The Charming Small Town of Pepin

This post is in partnership with Destination Pepin. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

On the western edge of Wisconsin, there’s a naturally occurring lake within the Mississippi River called Lake Pepin. On the shores of Lake Pepin is a town that shares its name – Pepin, Wisconsin. 

Pepin is one of the 33 historic communities along Wisconsin’s Great River Road – a 250-mile scenic drive that follows the Mississippi River.

It had been a few years since I had explored the west part of Wisconsin and I couldn’t wait to check this area out!

Pepin, Wisconsin

We arrived in Pepin around lunchtime on a Friday afternoon and headed straight to a waterfront restaurant called The Pickle Factory for a bite to eat. This restaurant often hosts live music and has both indoor and outdoor seating. Don’t forget to try their famous fried pickles! After lunch, we still had an hour or so before check-in so we headed to the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, just up the road.

Laura Ingalls Wilder replica cabin

If you read any of the Little House series (Little House on the Prairie, Little House in the Big Woods, etc.), you might be surprised to learn that Pepin is the birthplace of the author herself, Laura Ingalls Wilder. There’s a museum in town and there’s also a replica cabin on the original site of Laura’s birth. This is the place she describes in Little House in the Big Woods – how neat is that!

Afterwards, it was time to check into our place for the night. We stayed at two different vacation rentals over the weekend. The first was The Marina Bungalow at The Dockside. It was decked out in groovy, mid-century modern furniture and had great views of the marina and Lake Pepin. The second place was just a few blocks down called Villa Del Lago. This lakehouse had a beachy, cozy cottage vibe to it and also had wonderful views of the water.

Sometimes in these smaller communities, lodging can be difficult to come by but Pepin has no shortage of options, making it a perfect homebase as you explore the area!

Villa Del Lago

Once we were settled, we walked down to the Pepin Marina to meet Captain Gina with Cruise Pepin. She offers both public and private cruises on her 21 ft. Bennington Pontoon boat called Tiffany Bottoms. We cruised at a leisurely and relaxing pace, enjoying the views of the bluffs, the sailboats and we even spotted a few bald eagles! At 22-miles long and 2-miles wide, Lake Pepin is the largest lake on the Mississippi River so it’s a great spot if you enjoy being on the water. There’s also a public beach right by the marina!

Back on land, it was time for dinner so we walked to RiverTime Wine-Beer-Amusements. They were getting ready for some live music so we sat out on their beautiful back patio, enjoyed some wine and shared a few small plates. We were even greeted by the friendly neighborhood cat named Skittles!

The Pepin Marina

Lake Pepin on the Mississippi River

Skittles 🙂

The next day, we grabbed breakfast at the Homemade Cafe, a classic diner spot with a lovely garden area out front. After breakfast, it started to rain so it was the perfect opportunity to do some shopping!

The Country Stop is an outdoor shopping venue selling a variety of goods from fresh produce to home decor to antiques and more. For apparel and cute home goods, head over to the Tin Roof Boutique located right on the Great River Road. If you’re looking for handmade creations from local artists, The Rusty Peddler is a great spot to check out. One of the newest shops in town is Moselle Retail, a boutique clothing shop – there were so many clothes I wanted to take home! We also had the pleasure of visiting BNOX, a hidden gem jewelry studio with pieces inspired by the surrounding landscape.

Rusty Peddler

BNOX

There was a break in the rain so we decided to get a little hike in! We headed to Thrive Park in Nelson, the next town over. There are over 25 wooded acres to hike and if you make it to the top of the bluffs, you’ll be treated to some stunning views! Just make sure to wear good hiking shoes and pack some bug spray.

Our second day wrapped up at the Harborview Cafe. This place was absolutely darling! Flower boxes hang from the windows and inside, books line the upper parts of the walls, giving it a cozy, bookstore feel.

Harborview Cafe

Before heading out on Sunday, we had one final stop – Villa Bellezza, a Tuscan-inspired winery. This is easily one of Wisconsin’s most beautiful wineries. I felt like we stepped into an Italian village! From the fountain in the piazza to the surrounding vineyard, this place is an absolute must. We enjoyed a wine tasting and they also have a restaurant where you can order food.

The vineyards at Villa Bellezza

Whether you’re looking for your new weekend getaway spot or you’re driving the Great River Road and wondering where to stop, I definitely recommend a few days in Pepin. For such a small town (less than 800 people!), I couldn’t believe how much there was to do here. From water activities to local shops & restaurants to outdoor adventures, this quaint river town has so much to offer.

Pepin, Wisconsin

Pepin Marina at sunset

To plan your trip to Pepin and to discover even more spots, make sure to check out destinationpepin.com