For timeless lakeside charms, the small town of Bayfield, set serenely near the tip of land jutting out into dark blue Lake Superior depths, shouldn't be missed. This is also the scenic end of WI 13 as it meanders on through from Superior, a route that achieves, at plenty of points along the way, postcard proportions. Bayfield itself won't disappoint, and has enough charisma to entice visitors into lingering on longer than it takes to find the ferry Apostle Islands bound.

If you're seeking out four-season activity on the lakes of northwestern Wisconsin there's every reason to get excited about Hayward. Set just west of the Sprawling Chequamegon National Forest, within easy driving distance of Lake Superior and a stone's throw from local watery stretches, this small city serves well as a base for those exploring the region.

Wisconsin's big port city on Lake Superior, shares a shorefront and name ? Superior, the land-based place, sits just across the water from Duluth, Minnesota, an industrial center frequented by enormous ships and balanced out by serene forested stretches. Though not quite a mega-tourist destination, Superior, along with Duluth, have a variety of cultural sites locally, and offer easy access to some of the surrounding natural attractions.