If you're headed north on Interstate 35 from Minneapolis - Saint Paul toward Duluth and plan to cross over into Wisconsin, here are alternate routes you may want to try over the congested Fourth of July weekend.
[NOTE: I drive back and forth to and from Madeline Island from the Twin Cities quite a bit, and scenic routes like these can really make the trip more serene and fun!]
Instead of taking the Bong Bridge (Interstate Highway 2) into Wisconsin, take the Minnesota 210 exit near Black Bear Casino and head east through Carlton, Minnesota. This route takes you past the Thomson Hydroelectric Dam site and the Willard Munger Trail, through beautiful Jay Cooke State Park.
The winding road through Jay Cooke State Park will take you past some of the most delightful unspoiled wilderness views anywhere in Minnesota. If you haven't taken this route before, I highly recommend it!
At the easternmost end of Highway 210, you'll find yourself in Fond du Lac, Minnesota (Fond du Lac is actually considered a south Duluth suburb). Take a left on Minnesota Highway 23 and head north a few miles beyond Fond du Lac, until you see the Highway 39 bridge. Drive east and you'll cross the Saint Louis River into the town of Oliver, Wisconsin.
Once you're in Oliver, the town of Superior is just five to ten minutes east of the bridge crossing. Beyond the bridge crossing, the eastbound highway becomes Wisconsin 105.
In Superior, you'll intersect with Wisconsin Highway 35. Another pleasant detour on the way east would be to head south on Wisconsin 35 until you reach Douglas County Road C. Heading east on 'C' will bring you to South Range, Wisconsin, just west of Amnicon Falls State Park and Highway 53.
Or, you could drive a little farther south and head east on Douglas County Road B, through lovely Pattison State Park. The Pattison family built and occupied historic Fairlawn Mansion, in Superior, Wisconsin. Fairlawn Mansion is another must-see destination, just across the highway from Barker's Island.
Douglas County 'B' goes east through Pattison State Park, jogs south briefly and then east again, intersecting with Wisconsin Highway 53 in Hawthorne.
You can take B further east, all the way into Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin. And if you continue east to Wisconsin 27, you'll wind up in Brule, Wisconsin, at the intersection of 27 and U.S. Route 2.
Take the back roads next time you visit northwest Wisconsin and enjoy some fabulous scenery!
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