Wabasha: On the Waterfront

Look for signs of spring along the bluffs and old river towns of the Mississippi. Near Wabasha, keep your eyes peeled for dozens to hundreds of bald eagles roosting in the trees and flying over the river to snatch fish from the ice-free confluence of the Chippewa and Mississippi rivers. (When warmer weather comes, many will fly north to lakes in northern Minnesota and Canada.)

Spend the afternoon at the National Eagle Center along the Wabasha riverfront. Eagle feeding and educational presentations are usually at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Walk to dinner at Vinifera , which emphasizes local and seasonal food and offers a wide choice of wines. Spend the night along the river at Bridgewaters B & B . After breakfast, if you have kids in tow, or just a kid’s sensibility, visit LARK Toys in Kellogg, an independent toy store dedicated to bringing back wood-crafted toys.

651-565-4989, nationaleaglecenter.org; 651-565-4208, bridgewatersndb.com; 
651-565-4171, vinifera restaurant.com; 507-767-3387, lark toys.com