5 Amazing Day Trips To Take Near Frederic, WI

July 15, 2022 · 3 min read

Located about 80 miles northeast of Minneapolis, Frederic, WI is a perfect weekend getaway. From local wineries to berry picking, there's no shortage of fun things to do. This small town offers several exciting options when it comes to day trips.

1. Straight Lake State Park

If you're an outdoor lover, there's no better way to spend a day than hiking on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This hiking trail, which runs across the state of Wisconsin, can be accessed at Straight Lake State Park, which can be easily reached in less than an hour from Frederic.

The parking lot at this state park offers a picnic area, and park trails allow you to loop back to the parking lot once you've hiked a stretch of the Ice Age Trail. Frederic also offers easy access to the southern segment of Gandy Dancer, a 98-mile recreational trail that runs through Wisconsin and Minnesota.

2. Rustic Roots Winery

For those who drink responsibly, Rustic Roots Winery has a tasting room where you can enjoy regional wines in a relaxed setting. The winery is located in Scandia, Minnesota, roughly 45 minutes from Frederic. The winery makes a great stop on your way back from a day of adventuring, or consider it to be a destination in and of itself. Another favorite local winery is 7 Vines Vineyard in Dellwood, Minneapolis.

3. Berry Picking

The Rocky Ridge Blueberry Farm, which is in Frederic, is the perfect place to spend the day picking your very own summer blueberries. This farm offers four different types of blueberries to pick from during the June and July season.

If apples are your preferred fruit, head back to Frederic in September or October. Apple orchards in the area, including Baker Orchard in Centuria, Wisconsin, have an impressive array of varietals. You'll need a soundtrack for your drive out to the country, and fortunately, your Chevrolet Trailblazer LT is equipped with SiriusXM Radio.

4. Minneapolis

Once you've fully explored the charming area around Frederic, you may find yourself ready to spend a day in the city. Minneapolis, and all that it offers, is an easy drive. Together with St. Paul, the Twin Cities are the largest city in Minneapolis.

Don't miss the Minneapolis Institute of Art or the Mill City Museum, a history museum built in what was once the world's largest flour mill. And if you've got shopping to do, there's no better place than the Mall of America. Setting the cruise control on your Buick Encore Preferred makes for an easy drive into the city.

5. Franconia Sculpture Park

Franconia Sculpture Park in Shaffer, Minnesota, offers a rotating lineup of outdoor sculptures, many of which are interactive. This park is a fun way to get some walking in, and there are also indoor exhibits and a gift shop. Franconia Sculpture Park, which is along the main road to Minneapolis, makes a great stop on your way to or from the Twin Cities.

You'll want to have a good set of wheels on hand for all of the road trips you're planning near Frederic. Head on over to Larsen Auto Center and pick out your next car or truck today!

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Dec 06, 2024 in Frederic WI

What's Happening in Frederic this Winter?

Image via Larsen Auto Center. The nights are drawing in, the Christmas songs are coming out of every speaker, the Wisconsin winter weather is bringing out hats and scarves and gloves from every cupboard, and you're looking for some fun activities to get you in the festive mood. Look no further! The ideas below will give you plenty of places to go and things to do that will have you more than ready to hop onto Santa's knee and ask for that gift you've been eyeing. more Holiday Art Sale at Café Wren First up is this ideal start to the season, a great chance to get some locally produced gifts for your loved ones. Head on over to Cafe Wren at 2596 WI-35 and be amazed at the creativity of the artisans who live just around the corner from you. The sale is happening from December 6 to 8, so be sure to get in early before the best things are sold! This is a great way to support local artists and bring delight to your friends and family. Christmas in Frederic Frederic Soo Line Depot Museum, on 210 Oak Street West, is hosting a fantastic – and free! – festive experience, with all sorts of great things to get you in the mood and keep your kids entertained. Who knows, maybe the grownups will love it too! You can talk to Santa himself, and tell him all about the gifts you want to get, and have your photo taken with him. There will also be tasty hot cocoa and cookies! As well as meeting Santa, you can get the perfect ornament for your tree and find some lights to spruce up the driveway. Getting ready for Christmas in Frederic has never been more fun! The Friends of the Library booth will be there, ready to share corny festive jokes and perhaps introduce you to a reindeer or two, and there will even be a coloring contest hosted by Frederic Foodshelf. Gift Bingo with Santa at the Barrel House As if there weren't enough presents flying around at this time of year, the Barrel House at 3270 WI-35 invites you to win a few more with their festive Gift Bingo. This family-friendly event is on Sunday December 8 at 12:00. It is free entry, and there will be prizes for adults as well as children. The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family and friends, and we hope these suggestions give you some ideas for how to make the most of your time together. For more ideas and articles, head over to Larsen Auto Center in Frederic, WI!

A fishing reel and a net lying next to a tackle box

Dec 01, 2023 in Frederic WI

4 Great Fishing Spots in Driving Distance of Frederic, WI

Image via Pixabay. There's nothing like fishing to help you calm down, get away from it all, and just spend some quality time alone or with close friends. We have some nice fishing spots within decent driving distance of us here in Frederic, WI. Let us share with you the best places for your next expedition. more Coon Lake Park Right in the heart of town, at 300-322 Lake Ave S, Coon Lake Park doesn't strike you immediately as the perfect fishing spot. But once you drop a line in, you'll see. The park is small, but it's a great place to go for fishing and to take your kids for some of their earliest fishing experiences. The boardwalk and docks offer good spots, and sun fish are especially popular here. Big Butternut Lake Head south on 35 for a bit to Big Butternut Lake in Luck, WI, and you won't be disappointed. This is a great spot for walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. Just watch out for the eagles: they're often fishing here, too. In general, fishing here is best from 7-9 am, though it's not terrible in the afternoon, either. Just check the fishing forecast before you go for the best times. Big Trade Lake Big Trade Lake is northwest of town in Trade Lake. This is one of the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the area, and there's also camping here if you want to make an expedition of it. Expect really good fishing here, especially for panfish. This is also a popular winter ice fishing spot, yet it remains fairly under-populated for the size, so you don't usually have to fight for a good spot. There's a couple of docks and also lots of hiking here, if you want a break off the water. In addition to panfish, you'll find walleye, largemouth bass, northern pike, and muskies. Straight Lake State Park Head over to 2700 120th St, in Luck to get to the park, and then enjoy some of the best fishing around. It can be hard to get a campsite reserved here, but if you can, it's worth it. This is widely renowned as some of the cleanest camping in the state: it's also renowned for the great pike fishing. The park has carry-in boat launches only and lots of trails that meander along the lake. This is a state park, so you'll need a valid admission sticker, which you can buy online. For 2023, the price is $28 for residents for the first vehicle in a household and $15.50 for additional vehicles in the same household. We think it's worth it for the fabulous casting. We love getting out on the water, and a dependable workhorse like the Chevy Silverado is a great way to get to any spot in the state. Get your new fishing truck from us at Larsen Auto Center today!

Oct 06, 2023 in Frederic WI

4 More Family Restaurants in Driving Distance of Frederic, WI

Image via Pixabay. A great family vehicle like the Chevrolet Equinox will get everyone to where they're going in style and comfort. Next time you're going out for a drive together in Frederic, WI, stop at these family restaurants to enjoy a delicious meal in the company you love best. more 1. Halyn's Tap & Grill Named after the family dog of the folks who run the place, Halyn's Tap & Grill has a friendly atmosphere that makes it the perfect setting for your next meal with your loved ones. Their Diablo Chicken sandwich is great for anyone craving some fiery heat, with jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, and hot sauce raising the temperature on every bite. Bring your family down to 647 335th Avenue for a great meal. 2. Country Cafe on Main Treat your family to some homestyle cooking at Country Cafe on Main and we guarantee everyone will walk away smiling. If you're stopping by for lunch, try out the patty melt they make here, which comes with fried onions and thousand island dressing to give every bite a zesty burst of flavor. Check this place out with your family at 3456 25th Street. 3. Waynes Cafe You and your family have a full-course meal waiting for you at Waynes Cafe, where everyone is treated like they're old friends. If you or anyone in your family is craving a delicious, juicy burger, you can't do much better than the California burger served here. This tasty sandwich comes topped off with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo to add some flavor to the juicy beef patty. Grab a meal your whole family will love at 101 WI-35 in Centuria. 4. Viv's Kitchen Preparing great food is a family tradition at Viv's Kitchen, and you'll taste the tradition in every bite you take. Their Greek gyro is an all-time classic we can't get enough of, with tasty cucumber sauce that packs a zesty punch and plenty of gyro meat and veggies. Load up the family car and take a trip to 214 West Main Street in Balsam Lake for a fantastic dining experience. We've got the vehicles to take you to these local restaurants and wherever else you're headed. Come to Larsen Auto Center to get the best deals in town!