![[Lake scene drawing]](http://images.midwestweekend.com/graphics/lake_scene.gif)
On Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is gorgeous, with 90 miles of trails through
old-growth forest, 25 miles of Lake Superior shoreline, four inland lakes and dozens of waterfalls.
Hiking is best in late summer and fall, when bugs are gone and hardwoods turn colors that are among the region's most vivid.
The park stays serene and untrammeled in fall, though it's no farther from the closest metro area — the Twin Cities
— than Grand Marais, Minn.
What to do: Go hiking, especially on the Escarpment Trail above Lake of the Clouds (pictured). See waterfalls along the Little Carp and Presque Isle rivers. Go on a naturalist walk. Take a workshop at the Porcupine Mountains Folk School.
Events to catch: Sept. 10-11, Hunters Harvest Festival in the park, with
guided hikes, archery and GPS workshops.
Where to stay: The park rents 19 rustic
cabins, three yurts and a handsome
1940s lodge. Mountain View Lodges is just outside the park, has a sand beach and allows pets.
Details: See Afoot in the Porkies.
If you think Iowa is flat, just visit northeast Iowa and, in particular, McGregor. This little Mississippi River town is surrounded by steep bluffs, which give tourists great views and trails to hike. But McGregor is most remarkable for its oddball attractions.
When to go: It's gorgeous in fall, and that's when the crowds come.
What to do: Take a boat tour of Spook Cave (pictured). See one of the Upper
Mississippi's best views from Pikes Peak State Park.
Hike at Effigy Mounds National Monument.
See an amazing trove of folk art at Dan Slaughter's Wood Crafts & Junk on U.S. 18. Browse in River Junction Trade Co., outfitter to gunslingers and riverboat gamblers. See the bottled sand paintings at the Historical Museum.
Events to catch: Sept. 18, Railroad Days in Marquette. Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, Hole in the Sock Gang street
theater, with shootouts. Oct. 2-3, Hawk Watch Weekend at Effigy Mounds. Oct. 2-3 and 9-10, Fall Arts & Crafts in McGregor
and Flea Market in Marquette.
Where to stay: Near downtown, the quiet McGregor Manor. On Main Street,
Little Switzerland Inn, the Stauer House and the Lamp Post Inn.
Where to eat: Try Old Man River Restaurant & Brewery in the 1880s Diamond Jo building on Triangle Park, which celebrates Oktoberfest Oct. 23.
Details: See Memorable McGregor.
In the Wisconsin town of New Glarus, the Swiss look is not just a facade for the tourists.
Founded in 1845 by impoverished settlers from the Swiss canton of Glarus, the town has jealously preserved its heritage with festivals, on buildings and in restaurants and shops. It's an easy way to visit Switzerland without paying air fare.
Getting there: It’s half an hour southwest of Madison.
Events to catch: Sept. 3-6, Wilhelm Tell Festival, with outdoor performances of the William Tell story, some in German. Sept. 24-26, Oktoberfest.
What to do: Ride the 23-mile Sugar River State
Trail. Tour the new Hilltop Brewery of New Glarus Brewing Co. Visit the
Swiss Historical Village, which includes a school and a cheese factory.
Buy Swiss pastries, sausages, chocolates and gifts at shops downtown.
Where to stay: Chalet Landhaus has comfortable rooms with Swiss accents. Swiss Aire Motel is a mom-and-pop motel. New Glarus Woods State Park has camping.
Details: See Swiss at heart.
In this three-college river town, things really start to hop in fall, when the students return, Oktoberfest gets under way and leaf peepers are prowling the Mississippi River Valley.
Getting there: Why not take the train? From the west, Amtrak's Empire Builder arrives at 10:47 a.m.; from the east, at 7:14 p.m.
What to do: Go on a cruise on the paddlewheeler La Crosse Queen.
Drive up Grandad Bluff for a panoramic view of the town. Visit downtown's bars and ice-cream parlors. Tour City Brewery and see the World's Largest Six-Pack (pictured).
Events to catch: Aug. 27-29, Great River Folk Festival on UW-La
Crosse campus. Sept. 24-Oct. 2, Oktoberfest.
Where to stay: Reserve your own 1917 country schoolhouse, the Wilson Schoolhouse Inn, off U.S. 14/61. Two miles south of downtown on U.S. 14-61, the Welch Motel is a tidy mom-and-pop motel.
Where to eat: For Italian, Kate's on State near UW-La Crosse. For barbecue, Piggy's near the river. For vegetarian, Hackberry's Bistro over the People's Food Co-op at Fifth Avenue South and King
Street.
Details: See Cruising La Crosse.
In summer, Winnipeg makes up for its long winters with a burst of festivals, including the huge Folklorama, which incorporates
the dozens of nationalities that make up the city's gloriously lumpy melting pot. Bring an appetite.
What to do: Visit The Forks at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red rivers to
eat, shop and watch buskers. See the zoo, conservatory and sculpture garden at
Assiniboine Park (pictured) and hear a free concert or play. Visit the Royal Canadian Mint.
Go to St. Boniface Cathedral in the French quarter for the theatrical walking tour “In Riel’s Footsteps.’’
Take a walking tour of the Selkirk Avenue cultural
mosaic.
Events to catch: Folklorama, an ethnic extravaganza at 42 pavilions around the
city, through Aug. 14. Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival at
The Forks, Sept. 10-12.
Where to stay: The 1913 Hotel Fort Garry is next to downtown and The
Forks, as is the all-suites Place Louis Riel. And there are many B&Bs.
Where to eat: For some of everything, The Forks. For Italian, especially gelati, Corydon Avenue. For dim sum, Chinatown. For pierogi, Alycia's in the North End.
Information: Destination Winnipeg. For more, see Bazaar on the prairie.
