Click on over & check us out at Blog.WisconsinLodging.org for all the same great stuff: news & info on THINGS to DO, PLACES to STAY and more about TRAVELING IN and AROUND WISCONSIN.

We’ll keep this blog as is, but all of the previous posts can also be found at the new Blog site as well…  We invite you to stop by and check out our new digs – and of course tell us what you think about the whole thing!

Great Place on a Great Lake
On the southwest shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee boasts miles of lakefront walking/ jogging/ biking paths and on a beautiful, sunny day, there’s no better place to be! Don’t miss Discovery World or the Milwaukee Art Museum for stunning lake views and some pretty cool indoor views as well! The hands-on fun of Discovery World will entertain the whole family for a good couple of hours and the “wings” of the Art Museum actually open & close twice each day. Last summer, Bradford Beach earned Blue Wave certification and is once again receiving rave reviews as a great place to hang out on summer days.

City of Festivals
With dozens of large and small festivals taking place every summer, visitors soon discover why Milwaukee’s been dubbed the “City of Festivals”. Whether you’re headed here for Summerfest, “the world’s largest outdoor music festival”, or perhaps to celebrate your ethnic heritage at German Fest, Festa Italiana, Arab World Fest, or more, Milwaukee is ready to celebrate with you.

Home of Harley
For over 100 years Milwaukee’s been home to Harley-Davidson and motorcycle enthusiasts (and the rest of us!) have a great time poking through Harley’s history in the new Harley Davidson Museum. This is not your typical, stuffy museum; there’s fun buttons to push, cool architecture and amazing stories to learn about motorcycles & their riders. Be sure to also leave enough time to hop on all the different styles of motorcycles in the Experience Gallery!

Westward Ho!
Keep heading west for even more fun: Potawatomi Bingo Casino features blackjack tables, craps, roulette, video poker, slots, bingo & more. (Adults only, must be 18 for bingo and 21 for the rest of the casino games.) For full family fun – & even a little education- check out the Mitchell Park Domes.  This year-round conservatory consists of an arid dome, tropical dome and a “show” dome which changes throughout the year. Finally, only 10 minutes west of downtown is the Milwaukee County Zoo. Situated on about 200 acres, even the Zoo gets into the Festival spirit, hosting Zoo a la Carte every August.

Home of an IDOL
Well, there’s been the Fonz & Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and in 2009 Milwaukee produced season 8 finalist Danny Gokey (click image to see a short video of Danny sharing his Milwaukee highlights):

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!
With four 2010 James Beard Award semi-finalists, Milwaukee knows good food! Check out Outstanding Restaurant nominee Sanford‘s for a delicious, upscale meal (Entrees in the $30-$40 range). Ready Made magazine says: “Make a beeline for Milwaukee. Don’t stop until you get to County Clare Irish Inn…. Pull sips off a pint of Guinness, share an order of fish and chips at their Friday Fish Fry ($12) and listen to Irish music makers.” Best place in the city for martinis and more? Blu, on the 23rd floor of the Pfister Hotel, offers great drinks plus an amazing view. Also gaining popularity as a hip hangout: Branded inside the Iron Horse Hotel. Finally, if out-of-the-ordinary, intriguing and slightly wacky is more your style, locals always recommend the Safe House. You’re SURE to enjoy yourselves – if you can find it… (Entrees from $10-$30)

Just can’t leave without your beer & brat fix though?
Sprecher Brewery Tours- $4 per adult gets you four samples of beer, a souvenir glass, plus samples of all seven flavors of their soda. Be sure to check their site before you go for tour dates & times.

Although Milwaukee is no longer the headquarters for Miller Brewing/ MillerCoors, you can still take a free tour of their “Miller Valley”. Check out their site for tour times or ask about a private tour after-hours (small fee applies).

Lakefront Brewery Tours- Sample four different beers and get a coupon for another free beer at one of a dozen different local establishments all for $7 per person. Recently released: their Wheat Monkey Ale.

For a true Milwaukee sausage experience, head to Usingers, still located on Old World Third Street, the site of the original store.

We invite you to find great places to stay in Milwaukee & throughout Wisconsin by clicking over to WisconsinLodging.info.

We kicked off last March with a very short post on Pet Friendly WI Vacations and thought it would be appropriate to circle back around and do it again, with more info, some great pet stories from our members & even a couple of pics of our own pets…

When Olive strikes a pose, Michelle, our guru of all things printed, posted or published, is always willing to snap a quick pic!

Also in 2009, WisconsinLodging.info was featured in a story on Pet Friendly Vacations in Wisconsin in Fetch magazine. Check out the story, including how Judy at  The Edgewater hotel in Madison will even do a little pet-sitting in her office when needed! You can find well over 350 Wisconsin properties that all welcome “pets with prior approval” when you search at WisconsinLodging.info including some of these great escapes:

Lake Delton/ Wisconsin Dells:
If your dog loves to splash and swim, Delton Oaks Lodge on Lake Delton is sure to be a hit. Dogs are allowed to swim in the lake and play on their beach. Fido may even find a new friend as, during a normal summer, they have about a dozen pets at the resort each day.

Door County:
Beach-loving dogs will also want to try out the Beachfront Inn in Bailey’s Harbor… Fido will find a treat bag in the room upon his arrival and all dogs are welcome on the beach and water area off leash to run and have fun.  Finally, be sure to ask at the front desk, as the Inn has been known to even find a dog-sitter for guests who wish to have a night out without their pet.

The lovable Homer enjoys traveling all across Wisconsin with Bill, our membership & revenue wizard.

Northwoods, Boulder Junction:
If a cabin in the woods is more your style, check out Evergreen Lodge on Little Crooked Lake. Whether you’re hiking the trails, trying your hand at fishing, or simply relaxing on the beach, there are plenty of ways for both you and Fido to enjoy your vacation in the Northern Highland State Forest.

Please be Courteous
Planning on taking Fido on your next escape? Remember to contact your destination prior to your stay to discuss their pet policies and please, never try to ‘sneak’ your pet into a property! Hoteliers and innkeepers want to ensure the safety and comfort of ALL their guests, so when you and Fido leave at the end of your stay, typically your entire room will be stripped, steamed, scrubbed and cleaned to remove all traces of pet dander. This protects future guests who may have allergies or pet sensitivities.

You just never know…
Those of us who have tried (see Fetch article mentioned above) to travel with our pooches know that funny, crazy, weird things can happen…

Phillip from the Sunrise Lodge in Land O’ Lakes shared this story with us recently:  Once, a “guest brought their expectant dog, she was not due for another week. He went out fishing for the day, returned to find….. Mommie had removed pillows from our NEW sofa, dug out the stuffing to make a nest and gave birth to four puppies.” (At least Mom had good taste!)

He's not much of a traveler, but he's all ours & we love him!

Beth from the Super 8 in Portage told us “We once had a guest who left their Houdini-German Shepherd in the room. Despite not being allowed to leave the pet unattended, they did – and the dog kept opening the door and coming out, even after multiple attempts to keep him in! We put a baby gate on the door, as well as the guest tried to put a heavy chair blocking the door as they left – he still got out every time.“

So, care to share your pet-travel stories with us?

If you’re interested in being entered to win a different free night each month, simply sign up for the WisconsINN Getaways monthly e-newsletter. Every month, you’ll receive an email with up to 10 special deals or packages for amazing places to stay in Wisconsin & each month you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free stay.

Upcoming giveaways include:
*   The Plaza Hotel & Suites, Eau Claire

Click over to the WisconsINN Getaways newsletter to sign up today and again, Congratulations to Cynthia!

February 19-21
Madison Winter Festival
Family fun from tubing to snowshoeing, ice carving and snow sculpting, plus running, walking, biking and more all around Madison’s Capitol Square.

February 20th
Chilly Fest, Menomonie Falls
Includes Chili cook-off and ice carving contests, food, games & live entertainment at Mill Pond Park.

2010 Freeze Fest, Whitewater
Rise and shine with a pancake breakfast by the Kiwanis, then head out for a carriage ride or family skating time and much more! Freeze Fest is also one of the three Polar Plunge events this weekend in Wisconsin (see below for more).

Mardi Gras Festival, Wausau
Food & drink specials plus fun family events at Granite Peak Ski Hill.

February 20-21
Klondike Days, Eagle River
Head to Eagle River for a full weekend of family fun including snowshoe races, lumberjack competitions, plus a winter rendezvous encampment. Be sure to also check out the traditional Ojibwe dances by the Waswagoning Dance Theatre.

February 20th – Polar Plunge for Special Olympics
In addition to the Polar Plunge during Freeze Fest in Whitewater, brave souls will also be raising money and making the plunge in Madison & Oshkosh on February 20th. To learn more & check for Plunge dates/ locations near you, visit the Special Olympics website.

As always, head on over to WisconsinLodging.info and start planning your Wisconsin winter getaway!

Visit the wisconsinlodging.info homepage and click the image of the Lodging Directory cover to be taken right to the digital edition. Click around and let us know what you like! Feel free to report any bugs or broken links as well. Have you used the Wisconsin Lodging Directory to plan a trip, weekend getaway or stay-cation? Let us know, we’d love to hear about it!

The pdf version of the directory can still be downloaded, just click the link below the image of the cover.

According to Steve Joyce, president & CEO for Choice Hotels, “The Kress Inn hotel’s commitment to excellence and outstanding guest service has earned this well-deserved recognition as one of the best hotels among the Ascend Collection brand. We here at Choice Hotels are very proud to award this distinguished honor to the Kress Inn hotel.”

Located next to St. Norbert College, the Kress Inn is only minutes from downtown Green Bay. Catering to both leisure and business travelers, the Kress Inn has 46 suites with complimentary wired/ wireless internet, microwave, refrigerator, fabulous workspace, complimentary continental breakfast and welcome reception Monday-Thursday evenings with wine and cheese.  Don’t miss the complimentary fresh-baked cookies at the front desk as well!

For more information on the Kress Inn Hotel in DePere , click on over to WisconsinLodging.info or check out (the staff celebrating their win at) their Twitter feed here.  Congratulations again to Pat and the staff of the Kress Inn!

If you’re interested in being entered to win a different free night each month, simply sign up for the WisconsINN Getaways monthly e-newsletter. Every month, you’ll receive an email with up to 10 special deals or packages for amazing places to stay in Wisconsin & each month you’ll be entered for a chance to win a free stay.

Upcoming giveaways include:
*   Eagle Harbor Inn, Door County

Click over to the WisconsINN Getaways newsletter to sign up today and again, Congratulations to Lisa!

Here’s what I know:

1. First, you need to make sure the ice is thick enough to support you (at least 4″ thick if it’s just you, 12″ thick for your ice shanty or snowmobile)
2. Then, you start dressing in layers – LOTS of layers!
3. Next, add warm, waterproof footwear (you’ll be standing on ICE, remember!)
4. Finally, you’ll need something to cut through the ice & fishing equipment

That’s all I know.

However, there are experts across the web who speak fluent ice fishing, including those at the Wisconsin DNR. There’s also WisconsinSportsmanMag.com with a full line-up of articles including Secrets of the Pros and the National Ice Fishing Association‘s web site.
Had to share this as well, ‘cuz it made me laugh!

Now, get out your calendars because there are a host of fun “Fisherees”, “Derbies” and “Jamborees” across Wisconsin in the coming days:
January 30th
Hancock Lions Club Fisheree, Fish Lake
5th Annual Justin Donner Memorial Fisheree, Mercer

January 31st
Phillips Winter Fest features an ice fishing contest on Lake Duroy
Lake Montesian Fisharee/ Chickaree, Monticello

February 6th
Ice Fishing Jamboree, Mosinee
Sno Gypsies Winterfest Fisheree, Park Falls
6th Annual Ice Fishing Rumble, Phillips
Plum Lake EMT’s Holes for Life, St. Germain
50th Annual BPCA Winter Fishing Derby, Lake Onalaska

As always, don’t forget to head on over to WisconsinLodging.info to plan your ice fishing getaways!

January 22-23
Candlelight Snowshoe Hike, Shiocton
Navarino Wildlife Area. Ski or snowshoe the one mile loop. Other dates available, please see their web site.

January 23rd
Candlelight Ski & Hike, Eagle
Kettle Moraine State Forest. Almost a mile and half of trail lit by over 400 candles. Bonfire & hot drinks available, but it’s BYOM (bring your own marshmallows)!

January 29th
Snowshoeing by Moonlight, New Auburn
Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Trail. 1-2 hour long snowshoe hikes led by naturalists. Snowshoes available for no charge, donations appreciated.

Candlelight Ski/Hike/Snowshoe, Menomonie
Red Cedar State Trail & Stokke Trail. Begins at the Menomonie Depot, bonfire & hot cocoa to warm you up at the end.

January 30th
Candlelight Ski and Hike, Waupaca
Hartman Creek State Park. Free cookies, cider and hot cocoa provided.

Cross Country Candlelight Ski, Mercer
MECCA Nordic Ski & Hiking Trails. Begins at Little Turtle Flowage Trailhead at 6 pm.

Candlelight Ski/ Snowshoe, Chippewa Falls
Lake Wissota State Park. Snowshoe, ski and walking trails will be lit and snowshoes are available for rent.

Candlelight Ski, Sturgeon Bay
Whitefish Dunes State Park. Cookies and hot drinks available at the picnic shelter along with a warming fire.

Guided Moonlight Snowshoe, Manitowish Waters
North Lakeland Discovery Center. Leisurely walk in the light of a full moon, snowshoes available for rent.