on some of the trails in the park. (See our golf course review here). The park offers over 10 hiking and nature trails with a variety of terrain, fauna, scenic lookouts and degree of difficulty. The 2 mile Eagle Trail is perhaps the most scenic with 150 feet high cliffs, lookouts over the lake and dense forest but it is also rated as a “difficult hike.” Jo and Donna were looking for a less strenuous outing so they chose to hike the 3 mile Skyline Trail. Beforehand they warmed up on a part of the Vita Course, a 1 mile loop with numerous exercise stations. The park’s camping capacity is huge, offering 468 camp sites, including 101 with electric service for RV camping.

Hiking Trails Peninsula State Park
Along the Skyline Trail at Peninsula State Park
Peninsula Park Hiking
A view of Horseshoe Island from the Skyline Trail, Peninsula Park

After hiking and golfing we returned to our lodging on the waterfront on Sturgeon Bay. That evening a beautiful sunset looking across the bay.

Sunset Sturgeon Bay, WI
Sturgeon Bay Sunset

More Door County Things to See and Do.

Hiking at Whitefish Dunes State Park on the Lake Michigan side of the Peninsula.

More Door County Fall Color Pictures

Here’s a Google Map showing some of the locations we visited during our fall scenic travel tour of Door County and some links to other articles on our Door County visit.

View the complete Door County Travel map in a larger view, with links to various destinations and attractions

Links to more Door County Travel articles

Discover more information on Door County at HelloDoorCounty.com

Door County Fall Color Pictures

Fall Color Pictures – Traveling around Door County, Wisconsin

During our fall color trip to Door County, Wisconsin we encountered some cool and overcast days but still managed to see most of the county and get some decent fall color pictures. Some of these you can see in our other Door County articles on visiting Door County villages, Hiking at Whitefish Dunes and golfing some of Door County’s top golf courses.

Driving along Bay Shore Drive between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor

Murphy County Park, Door County
View from the pier at Murphy County Park, Door County
murphy county park door county
Entrance to Murphy County Park, Door County

Continuing along the Green Bay side of Door County we encountered some nice color in and around the picturesque village of Ephraim, Wisconsin

Along the lakeshore in Ephraim
Along the lakeshore in Ephraim in Door County Wisconsin
ephraim wisconsin
The village of Ephraim as viewed from across Eagle Harbor bay

Continuing along the Green Bay side until the tip at Hedgehog Harbor

Garrett Bay, Door County, WI
Garrett Bay at the tip of Door County
Door County Fall Color
Door County Scenic Drive

Over on the “quiet side” of Door County near Whitefish Dunes State Park

Whitefish Bay
Small park on Whitefish Bay south of Whitefish Dunes State Park
Door County Fall Color
Fall Color along Highway 57, Door County

A couple of neat barn quilts along Door County’s rural roads

barn quilts door county
An unusual artistic quilt block decorates this rural Door County barn
barn quilt door county
Barn Quilt near Jacksonport, Door County

Our visit to Door County was in the second week of October. Peak color would have been the following week. However, the trade-off could be even cooler weather than we encountered so we were happy with our choice ot timing of our trip.

Here’s a Google Map showing some of the locations we visited during our fall scenic travel tour of Door County


View Door County Trip in a larger map

Discover more information on Door County at HelloDoorCounty.com

Roscoe

Whitefish Dunes State Park

Old Baldy Dune Whitefish Dunes State Park

Hiking Whitefish Dunes Park, Door County, Wisconsin

Old Baldy Dune Whitefish Dunes State Park
Jo coming down from the Old Baldy Observation Tower

On the second day (October 8th) of our fall color trip to Door County we decided to explore the eastern side of the peninsula, called the quiet side since it has fewer resorts and fewer tourist attractions. One popular spot, however, is Whitefish Dunes State Park. Several hiking trails, an extensive sand beach (great for swimming in the summer time), picnic areas, nine hiking trails, and a nature center. Whitefish is a day use area so there are no camping facilities.

We decided to hike the Red Trail out to the Old Baldy observation tower located on the highest of the dunes that line the lakeshore in the park. The loop provides a variety of terrain running near the lake shore on the way out and then behind the dunes on the way back to the nature center. The 2.8 mile hike was just the right amount of exercise. We packed in a lunch which we enjoyed in the enclosed shelter near the nature center. Although a sunny day, the temps were in the 50s and the wind was roaring more than 25 mph so finding the enclosed shelter was a welcome discovery.

Whitefish Dunes State Park Hiking Trail
The Boardwalk on the Red Trail at the base of Old Baldy
Whitefish Dunes State Park Hiking Trail
Red Trail hiking loop at Whitefish Dunes State Park


Whitefish Dunes State Park Beach
On a cool fall day with temps in the 50s, the beach is empty
Whitefish Dunes State Park Beach
Looking towards Whitefish Dunes beach on a windy fall day

On our way back to our lodging in Sturgeon Bay, we stopped at Mike’s Port Pub & Grill for dinner. We found Mike’s by Googling places to eat in Jacksonport and Baileys Harbor. The four reviews were quite positive recommending Mike’s for their great food, excellent friendly and competent service, and decent prices. So we decided to give Mike’s a try.

We were not disappointed. Family run and true home cooking. Our service came right off the grill. My walleye sandwich was so hot I almost had to let it cool before biting into it. Moist, lightly breaded, one of the best fish sandwiches in my memory. Dan was equally enthusiastic over his steak sandwich and Donna’s shrimp was done just right skewed on sticks. Jo gave her burger 5 stars. By the time our dinner was over, the place was full . . . testimony to its reputation.

Mile's Port Bar & Grille
Nothing fancy about Mike’s exterior either but Mike’s shines in taste of a different kind, what goes in your mouth!
Mile's Port Bar & Grille
The inside of Mile’s Port Bar is typical small town Wisconsin but the food and service is big time.

Tomorrow rain is in the forecast. We plan to visit the Maritime Museum and other attractions in Sturgeon Bay.

Door County Visitors Bureau

Discover more information on Door County at HelloDoorCounty.com

Roscoe