Washburn County, WI Itinerary: A Sparkling Winter Weekend

Day 1:

Start your morning off right with a cup of joe from Alley Cats Coffee or The Dock Coffee. Indulge in a sweet treat right there or head over to the Spooner Bake Shoppe for a wide variety of breakfast baked goods.

After you load up your fat bike, make you way to the Washburn County Visitor Center where the tourism team will hook you up with maps for the local fat bike trails. Odds are, they’ll send you out to Wild Cat Mountain Bike Trail. With eleven miles of groomed trail, this is the perfect spot for beginners or expert bikers to have some fun.

Warm up after your ride with a visit to Perlick Distillery in Sarona. Located on the century old Perlick farm, this family run distillery produces fine spirits and features a handcrafted cocktail menu with many seasonal favorites.

Grab your snowshoes or rent a pair and head over to Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary where you’ll find 7 miles of trails to explore. End your night at The Landing on Long Lake for some good incredible burgers, sandwiches and more or head over to the Pioneer on Long Lake for an incredible homemade pizza.

Day 2:

It’s time to explore the trails at Heartwood. With 16 miles of trails, you’ll find plenty of well-groomed cross country ski trails winding through this 700 acre property. Heartwood is easily something out of a romantic Christmas movie. If their elegant fireplace isn’t enough to draw you in, seeing the snow falling on gorgeous Hoinville Lake should do it. For dinner after a long day of skiing, be sure to check out Longbranch Smokehouse & Grille or Gruzy's Italian Beef House where you'll find large menus and drink options to warm you up!

Day 3:

Take the drive over to Minong where you’ll grab a hearty bite to eat at Wendy’s Place Cafe. It’s good home style cooking just like you remember. After you’ve had your fill, pick up your rental snowmobile from Petit’s Auto & Performance. The trails heading east from Minong offer incredible views of Wisconsin’s north woods. Once you’ve headed down trail 39 towards Trego, be sure to stop in to Wolf Point Bar & Grill on Gull Lake for a burger and fries. We hear the hot cocoa is pretty good to help warm you up before you head over to ride the gorgeous Casey Loop. After your day of riding, be sure to check out Hub’s Riverbend where you’ll find a huge menu with specialty sandwiches and appetizers galore.

Day 4:

Enjoy some quiet time shopping and exploring the area. For those that are in need of a good book to read in front of the fire, stop in to Northwind Book & Fiber, Spooner’s independent bookstore. Nearby you’ll also find The Chocolate Studio featuring yoga and gourmet chocolate; you can’t go wrong with that combination. A wander through the downtown area and you’ll want to look up and see the intricate tin ceilings. There’s even a brochure that shows where the tin ceilings are located and shares history on the building. A trip to the area isn’t complete without a stop into The Potter’s Shed in Shell Lake. Well known for their pottery, they feature an amazing gallery, creative zone, and coffee shop. You’re sure to find the perfect gift for a friend...or yourself.