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Other stories in "Fall"

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On the road/A fall drive along the St. Croix

A stretch of river valley is packed with attractions.

When that first autumn day arrives, its crisp air laced by the faint aroma of wood smoke, many of us get the urge to take a drive.

One drive that really packs in the attractions is the 52-mile stretch of the St. Croix River between Taylors Falls and the St. Croix’s confluence with the Mississippi at Prescott. It has everything a tourist could want — train excursions, boat cruises, shopping, historic houses, apple orchards and hiking in five Wisconsin and Minnesota state parks.

It also has a whole lot of festivals: Sept. 20-21, Marine Art Fair in Marine on St. Croix. Sept. 20, Franconia Art & Music Festival at Franconia Sculpture Park outside Taylors Falls. Sept. 27-28, Art in the Park in Afton. Sept. 27-28, Autumn Fest in St. Croix Falls. Oct. 4-5, Fall Colors Fine Art and Jazz Festival in Stillwater. Oct. 15-18, Spirit of the St. Croix Days in Hudson (on Oct. 16, Warren Nelson and the Big Top Chautauqua will present a free performance of "Wild Woods & Waters'' in Lakefront Park).

For more, see A fall sortie on the St. Croix. For other ideas, see Great fall drives, Minnesota's scenic byways and Wisconsin's Rustic Roads.

Last updated on September 17, 2008