Best of the West: Menomonie & Pepin County
Air Date: 10/28/2017 - 10/28/2017
With rich history, small town charm, scenic rides and drives, and vibrant art scenes, the city of Menomonie and Pepin County have no shortage of fun things to do. In this episode we explore this gorgeous area of Wisconsin by road, rail and trail. Along the way we stop for fine wines, craft beers, phenomenal food, and one of the best places to eat pie in America. We also celebrate music, take the stage and make new friends at a wide variety of community events in both the city of Menomonie and Pepin County.
this Episode
Menomonie
Perhaps best known for being home to UW Stout, the city of Menomonie is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, theater lovers, foodies and beer connoisseurs alike. Northwest Wisconsin is home to amazing bike trail systems and the Red Cedar State Trail is a shining example of Wisconsin’s rails-to-trails program, offering riders of all abilities a gorgeous route along the Red Cedar River Valley. Take a walk through downtown Menomonie to explore the shops and have a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants and cafes that offer tasty and unique cuisine. After dinner, take in a show at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts, which was named one of the “15 Spectacular Theaters in the World” by CNN Travel. There are also countless community events that happen in Menomonie throughout the year. Watch the sunset on a summer night while enjoying a weekly performance of the Ludington Guard Band at Wilson Park. Try something new and visit the beautiful Otter Creek Farm for their annual horse trials. And in the fall, Farm-City Days welcomes visitors to see and learn how a modern dairy farm operates. Years ago people were drawn to Menomonie for its lumber, but today they stay and visit for its vibrant community and countless opportunities to discover something special!
Browse our Photos
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The DW crew filming an interview with the owner of Zanzibar in downtown Menomonie.
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Host Collin bikes over a beautiful bridge on the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie.
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Host Collin bikes over a beautiful bridge on the Red Cedar Trail in Menomonie.
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The annual horse trials at Otter Creek Farm in Menomonie
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The DW crew filming at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts in Menomonie.
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Host Collin performs a scene with the Menomonie Theater Guild on stage at the Mabel Tainter Center for the Arts.
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The DW crew filming while Host Collin does some sampling at Lucette Brewing Company in Menomonie.
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An aerial look at Menomonie's annual WinterDaze parade.
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The historic Ludington Guard Band performs at Wilson Park in Menomonie.
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Nature Valley Grand Prix Pro Race
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Stout Clock Tower Plaza
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Red Cedar River, Menomonie, WI
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Nature Valley Grand Prix Menomonie Course
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Nature Valley Grand Prix Menomonie Course
Events in THE AREA
No events scheduled.
Have an event for this area that you would like featured on DiscoverWisconsin.com?
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Pepin County
At 349 square miles, Pepin County is Wisconsin’s smallest county. It stretches from the towering bluffs of Wisconsin’s West Coast, through the rolling hills, lush natural areas and winding roads of West Central Wisconsin. The scenery in this state does not get much better than this! The towns in this county, including Pepin, Stockholm, Arkansaw and Durand, boast rich histories, charming shops and restaurants, beautiful wineries and unparalleled views of the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. Visit the birthplace and museum of the beloved author and pioneer, Laura Ingalls Wilder in Pepin. And in September, Laura Ingalls Wilder Days offers “Laura fans” a chance to dress up in 19th century garb and celebrate everything they love about Laura and the era she grew up in. Pepin County is also home to two stops on the Great River Road Wine Trail – the Italian-inspired winery, Villa Bellezza, and Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery. And you cannot go through Pepin County without stopping at Stockholm Pie and General Store! It’s been recognized nationally as one of the best places to eat pie in America. Come to Pepin County and celebrate blues music at Blues on the Chippewa, participate in the biannual Flood Run, one of the largest motorcycle events in the country, or take a sailing excursion into the sunset over Lake Pepin. It may be Wisconsin’s smallest county, but Pepin County is all about big-time fun!
Browse our Photos
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The DW crew filming the Fall Flood Run, a motorcycle event that runs through Pepin County.
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The DW crew filming a train ride through Tiffany Bottoms Wildlife area.
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A train operated by the Chippewa Valley Motor Car Association brings visitors through the Tiffany Bottoms Wildlife Area.
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Visitors admire a festively dressed llama at the Stockholm Country Christmas in Pepin County.
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The DW Crew has fun playing dress up at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum in Pepin County.
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Host Mariah takes the wheel of a sailboat during a sunset cruise with Sail Pepin.
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The Italian-inspired winery Villa Bellezza in Pepin County.
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Host Mariah samples some cider at Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery in Stockholm.
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Boats float peacefully in the marina on Lake Pepin.
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Girls wait to go on stage for the "Laura Contest" at Laura Ingalls Wilder Days in Pepin County.
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Teddy Maier, videographer, sets up a shot of the Blues Mobile at Blues on the Chippewa in Durand.
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Beautiful views in the Tiffany Bottoms Wildlife Area in Pepin County.
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Farm near Arkansaw, WI
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Beautiful Chippewa River sunset in Durand. Photo credits: Travis Dewitz
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Winter on Lake Pepin. Photo credits: Manda Baldwin
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Lake Pepin at sunset. Photo credits: Brian Fuhrman
Events in THE AREA
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53rd Annual Spring Flood Motorcycle Run April 21, 2018
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Durand Area Garage Sales April 27, 2018
Friday, April 27th from 10 am – 6 pm Saturday, April 28th from 8 am – 2 pm
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100 Miles of Garage Sales & More! May 3, 2018
Fifteen historic river towns and two states clean out their attics, garages and basements to create the most spectacular garage sale around! Bargain hunters can start anywhere along the river road – Minnesota or Wisconsin – rain or shine. Mississippi … Continued
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Go Paint! 2018 May 5, 2018
Artists paint plein air (outdoors) in or within eight miles of Durand, WI, competing for awards in categories such as: Best of Show, Best Chippewa River Painting, Best City of Durand Painting, Best Quick Paint and many more! Ride into … Continued
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Spring Fresh Art Tour June 1, 2018
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Great River Road June Bloom Wine & Food Event June 2, 2018
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Stockholm Street Dance June 2, 2018
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Durand Funfest June 8, 2018
55th annual festival featuring great music, carnival, food, grand parade and much more! Durand Funfest is a subcommittee of the Durand Improvement Group.
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