Escape the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities with a quiet and peaceful road trip to the outdoors and make some unforgettable stops at four of Wisconsin’s Harbor Towns – Superior, Bayfield, Washburn, and Ashland. Check out all of the hiking trails, scenic water views, beautiful lighthouses, small-town restaurants, and indulge in the history of the Midwest.
Superior
When visiting Superior, you’ll want to check out some of the beautiful nature parks and the views they have to offer. One of Superior’s most popular parks is the North County Scenic Trail; this trail runs more than 4,000 miles across eight of the northern United States. The Superior Hiking Trail makes up a portion of the trail through Minnesota’s North Shore into Superior & Douglas County.
If you’re more of a water person we have the activities just for you! North Shore Sup has water rentals available for as little as 15 minutes up to a whole day, where you can spend a beautiful day on the water. If you prefer to lay beachside, check out Barker’s Island Inner Beach, which is located near the marina and has 1,400 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. End your visit to Superior with a refreshing beer and some live music at Thirsty Pagan Brewing or a stellar homemade glass of wine at Wine Seller Winery.
Bayfield
Next on our list is Bayfield and its wide selection of beaches, hiking trails, and water activities. To get the perfect views of Madeline Island, check out Washington Avenue Beach, watch the Madeline Island Ferry and sailboats as you soak in the sun on the beach. You can also visit Bayview Beach and walk the 3.8-mile shoreline or take a swim.
The third hidden gem on our list is Washburn, known as the “Little Town on the Big Lake!” Because of its size, most of Washburn’s attractions are all within short driving distances. Enjoy the beautiful nature views Washburn has to offer by visiting one of its many nature parks starting with Washburn Lakeshore Parkway and Walking Trail. This trail is a moderate hiking trail that weaves among the beaches and bluffs of the lakefront and extends to Thompson West End Park, winding through the Washburn Marina, and to Memorial Park. Houghton Falls Nature Preserve is another great option if you want to explore some beautiful nature features before ending at the edge of Lake Superior (waterfall flow is seasonal). Enjoy a family beach day at Friendly Valley Beach, the waters here are warmer and shallower than other beaches, making it the perfect spot for the kiddos.
Finish off a day full of activities at Washburn’s popular South South Brewery & Taphouse. This taphouse offers up to ten different varieties of flagships, specialty, seasonal, and sometimes, experimental beers. You can even BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) and enjoy a game of shuffleboard, cribbage, or darts.
Ashland
Find yourself by the water when you visit Ashland. Maslowski Beach is the perfect beach to go for a swim and it offers a waterfront trail for walking and biking. For amazing water views and fishing you can check out Chequamegon Bay. This bay offers 14 species of game fish and is the major sport fishing area on Lake Superior. Another must-see when visiting Ashland is the Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse located on the southern side of the Chequamegon Bay.
If you find yourself downtown during your visit, you’ll want to explore the Ashland Mural Walk/Main Street Business District and Ashland Historical Museum. Ashland Mural Walk/Main Street Business District features over 20 murals depicting people and events from Ashland’s history and is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.
Rich in history, full of nature and water views, a handful of delicious places to eat, and that small-town feel, a road trip to Lake Superior is the perfect way to take a quick vacation from the city life. Learn more about all of our wonderful Harbor Towns and start planning your visit today!
From The Twin Cities to Lake Superior — The Perfect Wisconsin Road Trip
Escape the hustle and bustle of the Twin Cities with a quiet and peaceful road trip to the outdoors and make some unforgettable stops at four of Wisconsin’s Harbor Towns – Superior, Bayfield, Washburn, and Ashland. Check out all of the hiking trails, scenic water views, beautiful lighthouses, small-town restaurants, and indulge in the history of the Midwest.
Superior
When visiting Superior, you’ll want to check out some of the beautiful nature parks and the views they have to offer. One of Superior’s most popular parks is the North County Scenic Trail; this trail runs more than 4,000 miles across eight of the northern United States. The Superior Hiking Trail makes up a portion of the trail through Minnesota’s North Shore into Superior & Douglas County.
If you’re more of a water person we have the activities just for you! North Shore Sup has water rentals available for as little as 15 minutes up to a whole day, where you can spend a beautiful day on the water. If you prefer to lay beachside, check out Barker’s Island Inner Beach, which is located near the marina and has 1,400 feet of Lake Superior shoreline. End your visit to Superior with a refreshing beer and some live music at Thirsty Pagan Brewing or a stellar homemade glass of wine at Wine Seller Winery.
Bayfield
Next on our list is Bayfield and its wide selection of beaches, hiking trails, and water activities. To get the perfect views of Madeline Island, check out Washington Avenue Beach, watch the Madeline Island Ferry and sailboats as you soak in the sun on the beach. You can also visit Bayview Beach and walk the 3.8-mile shoreline or take a swim.
After enjoying a beach day, stop at some of Bayfield’s top breweries and wineries – Copper Crow Distillery, Adventure Club Brewing, and Pikes Creek Winery or stop for a bite to eat at one of their many restaurants. After a delicious meal and fun drinks explore downtown Bayfield with their Historic Walking Tour or enjoy a relaxing and peaceful time on the water with one of their many water tours. Here are a few great options; Madeline Island Ferry, Apostle Islands Cruises, and All Hands Sailing.
Washburn
The third hidden gem on our list is Washburn, known as the “Little Town on the Big Lake!” Because of its size, most of Washburn’s attractions are all within short driving distances. Enjoy the beautiful nature views Washburn has to offer by visiting one of its many nature parks starting with Washburn Lakeshore Parkway and Walking Trail. This trail is a moderate hiking trail that weaves among the beaches and bluffs of the lakefront and extends to Thompson West End Park, winding through the Washburn Marina, and to Memorial Park. Houghton Falls Nature Preserve is another great option if you want to explore some beautiful nature features before ending at the edge of Lake Superior (waterfall flow is seasonal). Enjoy a family beach day at Friendly Valley Beach, the waters here are warmer and shallower than other beaches, making it the perfect spot for the kiddos.
Finish off a day full of activities at Washburn’s popular South South Brewery & Taphouse. This taphouse offers up to ten different varieties of flagships, specialty, seasonal, and sometimes, experimental beers. You can even BYOF (Bring Your Own Food) and enjoy a game of shuffleboard, cribbage, or darts.
Ashland
Find yourself by the water when you visit Ashland. Maslowski Beach is the perfect beach to go for a swim and it offers a waterfront trail for walking and biking. For amazing water views and fishing you can check out Chequamegon Bay. This bay offers 14 species of game fish and is the major sport fishing area on Lake Superior. Another must-see when visiting Ashland is the Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse located on the southern side of the Chequamegon Bay.
If you find yourself downtown during your visit, you’ll want to explore the Ashland Mural Walk/Main Street Business District and Ashland Historical Museum. Ashland Mural Walk/Main Street Business District features over 20 murals depicting people and events from Ashland’s history and is listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places.
Rich in history, full of nature and water views, a handful of delicious places to eat, and that small-town feel, a road trip to Lake Superior is the perfect way to take a quick vacation from the city life. Learn more about all of our wonderful Harbor Towns and start planning your visit today!
Post author
Updated on October 7, 2026 by SignalFire
More posts