Imagine riding along in a private train car, taking in the picturesque views of the Namekagon River on a beautiful fall afternoon…sipping a glass of wine. The new Wine & Cheese train ride at the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad allows you to do just that!  

Make your visit to Washburn County extra special with a Sunday afternoon train ride. The Sky Parlour car,  “Namekagon View”, features a mahogany bar, booth seating area, cocktail sofas and plush comfy lounge seats on the upper level. The dome top windows really make the trip an amazing way to see the oranges, golds, and reds of our northwoods this autumn.  The bottom level features a 20 seat movie theater which will have a forward engineer eye view on its screen. 

You will relax on your two hour trip while sampling four different Wisconsin produced wines. Nibble on crackers and perfectly paired cheeses from some of the area’s award winning cheese makers.  This train ride is a must do! Complete schedule information is available online or by calling the railroad office at (715) 635-3200.

After your train ride you can enjoy a leisurely drive through Washburn County on one of our self-guided driving routes. Each route has been selected for optimum color and beauty. Fall is a great time to take a drive through the countryside and pick your own adventure. You will find yourself relaxing and discovering the places you haven’t been. Whether it is the perfect little lake for a picnic or a roadside stand selling pumpkins and other fall produce, we have something that everyone will enjoy. Be sure to order the Scenic Drives of Washburn County brochure online or stop by our visitors center to pick it up 

While on your drive be sure to stop and check out one of the many great places to eat or enjoy a cocktail. Seasonal food and drink can be found at many of our Washburn County establishments. Clover Meadow Winery serves up the only certified organic, travel green wines in the midwest. Stop by the tasting room for some truly unique wines, from Dandelion wine to the fall favorite--Cranberry--you will be impressed with these award winning flavors. White Wolf distillery, also onsite, offers certified organic moonshine, brandies, and cordials. Sample the spirits and nibble on some hors d’oeuvres before continuing on. 

While out on your Fall adventure take a trip to Stone Lake, WI, home to Stone Lake Cranberry Festival in October, to complete your day. The Rustic Road winds around Stone Lake and the colors of the trees take on a whole new look as they reflect off the surface of the lake. The short trip into the town of Stone Lake brings you to the Last Frontier shop. Enjoy a hand scooped ice cream cone as you browse through the shop filled with antiques, home goods, and gourmet foods. In true Cranberry Fest fashion, The Last Frontier has the very best cranberry jams and jellies to enjoy. Bring home a treasure to remember your day by. 

Fall is a fantastic time to take life a bit slower…breathe deep and take it all in. To start planning your fall getaway, order your Fall Color Packet online  or call (800) 367-3306 today.

Photo: Trevor Wright