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Madeline Island
Things to See and Do

madeline island of the apostle islands
View of Madeline Island from the Madeline Island Ferry, La Pointe, Wisconsin



Wisconsin's Madeline Island, the most southern island of the Apostle Islands, may have been visited as early as 1618 by Etienne Brule - preceeding the Pilgrams landing at Plymouth Rock by 2 years. By 1660 active trading by Radisson & Groseilliers is a matter of record. During the 1660s Jesuit priests Menard, Allouez, and Marquette visited the area in their attempt to bring Christianity to natives. In 1693 Pierre Le Sueur founded a trading post on the south end of the island.

Things to do and see on the island include a walking tour of the historical structures in LaPointe, visiting the history museum, sampling the restaurants and pubs, taking a bike, bus or car tour of the island, beach combing, golfing, hiking, swimming or camping at Big Bay State park, and just "hanging out" enjoying the easy ambience of the island. And the ferry ride itself is a worthwhile attraction - you get a view of the Apostle Islands and Bayfield from the water that you can't get from land.

In mid-May, we took the Madeline Island Ferry to the village of LaPointe, WI on Madeline Island. For early season and a forecast for a cool, rainy weekend, we surprised to see the number of people and cars headed for the Island on a Friday afternoon. The Ferry had to run an extra trip to meet the demand. Another year we arrived Memorial Day weekend and have also visited the Island in mid-summer to spend some time at Big Bay State Park. We've also been there in the winter crossing over from Bayfield on the madeline island ice road. Before the ice is thick enough to run the ice road, people can visit Madeline Island in the winter by using the Madeline Windsled Taxi, which runs on top of the ice but is also a boat which will float should the ice not be thick enough. One of these days it would be fun to take it.

La Pointe, Wisconsintown square - Madeline Island


The town Gazebo greets you as you get off the Ferry. Madeline Island has been home to Native Americans for centuries and an outpost off and on by European fur traders and voyageurs's since 1659. It was officially incorporated as a village in 1834. > > >

madeline island home

< < < While it was a gray, overcast day, these flowers in front of this downtown house brightened up our arrival.

old lapointe inn

 

The Old LaPointe Inn dates back to 1870 > > >

madeline library

< < < The Library, originally Bay View School, dates back to 1872.

LaPointe Post Office

 

The Post Office began life in 1900 as the dining room addition to the original Old Mission Inn (1832) > > >

 

tom's cafe
Ojibway Memorial
Cemetary
tom's cafe
Note the unusual
grave covers

Info on the Madeline Island Historical Museum

Riding the Madeline Island FerryLaPointe Post Office

 

The SUV left of center is first in line for the next Madeline Island Ferry trip. The parked cars are those of people who are riding the ferry over without their vehicles. > > >

While taking your car or RV to the island is a neat experience, you can see quite a lot by walking around town. If you want to go further around the island, you can rent a bike.

madeline library

"ARVY" - our Winnebago Rialta - enjoyed a smooth ride across the 2.6 mile stretch of Lake Superior from Bayfield to LaPointe. We were half-way across before I realized we had left the dock!

LaPointe Post Office


And with Jo at the Helm, ARVY successfully disembarks from the ferry. The Two Black Pointed Ears behind Jo belong to Hans - der German Shepherd - who is supervising the operation. > > >

As soon as the ice is out, the Madeline Island Ferry begins running 4 times a day from Bayfield to the village of La Pointe. After May 7th, its schedule increases to 11 daily trips, in June and July even more frequent.

Madeline Island Dining and Lodging

Inn on Madeline Island
We enjoyed a fresh Lake Superior Whitefish dinner overlooking the Lake at The Inn on Madeline Island Restaurant & Pub. Donna and Dan, our traveling companions on this trip, stayed next door at the TownHome condo's with their own beach front and a terrific lake view. Unfortunately the cool rainy weather dampened the enjoyment of this amenity! > > >

For the Traveler who requires a terrific deal on food and beverages, but are not too picky on ambience, their urges can be satisfied at Tom's Burned Down Cafe!

tom's cafe
Tom's stylish
Front Entrance
tom's cafe
Tom's friendly
Rear Entrance

More photos and info about Tom's Burned Down Cafe and the Bell Street Tavern.

 

Big Bay State Park - Madeline Island

In 2009 we visited the campground in August mid-week. With no advance reservation we were out of luck for staying overnight but we were able to enjoy the park for a few hours. (See our profile on Madline Island's Big Bay State Park). We checked the nearby Big Bay township campground for openings but it was a little rough for our tastes. If you have an RV or are a tent camper who wants clean, well-maintained showers make sure to get a reservation at the State Park. However, if you don't mind roughing it a bit, the township park gets you a spot on the Island. smile

If you plan to camp on the mainland, check out our recommendations on Bayfield Area Camping.

Madeline Island Links

Some helpful links for visiting and touring Madeline Island:

Madeline Islands Fall Festival - October 20, 2012
Apostle Islands Lighthouse Festival - September 4 - 22, 2012

More things to see and do on Madeline Island


> > > Return to Lake Superior Circle Tour - Wisconsin

Things to see and do in Bayfield, WI

Bayfield Apple Festival





camping on Lake Superior
Campground Directory
Lake Superior Circle Tour

Golf Courses Around Lake Superior

Travel Planner Lake Superior Circle Tour



Swimming  Beach at Big Bay State Park Big Bay State Park
Madeline Island

Madeline Island Golf Course  Bayfield, WI Madeline Island Golf Course

town square - Madeline Island
Visiting Madeline Island in the winter via the Ice Road


Little Manitou Falls
Wisconsin Waterfalls

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Hotel, Motel Lodging
Ashland, Superior, Ironwood, Wisconsin South Shore

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Canoe Trails:
Wabakimi Canoe Trips
Canoe Trip Stories

Resource Links:
Bayfield Chamber of
  Commerce

Ashland Daily Press
Washburn Chamber of
 Commerce

Madeline Island
Apostle Islands

wi mi color tour map
Fall Color Tour Map

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Hotel, Motel Lodging
Ashland, Superior, Ironwood, Wisconsin South Shore

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scenic fall color drive report

See our recommended
Scenic Fall Color Drives

Golf Courses Around Lake Superior

Ratings of Wisconsin Golf Courses
Along Lake Superior

Bayfield Apple Festival
Bayfield Apple Festival