Posted: Oct. 31, 2009Along the banks of the Mississippi River are a number of small-town gems. While they’re quaint in their own right, one has drawn particularly high praise for its breathtaking surroundings.

William Cullen Bryant, a 19th-century romantic poet, wrote that the Lake Pepin and Stockholm region “ought to be visited…by every poet and painter in America.”

And here’s another footnote:  The shopping and the eating around here are great, too.

What to do: The state’s tourism Web site www.travelwisconsin.com, recently placed Stockholm among the top five shopping destinations in the state, “not a bad distinction for a town that has a population of 97,” said Alan Nugent, co-president of the local merchants association.

Some of the boutiques and upscale stores include Ingbretsen’s Stockholm Scandinavian Gifts, Abode Stockholm, The Good Apple, Northern Oak Amish Furniture, and Stockholm Pottery and Mercantile. You can see photos of these stores at www.stockholmwisconsin.com.

The association hosts a special event next weekend as part of “A Woman’s Weekend Stockholm Style,” which includes demonstrations, displays and visits by local artists. Visit the merchant Web site for details.

If you plan to visit Stockholm in winter, build your visit around the Stockholm Country Christmas celebration Dec. 5-6, which includes old-fashioned wagon rides, performances, carolers and a visit from Santa.

“It’s a tiny, charming, magical little town we have,” Nugent said.

The harvest is a busy time here; this region (on both sides of the river) is known for its many apple orchards. One of them, the pick-your-own Maiden Rock Apples (www.maidenrockapples.com), also has an onsite winery and cidery.

The Maiden Rock Winery and Cidery (www.maidenrockwinerycidery.com) produces eight types of cider, from the snappy “Honeycrisp Hard” to the sweet and intense cider labeled “Smooch.” There is an on-site tasting room (check the Web site for dates and hours). They also offer tours for groups of 15 or more.

The WideSpot Performing Arts Center is a brand-new venue housed in the century-old Stockholm Opera Hall. It puts on a wide assortment of performances – theatrical, musical, vaudeville and music – including a theatrical version of Igor Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale,” on Tuesday. Check out the calendar at www.widespotperformingarts.org for coming events.

A small vineyard, Vino in the Valley in Maiden Rock, is known best in summer for its outdoor dining experience and live entertainment. It is closed for the season but reopens Thanksgiving weekend and all weekends in December for “Christmas at Vino in the Valley,” which includes a vineyard tour on horse-drawn wagons. Visit www.vinointhevalley.com.

Where to stay: The River Road Inn boasts a lovely view of Lake Pepin. It has a number of guest rooms that can be rented, including the freestanding carriage house.

Additionally, four well-appointed vacation homes, the Lilla Hus Guest Cottage, TansyHus, the Great River Bed and Breakfast and A Cottage in Stockholm, are all available for stays; check to see if there is a minimum-night requirement.

For information on lodging, visit www.stockholmwisconsin.com.

Where to dine: The Harbor View Café in nearby Pepin has earned rave reviews from media venues as close as Minneapolis/St. Paul (only 70 miles away) and as far-flung as The New York Times. Visit www.harborviewpepin.com. Note: This restaurant closes for the season on Nov. 22.

The sunny Gelly’s Pub & Eatery is a nice, bright place to dine; it’s the place for a Friday fish fry. Call (715) 442-2023.

For dessert, stop in at the Stockholm Pie Co. for a slice of heaven. Call (715) 442-5505 and check out the daily special.

How to get there: Stockholm is a five-hour drive from Milwaukee. Take I-94 west; continue on I-90/94 west to Tomah. Continue on I-90 west to La Crosse. Cross over the Mississippi River into Minnesota on Highway 61. At Winona, cross back into Wisconsin and take the Great River Road (Highway 35) north about 45 miles into Stockholm.

For more information: Contact the Stockholm Merchants Association at (715) 442-2266, or www.stockholmwisconsin.com.