Don’t Let This Summer Slip Away!!

Minnesota summers are so short. You try to do something on the weekend but everything is either booked or so crowded you don’t enjoy it. What is a person to do??

Do you realize that most things you like to do on the weekend you can do on a weekday?? If you do it on a weekday you will avoid the traffic, crowds, and most things aren’t booked!

Take a few days off of work. Book a stay at the Maple Knoll Inn and enjoy weekday events and things to do around the area. Stay at the Inn on a weeknight, go out your first night for a great meal at one of our local restaurants. The Grumpy Minnow has great food, adult beverages, and a super outside patio with a wonderful view of Rush Lake. If it rains, stay inside and enjoy the view through one of their patio windows, Return to the Inn and hang out on our huge second floor deck. Relax, watch the many birds who visit out feeders, and enjoy your evening.

Wake up late the next morning and take the short drive to Taylors Falls. Take a boat ride on the St. Croix River, do some rock climbing and trail walking, have lunch at the Drive In and Ice Cream at Schoony’s Ice Cream Shop.

The Drive Inn is a drive up, stay in your car, 50’s style drive in. It has great burgers and wonderful made fresh everyday, root beer. They have been featured in many magazines/papers and is the place to visit. They even have car hops to wait on you in your car. The car hops place a tray with your food on your car window! Schoony’s ice cream is located in downtown Taylors falls and has great hard ice cream in a host of flavors! For your evening meal take the short drive to Grandy and eat some of the best boasted chicken in Minnesota at the Brass Rail. The Brass Rail has been featured as one of the best boasted chicken restaurants in the state.

For a change of pace you could mix in a visit to one of our many local wineries, do some shooting at the Bulls Eye gun range, visit one of our museums like the Great Hinckley Fire Museum, or play a round of golf at the Bull Rush Golf Course (if it rains, try out one of their state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators). Visit one of many local fairs.

Weekdays are great days to stay at the Inn and venture out to make some great romantic memories with your squeeze. The weather has been great so don’t wait to put in for those days off and book a two night stay at the Inn. Give us a call today and let us make suggestions on how to make your stay super romantic and memorable.

If you just can’t get a weekday off, book a room with us on the weekend (weekends are filling up fast so don’t miss out, book today). Most all of the activities I shared are available on the weekend, too.

There is so much going on around the Inn. When can we expect to see you??? Don’t let this summer slip away!

Great History Around Rush City and the Maple Knoll Inn

Historic Highway 61 runs through Rush City but we also have another historic road that runs through our community. The road was built in 1855 and is known as Government or Military Road.

The Point Douglas to Superior Military Road, also known as Government or Military Road, was a road that ran between Point Douglas at the outlet of the Lower St. Croix Lake near Hastings and to the falls of the St. Louis River near Thomson, Minnesota. It was later extended to the mouth of the St. Louis River in Superior, Wisconsin. From Douglas Point immediately east of Hastings the route connected Stillwater, Taylors Falls, Sunrise, Rush City, Pine City, and Hinckley to Thomson near Duluth. Several discontinuous sections of this road are still in use including a long stretch that parallels historic highway 61 in Chisago county, just east of Rush City and the Inn.

In 1855 the federal government began building the Point Douglas to Superior Military Road. Although intended as a highway for troop movement, this route from Hastings, Minnesota on the Mississippi River to Superior, Wisconsin on Lake Superior, was one of the first roads in the Minnesota Territory and attracted a flood of civilian and commercial traffic. When Minnesota achieved statehood in 1858, responsibility for the road went to the state, which did not have the funds to finish the project. Although very rough and in places incomplete, the road was still the best route north until railroads were built in 1870. The railroad was an alternative to the Military Road that ushered in the decline in use of the road. In 1895 when William Henry Grant built a railroad spur of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad to run to Sandstone, Minnesota. The spur was later extended to St. Paul through Rush City.

Rush City has many historic sites, including the remnants of a fire tower build just after the Great Hinckley Fire. That base is located on the Maple Knoll Inn property and can be viewed on your visit.

Visit Rush City, stay at the Inn and explore all the history the area has to offer.

Maple Knoll Inn – Rush City – On I-35

We moved to Rush City and opened our Bed and Breakfast about 7 years ago. Time has gone by so fast and we have had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people. When we opened our B and B we had no idea of what to expect but soon discovered Rush City is a great location. We are in the center of many fairs, festivals, historic sites, lakes, great outdoor activities, and events.

Within a short drive we have wineries, a micro-brewery, county fairs, some great wedding venues (Including Rush City’s Creekside Wedding Barn – we have had several brides and grooms spend their wedding nights with us), river boat rides, and water parks. Because of the St. Croix River and multiple lakes, the area hosts great summer outdoor activities like canoeing, kayaking, tubing, biking, hiking, and fishing. The area has great indoor and outdoor golf, a indoor shooting range, and a private outdoor hunting preserve (bring up some of your friends and hunt year round). The area features a wonderful outdoor concert venues with country, rock and roll and blue grass music. We have the Hinckley casino which has concerts and a wide assortment of gambling. Pine City hosts free Friday concerts in the park featuring everything from jazz to blue grass to rock and roll.

Our local restaurants have great food and some have great views of Rush Lake. One restaurant in the area was selected as one of Minnesota’s best for broasted chicken.

Like a bit of history? Visit the Northwest Fur post (a working 1800’s fur post), the Great Hinckley Fire museum which tells the story of the tragic fire that swept through the area. Drive some of the Superior-Port Douglas Military Road, the first road built to connect the cities with Duluth.

Some people come to visit us to just get away and unwind. Rush City is a quiet friendly town. The Inn features 3 acres of land with Rush Creek flowing through it. It is not uncommon to see wildlife like deer or a river otter playing in Rush Creek. We have beautiful flower gardens and our bird feeders attract many colorful varieties of birds.

To sum it all up, the Maple Knoll Inn is a great place to stay, regardless of what you enjoy. The area has something for everyone.

Summer weekends fill fast, so make your reservation, today. We would love to help you make a wonderful lasting memory.

Summer is Coming and Will be on Us SOON!!

Minnesota summers are so short and this years may be shorter. You try to do something on the weekend but everything is either booked or so crowded you don’t enjoy it. What is a person to do??

Do you realize that most things you like to do on the weekend you can do on a weekday?? If you do it on a weekday you will avoid the traffic, crowds, and most things aren’t booked!

Take a few day off of work. Book a stay at the Maple Knoll Inn and enjoy weekday events and things to do around the area. Stay at the Inn on a weeknight, go out your first night for a great meal at one of our local restaurants. The Grumpy Minnow has great food, adult beverages, and a super outside patio with a wonderful view of Rush Lake. If it rains, stay inside and enjoy the view through one of their patio windows, Return to the Inn and hang out on our huge second floor deck. Relax, watch the many birds who visit out feeders, and enjoy your evening.

Wake up late the next morning and take the short drive to Taylors Falls. Take a boat ride on the St. Croix River, do some rock climbing and trail walking, have lunch at the Drive In and Ice Cream at Schoony’s Ice Cream Shop.

The Drive Inn is a drive up, stay in your car, 50’s style drive in. It has great burgers and wonderful root beer. They have been featured in many magazines/papers and is the place to visit. They even have car hops to wait on you in your car. The car hops place a tray with your food on your car window! Schoony’s ice cream is located in downtown Taylors falls and has great hard ice cream in a host of flavors! For your evening meal take the short drive to Grandy and eat some of the best boasted chicken in Minnesota at the Brass Rail. The Brass Rail has been featured as one of the best boasted chicken restaurants in the state.

For a change of pace you could mix in a visit to one of our many local wineries, do some shooting at the Bulls Eye gun range, visit one of our museums like the Great Hinckley Fire Museum, or play a round of golf at the Bull Rush Golf Course (if it rains, try out one of their state-of-the-art indoor golf simulators).

Weekdays are great days to stay at the Inn and venture out to make some great romantic memories with your squeeze. The weather has been great so don’t wait to put in for those days off and book a two night stay at the Inn. Give us a call today and let us make suggestions on how to make your stay super romantic and memorable.

There is so much going on around the Inn. When can we expect to see you???

Our “Personal Touch”

Many of our guests tell us that their staying with us is the first time they have stayed at a bed and breakfast. We try to put our guests at ease by showing them the all the wonderful things they have access to and can use. One of the things that our guest tell us they really appreciate about staying with us is all our attention to detail and our personal touch. Our personal touch is our effort to make every guest feel welcome and appreciated.

When our guests arrive we accompany them through the home our living room, dining room (we show them the coffee maker they will have access to during their stay), screened porch, and beautiful grounds. All of these are open to our guests for their use. We escort them to their bedroom and walk with them around the second floor common spaces, our sun room and large deck.

We take the time and effort to make sure our guests experience our personal touch. We want each guest to feel welcome and that they can find everything they might need to make their stay enjoyable.

We would love to have you stay with us allowing us to make your stay memorable.

2017 Events in the Rush City Area

Here is a schedule of many of the 2017 local events around Rush City. If you are planning to visit during these events – Now – is the time to make your reservations as rooms are filling.

May 6 – North Branch City-wide Garage Sales

May 13 – Rush City – City-wide Garage Sale

May 12 – 14 – Potters Tour of the St. Croix River Valley

June 11 – Rush City Fly In

June 9 – 11 – Wannigan Days – Taylors Falls – St. Croix Falls

June 14 – 18 – North Branch Midsummer Days

July 20 – 23 – Chicago County Fair

June 21 – 25 – Pine City Freedom Fest

Aug 2 – 8 – Pine County Fair

Aug 5 – 6 – Cambridge Antique Fair

August 19 – Rush City Music and Arts Fest

August 11 – 13 – Threshing Days – Almelund

September 3 -4 – Pine City Rodeo

September 9 – 10 – Hay Days

September 17 – Almelund Apple Fest

Don’t Forget! The ongoing events and things to do around the Inn – Wine Tasting, antiquing, golfing, fishing, biking, boating, cycling, Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Rides, and a host of other activities!

Last year we were booked totally full during several of these events, so don’t risk not getting a room.

There is always something going on close to the Inn.

Warmer Weather!! Time to Start Thinking About Summer!

Warmer weather over the next few weeks makes me think about summer. It won’t be long and summer will be here. Weekends full of activities! Now is the time to start planning what you will be doing this summer!

Last summer most every weekend was filled at the Inn and we expect this year will be just as busy. There are so many activities in the area and many activities happen the same weekend. With limited numbers of hotels rooms in the areas, you need to book your room TODAY!!

A few of the events coming to the area this summer are are concerts at the Hinckley Grand Casino. Not all acts have been booked, but here are a few that have been booked – Polka Fest – May 19 – 20, Alice Cooper – June 8, and KISS – July 15.

Book your weekend stay, today! There is ALWAYS something happening near the Inn.

What happened to the Summer of 2016

Summer is just around the corner. Have you decides what you will be doing to enjoy it?

I hate to “rain” on you, but you only have about 12 weekends of summer. Don’t miss it! You will get the most out of summer by laying out plans for your weekends.

The Maple Knoll Inn is conveniently located on I-35 just an hour north of the Twin Cities in the quiet community of Rush City. Our location gives you great easy access to just about any summer activity you want to do. Located close to great water activities like: fishing, boating, kayaking, and canoeing. We are also located close to festivals and fairs, wineries, flea markets, golf, scenic boat rides down the St. Croix River, hiking and biking. Explore history by visiting the The Northwest Fur Post or the Hinckley Fire Museum.

Maybe you just want a place to relax and unwind. The Inn has a large second story deck and huge screened porch you can enjoy. Stroll our 3 acres and enjoy the flowers and large assortment of colorful birds.

Whatever you enjoy about summer, the Inn is located close to it.

Don’t let this summer leave you wondering, “What happened to the summer of 2016?” Book a room at the Inn and begin a memorable week or weekend exploring everything the area has to offer.

There is always something going on around the Inn.

Update List of 2016 Events Near the Inn!

Here is a schedule of many of the 2016 local events around Rush City. If you are planning to visit during these events – Now – is the time to make your reservations as rooms are filling.

May 3 – Flea Market – Every Tuesday – All summer long – 8 am – 1 pm Rush City

May 4 – War of 1812 Family Day – North West Company Fur Post – Pine City

May 7 – North Branch City-wide Garage Sales
– Taylors FallS Scenic Boat Rides begin

May 6 – 8 – Potters Tour of the St. Croix River Valley

May 14 – Fishing Opener – We have great lakes around Rush City – Fish the lakes in the day time relax and stay with us the night
– Rush City City-wide garage sale

June 10 – 12 – Wannigan Days – Taylors Falls – St. Croix Falls

June 12 – Rush City Fly-in

June 15 – 19 – North Branch Midsummer Days

June 23 – Parade – Rush City

July 21 – 24 – Chicago County Fair

June 24 – 26 – Pine City Freedom Fest

Aug 3 – 7 – Pine County Fair

Aug 6 – 8 – Cambridge Antique Fair

July 29 – 31 – Center City Days Center City

August 12 – 14 – Threshing Days – Almelund

August 20 – 14th Music and Arts Festival – Rush City

August 27 – Vines Bluegrass Festival – North Folk Winery – Harris

September 3 -4 – Pine City Rodeo

September 10 – 11 – Hay Days

September 19 – Almelund Apple Fest

September 21 – 25 – Fall Harvest Fest – North Branch

Don’t Forget! The ongoing events and things to do around the Inn – festivals, music, theater, wine tasting, antiquing, golfing, bowling, fishing, biking, boating, swimming, cycling, Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Rides, and a host of other activities!

Last year we were booked totally full during several of these events, so don’t risk not getting a room.

There is always something going on close to the Inn.

Up North Starts Here!

The Rush City saying is “Up North Starts Here”. The saying really describes the Rush City area. It is where great outdoor activities, often associated with “up North”, are abundant. The area offers prime summer outdoor activities like snowmobiling, snow skiing, snow shoeing, fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, boating, cycling, sight seeing, and many other recreational items.

Fishing – Year Round. Great fishing year-round
Rush Lake (east is 1,359 acres and west 1,464 acres) features great northern pike, walleye, large mouth bass, crappie, perch, sunfish and muskies. Fish Lake features many of the same fish found in Rush Lake and is 314 acres. The DNR is managing Fish Lake primarily to improve the walleye and northern pike populations. Goose Lake is 754 acres and is known for walleyes, norther pikes and large mouth bass. Close by are Horseshoe Lake, Sunrise Lake as well as the Sunrise river and St. Croix rivers. If you love fishing you’ll love the Rush City area lakes. Make a reservation at the Inn and use us as a jumping off point for your fishing adventure. In the spring, our spacious three acres will allow you the room to park your boat on site for free.

Recreation
Wild Mountain Ski Resort offers great down hill skiing, snow boarding and snow tubing. Many state parks are close by that offer tons of activities. Wild Mountain State Park offers great year round hiking trails and snow shoeing. In the summer, Interstate Park has great hiking including a two mile hike to the top of the bluffs overlooking the scenic river. They also rent canoes that you can take downriver to Osceola. The rental includes picking you and your party up and bringing you back to your vehicle. We are close by the 24 mile Sunrise Prairie Trail which offers great hiking, biking, and in-line skating. Wild Mountain\Taylors Falls offer canoe and kayak rental, water slides, and scenic boat trips. Rush City offers a great local golf course, the Bulrush Golf course offering year-round all weather golfing. Nice 18 hole outdoor course and great new state of the art indoor golf simulators, for those rainy days.

If you love outdoor recreation (winter and summer), the Inn is centrally located and would work as a great place to offer the rest and relaxation you will need after a active day. Now is the time to make your plans and reserve your room.

There is ALWAYS something going on close to the Inn.