Cycling Wisconsin with Bjorn Selander

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Bjorn Selander is a professional cyclist

Racing professionally on Team RadioShack for the past two years, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many countries through cycling. But I will always love coming back to the place where my passion for the sport started. In fact, last fall I made sure my promotional video was not only shot in Wisconsin, but by a company called Film Matters that’s owned by a fellow Hudsonite! You can see it here. Most of my training took place in my hometown of Hudson, Wisconsin, but I have amazing memories of traveling all over the state nearly every weekend with my dad for cycling races. Every year, from spring to fall, we would discover new, beautiful areas of the state.

Riding and racing countless miles all over the world, I have really come to appreciate the outstanding beauty of Wisconsin. Whether it’s cruising past unique farms, along roaring rivers, through green forests or around still lakes.

One great memory that I will have forever is when we would go up to Hayward, Wisconsin as a family for an off-road bicycle race that usually takes place the second or third weekend in September. Called the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, 2,500 racers (now 2,750) would speed from Hayward to Cable. After school on Friday, we’d drive up and stay at the KOA or Telemark Lodge. It was so fun to be up in northern Wisconsin in the fall, catching up with people I only see once a year.

The nerves came out early Saturday morning, as I was getting ready for the 40-mile race from downtown Hayward to the Telemark Lodge in Cable. Some people were there to compete and some were there for the personal challenge, but everyone ended up having fun. After the race, we always went to The Garmisch, a special restaurant right on Lake Namekagon. I loved coming up for the fun-filled family event. Even though I haven’t been to the Fat Tire Festival in some time, I still visit home as often as I can because that’s what it’s all about; enjoying northern Wisconsin with family and friends.

Bjorn Selander is a professional cyclist from Hudson, Wisconsin. Currently splitting his time between Italy and Wisconsin, he races internationally for Team RadioShack and Livestrong.

Family Fun Starts in Spring Green, Wisconsin This Summer

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The signs of summer returning, and we’re having visions of a fabulous vacation in Southwestern Wisconsin’s picturesque Spring Green.

Making a splash in the sparkling waters of Lake Redstore at dusk. Basking in the warm glow of a crackling campfire, toasting yourself a gooey marshmallow. And settling into the grassy outdoor seats of the American Players Theater, waiting for the actors take the stage and take you away.

To see this all in living color, simply check out the video below:

To see it all for yourself, plan your own getaway to Spring Green.

Special thanks to Maritime, featuring Dan Didier and Davey von Bohlen of the Promise Ring for the custom music made just for us. 

 

Not Just Tents: Campgrounds With More

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With almost 400 campgrounds in Wisconsin, it’s hard to know where to start. Try something new this summer. Visit one of these campsites that offer water parks, restaurants, events, and other exciting extras!

Peninsula State Park campsite. Photo Credit: Jeff Miller

Blackhawk Camping Resort

There are a lot of campgrounds equipped with an in ground pool, but what about morning water aerobics? The Blackhawk Camping Resort in Milton offers classes every morning from 9-10am. They also feature fun activities for the kids, including face painting, horseshoes, and a playground. We haven’t forgotten about the adults, either! There’s a restaurant with a bar and bingo on the grounds.
To reserve your spot now, click here.

Jellystone Campground

Nothing says family fun like Jellystone Campground. With seven different locations in the state, you can land at one anywhere you go. Caledonia’s Jellystone offers volleyball, candy bar bingo, crafts, cartoons, jump rope and more. Add in the water park, mini golf and pedal carts for guaranteed family fun all day.
To reserve your spot now, click here or call: 1-800-558-2954

Crazy J’s Campground

Peninsula State Park. Photo Credit: James Jordan

If you’re looking for variety, Crazy J’s Campground in Marion has you covered. Every weekend from May through August has a different theme. Come July 20 and party at a luau. Bring your favorite pooch along for Pet Weekend June 1. They even host rummages for the bargain hunter in the group (Psst, come August 3 for Dollar Days!)
To reserve for your spot now, click here.

Peninsula State Park

A definite “must-see” for any new camper in Wisconsin is Peninsula State Park in Door County. Not only does the campground cover quite a bit of ground (3,776 acres to be exact), it also holds a Travel Green certification, and an onsite theatre! The American Folklore Theatre offers shows throughout the summer season and discounts are offered to those who stay at the park. Make sure you place your reservations as soon as possible – some of the more popular sites are filled nearly a year in advance.
To reserve for your spot now, click here.

Got any favorite camping spots you’d like to share?

Wisconsin’s Beautiful Botanicals

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As they say, April showers bring May flowers. Spring is the perfect time of year for botanical gardens to flaunt their true colors. We rounded up a handful of Wisconsin gardens known to truly blossom in the spring… pun intended.

Boerner Botanical Gardens. Photo Credit: Donald S. Abrams

Boerner Botanical Gardens

Located in Hales Corners, Boerner Botanical Gardens boasts several different gardens, including a trial garden where new plant varieties are tested for regional performance, and a rose garden that dates back to the 1930s. Guests can also find a wide array of events. Bartolotta’s caters a brunch every Sunday, and there are garden walks every Wednesday. Bring the kids for one of the many family-friendly activities hosted by Boerner, including “An Evening with Flower Fairies” on June 24 or “A Walk with the Fireflies” on July 29.

Riverside International Friendship Gardens

Travel the world without breaking the bank! A trip to the Riverside International Friendship Gardens in La Crosse ensures you’ll see exotic landscapes without ever leaving Wisconsin. La Crosse is Sister Cities with six locations around the world: Dubna, Russia; Bantry, Ireland; Epinal, France; Friedburg, Germany; Førde, Norway; and Luoyang, China. These relationships create an exchange of efforts in many different areas, including health care, public policy and business. Each garden at the Riverside International Friendship Gardens is modeled after a garden from one of the Sister Cities. No passport required!

Paine Art Center, Oshkosh

Paine Art Center and Gardens

The decadent and decorative live together in the Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh. Not only does the center boast over a dozen gardens, but it is the site of the Paine Estate, a mansion with an extensive art collection. There’s even a hands-on Family Discovery Gallery in the lower level of the estate.

What are your favorite blooms of spring? Where do you like to go to see them?

New Glarus – “America’s Little Switzerland”

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Photo Credit: Dan Davenport

Over 150 years ago, the Swiss established a city in southern Wisconsin that we now call “America’s Little Switzerland.” And if you like folk traditions in a friendly atmosphere, you’ll want to experience New Glarus for yourself!

The spirit of Switzerland is clearly alive in New Glarus’ stunning architecture, delicious cuisine and, of course, beer. The city features festivals throughout the year, two museums, and local shops where visitors can purchase anything Alpine.

For an especially Swiss experience, dine and stay at the beautiful Chalet Landhaus Inn & Restaurant. A Swiss-trained resident chef shares his secrets for preparing specialties and offers demonstrations for large groups. Then follow up your meal with a visit to “Swissland”, an 18-hole mini-golf course right across the street.

For many, and for good reason, the name “New Glarus” is synonymous with the New Glarus Brewing Co. It has been named one of the top 10 breweries in the world by The Beverage Tasting Institute. And because New Glarus beer is exclusively sold and distributed in Wisconsin, favorites like Spotted Cow and Fat Squirrel have reached legendary status throughout the country.

From the hospitality to the culture, a visit to New Glarus is like a trip to Western Europe. The best part? No passport required!

The New Glarus Hotel

Wisconsin Arts and Crafts Fairs

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Art Fair on the Square, Madison. Photo Credit: Suzette Buhr

 

Love arts and craft fairs? Lucky you that Wisconsin is the proud home of many dedicated and talented artists. So many, in fact, that we have to keep track of all them in a directory! You can thank the Wisconsin Arts Board for producing the annual 2012 Arts & Crafts Fairs Directory.

If you are mapping out your trips this year and want to attend one of the many Wisconsin arts and craft fairs, you can download the directory online or order a hard copy!

And for your viewing pleasure, we’ve detailed out some of the can’t-miss stops:

SPRING / SUMMER

  • May 5: Lakefront Artist Fair, Racine Montessori School – The first outdoor art fair of the season in Racine featuring more than 100 artists.
  • May 19: Festival of Spring, Paine Art Center and Gardens – Paint, plant and landscape vendors show off their work in Oshkosh.
  • June 15-17: Lakefront Festival of Arts, Milwaukee Art Museum – One of the country’s finest juried shows, this festival puts the works of over 150 national artists on display.
  • June 23: Strawberry Festival & Craft Fair, Cedarburg Cultural Center – Family friendly environment complete with a children’s carnival, raffles and of course, strawberries!
  • July 7: Namekagon Art and Music Fest, Cable Hayward Area Arts Council – Pottery and carving demonstrations in the Art Tent plus a poetry jam!
  • July 14-15: Art Fair on the Square, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art – A Madison tradition, this is consistently rated among the best art fairs in America.
  • July 15: Bergstrom Mahler Museum Arts Festival, Riverside Park – Held on the lakeside community of Neenah, you’ll find the areas best fine artists.
  • July 21-22: Midsummer Festival of the Arts, John Michael Kohler Art Center – Workshops are offered for all ages and features the works of over 135 artists.

FALL

  • September 8-9: Art in the Park, Marathon Park – Part of Wausau’s “Artrageous” weekend.
  • September 14-16: Hidden River Arts Festival, Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts – This Brookfield festival promotes the work of Wisconsin fine artists.
  • October 6-7: Cranberry Fest, Vilas County Fairgrounds – Browse the flea market and tour a marsh or winery at this tasty crafts show.
  • November 30 – December 9: Old World Christmas Market, The Ostoff Resort – both international and regional artists are on display at this Elkhart Lake holiday tradition.

If that isn’t enough to get you started, be sure to “Like” the Wisconsin Arts Board on Facebook and check out the events calendar on TravelWisconsin.com

Catch of the Day: Wisconsin Seafood Restaurants

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Wisconsin is known for it’s supper club style Friday fish fries, but what if you’re craving a more diverse seafood dinner? No problem. Wisconsin has a number of restaurants that specialize in serving up delicious seafood dishes, both local and exotic. Here are a few of our favorites:

Captain Nemo’s Supper Club, (Eagle River)

Dine amongst eight huge aquariums filled with native Northwoods fish for a dinner experience that’s one of a kind! They’re the oldest supper club in Eagle River and the fish are fresh as can be! Try the authentic Cajun dishes made with a secret Louisiana recipe or sample “Ranger” Rick’s favorite dish, the Shrimp Diane.

Mariner’s Inn, (Madison)

The Mariner’s Inn has been famous for steaks and seafood since 1966. Diners can cozy up indoors surrounded by fun marine antiques, or grab a seat on the waterfront lawn that accommodates up to 400 guests. The seafood menu boasts everything from scallops to Alaskan king crab legs. Turn your dinner into an event by packaging it with a Betty Lou Cruise!

Fond du Lac Seafood Co. (You guessed it, Fond du Lac)

The Fond du Lac Seafood Co. sells fresh fish daily, everything from shucked oysters to tilapia, for you to take home, cook, and season any way you like. If you’re not one to dabble in the kitchen you can pick a dish like tilapia fish tacos, crab stuffed mushrooms or mussels marinara from the take-out menu.

Benny’s Seafood (Delafield)

When it comes to exotic and worldly dishes, Benny’s has it all. Cajun seafood from Louisiana, tropical fish from the Caribbean, unique Moroccan meals, English fish and chips, and even Asian, Mexican, Italian and Thai specialties are all featured on the mouthwatering menu.

Have you tried any of the restaurants on our list? Tell us your favorite dish!

Nostalgic Lighthouses Around Wisconsin

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Since large portions of its north and east borders are shoreline, Wisconsin has plenty of lighthouses to tour, photograph, and admire. The Door County area is home to 11 of the state’s 35 lighthouses, but there are plenty more to explore! Here are some of our favorite offering history, nostalgia, and beautiful views:

Wind Point Lighthouse near Racine

Wind Point Lighthouse (Racine)

Built in 1880, this lighthouse is believed to be one of the oldest and tallest still in operation on the Great Lakes. The grounds are open for exploring year-round, but if you’re looking to tour the lighthouse itself, make a reservation for the first Sunday of the month, June through October.

Port Washington Lighthouse & Light Station Museum (Port Washington)

Talk about picturesque! At the end of the harbor breakwater, you’ll find a beautiful art deco lighthouse. While it’s not open for tours, it provides a great photo opportunity. The light station on shore has been restored and now serves as a museum highlighting the life of a 19th century light keep family. You can tour by appointment on weekends May through October!

Two Rivers Lighthouse (Two Rivers)

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Rogers Street Fishing Village, the Two Rivers Lighthouse is one of the few authentic wooden structures remaining on the Great Lakes. Stop by between Memorial Day weekend and mid October for a tour of this rare beauty!

North Point Lighthouse (Milwaukee)

Keep your camera at the ready when you visit this historical maritime treasure! It was restored to its early 20th century charm in 2007. Take a tour of the lighthouse and the light station where keepers and their families dedicated themselves to watching over Lake Michigan, then explore the lighthouse’s location in Lake Park, one of the first public parks in Milwaukee.

Have you ever toured any lighthouses in Wisconsin? We’d love to hear about it. Share with us as a comment below!

Earth Day in Wisconsin

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Here in Wisconsin, we’re fortunate to enjoy a diverse and beautiful landscape filled with abundant wildlife. We hope to keep it that way! Earth Day is this weekend and whether you’re looking for a quick place to grab a coffee, or are just starting to think about your summer travel plans, we encourage you to support the many “Travel Green” certified businesses around Wisconsin. These businesses have gone out of their way to reduce their impact on the environment and keep Wisconsin’s natural beauty intact.

Check out our full directory of certified businesses, you might just be surprised to find marinas, motels, B&Bs, golf courses, cottages, spas, museums and more. We’ve also got eco-friendly travel ideas: Discover the best places to go green in Door County or explore a few wet, wild, and water-based adventures that leave nothing in their wake.

How will you be celebrating Earth Day this year? Share with us as a comment below.

Wisconsin: Putting the “FUN” in Tax ReFUNd

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The bad news: Your tax returns are due by tomorrow. So if you haven’t filed those yet, you should probably stop reading this blog.

The good news: There’s a good chance you’ll end up getting some of it back, and there are plenty of places in Wisconsin to spend that green!

Small-town shopping: Instead of flocking to the shopping mall, opt for a smaller more unique experience. A walk down Mineral Point’s Main Street evokes a stroll through a Cornish village. You’ll find artisans and craftsmen of all types making for a vibrant shopping environment that includes galleries and working studios as well as antique and specialty shops. Spooner is another small town with big shopping. Business owners are friendly and proud of their Northwoods location. Browse for fiber arts, reading materials, and even sporting goods.

Fine Dining: There’s nothing quite like spoiling yourself with a delicious dinner out. Wild-game entrees are a specialty at the Buck Rub Restaurant at Pine Ridge in Wautoma. Their dinner menu includes elk and buffalo steaks, wild boar ribs, smoked duck or stuffed pheasant breasts, and wild salmon. Located on a scenic bluff overlooking Lake Michigan, Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro is one of Milwaukee’s best dining spots. They specialize in authentic French country bistro cooking and have a Sunday brunch that is to die for.

Weekend Getaway: The Copperleaf Hotel and Spa in Appleton is making a name for itself as an up and coming romantic destination. The furnishings and amenities invoke images of a luxurious residence, and the great service makes for a warm and inviting atmosphere. For something a bit simpler, we suggest the Life O’Riley Farm & Guesthouse in Boscobel. Sit back and enjoy old vinyl albums on the turntable, read from the many books on the shelves, or play a quiet board game. The charming old building set against a dramatic landscape is the perfect setting for a relaxed weekend with friends.

Be sure to visit our website for other shopping hotspots, a full dining directory, and of course, travel ideas to spare!