Pete,
First, you have to tell us what the MoA is? Museum of Art in MSP?
I agree that Brainerd and The Iron Range are perhaps two different trips. Of the Brainerd courses, I agree Maddens and Deacon's Lodge are probably best. It is a long drive to Biwabik from there, but I enjoy driving through the MN countryside.
If your trip includes MSP, I would suggest trying to get on some of the old clubs there, like White Bear Yacht Club (Ross) which is on the way up I-35 E to the Iron Range anyway. Thompson, Raynor (U of M course) and others have good to great courses in MSP.
When you get up north, Northland is worth a play, although it has a new restoration by Craig Shreiner, so it isn't 'Pure". Cloquet is the home to the world's only FLWright designed gas station, and the CC there claims the front nine is by Ross. Brad Klien disagrees, but its likely one of his associates had something to do with it, as it looks a bit like Ross in spots. The new nine is by Joel Goldstrand. Another ancient and quirky nine is Esquagama CC, near Hoyt Lakes. No professional design anyhere, but a step back in time. It is off of highway 4, east of the main artery of 53 and a bit harder to find.
There are some other casino courses like Black Bear in Cloquet but I can't recommend them. If you were playing anywhere else in the range, Superior National in Lutzen (sp?) has spectacular lake views.
As to hotels, I do like the Lodge at GR, but the walls are paper thin. Ask specifically for a third floor room at the ends unless you want to hear the neighbors stumble in from the bar late at night, or you want them to hear you. (Talk about local knowledge here!)
Actually, the hotel at the Wilderness is much quieter, and many rooms have lake views, but the rooms are smaller. If the spouse would like a day of gambling it may be a better choice. If she doesn't golf or gamble, my family loved the Bin Shulte Bear Preserve north of the Wilderness in Nett Lake, and the International Wolf Center in Ely.
Ely is sort of a touristy, but romantic place to drive for dinner one night. If you stay at the Lodge, go into Gilbert at least one night to eat at the Whistlling Bird, and upscale Jamacian restaurant that really told me the 90's had arrived - imagine a fancy restaurant like that in an old mining town!
I haven't found the Quarry to play that slow, however, I always get my tee times earlier in the morning. If you tie in with a group, it may be best to share a cart. When play is slow later in the day, standing versus sitting in a cart while waiting is easier on the back, even if you are walking the course the rest of the way.
BTW, its a 25 minute drive to the Wilderness, so in late may, its quite possible to play first thing one place, and get a second round in at the other, although if at the Lodge, playing both the GR courses in one day is easiest.
Let me know if you have any more questions.....