Red Wing 2013 Attractions Include Luxury River Cruises and New Brewery

 Eagle Watch Weekends Resume Jan. 19 - Feb. 3 

Red Wing, MN (January 7, 2013) Red Wing will begin 2013 with its popular Eagle Watch Weekends from Jan. 19 through Feb. 3 from 1-3 pm in the city’s Colvill Park. Spotting scopes will be available and staff from the Environmental Learning Center will be on hand to answer questions. A special Eagle Show, featuring Sharon Stiteler, aka the Birdchick, will take place Sat, Feb. 2 from 10 am to noon.

The town will also once again welcome passengers from the American Queen and Queen of the Mississippi as cruise ships stop at the Port of Red Wing from July through October through the height of fall colors season. For specific cruise dates and more information visitwww.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com and www.americancruiselines.com.

After 60 years, Red Wing is brewing beer again. Red Wing Brewery opened  at 1411 Old West Main Street this winter and brews several varieties of beer in addition to Zimmie’s Root Beer, making it a family-friendly stop. The brewery is open Thursday through Sunday. For hours and updates visit www.redwingbrewing.com. Minnesota also produces some of the top northern wines and Falconer Vineyards offers tours and tastings upon request.  For more details, visitwww.falconervineyards.com.

Trolley Tours will continue to be offered Memorial Day through October, with stops available throughout town.  Tickets and boarding will be available at the St. James Hotel. For pricing and schedule updates visit www.redwingtrolley.com.

If you prefer to see the city by boat, hop aboard Rusty’s River Rides excursion boat SIGHT-SEA-ER II and Captain Rusty will take you for a relaxing 90 minute narrated ride along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Upper Mississippi. For rates and schedule updates visitwww.rustysriverrrides.com.

Other popular stops for visitors include the Red Wing Shoe Store & Museum which houses the World’s Largest Boot, and the Red Wing Shoe Factory on Hwy 61 which offers free public tours May through October. For more information regarding factory tours, visit www.redwing.org or call 800-498-3444.

Shoppers can find wonderful treasures at great values at dozens of quaint, specialty gift and antique shops located in downtown and at nearby antique malls. Tours of Red Wing’s renowned pottery and stoneware factories are also popular.

Those seeking outdoor adventure can ride along the Cannon Valley Trail, play golf, climb Barn Bluff, or hike, swim, boat, fish, or go birding along the river.  Several Red Wing hotels offer golf, trekking or spa packages for the summer. Visit www.redwing.org to select the one that’s right for you.

Red Wing is packed with festivals and events throughout the spring and summer. Some of the most popular are Eagle Watch Weekends Jan. 19 thru Feb. 3 (Eagle Show in Colvill Courtyard Feb. 2), the 100-Mile Garage Sale May 3-5, Plein Air Arts Festival June 24-29, Red Wing Pottery Collectors Show July 11-13 (public preview July 8), Treasure Island Pow Wow July 12-14 and River City Days August 2-4. The city’s Central Park hosts concerts on Wednesday evenings from June through August, while the Harbor Bar across the river from Red Wing features live music on weekends from June 22 through August 17, including a popular Reggae Festival July 26-28.

To learn more about festivals, special events or lodging packages, call 800-498-3444 or visit our website at www.redwing.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter atwww.facebook.com/redwingvisitor or www.twitter.com/RedWingVCB.

Contacts: Jean Freidl 651-493-3029, jeanfreidl@comcast.net

Kathy Silverthorn, Executive Director, 651-385-5934, 800-498-3444, kathy@redwing.org