Honeymooners can find love among the Suds, Sips and Snacks on the Lake Superior Circle Tour!
After a hiatus that has been much too long, couples are once again turning their thoughts to weddings and honeymoons. Did you know that the Lake Superior Circle Tour has been a popular honeymoon destination for decades? In fact, many couples return to celebrate milestone anniversaries at their favorite spots along the route.
If your first date was in a coffee house, you can rekindle memories along the international Java Journey touring route. The Java Journey lists coffee houses around Lake Superior including their locations and contact information. These businesses put an emphasis on quality, flavor, and atmosphere. The Java Journey can be found within the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide or can be downloaded on its own.
Apart from their great coffee that is roasted onsite, butter tarts, that quintessential Canadian treat, are the foundation of the Queen’s Tarts café in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. With new fun flavor twists from traditional to non-traditional to exotic continuously being launched, they’ll treat you royally at The Queen’s Tarts. Exotic offerings include the G.O.A.T., a goat cheese, pear, candied pecan and white wine drizzle concoction and the very popular caramel apple.
Travelling West, you won’t want to miss Breeze Bakery in Schreiber along Ontario’s Lake Superior North Shore. From salted caramel or peppermint mocha, café au lait and espresso shots to Americano and cappuccino, their coffee menu is complemented by their breakfasts and lunches with their offerings being changed up regularly.
After a stay in Thunder Bay, the city that is “Superior by Nature” and is known for its great dining and shopping as well as its multitude of outdoor adventures, cross the border at Pigeon River into Minnesota to continue your honeymoon celebrations.
The Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors is a “one stop shop” for coffee, cycling and outdoor excitement. While sipping your caffeinated (or decaf) treat, you can rent or repair a bike and pick up some custom cycling packs. With delicious breakfasts and brunches also on the menu, it is the perfect place to fuel your outdoor adventure or to just take a break on the patio with its 360-degree nature views. The drinks and the food are all wonderful, but we do have to mention the standout pork and gouda breakfast sandwich with Y-ker Acres farm pulled pork, egg, smoked gouda, pickled onion, and maple aioli. Just. Have. To.
Perhaps you bonded over something a little stronger. If so, don’t miss the Lake Superior Ale Trail, comprised of more than 20 breweries located all around the big lake.
On the Ontario side, visit the Sleeping Giant Brewery in Thunder Bay, named after the legendary rock formation that dominates the horizon in Lake Superior. The brewery features handcrafted, fresh, authentic beers and lagers with such fun and funky names as Beaver Duck, Mr. Canoehead and Northern Logger. Plan to take a tour, sample a flight and spend time in the gift shop where you can purchase local products, branded apparel and accessories, souvenirs, homemade hand sanitizer, gift cards and baskets, and, of course, beer to remember your special honeymoon journey.
Up the highway a couple of hours to the East is the newest addition to the trail, the Slate Island Brewing Company. You’ll be able to sample their offerings amidst spectacular views of the Terrace Bay Lighthouse and its namesake island and also take a fun historical tour, visit the adjacent art gallery, and enjoy local appetizers.
Do not miss Outspoken Brewing in Sault Ste. Marie, known as “Ontario’s Best Adventure Town.” Then, once you’ve taken in the sights and experiences that this city has to offer, cross the bridge into Michigan, where four great breweries await you, from the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub in the aptly named Paradise, MI to Cold Iron Brewing in Ironwood. In Wisconsin, you’ll enjoy some great scenery while stopping in to one or more of five fantastic breweries, starting in the lovely Ashland and ending all the way over in Superior.
The Minnesota North Shore is a brew lovers Mecca. With no less than eight breweries on the tour as well as a winery in the scenic resort town of Lutsen. Already a “go to” skiing destination, Lutsen is gaining a reputation for its wine as well. Thanks to the North Shore Winery on Ski Hill Road, also home of the Sawtooth Mountain Cider House, all of which are perfect honeymoon stops!
The Ale Trail lists breweries around Lake Superior including their locations, contact information, and their offerings. These breweries put an emphasis on quality, flavor, atmosphere, and unique brewing techniques. Ale Trail details are in the Lake Superior Circle Tour Adventure Guide and can be downloaded. Please drink responsibly.
But there’s more to the Lake Superior Circle Tour than sipping and snacking. For honeymooners and other lovebirds, a number of cities and towns around the lake offer romantic getaway packages, spas, and memorable dining experiences. There are also dozens of hiking trails, 56 lighthouses, over 90 waterfalls including the spectacular “Niagara of the North”, Kakabeka Falls, other amazing scenery such as rugged cliffs, dazzling waterfalls and majestic Northern forests and sandy beaches with stunning views of the world’s largest freshwater lake all along the 1300-mile (2,092-km.), two nation route. At the end of your day, you can sit quietly and enjoy the sunset and the array of stars in the dark night sky.
Of course, it’s not an ironclad rule that the family (or couple) that plays together, but it is a great start. Here’s a toast to your honeymoon vacation around the Lake Superior Circle Tour as the start of a lifetime of memories. Cheers!
