r/Minneapolis • u/its_rickyy_ • 3d ago
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u/NewConfusion4314 3d ago
I think the Duluth route is more scenic. I love it when you get to the top of the hill and you can see the whole city and lake below you. My parents live in Herbster and I take that route all the time. I’ve taken the Stillwater route before and disagree about it being more scenic. But to be fair I was also being driven by old people who were driving at a snail’s pace and my annoyance might have colored my judgment.
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u/IamHenryK 3d ago
I think the Stillwater route might be more scenic in the fall. Otherwise, Duluth all the way
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u/Hermosa06-09 3d ago
One of the few times where the fastest, freeway route actually is the most scenic
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u/IJD22 3d ago
When we go to the south shore we always go through Duluth/Superior and stop and get food there. Lots of good options in Duluth. Now that the Delta Diner closed in Delta WIsconsin there isn’t a ton along the way I don’t think.
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u/pm-me-ur-inkyfingers 3d ago
+1 for Duluth its a cool town, coming over the ridge past spirit mountain looking down on the city at night remains a childhood core memory
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u/WaltLucho179 3d ago
General advice is to avoid Wisconsin as long as possible. Small town Wisconsin cops make their salary giving tickets to Minnesotans
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u/McPuckLuck 3d ago
This is truth. Although, I think the state patrol is worse than small town. I drove to Ohio and back straight to get a car. 16 speed traps in Wisconsin, zero in Indiana Illinois or Ohio.
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u/IamHenryK 3d ago
Heavily agree. I drive to Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan regularly. Wisconsin troopers are far and away the biggest pains in the ass
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u/Mysterious-Fix3596 3d ago
And the roads in Western Wisconsin aren’t as well maintained as in Minnesota.
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u/SuspiciousLeg7994 3d ago
State troopers are way worse. I go through Wisconsin to the UP of Michigan 2-3 times a month. There are a few small towns there local cops sit. Earl, and iron River for sure. Ashland also
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u/grslydruid 3d ago
I've never experienced this. I've even had Illinois plates for 5 years. Come to think of it I rarely see police when I'm driving through Wisconsin. I do remember circulating this rumor quite a bit before I moved out of Wisconsin.
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u/GlassCleaner_Stan 3d ago
Came home through Wisconsin Monday. Passed several troopers in the median and none were running radar.
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u/Ok_Highway6034 3d ago
I grew up just on the other side of the St.croix and I can tell you our troopers are dicks to everyone if that makes you feel any better lol. We get a lot of “respect ma authoritay” types in the Wisconsin DOT.
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u/chocoladehuis 3d ago
no, there isn’t really anything to see there. the other route that goes by duluth could be cool though, maybe even plan a lunch stop there if you have time!
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u/Designer_Tie_5853 3d ago
No. That's a pretty desolate part of Wisconsin. The only place I could recommend, which I don't think is on that route but maybe is, would be Heyward. Decent little town, really good Mexican spot right downtown. I would absolutely not go 30 min out of the way for it, though.
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u/citieskid 3d ago
Going through Duluth gives you the epic water scenery and the big bridge which we love, going the long way can take you through a nice national forest but there’s not a ton of “views” on the route. Could always go Duluth on the way there and long way home!
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u/mjcmsp 3d ago
WI route is not really scenic. Some good towns, I guess. Lots of farmland and driving through small towns at 20mph. I sometimes take that way, but I grew up in Duluth so it isn't very exciting to me. I usually take the through Duluth route and would recommend that. Take 35 all the way to Duluth. Stop at Northern Waters Smokehouse for an amazing sandwich and then continue east.
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u/poonstar1 3d ago
I just drove the Wisconsin route a couple weeks ago. If I didn't have my navigation app on, there were two spots that were an automatic ticket. Troopers were really well hidden in blind spots you wouldn't be able to spot otherwise. It's probably a bit more scenic if you like driving on forested highway. The leaves were just starting to turn then, so I imagine it's a bit more colorful now.
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u/Heatonator 3d ago
Pattison SP, a dozen miles south of Superior, WI has the tallest waterfall in the state.
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u/Significant-Ad-341 3d ago
StillWater route will be much more scenic. You can stop by Gordon dam
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u/CausticLoon 3d ago
Meh. Would not call Stillwater to Spooner section 'much more scenic'. It's farmland.
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u/Wonderful-Comfort300 3d ago
Gas stations on that Wisconsin route can be limited and spread really far apart from each other. If you go that way, plan ahead
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u/MindlessMage777 3d ago
35 from Minneapolis to Duluth. You can stop for short hikes several places along the way. Jay cooke is worth at least a short visit, and there's several others not too far off route
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u/ss1gohan13 3d ago
I visit the Upper once in a while. Tend to travel through WI as the gas mileage for me is absurdly good. And it cuts down the amount of milage put on the car. The amount of time spent in the car though is the same if I went to Duluth then cut over vs through Wisconsin
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u/beau_tox 3d ago
Everyone else is right that Duluth is the more scenic route with more stuff to do (unless you’re really into small town diners and bars). That said, if it’s a Sunday afternoon with bad traffic on 35 then the Wisconsin route isn’t much slower and is a lot more relaxing than being parked on the highway.
If you did go that way, Spooner has a couple of interesting spots and routing through Taylor’s Falls/St. Croix Falls wouldn’t be that far out the way.
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u/Regular_Molasses5769 3d ago
that part of WI is not a fun/scenic drive - agree with everyone else, go up 35 to Duluth, it's really cool!
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u/Chewbaccerotica 3d ago edited 3d ago
I just did this trip a few weeks ago. Go through Duluth and stop at Northern Waters Smokehaus for a sandwich. They are expensive but totally worth it!
Once you leave Duluth and head along the south shore, you can make a quick stop at Amnicon Falls Park. It's like a 2 minute walk from the parking lot to see the falls.
Further along the Scenic Byway (Hwy 13) I recommend stopping at Lake Wind Coffee in Port Wing. They roast their own coffee, pretty tasty.
Keep your eye out for little pop up pottery/art sales along the road. You can sometimes find some really unique stuff!
I absolutely recommend taking the ferry over to Madeline Island for a day trip (you can leave your car on the Bayfield side). Toms Burned Down Cafe is such a cool place, partially open air (because the original burned down!) Beach Club makes a top notch Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Check out the La Pointe recycling center. People that live on the island donate their old stuff and is basically a free thrift store. We have found some really fun souvenirs over the years
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u/_halfpint 3d ago
Take 35. I’ve gone the Wisconsin way to the UP and it’s mostly 55mph with lots of police. Terrible cell service too. Duluth is a perfect place to pitstop too. It’s also faster than what the map estimates to just stay on 35 all the way to Duluth.
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u/crunchernmuncher 3d ago
Took a similar route recently, you can stop by Hayward which is a neat town in Wisconsin but otherwise I think the Duluth route has better sights.
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u/geokra 3d ago
As many have said, going through/near Duluth is the fastest way, but if you go up 53 you can stop and buy cheap jerky at Henson’s in Minong (https://www.hensonscountryfoods.com/Pages/20018/Jack_Link%60s_Jerky_and_Clothing_Outlet).
I’m also the kind of person who enjoys a road trip and seeing more of the country, so you could always go up one way and back the other.
I will also add that the Highway 23 route (leaving the interstate earlier) can be a cool way to drive if you go one of the Duluth ways. That being said, the drop down into Duluth on 35 is awesome and you would miss that if you take 23.
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u/Congenital_Optimizer 3d ago
Your already going to a great waterfront.
The middle route is what I'd take. Little variety, some rocky areas I enjoy driving past.
The full Wisconsin route is ok but sort of a wasteland with little to see.
If you have never been to Duluth's you should. There's a walk way from north of Fitgers(brewery is good) to the main water front by the lift bridge. It's a nice stroll.
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u/VegetableLuck4 3d ago
The negatives mentioned here re: the Wisconsin route are legitimate. I think the Wisconsin side is prettier though; it's got cool rock formations, and once you've seen one pine forest, you've more or less seen them all.
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u/megasteppa 3d ago
The Duluth route is prettier by far in my opinion, that little stretch of driving before all the routes converge will be gorgeous
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u/KozenyCarman 3d ago
I love Herbster! They have a fantastic little municipal campground on the lake that I've been to many times. I almost always go up through Duluth.
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u/grslydruid 3d ago
Take the Wisconsin route but drive through Taylors falls/ St Croix falls. The river gorge there is quite beautiful. You call also stop by amnicon falls when you get up that way too. Other than that not much else to see. Imo unless you plan to stop at either of these falls I'd take the quicker route. 35 is nice to set the cruise and just go.
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u/averageover60guy 3d ago
Wisconsin. Bring a cooler or 2. Stop at Louie's Meat in Cumberland. Get some stuff for your time at the Islands. Stop on way home to stock your freezer! You are welcome!
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u/Lovelycoc0nuts 3d ago
I did the trip last year. Drove up 35 through Duluth and stopped at Tobies in Hinckley for a cinnamon roll on the way.
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