We’ve Moved!

It’s been so much fun launching our new blog at StayInWisconsin.Wordpress.com, but we’ve decided it’s time to head home! 

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!

Milwaukee – More than just Beer & Brats

Milwaukee – More than just Brats & Beer… though we do those pretty well!

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.

Pet-Friendly Wisconsin Vacations

Wow! It’s hard to believe that Things to Do & Places to Stay in Wisconsin has officially been up and active as a Wisconsin traveler blog for a full year now!

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?

Cynthia from Port Edwards wins free night at the Eagle Harbor Inn

Congratulations to Cynthia A. from Port Edwards, WI!  Cynthia is the winner of the March WisconsINN Getaways free night give-away at the Eagle Harbor Inn, Door County.

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!

Five Fantastic February Fests (& more)

Yep, half way through winter in Wisconsin & there’s still plenty of festival fun to be had…

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!