Nestled between towering bluffs and the Mississippi River is the village of Stockholm, Wisconsin. A popular stop along the Great River Road, Stockholm is a gem of a river town in the western part of the state’s Driftless Region. Settled by Swedish immigrants in the 1850s and named after their home country’s capital, touches of Scandinavia can be found all over Stockholm – from Swedish flags flying outside of stores to Nordic-inspired cuisine at the village restaurants. With a posted population of only 78, Stockholm packs quite a punch for its small size, and the streets are never not busy during summer and fall weekends. Visitors come to Stockholm to shop, eat, and marvel at the views of Lake Pepin – and they come from near and far to do so, as it’s a popular day trip for folks in Minneapolis, Rochester, and other Midwestern cities. Keep reading to discover the best itinerary for your own trip to Stockholm!

Travel Tips

Location

Stockholm is located directly on Highway 35, otherwise known as the Wisconsin Great River Road. If you’re driving south from the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, you can choose to “cross over” into Wisconsin at Prescott and continue on the Great River Road, or maybe your day trip includes stopping in the town of Red Wing, Minnesota, in which case you would cross the Mississippi and join up with Highway 35 there. You’ll pass through the other small river towns of Bay City and Maiden Rock before you hit Stockholm. For those arriving from the south or west, you’ll hop on Highway 35 at the very latest in Nelson, Wisconsin, then travel north through Pepin until you reach Stockholm. The Great River Road is a popular biker route, so be cautious of motorcycles!

Parking

With the exception of the Stockholm Art Fair day, there are no formal parking lots in the village of Stockholm; rather, cars line the streets in front of the stores. On exceptionally busy weekends, you might be walking a bit of a ways down/uphill.

Open Hours

All of the stores and restaurants in Stockholm are open on the weekends during the summer and fall, as that’s the most popular time for visitors. In fact, MEA weekend in October is the absolute busiest all year, as it coincides with peak autumn leaf season and the Minnesota school break. During the weekday, many places set different open hours, so it’s best to check their individual websites to make sure what you want to see/eat/do is available. For example, please don’t drive all the way down from Minneapolis on a Monday hoping for a slice of the famous Stockholm Pie – they’re closed that day! In the off-season, many of the stores completely close down, though most are open at least on the weekends leading up to the holidays. Again, check their individual websites or social media for the most up-to-date information on hours.

Where to Stay

Whether you’re making Stockholm your final destination or your hub for exploring further along Wisconsin’s west coast, there are several lodging options at different price points. While there are no hotels, a quick search on Airbnb or VRBO turns up lots of options, and listed below are my local recommendations:

Budget – Stockholm Village Park Campground

As its name implies, this campground is right in the village park, which is on the west (Lake Pepin) side of Highway 35. They don’t take reservations; sites are assigned on a first-come basis and cost $20 for tents and $27 for campers/RVs. The campground is open from April 1 to October 31. Note: During the spring, high water from the river might impact accessibility (and availability).

Mid-Range – YMCA Camp Pepin

When the summer season ends at this this traditional sleepaway camp for kids, they open up their cabins for vacation rentals. The more basic lodging options are the cozy camper cabins, some of which have an attached bathroom while others share the main bathhouse. Then there’s the Lodge, a three-story house that can sleep up to 20 people. All accommodation options are great for small or large groups, and guests have access to the grounds of the camp – including the 200-foot waterfront directly on Lake Pepin. Available to book mid-August to mid-May through Camp Pepin’s website.

Luxury – Stockholm Haüs

This brand new rental a short drive up from the village is a stunning site to behold. Its two Scandinavian-inspired A-frame houses, both meticulously styled, can sleep 16+ adults in 8 bedrooms with 6.5 bathrooms. The pool area is the perfect place for a party, and guests can alternate between the deck chairs and the air-conditioned cabana, which has couches, a dining table, and a small kitchen. Everything is designed with the comfort of guests in mind, from the top-of-the-line bed linens to the multiple gathering spaces inside and out. Stockholm Haus is a true luxury retreat.

Where to Eat – Meals

Stockholm Pie

Recently named the #1 Pie Shop in the U.S., Stockholm Pie is a landmark in the village. Not only do they serve their famous pies, but they have a full café menu that includes soups, sandwiches, and salads. Because of its popularity, lines can be out the door during the weekends, but the pie is worth it. You order at the counter and are given a buzzer to alert you when your food is ready so you can shop in the adjacent General Store or Marketplace. Then pick up your lunch and enjoy in the recently remodeled indoor space or the dog-friendly outdoor courtyard.

Humble Moon Saloon

Open on most Wednesday evenings, lunch til late on Fridays and Saturdays, and from breakfast to an early dinner (or late lunch) on Sundays, Humble Moon Saloon offers home-cooked meals with as many local ingredients as possible. They also offer frequent specials like fish tacos or Swedish meatballs. With indoor and outdoor seating, there’s often live music or an open mic night happening in this community-centered gathering place.

Hop Dish & Vine

This outdoor-only gastropub serves locally sourced food in a darling courtyard. Or come for just a drink and sit at the bar to enjoy craft cocktails, Wisconsin beer, or mulled wine during the cooler months. Hop Dish & Vine is open seasonally mid-May through November on Thursdays through Sundays.

Where to Eat – Nibbles

The Palate

After shopping for gourmet groceries, enjoy a glass of wine and charcuterie board in one of The Palate’s outdoor seating areas – either the quiet courtyard in the back or the lounge area in front overlooking the Great River Road.

Little Larke Bakery

This scratch bakery offers sweet treats, breads, and espresso drinks. Take your goodies to-go or sit on the patio. Open Thursdays through Sundays from morning until 3 p.m. 

Allaire House

Sip and sit outside on the veranda, or cozy up around the indoor fireplace, of this new coffee. They serve espresso drinks and pastries, and have recently expanded their menu to offer breakfast sandwiches. Allaire House is open on Saturdays and Sundays.

Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery

Outside of the village and up in the bluffs is a picturesque cidery that’s the source of the famous Maiden Rock ciders. Make your own four-pack to bring home or try a flight outside on one of their picnic tables or under the gazebo. In the fall they offer apple picking in the orchard. Open year-round with seasonal hours.

Where to Shop

Scandihoo

Located in the old Ingebretsen’s building, Scandihoo is a boutique chock full of curated Scandinavian goods – whether they’re imported from the Nordic region or crafted by midwestern makers in the Nordic style. While you will of course find staples like dala horses and rosemaling pieces, Scandihoo also carries goods with a more modern aesthetic – from contemporary Finnish jewelry to scents that will make your sauna smell like birch or arctic berries. Scandihoo’s unique greeting card selection itself is enough of a reason to stop in, and they also sell perhaps the most comfortable (and cute) shoes: Troentorp clogs, imported from Sweden.

Iris & Oak

Featuring thoughtfully selected merchandise, much of it local and/or handmade, Iris & Oak is the perfect place to shop for everyone on your gift list. From home decor to clothing to pieces of Stockholm Pottery (plus even a section for pets), you’ll find a little bit of everyday luxury in this store. The fresh coat of red paint makes Iris & Oak a stand out on the Great River Road (plus the interior smells inexplicably amazing).

Other shops in the village of Stockholm include:

• Hugga Bugga
• Sandy’s
• Felt Good
• Indigo Swan

What to Do

Borrow a free bicycle from the Stockholm Blue Bike Project and ride it around the village (just return the bike to one of the racks when you’re done). At the Village Park, walk to the water’s edge and skip rocks into Lake Pepin, which is also part of the Mississippi River. If you’re in town the third week of July, you can’t miss the annual Stockholm Art Fair, which just celebrated its 50^th year this past summer.

On Spring Street, take a peek inside the Stockholm Museum (built in an old post office), which details the Swedish history of the town and surrounding areas. Outside the museum is a gärdsgård, a traditional pole fence found around the Scandinavian countryside, that was built by volunteers in 2017. Just past Stockholm Gardens (which is a great place for plants, flowers, and anything else yard-related) on Highway 35 is Lavender Bluff Farm, a shop and farm dedicated to all things – you guessed it – lavender. Head up to the fields and cut your own fragrant bouquet, then shop in the barn for soothingly scented products.

Outside of the village, head up to the Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area and go for a hike along the top of Maiden Rock Bluff for epic views of the surrounding area. This is an especially popular activity in the fall when the leaves show off their autumnal colors. During the summer, you can attend an (almost weekly) outdoor concert at Liberty Tree Farm featuring a variety of music – from folk to ABBA tribute bands.

Bonus: Where to Get Married!

Maidenwood Weddings & Events

There are a few wedding venues in Stockholm (including Liberty Tree Farm), but you can’t beat Maidenwood. I’m highly biased because this is where I got married, and it was the first (and only) venue we toured. After seeing the Pines ceremony site – a secluded spot under towering pine trees – we were hooked. Maidenwood is located up in the bluffs on a nature reserve with a modern barn reception space, lending itself to a woodsy elegance theme that’s perfect for outdoorsy couples who want an elevated experience for their guests.