Photo by Penny Photographics

Even though Brule is a town of 600, there's no shortage of things to do. Whether you're drinking coffee on the porch, kayaking the Brule, or shopping in Canal Park, you will never be bored.

 

Outdoor activities

Water Activities

The Bois Brule ("Burning Wood") River is the best-known river in the Lake Superior watershed. The upper river (to the south) is fed by numerous springs and flows through coniferous bogs. The tannins from the tamarack trees is what gives the river its root beer-like color.

Known as the "River of Presidents," five US presidents summered on the resort Cedar Island. Calvin Coolidge in particular appreciated the fishing, dubbing Cedar Island the "Summer White House." This river is famed especially for its trout fishing, revered for its prolific mayfly and stone fly hatches. Follow this link to read more about how President Coolidge managed the nation from Cedar Island.

The lower river (near Brule, WI) falls 328 feet over 18 miles through the rocky Copper Range region. Here, flashing cascades tumble over rocks and ledges and between steep river bluffs forested with aspen and balsam fir. This makes the Brule especially good for canoeing and kayaking, with a number of available runs that vary from short and flat to longer and more adventurous.

Hiking

There are a number of trails and overlooks that surround the rocky Copper Range region. We recommend:

  • Afterhours Trail System - over 16 miles of local trails in Brule

  • Historic Bayfield Road Loop - 2.25 mi loop at Copper Range Campground

  • Brule Bog Boardwalk - 5.2 mi out-and-back boardwalk through the cedar bog at the headwaters of the Brule River

  • More hiking in the Brule River State Forest

Skiing and More

Many of the hiking trails around us are used for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter. The Afterhours Trail system is very well maintained for cross-country skiing.

The largest ski hill in the area is Spirit Mountain just north of Duluth. in the winter, they feature skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, alpine coaster, snow tubing and Nordic trails. In the summer, they still have plenty of activities including zip line, scenic ski lift rides, mini golf, alpine coaster, and downhill mountain biking.

There are two smaller ski hills the area. Mont du Lac is southwest of Superior, and Mt. Ashwabay is in Bayfield.

 

Sightseeing

Short Walks

Many outdoor sights can be viewed without a long hike. Some of them include:

  • Mouth of the Brule - Short walk down to a stone/sand beach from a parking lot with picnic area (4 miles along Brule River Road)

  • May's Ledges - scenic rapids down the stairs at parking lot on the west end of Koski Rd

  • Iron River Fish Hatchery - fishery that raises trout for the Great Lakes with a visitors center and 3.5 miles of hiking trails

  • Amnicon Falls State Park - A breathtaking waterfall and covered bridge

  • Pattison State Park - Big and Little Manitou falls are both easily viewed from near the parking lots

  • Apostle Island Ice Caves - lapping waves create caves and other interesting formations along the northern shore of the peninsula near Cornucopia

  • Superior Entry Lighthouse - the lighthouse guarding the harbor between Superior & Duluth can be seen from shore

  • Enger Park - a large tower gives a great view of Duluth/Superior and Lake Superior

The Lakewalk is a 3 mile-long trail that follows the lakeshore of Duluth. It passes by parks and beaches and offeres great vistas of the town and the lake, as well as access to shopping and restaurants. It starts from the Bayfront Park Pavillion and stretches to London Road.

Scenic Drives & Tours

Apostle Island Cruises offers 2 different kind of boat tours. The first is a narrated, 55-mile cruise around the Apostle Islands that passes lighthouses, rock formations, sea caves, and more. The second is a glass-bottom boat tour that tells the story of 4 shipwrecks and 2 lighthouses around the islands.

If you want to travel at your own speed, there are numerous kayaking tours of the islands.

There are two scenic drives starting in Duluth. The first is Skyline Parkway, which runs above Duluth. It offers scenic views of Duluth/Superior and has an outlook to stop and take pictures. The second is North Shore Drive, which follows the Lake Superior shoreline along the north side. There are dozens of attractions along this 142-mile stretch of road.

If boats or cars aren't what you want, then see the sights by train! The North Shore Scenic Railroad offers a few different trips for everyone, including a fall color trip.

Attractions

If you’d like to do some shopping, there are a few options. Oulu Glass Gallery is nearby and you can catch them at work in the cooler months. This Old Bunkhouse is a cute gift, clothing, and home goods store in Iron River. Further afield, the Canal Park neighborhood in Duluth has a number of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more.

If museums are more your speed, try one of the following:

 
 

Food & Drink

Groceries

The Cenex gas station in Brule has essentials (including a beer cave), but the nearest grocery store is Iron River Foods in Iron River.

Restaurants

There are a few restaurants in Brule and the surrounding areas.

  • Twin Gables Cafe & Lounge: Family dining in Brule serving all the breakfast, lunch, and dinner classics (including pie)

  • Kro Bar & Grill: Enjoy a drink and some food in the bar or on the patio in Brule

  • Crafty Rooster: pub & eatery with brews, pizza and more (and a Friday Fish Fry)

  • Pizza Parlor: Bar-style pizza along with all the classics in Iron River (they deliver)

  • Angie’s Bakery: Great little bakery in Iron River with the best Cinnamon Bread anywhere

  • Deep Lake Lodge: Steakhouse with views of Deep Lake

There are also plenty more places to eat located in Iron River, Lake Nebagamon, Superior, and Duluth. Here’s a small list of our recommended spots:

Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries

Northern Wisconsin may not be the first place you think of when you think of wineries, but Bayfield actually has a number of them. Bayfield grows a variety of fruit, including wine grapes. There is also White Winter Winery in Iron River that also specializes in mead.

Duluth and Superior tend more towards beer, and have a number of breweries. You can explore them all along the Duluth Beer Trail, or visit Wild State Cider if beer’s not your thing.

There is also a distillery in Duluth. Vikre Distillery focuses mainly on gin, aquavit, and vodka using the water, plants, and land around them.