Baldwin & St. Croix Valley
Baldwin & the surrounding St. Croix region
A waterfall walk. A horseback lesson. A whole weekend worth staying for.
Baldwin, Wisconsin, gives a group more than a place to meet. There are horseback experiences by Pine Lake, a seasonal drive-through safari, and skydiving for the adventurous adults. Beyond town, you can explore Willow Falls, book a round of golf in Hammond, or plan a Hudson arts outing. The pleasure is having something to go out for—and somewhere welcoming to return to.
Willow Falls is a regional outing in Hudson, not an attraction on the BarrelHouse grounds.
Here is the short version: choose Pine Lake Pastures for a booked riding experience, Safari Country for warm-season wildlife viewing, Willow River State Park for waterfalls and trails, and Skydive Twin Cities for an adult adventure. Add Hammond golf and dining, or a performance at the Phipps, to suit your group. This guide also covers regional wedding venues and how to plan your overnight stay separately.
The experiences that make this area worth exploring
Start with one outing that excites your people. You do not need a packed itinerary to have a memorable weekend.
Hudson · 1034 County Highway A · Regional outing
Willow River State Park & Willow Falls
If your group wants a waterfall walk, Willow Falls is a strong reason to make a Hudson outing part of the stay. Willow River State Park has gorge views and 13 miles of hiking trails, with routes of different lengths and difficulty. Little Falls Lake adds seasonal paddling, fishing, and a swimming beach.
Choose the approach to match your walkers: the Willow Falls Hill Trail is very steep. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required, and trail conditions matter after rain and in winter. The beach has no lifeguard. For a different walking option, check the park’s paved Hidden Ponds Nature Trail.
Hudson · 109 Locust Street · Regional outing
An arts outing at the Phipps
The Phipps Center for the Arts gives a Hudson day trip a different pace: theatre, music, dance, rotating visual-art exhibitions, and classes. Its in-house galleries are free to visit during public hours; performances and classes have separate tickets or registration.
This is also a useful rainy-day alternative. Choose the performance for your group’s ages and interests, rather than assuming every show is family programming. Check the current calendar and contact the box office about seating together.
Golf near Baldwin: make room for a round
Hammond offers two different golf options. Choose the length of the round before you choose the rest of the day, especially when only part of your group wants to play.
Pheasant Hills Golf Course
Hammond · 1025 170th Street
An 18-hole, par-72 public course with multiple tees, a driving range, and practice facilities. Its dedicated golf-outing options make it worth contacting for a larger party. The course typically operates April through November, subject to conditions.
Hammond Golf Club
Hammond · 458 Davis Street
A nine-hole course with a grass-tee driving range and clubhouse refreshments. It is an option for a shorter golf plan, with nine- and 18-hole rounds available. Call ahead to confirm opening conditions, tee times, and group arrangements.
Reserve golf and any clubhouse meal separately. Course opening, carts, lessons, and group availability can change with weather and the calendar.
Coffee, breakfast, and an easy dinner out
A good getaway does not need every meal planned. These local options give you a place to start—whether you want coffee before an outing or a meal after a round of golf.
Baldwin Perk
Baldwin · 860 Main Street
Coffee and iced drinks, breakfast, paninis, wraps, salads, and homemade soups. A practical in-town stop for breakfast or lunch. Check kitchen hours separately from cafe hours; the published schedule is closed Sundays.
Ras’ On Main
Hammond · 855 Davis Street
A casual bar-and-grill setting with a dining room, burgers, pizza, pasta, steaks, and seafood. The operator advertises Friday fish fry and weekend breakfast—two useful Wisconsin weekend options.
Parkside Restaurant
Hammond · 555 Davis Street
Family-style casual dining, with sandwiches, pizza, broasted chicken, and a children’s menu. Weekend breakfast buffets and catering are advertised; confirm current offerings directly before making them part of your plans.
Traveling with a large group? Call the restaurant about seating, service times, and dietary needs. Do not assume a table for the whole party is available without arrangements.
Wedding weekends: celebrate nearby, stay together
For guests attending a wedding in the surrounding area, shared overnight lodging can keep family time from ending when the reception does. These are two regional venue options to explore; book the celebration with the venue and choose your lodging separately.
Cady Acres
Wilson · 2845 50th Avenue
A wedding venue with barn reception space and indoor and outdoor ceremony options. The operator lists a May–October season. Confirm the date, guest count, weather plan, and package directly with the venue.
4SIX The Social Barn
New Richmond · 1905 Highway 46
A regional barn wedding destination with indoor and outdoor ceremony options, reception space, and preparation areas. Ask about tours, catering, date availability, and the arrangements for your particular celebration.
BarrelHouse on Pine Lake & Barrel Nook is an overnight lodging option, not a wedding venue offered through this guide. A stay does not authorize a ceremony, reception, or event at the property. These independent businesses are not presented as booking partners.
Three ways to shape your weekend
For a family outing
Start with a Baldwin Perk breakfast on a day it is open, then choose a booked Pine Lake Pastures lesson or a Safari Country visit in season. Leave the afternoon open for time together rather than making everyone rush to a second activity.
For scenery and a little culture
Pair a Willow River State Park walk with a Hudson gallery visit or a booked Phipps performance. Let the trail conditions and the show schedule set the pace. If the weather turns, the galleries offer an indoor alternative during public hours.
For a golf weekend
Reserve a round in Hammond, then arrange a meal at Ras’ On Main or Parkside. Nine holes may suit a mixed-interest group; a full round can be the main outing for committed golfers. Non-golfers do not have to follow the same plan.
These are suggested combinations, not timed itineraries or included packages. Check each operator’s season, reservations, and hours. Measure routes from your actual home and allow for traffic, weather, and your group’s pace.
A few questions before you plan
Which attractions are actually in Baldwin?
Pine Lake Pastures, Safari Country, Skydive Twin Cities, and Baldwin Perk have Baldwin addresses. The golf and dining options in Hammond, Willow River State Park and the Phipps in Hudson, Cady Acres in Wilson, and 4SIX in New Richmond are outings in the surrounding region.
Can we go horseback riding outside summer?
Pine Lake Pastures advertises year-round riding lessons, with indoor and outdoor arenas. Confirm lesson availability and participant suitability directly. Camps and other special programs follow their own calendars.
Is Willow Falls a good outing with children?
Choose a park route that fits your children’s walking abilities and the conditions that day. Some approaches are steep; the waterfall area includes unprotected cliffs and slippery terrain. Consult the DNR trail information rather than assuming the shortest route is the easiest.
What can we do on a rainy day near Baldwin?
Consider a Phipps gallery visit or a ticketed performance in Hudson, or a cafe and restaurant outing in Baldwin or Hammond. Check hours, tickets, age guidance, and seating. Pine Lake Pastures may be able to accommodate a booked lesson indoors; ask the farm rather than assuming.
Can wedding guests stay together at BarrelHouse?
BarrelHouse on Pine Lake & Barrel Nook accommodates up to 20 overnight guests across the main home and separate guesthouse. Review its sleeping arrangements and ask Carol & Andy about your group’s fit. The wedding venue must be booked separately, and event permission at the rental is not included.
Your Pine Lake home base
Go out for the day. Come back to your people.
BarrelHouse on Pine Lake & Barrel Nook pairs a Baldwin setting with room for up to 20 overnight guests, seven bedrooms, a private seasonal dock, hot tub, sauna, game spaces, and a courtyard with a wood-burning pizza oven. Check the listing for the layout and seasonal amenity details.
If your trip is a family gathering, a golf weekend, or overnight lodging for a nearby wedding, Carol & Andy can help you decide whether the home suits your group. Book your stay with Sacha Stays of Wisconsin; arrange outings directly with each operator.
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Have a question about the stay? Call Carol & Andy: 608-957-7545 · Read our guest FAQs
A Sacha Stays of Wisconsin area guide · Updated November 3, 2026. Attraction details were checked against operator websites and Wisconsin DNR information linked throughout this guide. Opening dates, weather conditions, menus, and availability can change. Confirm your plans directly before traveling.