The concept of “Up North” is a state of mind that experts well region to region. It’s a milieu of lakes and trees, boats and fishing polls, souvenir shops and supper clubs. It’s peace and quiet, fresh air and tall trees, slow pacing and friendly people. Everything a city isn’t, Up North is.
The concept seems much the same from state to state, regardless of actual direction. In New York, Up North means the Hudson River Valley. In California, you’ll chase the quiet life to Lake Tahoe. In the Midwest, the crown jewels of the Up North experience are summer resort towns like little Minocqua, Wisconsin.
An island town of less than 5,000 people, Minocqua evolved from a north woods logging spot to an outdoorsman’s summer paradise. City dwellers from throughout the Midwest head up this lake-studded area to boat, fish, hike, swim, eat, drink and generally soak up as much peace, quiet and fresh air they can.
Towns like Minocqua make their hay in summer as weary slickers flee the hot concrete for a couple weeks or a long weekend amidst the trees. The attractions, shops, restaurants and other Up North destinations cling to their simplicity and “mom and pop” identifies fiercely — working to maintain their genuine identities. Pretentiousness stays with the skyscrapers.
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The first time Up North traveler ca always find a hotel or time share where anyone can hole up for the night. But, the real charm of north woods accommodations are quiet, communal resorts like Black’s Cliff just outside Minocqua.
A collection of lakeside cabins and chalets with private access to the water, the long-standing, classic lodgings at Black’s Cliff offer visitors a literal home away from home with private bedrooms, well-equipped kitchens, rec-rooms, fire pits and everything else an ideal north woods home could offer. It beats the stuffing out of a hotel when you’re enjoying your own temporary house amidst the trees.
Beyond friendly accommodations like Black’s Cliff, Up North is all about sun and fresh air, comfort food and weekend cheats, fish frys and local brews. The idea of North Woods recovery is to rest and recharge — returning to city life less tightly wound and happy in the knowledge that places like Up North still exist.
You can head to the woods yourself with a few travel tips in the gallery below.
All photos by John Scott Lewinski
Life "Up North" in Minocqua
As much a concept as a place, the "Up North" summer experience found in small resort towns like Minocqua is what city folk seek for a quick getaway.
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Life Up North
From New York to Wisconsin to Colorado to California, city dwellers head to lake country for quick escapes. In the midwest, the jewels of Up North life are towns like Minocqua, WI.
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Life Up North
Those visitors who don't own a cabin of their own can find prime lakeside living at small resorts like Black's Cliff in Minocqua-adjacent Hazelhurst.
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Life Up North
Homey restaurants like The Boathouse in downtown Minocqua serve up the supper club experience in casual surroundings. You'll find hearty food on the plate, a nice Old Fashioned in your glass and mounted lunkers hanging off the walls.
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Life Up North
While lake access is open to anyone with a water-worthy craft, Up North fishing always requires a proper license — even if only on a day trip.
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Life Up North
If you want autographed photos of celebrities, stick to Manhattan or Beverly Hills. Minocqua restaurants are decorated with the local wildlife.
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Life Up North
You can forget the quaint brunch spots Up North. You're better off with big, family style, lumberjack breakfasts at Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty.
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Life Up North
Downtown Minocqua has carried on largely unchanged for decades because travelers Up North want their familiar comforts to stay the same.
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Life Up North
Nickels and 10 cent pieces don't go as far as they used to, even Up North. But, tiny shops like the Lakeland Variety Five and Dime keep tourists supplied with souvenirs, crafts and toys.
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Life Up North
From Mackinac to Minocqua, fudge is an essential of the Up North diet. At friendly joints like Dan's Minocqua Fudge, visitors can enjoy ice cream and fresh confections made onsite.
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Life Up North
In the end, no matter the state of origin, this is what Up North escapes are about — trees. If you don't want to worry about anything, fuss over anything or do anything, you head out of the city and you look at trees. It helps.
