Palmer’s Steakhouse at the Historic Cobblestone Inn was voted Milwaukee’s Best Steakhouse in 2010 and 2011 by WISN. It’s run by a couple that has been in the steakhouse business for over 2 decades…so you know they know their steaks! Palmer’s has also won several awards for their outstanding wine list; they have over 150 selections!

For Packers fans, Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse in Appleton is simply a must. Dine among Coach Lombardi’s personal memorabilia and classic photos. This steakhouse lives up to its legendary name with an extensive menu and wine list that Wine Spectator has named “one of the most outstanding in the world.”

The Wonder Bar Steakhouse in Madison was founded by the brother of notorious 1920s gangster, Roger Touhy. Formerly a safe haven for Chicago’s most nefarious characters, it’s now a steak heaven! Stone fireplaces and a homey ambiance make this once devious hideaway a must-visit for all steak aficionados.

Last but certainly not least, La Crosse is home to the one-of-a-kind Freighthouse Restaurant. This National Historic Site was constructed in 1880 as the Milwaukee Road Freight House. Antique bars and fireplaces create a relaxing environment with a diverse menu ranging from slow roasted prime rib to vegetarian options. Browse yet another award-winning wine list (sense a theme here?) and catch live music on the weekends.

Have any Wisconsin steakhouses you’d recommend? Share them as a comment below!

Donations were collected throughout the state, and many of the items received were handmade by local individuals or groups. We even received some donations from outside of the Midwest. One of our favorite stories from the collection involves a former Waukesha resident who now owns an ice cream shop in Virginia. The woman sent over 50 pairs of mittens to the Travel Wisconsin Welcome Centers in Superior and Platteville. One of the packages she sent included a hand-printed note that read:

Dear Superior,
Stay warm,
Go Pack Go!
The Dairy Godmother.

It’s hard not to smile at that one, huh? We also received donations from many local businesses and organizations including the Wisconsin Dells Lions Club, Wizard Quest, the Community Outreach Committee at Marinette Marine, and Gonzeo Research in Milwaukee.

To everyone who participated in The Great Lakes Mitten Campaign, thank you! Know that you helped to make this winter a little warmer for those in need.

For Action & Adventure:

Action City in Eau Claire
Take the scenic route on the largest indoor go-kart track in the Midwest ($5-6), have a friendly battle of laser tag on a mist and obstacle-filled course, ($5) or show off on the climbing wall ($4).

Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Parks in Wisconsin Dells
It’s an all-in-one indoor water park, amusement park, and arcade center! Play water basketball and relax in the floating river, or take on one of the nine elevated go-kart tracks. You can get an all day water & theme park pass for only $20/ticket (plus tax)!

Gamecraze in Warrens
A themed black light mini-golf course and a bevy of state-of-the-art arcade games make this entertainment center an excellent, thrifty choice. Main attractions are $5-6 and arcade games are $1.

For Fitness & Fun:

Harbor Centre in Sheboygan
Located by the South Pier Ice Cream Parlor, this beautiful ice skating rink offers skate rentals for $4 and a warming area. Snacks and other treats are also available. The rink is open day and night.

RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie
Show off your athleticism! The RecPlex is an indoor water park, state-of-the-art recreation / fitness facility AND has two NHL-size rinks. Day passes for the whole center are $10 for village residents, $14 for non-residents. Check out the open skate schedule here.

For Conversation & Creativity:

Fired Up Pottery in Cottage Grove
Paint your own pottery, sculpt clay or learn glass fusion jewelry-making. There are no studio fees to paint your own pottery and the clay and wheel pottery only has an $8/day fee.

Richeson School of Art & Gallery in Kimberly
Take a professional workshop or one-time class! Perfect for any skill level, you can learn anything from watercolor painting to portraiture for only $5 per person, no sign up necessary. If you’re interested in attending a workshop taught by a professional artist, you can find a schedule and prices here.

Hopefully you have a few date ideas to mix things up. Of course, if you’re more of the traditional romantic, there are plenty of quaint Bed & Breakfasts and cozy romantic restaurants to make your sweetheart swoon.

This video takes you behind the scenes of Travel Wisconsin’s 2012 winter TV spot titled “Symphony Snowball Fight.” Outtakes. Commentary. Exclusive insight from Hollywood director and Wisconsin native, David Zucker. It’s your inside look into the how a spot gets made from conception to production. Check it out!

Milwaukee Public Museum’s Planetarium and IMAX Theater – Milwaukee, WI
Spend an evening under the stars at the Daniel M Soref Planetarium, the largest in the state, located in the Milwaukee Public Museum. The most romantic program in the planetarium’s repertoire is definitely “Romancing the Stars,” playing before and on Valentine’s Day. Constellations that have romantic significance will be pointed out, and a rose and chocolates will also be handed out to each couple. “Romancing the Stars” has showtimes on Feb. 11, 12, and 14.

Harrison Hills Sleigh Rides – Merrill, WI
Just north of Wausau, you can find Harrison Hills Sleigh Rides. Ride through the northwoods on a scenic sleigh ride. You can take up to 14 people on the ride, but if it’s just you and a loved on on Valentine’s Day, you can save it for just the two of you. Make sure to reserve a spot early!

L’ecole de la Maison – Elkhart Lake, WI
Why do dinner and a movie on Valentine’s Day when you can make food together? Classes at L’ecole de la Maison in Elkhart cover everything from breakfast to dessert and are open to the public. Course lengths include 2-days, 4-5 hours, or 2-3 hours, depending on the month. If you’re looking for an activity the weekend before Valentine’s Day, you can sign up to learn how to make a European brunch or French desserts. Classes range from $125/person for workshops to $295 for two-day courses.

Valentine Candlelight Ski & Hike – Sheboygan
For the more active couples, the Valentine Candlelight Ski & Hike could be an ideal romantic activity. Grab your cross-country skis and glide (or hike) your way across a two-mile trail illuminated by over 200 tiki torches. Afterwards, snuggle up by the fireplace and grab some refreshments. The Candlelight Ski & Hike is on February 11 from 6-9pm.

What do you have planned for Valentine’s Day this year? Are you going on a date or spending time with friends? Share your ideas with us!

John Muir Trails – Palmyra, WI
In the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest lies the John Muir Trails, a series of five different loops ranging from 1.5 to 10 miles in distance. Trails are divided by level of difficulty, so you can ease your way in on a beginner trail or jump in with both feet on an advanced trail.
When you’re done with your trek, warm up with a cup of coffee at the nearby Main Street Family Restaurant.

CamRock County Trails – Cambridge, WI
You can find the CamRock trails about 30 minutes east of Madison. The trails are perfect for mountain bikers in the summer and ideal for cross-country skiers in the winter. You can choose between three different loops or a two-way trail. Choose the Red Loop to see the Rockdale Millpond. The green and yellow loops and the two-way trail take you near Koshkonong Creek.

Sugar Maple Trail – Bagley, WI
If you’re looking for a true challenge, the Sugar Maple Trail in Southwest Wisconsin is for you. Check out Wyalusing’s 500-foot-high bluffs and a frozen waterfall from a rock overhang. The 1.7-mile path is packed for hikers and snowshoers, but it won’t be easy. The beauty, however, will be more than worth the effort.

Richard Bong State Recreation Area – Kansasville, WI
The Bong State Recreation Area in Kenosha County is a great place to explore some winter trails, ride ATVs, or do some winter camping. The park has over 14 miles of cross-country ski trails and 10 miles of snowshoeing trails. If at the end of the day the thought of camping in the winter chills you to the bone, head to Carolyn’s Coffee Connection for a warm environment and some freshly-baked deliciousness.

What Wisconsin hidden gems are you willing to share with us? Fill us in on the secret in a comment below!

New Glarus Hotel – New Glarus, WI

If there’s one thing Wisconsin does right, it’s cheese, and it doesn’t get much better than Swiss fondue. Go beyond dipping food into melted cheese and learn the history of fondue at the New Glarus Hotel. Groups of ten or more can see a live demonstration from these chefs who abide by Swiss traditions in the making of their fondues and learn all the tricks of the trade.

Pickerman’s – La Crosse, WI

Soup can be a hearty and healthy way to warm up, and Pickerman’s is the perfect place to get it. Locally owned since 2002, they have a variety of heart-healthy and low-calorie soups and sandwiches on the menu. Just pick from their “500 Club” and you’ll be getting a menu item under 500 calories. Looking for something a little more indulgent? Pickerman’s also has soups like Broccoli Cheddar and Potato Cream Cheese. Yum!

The County Clare – Milwaukee, WI

Whether it’s for dinner and drinks or an overnight stay, the County Clare in Milwaukee is a cozy spot for those months when you need to get out of the house. Huddle up by the fireplace with some Irish food and a Guinness, and enjoy your hibernation a little bit more. On top of an authentic Irish dinner menu, County Clare also serves brunch, has live music several nights a week and has Irish movie nights. Plenty of events to keep you busy and cozy.

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier – Madison, WI

Sometimes it’s nice to stay in, and for those days, make sure to have some hot chocolate from Gail Ambrosius on hand. Pick up some handmade chocolates while you’re at it, made fresh in their Madison store. You can buy Gail Ambrosius products at several shops around the Madison area or online.

Where are your favorite places to stay warm in Wisconsin?

Tony Ziehmke is a ski industry professional.

Welcome to winter. When the first blast of cold weather hits each year, many quickly turn to shivering, some turn to warmer clothes, and more than a few seem to do both. With the ups and downs of our winters in the Midwest, you really have two choices: embrace winter or hide from it. Having worked in the ski industry for more than a decade, it surprises many people to know just how much I dislike being cold. With a little preparation, going outside in the winter, and enjoying it, becomes much easier. There is no better way to embrace winter than by taking up skiing or snowboarding at one of the many accessible ski areas in Wisconsin.

Having worked at ski areas in many capacities including instruction and rental equipment, I have witnessed firsthand the importance of dressing properly. Almost everyone knows someone who has extra coats and snow pants, but if you don’t, the most important thing is to have sturdy, waterproof, outerwear that fits comfortably. A good thermal base layer/thermal underwear and a waterproof outer layer are important steps. Jeans and sweatpants will quickly get caked in snow and make you cold. A warm pair of gloves can be purchased at many convenience and hardware stores. Multiple pairs of “stretchy gloves” layered over each other will not be warm and could actually make you colder. One pair of Thinsulate-type work gloves can often be purchased for less than 15 dollars at the hardware store – a purchase you certainly won’t regret. A warm hat and a single pair of socks (ski and snowboard boots are designed for winter use, after all) are the only other things you need.

After warm clothes, the only thing left to do is to learn to ski or snowboard. While some people are certainly athletic and can just “pick up” a new sport like skiing, lessons are truly the way to go. A willing student with a good teacher will generally learn more and progress faster than those who choose not to take a lesson. A good lesson will start you with fundamentals on turning and stopping which reduce the chance of falling. You’ll also learn how best to fall to increase the chances of doing so safely. Lessons will set you on a path to being able to enjoyably participate for a lifetime.

Lessons come in a number of different varieties ranging from getting “pointers” from someone who has skied or snowboarded before a couple of times, to a private professional lesson. While any help is better than none, I strongly encourage taking a professional private lesson or at least a professional group lesson. A private lesson is generally more expensive but the one on one attention versus a number of people sharing an instructor’s time in a group lesson is well worth it. Most resorts will allow additional students such as a friend or family member for an additional fee, such as Granite Peak’s program where the first student pays the private rate, but additional students are the same as the group rate. Additional lessons are also a good idea. They help to show you the next steps and correct any errors quickly before they become bad habits. To serve this purpose, some resorts offer multi-lesson packages or special programs that include a block of weekly lessons, rentals, and additional lift tickets after the lesson periods are over. Cascade Mountain, for example, has a “Learn a Lifetime Sport” package that includes 3 days of lessons, tickets, and equipment, and an additional day of rentals and lift ticket to enjoy what you have learned.

For some people, there is still a certain amount of uncertainty about committing to a multi-lesson package or investing on a private lesson. Many resorts offer some sort of broad group lesson package at a special rate at some point during the week. Tyrol Basin, for example, has its “12 Dollar Tuesday” packages where a lift ticket is $12, rentals are $12, and a lesson is $12 for a total of $36, less than the cost of a full day ticket at some areas. Additional lessons are always easy to get once you find that you enjoy it.

Proper clothing, a lesson or two, and a little patience and willingness to keep trying after a few falls are the only things between you and the sports that I love. Go out. Enjoy it. Learn with friends.

I’ll see you out on the slopes.

Tony Ziehmke is a ski industry professional with more than ten years experience in rental shops, instruction and mountain operations. He has a degree in Ski Area Business Management and currently services and sells snowmaking equipment. Tony tries to make it out onto the slopes at least three times a week.

La Merenda – Milwaukee

• Price: $5-$10
• Cuisine: International
• Tips: Come in Mondays for half-price bottles of wine at lunch or dinner. Make sure to try tapas from a variety of countries, including England, Korea, Spain and Italy.

4 Sisters Wine Bar & Tapas – La Crosse

• Price: $5-$10
• Cuisine: Varied, with a focus on Spanish, French and Mediterranean
• Tips: While lunch and dinner is served, you can also pick from the In-Between menu from 2-4:30pm. Try the Midwest Platter and tide yourself over for dinner with some dry Italian meats and cheeses.

The Icon – Madison

• Price: $5-$15
• Cuisine: Spanish
• Tips: Start your meal by selecting a wine from 100 different varieties on the wine wall. End it with a cinnamon apple empanada or traditional Spanish flan.

Margaux Bistro & Wine Bar – Sheboygan

• Price: $5-$10 for small plates, $15-$30 for entrees
• Cuisine: International with French and Asian influences
• Tips: If you’ve got a special occasion coming up, purchase a chef’s table for $200. Tables cater to a variety of party options. Or, visit at brunch with the kids. Margaux’s kid-friendly menu is only $6 at brunch.

Tapas are great because they can accommodate any social gathering. Combine a couple small plates to make a meal for one or two, or share a wide array of dishes with a group. Tapas restaurants might downsize on portions, but they upsize on taste.

Cassville – January 28-29
Stop by Riverside Park’s outdoor observation deck to get a view of these noble birds. Every year, 100-250 bald eagles spend their winters in Cassville, right on the border of Wisconsin and Iowa. If you’d like to learn more about the bald eagles, educational programs are available at Cassvile High School.

Prairie du Chien – February 25
Travel 30 miles north from Cassville to find Prairie du Chien’s Bald Eagle Appreciation Day. Birding experts will be on hand to answer any of your questions and bird watchers will be guided to locations during the course of the day outfitted with spotting scopes. There will also be raptor programs and a life-size Bald Eagle nest for friends of the feathered to enjoy.

Ferryville – March 3
Come to Bald Eagle Watching Day in Ferryville and see them soar over Lake Winneshiek on the Mississippi River. See live eagles and raptors up close in a program hosted by the University of MN Raptor Center. There will also be a student eagle art exhibit with awards, and refreshments will be provided.

For year-round birding, read our article that’s truly for the birds. What are your favorite places to spot bald eagles? Fill us in by commenting below.