Category Archives: Accomodations

“Only In Wisconsin” New Year’s Celebrations

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Wisconsin has always had its own way of celebrating, and New Year’s is no exception. If you still don’t have plans on how to ring in 2012, no fear….we’ve got a few suggestions that will make a memorable mark.

Dropping of the Carp – Prairie du Chien
Forget watching the ball drop, this Wisconsin tradition drops a 29-pound frozen carp from 100 feet in the air at the stroke of midnight! In the final hours of 2011, “Lucky #9” (as he is lovingly named) sits atop a throne for folks to kiss for good luck. The event also includes a bonfire, carp piñata, sledding, skiing and the crowning of the Carp King and Queen.

Polar Bear Plunge – Various Locations
Only in Wisconsin is running into frigid, icy water an acceptable way to welcome a new year. The premise is simple: You run in, and run out…and sometimes you do it for charity. Events are held in St. Germain, Phillips, Milwaukee, Sheboygan and more.

Cool Kite Festival – Milwaukee
Free to the public, this event starts at noon and, as you might have guessed, features kites, kites and more kites. Free hot chocolate, coffee, and snacks will be served while it lasts, compliments of Caribou Coffee. Other food is available for purchase (or bring your own). Also enjoy ice carvings, and horse drawn carriage rides.

Pro Vintage Snowmobile Olympus – Hurley
A fun event to watch, you’ll see vintage snowmobiles race on a special ice oval track! The event kicks off on New Years Eve with a parade, torchlight ceremony and fireworks. Races run Saturday (December 31st) and Sunday (January 1st).

New Year’s Eve Under Glass – The Mitchell Park Conservatory (The Domes), Milwaukee
The Domes themselves are truly a wonder; add in live music, magic, comedy shows, raffles, food, a light show, and you’ve got yourself a wonderful family event.

Go on, ring in the New Year Wisconsin style!

Weird and Wacky Wisconsin Museums

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A visit to one of the many museums in Wisconsin is a great cold day activity. And while you can’t go wrong with stops like the Milwaukee Public Museum, or the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, there’s no shortage of places where you can learn a little and have a lot of fun.

Spinning Top Yo-Yo Museum — Burlington

Put a new spin on the typical museum. Tinker with tops, conduct your own experiments or watch a performance from the top tops experts. More than 2,000 tops, yo-yos and gyroscopes are on display in this hands-on playground including the world’s smallest toy tops!

 

Potosi Brewery & National Brewery Museum – Potosi

The Wisconsin-based Potosi Brewery Company survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and a devastating fire. Today the complex is home to the National Brewery Museum, showcasing a stellar collection of beer bottles and cans, glasses, trays, coasters, advertising materials and other brewing artifacts. Wet your whistle afterwards at the Potosi Brewery restaurant and enjoy a fine selection of locally brewed beers.

 

Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum – Fennimore

From animated film collectibles made by a Pixar animator to custom styled Barbies, browse over 80 cases of toys dating back to the late 1800s! The collection even includes film characters such as Star Wars collectibles and old Fisher Price pull toys.

 

World of Accordions Museum – Superior

Housed in a former church, this Wisconsin museum has the most complete collection of accordions in the world sorted by chronology, county-of-origin, type and brand name. See how this instrument contributed to America’s melting pot of musical culture.

 

Rollo Jamison Museum – Platteville

Wisconsin native, Rollo Jamison started collecting as a child. In 1981 he donated his collection to the city of Platteville where it now stands.  His museum includes exhibits of businesses, home and family life and local history. You can see life-size carriages, quilts and the ever-popular boxing squirrels.

Come back in May for a guided tour of the Mining Museum housed on the same grounds. The tour includes a walk down into the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine, a tour of the hoist house and an above ground train ride pulled by a 1931 mine locomotive.

Intrigued yet? Browse our full directory of Wisconsin museums, or check out this list for a few more recommendations.

A Family Getaway in Milwaukee

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Brian Kelsey is the Peninsula Players Managing Director in his 5th season with the Players.

November not only signals the end of Door County’s busy tourism season, it also offers my family and me the first weekend getaway opportunity since May. We enjoy venturing off to a different Wisconsin destination each year for this getaway, and this year we chose to head to Milwaukee. With a room booked in the historical section of the Pfister Hotel, we began to plan our weekend itinerary.

When traveling to Milwaukee, I always check the theatre and music scene to find out what is going on during my time there. I’ve attended several shows at the Pabst Theater in the past and was thrilled to discover that They Might Be Giants were performing that weekend. Having two sons who are avid TMBG fans made it easy to decide on this as one of our activities. And who would want to pass up the opportunity to sit in this magnificent theater…my boys were in awe! The Pabst is definitely a “must see” on anyone’s visit to Milwaukee.

Walking around the city is another activity we enjoy doing as a family as it is such a different experience for our sons who are used to walking around the countryside in Door County. With such wonderful historic architecture, a stroll in Milwaukee will take you past many different building styles that truly represent the diverse group of individuals who founded this city. Next up on our walking tour was a visit to the Bronze Fonz statue! Even though our boys have never seen an episode of “Happy Days,” they certainly weren’t shy to have their photo taken with their thumbs fully extended. We laughed about this for a good 10 minutes following our visit! In addition to pop culture art (the Fonz!), our city walks always include a visit to the Milwaukee Art Museum to explore both the Calatrava Wing as well as the full exhibit space. We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful piece of architecture in this fine state!

All that walking can certainly make you hungry and my family loves the opportunity of having a wonderful meal together. Our standard breakfast stop is the Comet Cafe on the east side of Milwaukee. Trust me, you will have to wait for a table on the weekend, but the food is oh so worth the wait! The staff is very friendly and menu will satisfy all members of your group…even the vegans! Don’t miss it! During this past visit to Milwaukee, we also had the great pleasure of dining at Zarletti, which I cannot recommend highly enough for those Italian food lovers out there! Their seasonal butternut squash ravioli with brown sage butter was truly a show-stopper! I recommend making a reservation in advance for this eatery and plan on enjoying several courses with some amazing wine.

As a former Milwaukee resident, I had to take the family to my favorite beach in Shorewood. For those of you who have been there, you know I am speaking of Atwater Park. This is a wonderful park/beach any time of year.  I was thrilled to see that a beautiful eight-foot sculpture by internationally known artist Jaume Plensa had been added since I last visited. Seeing this artwork on a beautiful autumn day certainly capped off a tremendous visit to this welcoming city.

No matter the season, Milwaukee certainly has something to offer every member of your family. I know that we all look forward to our next visit to this great city!

Brian Kelsey is the Peninsula Players Managing Director in his 5th season with the Players. Follow Peninsula Players on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/PenPlayers. Also, join the Peninsula Players Group on Facebook.

A Fun Girls’ Weekend in Stockholm and Pepin

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Linda John is the Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire.

I recently received a phone call from a girlfriend who was feeling a bit spontaneous on a Friday night with no weekend plans. She called me from her home in Minneapolis and said, “Hey, Wisconsin friend, how about meeting me halfway in Stockholm for the weekend!” With no imminent plans (other than cleaning my garage) I quickly responded with an emphatic, “Heck yes!”

As I traveled the scenic sixty miles from Eau Claire, I soon found myself drifting into the small-town Wisconsin relaxed mode, looking forward to a couple days of specialty shopping, river-side dining, local festivities and precious girlfriend chatter. Driving up to the quaint bed & breakfast, I smiled at my lifelong girlfriend greeting me in her “fun hat” with a glass of local wine. With so much happening in this quaint village of 97 people, we knew we couldn’t waste any time.  We quickly freshened up and headed down the road to Pepin, planning to dine at the famous Harbor View Cafe. The 90-minute wait passed quickly as we sipped wine from the shop next door and talked to visitors from all over the Midwest, who also willingly waited for the special culinary treats in store for them. Once seated, and following a careful study of the menu (a central chalkboard in the restaurant) we decided to share the three-cheese stuffed mushrooms and the famous champagne grape chicken breast platter. “Unbelievable” does not do the experience justice. The next morning, as we awoke to the beautiful August sky, we decided to stroll the village streets, and came upon yet another culinary delight – the Bogus Creek Cafe. Scratching our heads at how we could possibly imagine eating again, we settled in for the blueberry stuffed pancakes and black bean omelets with homemade toast and jam. A quick stop at the candy store and a few walks around the block brought us back to reality, saying our goodbyes and looking forward to our next “fun hat” weekend in Wisconsin!

Linda John is the Executive Director of Visit Eau Claire.

Favorite Wisconsin Getaways

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Lola Roeh is the General Manager of The Osthoff Resort.

With so many great places to travel to in Wisconsin, it is difficult to choose a favorite. But several recent stays come to mind.  Now, if I did not work at The Osthoff, I may have chosen to vacation here because I see so many couples and families enjoying themselves at our resort. Having said that, spending a relaxing couple of days at Sundara Inn and Spa in the Wisconsin Dells is one of my favorite places to unwind.  I also enjoy getting away to Door County at least once each year, staying most often at Bridgeport in Sturgeon Bay and then venturing out from there.  Madison is a great getaway —staying at the Madison Hilton, with wonderful dining right on the property as well as throughout the city, visiting shops on State Street and of course, the Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.

A little more of a trip, but well worth the drive is Ross’ Teal Lake Lodge in Hayward or Holiday Acres in Rhinelander. Both are great examples of Wisconsin family-owned lake resorts with their own brand of hospitality.  My most recent trip as a tourist was to the Kress Inn in De Pere a few weeks ago, spending a leisurely afternoon at Art Street in Green Bay.  The list could go on and on….the rest will have to wait until next time.

Lola Roeh is the General Manager of The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

Family Fun in Wisconsin Dells

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Omar Shaikh is partner and president of SURG Restaurants group.

As most know, I am very passionate about Milwaukee. With all of my restaurants located in the greater Milwaukee area, I am usually all business with little fun in my hometown. The last trip I took was to the Wisconsin Dells with my wife and three kids. We stayed at our favorite resort in the Dells; the Wilderness.

After arriving, we hit two of the four waterparks. It was the first time two of my children went down all of the large slides. I have to admit, I was scared myself going down the “Hurricane” but nevertheless, it was tremendously fun. After the waterparks, we visited the famous Wisconsin Deer Park where my children were able to feed the animals by hand. Watching my kids feed the deer was one of the most enjoyable times I have ever had! The next day we all went horseback riding across from the Wilderness which was probably the most fun part of the trip. Getting away to the Dells was just what we needed as a family.

Omar Shaikh is partner and president of SURG Restaurants group, including Carnevor, Ryan Braun’s Graffito, Umami Moto and Charro (Milwaukee and Brookfield). Connect with him at twitter.com/OmarSurg.

Celebrate Earth Day with Wisconsin Green Travel

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Author: Travel WIEarth Day is right around the corner and we’re thinking green!

Wisconsin’s “Travel Green” program is the first of its kind in the nation. Start your exploration with our Travel Green Directory featuring restaurants, hotels and venues that support environmentally friendly practices. You’ll even find a “green score” for each listing that helps rank how environmentally friendly the establishment is.

Do your part this Earth Day and lend support to Wisconsin businesses that are working hard to reduce environmental impact. These two itineraries will have you feeling green in no time!

Madison

The Arbor House Inn is a model for urban ecology with native gardens and multiple green building practices. Canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking are just some of the activities you can enjoy with your stay. Top things off with a visit to the energy efficient Overture Center for the Arts. Their performances only use LED lights to remain environmentally friendly and fun for everyone!

Sister Bay

Romance and elegance abound at the Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay. Take a walk through the quaint village, and indulge at CheeseCake Etc. Homemade, natural cheesecakes may be their specialty, but try some Kosher premium ice cream for a real treat! Round out your Sister Bay experience with some golf at the nine-hole green course at Bay Ridge Golf Course.

Need more tips for green travel in Wisconsin? There’s never a shortage of ideas, or locations in our directory.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations in Wisconsin

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Author: Travel WILooking to pack up the bags and head somewhere fun, but don’t want to leave the family pet behind?  No worries here in Wisconsin, we’ve got options for pet travel!

Your pooch can be treated like royalty at one of these WI hotels.

Great news for visitors heading to one of the state’s many woodlands for a laid-back vacation: Many Wisconsin lake resorts are pet-friendly! Take for example, Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort on Lake Delton in Wisconsin Dells and the historic Gibson’s West Harbor Resort built on Washington Island around 1870.

Looking for something a little more urban? Upscale boutique hotels, like downtown Milwaukee’s Iron Horse Hotel, are also getting into the pet-friendly business. This motorcycle-themed hotel provides V.I.Pooch treatment with its Big Dog Package that includes the dog’s name on the welcome chalkboard in the lobby, treats, a big dog room service menu, and a map to dog-walking areas and outdoor restaurants.

At the Jefferson Street Inn, located in the historic arts district of downtown Wausau, the staff really rolls out the red carpet for pets. Case in point, this boutique hotel hosted Jack Hanna, star of “Into the Wild” and regular on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” He was in town for a performance and had animals in tow, including a penguin, snake, flamingo and tiger.

Another style of lodging that seems particularly pet-friendly is bed and breakfasts, with innkeepers proudly posting photos on their websites of their own pets along with their guests’ pets. Check out the elegant Stewart Inn in Wausau, the cozy Feathered Star B&B in Door County, or the country estate, Speckled Hen Inn, in Madison.

So bring the ENTIRE family to Wisconsin, we roll out the red carpet for the pooch.

Wisconsin Craft Retreats

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Author: Travel WIMarch is National Craft Month and that means it’s time to get crafty!

Okay, okay, crafting at home might have gotten you through the winter months, but spring is almost here. Flowers, rain showers and birds chirping, it’s time to get out and about! Turn your favorite hobby / craft / pastime, whatever you call it into a day or weekend excursion!

Scrapbooker? You’re in luck! The Scrapbook Manor in Walworth boasts a 100 year old historic home complete with accommodations, meals and a full on-site scrapbook store granting unlimited access to supplies, day or night! If baking is your bag, check out the Circle of Friends Folk School. They have a variety of women’s-only retreats, including one all about cakes! Learn the secrets to making a window-display worthy cake and the perfect frosting flower.

Not sold yet? Quilting, woodworking or other artistic retreats, there are plenty more ideas where those came from. Browse Wisconsin destinations and create a craft itinerary of your own with our travel planner. It’s all at your fingertips, just gather your friends and supplies and head out!

Romantic Winter Getaways

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Author: Travel WI

It’s mid January, and we have romance on the brain! Valentine’s Day is a month away and now is the time to plan your romantic Wisconsin weekend.

Wisconsin is famous for its picturesque bed and breakfasts. And while most people think of small towns or quaint communities when it comes to B&Bs, plenty of major Wisconsin cities have some accommodations that will make your sweetheart swoon!

Enjoy a glass of wine by the fire at a Wisconsin B&B.

The Mansion Hill Inn has over 150 years of history in downtown Madison. Their exquisite architectural details combine with modern day luxury in each of their 11 uniquely decorated rooms. Of course, the whirlpool tubs, fireplaces, complimentary breakfast, and evening wine service add to the atmosphere.

We have plenty more romantic ideas where that came from including a complete listing of B&Bs all over Wisconsin, so be sure to visit TravelWisconsin.com!