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Our “Get out of Town” series highlights fun day trips that will save you time and money.
This week, we take a 35-mile trip to Wabasha. You don’t even have to bother filling the gas tank. A quarter-tank should do the trick.
So head out to Highway 61, set the cruise and enjoy a quick road trip to the city of 2,677.
On your way there
On your way to Wabasha, be sure to stop at Lark Toys at 171 Lark Lane, just off of Highway 61 in Kellogg, Minn. It has 20,000 square feet of fun to explore and is one of the largest independent toy stores in the country. Room upon room of toys will bring out the kid in anyone. You’ll find nostalgic wind-up toys, costumes, stuffed animals and more Smurfs than you know what to Smurf with.
There’s also a hand-carved carousel, fudge shop, café and bookstore. Before you leave, you might want to play a round of miniature golf at the 18-hole course. On Wednesday, 71-year-old John McDonough of Pepin, Wis., took his four grandsons to play, in what has become a tradition for the family. His grandsons are from Durand and Mondovi, both in Wisconsin, so it’s not too far of a trip.
“It’s just beautiful here,” McDonough said.
The favorite part for his 6-year-old grandson Ethan Schneider? Fishing the balls out of the water.
“It’s fun,” Schneider said.
A round costs $5 for adults and $4 for students 18 and younger. Your second game is half price.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; mini-golf hours are extended Friday and Saturday, with the last tee time at 8:15 p.m.
Info: www.larktoys.com, (507) 767-3387.
Resident celebrities
A trip to Wabasha wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the National Eagle Center at 50 Pembroke Ave. The 14,000-square-foot facility opened in September 2007 after years of campaigning to improve upon the former 2,000-square-foot Wabasha Eagle Center.
You can see eagles up close and personal. All of the birds have been rescued and rehabilitated. Their injuries left them unable to fend for themselves in the wild, so they’re used to help us learn more about the majestic birds who were finally taken off the endangered species list last year after 40 years.
Hourlong educational feeding programs are given throughout the day. Resident eagles Harriet, Angel and Columbia are the celebrities that bring a stream of curious visitors.
You can watch them eat. You can watch them perch. Or, you can watch them watch you.
“I think they like watching people, too,” said volunteer Cindy Schlosser.
Schlosser has been a volunteer for three years, driving each Wednesday from her home in Eau Claire, Wis.
“I hope people see just how beautiful these birds are,” Schlosser said.
Eagle Feeding and Education Presentations are usually held at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily, although additional programs may be held during the summer, weekends and other busy times.
Admission is $6, $5 for 65 and older, $4 for ages 4 through 17 and free for 3 and younger. Group rates are available.
Info: www.nationaleaglecenter.org, 1-877-332-4537.
Shop along Main Street
Main Street offers lots of shops to explore. You can feed your sweet tooth at Chocolate Escape, get a souvenir of your visit at the Treasure Chest or get something for the house at Hill’s Hardware Hank.
You absolutely must stop in the Wind Whisper West Kimono Gallery, 128 Main St.
Yes, Wabasha has a kimono gallery. Owner Richard Fuller opened the shop about four years ago, and it has been at its current location for two years. It honors the kimono as art.
“No two kimonos are alike,” Fuller said.
Wearing a kimono was a tradition for 1,500 years, Fuller said, but now is becoming a tradition of the past. He estimates about 90 percent of Japanese brides are now opting for a more traditional Western-style gown.
You can appreciate the intricate work that goes into making a kimono by using a magnifying glass to look at some of the more than 3,000 kimonos Fuller has in his collection. It can take four months to two years to create a single kimono, with eight to 10 groups of people working on the creation.
You can visit his shop between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, noon to 4 p.m. weekends and by appointment.
Info: www.windwhisperwest. com, (651) 565-2002.
Grab a bite to eat
You can get a good sandwich any day in Winona. Try something different at one of Wabasha’s many tasty restaurant options.
A few suggestions: The Olde Triangle Pub, 219 Main St. This pub serves food with an Irish flair. The menu includes Irish stew, fish and chips, bangers (sausage) and mash, and a scrumptious shepherd’s pie. You can wash it down with a Guinness; www.oldetriangle pub.com, (651) 565-0256.
Yu Zheng’s Fresh Wok, 254 Main St. Chinese food for eat in or take out; (651) 565-3800.
Flour Mill Pizzeria, 145 W. Main St. Have a slice of pizza while taking in a view of the Mississippi from the restaurant’s deck; (651) 565-4170.
Vinifera, 260 Main St. W. This restaurant just opened in May. Its name comes from the species name of all wine-producing grapes. The specialty is cuisine inspired by wine regions from throughout the world.
“Our philosophy here is to try to make wines accessible and not pretentious,” said owner and executive chef Michael Murray-John.
Start with a wine or start with a meal. Either way, the Vinifera staff will find something to go with it. Cuisine includes Spanish, French and Italian. A favorite with customers is the steamed mussels served with white wine. Murray-John says they want to keep fine food affordable. The highest priced meal is the grilled lamb chops for $16.
Slippery’s Bar & Grill, 10 Church Ave. This place helped put Wabasha on the map when it was referred to in the movies “Grumpy Old Men” and “Grumpier Old Men.” The movies were both set in Wabasha, which boasts itself “The home of ‘Grumpy Old Men.’” Slippery’s hosts a “Grumpy Old Men” Festival the last weekend in February. You can even buy a T-shirt with the memorable line “I’d rather kiss a dead moose’s butt.” Info: www.slipperysumr.com, 1-866-504-4036
The Old Ways, 170 Pembroke Ave. Newly opened in June, this restaurant features locally grown foods with menu items such as grilled pork loin, truffle potato ravioli, braised pot roast and lots more to whet the appetite. (651) 560-4300.
Hear some music
Each Friday through Aug. 15, Wabasha hosts free concerts under the bridge at Heritage Park from 7 to 8:30 p.m. You can see Route 3 on Aug. 8 and the Wabasha Community Band on Aug. 15.
Wabasha also hosts Fat Fest Aug. 21-23 at the Coffee Mill Ski Resort. The three-day music festival features Fat Maw Rooney, That 1 Guy, God Johnson, Pert Near Sandstone, Down Lo, Smokin’ Bandits, White Iron Band, Shoeless Revolution, Moon Boot Posse, Cornmeal and many more. Info: www.fatfest.org.
Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.
