Now that the holidays are over, winter in Wisconsin is just getting started. Here are some ideas to make the most of what’s left of the crisp weather.
Milwaukee
- You don’t even need to leave Milwaukee to “get away.” Visit the Milwaukee Art Museum, The Domes, or the Milwaukee Public Museum, or get your fill of sports by attending a Bucks game or watching the Admirals play.
- Reserve a warm spot at one of the many restaurants that offer heated igloo dining, such as Cafe Benelux, Zocalo Food Truck Park, and Lakefront Brewery. Explore Milwaukee’s expansive bar options, including the historic Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, or get an ice cream drink at At Random. Pufferfish, the rooftop tiki bar at Hotel Metro, or Shanghai MKE, a speakeasy, will transport you.
- Milwaukee has an impressive music and theater district. Take in a show at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, The Riverside, the Pabst Theater, or check out the Milwaukee Rep and First Stage’s offerings.
- Stay at the historic, four-star Pfister Hotel and enjoy services at the WELL Spa, traditional high tea, and cocktails and live music at Blu, with stunning views of Lake Michigan. You can treat your pup as well, as the hotel is pet-friendly.
- OnMilwaukee offers a list of 100 things to do in Milwaukee in the winter, too. Find that link here: https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/milwaukeewinter.
Lake Geneva
- Just about an hour from Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is a resort town with shops, restaurants, and plenty of activities perfect for the chilly Wisconsin winter.
- Visit this weekend, when it hosts the 29th Annual Winterfest — Home of the U.S National Snow Sculpting Championship, where 15 award-winning teams compete in a 3-day festival creating larger-than-life snow sculptures.
- Lake Geneva is also home to Winter Realms, an open-air experience by the creators of the Ice Castles. This magical attraction includes horse-drawn rides, igloos, ice slides, and thrones.
- Stay at the Grand Geneva Resort and dine at the ChopHouse or Brissago, a fine-dining Italian restaurant.
Ski at The Mountain Top at the Grand Geneva Resort or take a quick drive to Wilmot Mountain, a Vail resort. Rest and recover at the WELL Spa.
Kohler
- Kohler, famous for their toilets and sink fixtures, is also home to the renowned American Club. This Five Star, Five Diamond, 100-year-old hotel is also well known for its pristine golf courses. Winter, however, is the perfect time to cozy up in the luxurious rooms and dine on award-winning food. A mere hour from Milwaukee, you’ll feel like you are really “away.”
- Perfect for the whole family, Frozen Fairways offers ice skating, fat tire biking, curling, carriage rides, snowshoeing, s’mores, and a hot chocolate bar. Access is available for $15 as a day pass, or complimentary for overnight guests of the American Club.
- The Club also offers a selection of programs for kids to enjoy indoors, such as hot cocoa bomb-making and winter watercolors.
Parents can take advantage of the Waters Spa services, with unique services such as the winter CBD massage, hydrotherapy, and a vibrational sound treatment. The spa also offers yoga and cycling. - Venturing into town? Nearby Sheboygan has incredible pizza at Il Ritrovo, Trattoria Stefano’s more casual restaurant, or nosh on traditional German food at Al and Al’s Steinhaus.
Door County
- Door County is known as the Martha’s Vineyard of the Midwest, really shining during the warmer months, but people are really leaning into the charm during the winter, too. Sledding, winter trolley rides, and cross-country skiing are all winter activities that have become popular in the area.
- Long known as a place for artists, Door County has many galleries, as well as art classes. The Clearing, in Ellison Bay, is a folk school that offers over 70 programs for serious crafters, including woodworking, glassblowing, and quilting. No matter where you stay on the peninsula, or no matter how serious of an artist you are, there is an art studio for you. Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek, Articipation in Sturgeon Bay, and Door County Paint and Sip all offer quick options for a creative afternoon.
- February hosts the Fire and Ice Festival in Sturgeon Bay. Stay at the Foxglove Inn, a charming bed and breakfast, where they serve a full breakfast to your suite. Then dine at The Nightingale, a traditional supper club open since 1913. Get the prime rib and old-fashioned sweet!
Nekoosa
- More remote, and just under 3 hours from Milwaukee, Sand Valley is a newer golf resort on 12,000 acres, surrounded by sand dunes. It is often booked far in advance during the spring and summer, so winter is the perfect time to take advantage of off-season pricing and availability. Cozy lodging and outdoor activities are perfect for a long weekend getaway to recharge. The beautiful modern lodging ranges from single rooms and suites to free-standing cabins for the whole family. The facilities have award-winning design, and the restaurant offers modern American cuisine. Bring warm clothes to take advantage of their hiking trails, fat tire biking, and ice fishing, or just bring your book and curl up by the fire with a glass of wine. The resort is in the beginning stages, so it is continuing to offer more activities and amenities. Give a call to find out what’s new.
