Marina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,543 
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Post by Marina on Apr 12, 2018 5:36:53 GMT
For food, definitely do a Friday fish fry. We love walleye and try to get it every time we visit. Also I echo custard. It's a very rich ice cream and my husband's first stop on arriving in WI. Kringle is another stop for him and if you can find brats that is also very popular.
The university in Madison is lovely and you can eat right on the lake. The city hall is worth a tour if you are staying in the area. Door County is gorgeous and I remember renting bikes and it was quite lovely. Door County almost feels like a coastal area with artist shops. But it is a drive from Madison. If you do go there check out a "fish boil". Very tasty.
We toured the Frank Lloyd Wright school and it was very interesting.
Enjoy Wisconsin!
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Apr 12, 2018 12:32:43 GMT
So many great tips. I have been to WI more times than I can count but it was always to our family farm and visit other family. I've explored very little of the state. We are planning a trip next summer. My cousin's wife has family that we are going to visit in Door County. Would love other recommendations especially in the Oshgosh area. We have gone to the EAA and probably don't need to do that again. Willing to travel around more. Will probably do a few days in Chicago before heading there. i went to high school in Fond du Lac! lakeside park and the light house are really pretty - in FDL and of course they have Gillys Frozen Custard |
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Post by ferblover on Apr 12, 2018 12:43:00 GMT
The Vilas Zoo is free and just a little bit down the street is the Arboretum. I have fond memories of field trips to the Arboretum, so I recommend that! There used to be an apple orchard type area out on the "edge of town" but now it is a Super Target and shopping area so I don't recommend that lol! I would also go with a drive to the towns around Madison that were mentioned. Pretty drive and cute towns. There you could find some orchards I believe. Babcock Hall is a family favorite. It is in downtown Madison, part of the campus. Ice Cream made right there on campus. they also have sandwiches and things like that now but the ice cream is good. I live two.minutes from that Super Target! There is an orchard not to far from here that is really nice, Epelgarten (sp?) Sorry, hijacking for a minute  Where I grew up we were the edge of houses before all of the farmland and quary type areas along PD which is no longer called that probably since it has "stuff" on it now and they use an actual road name I am sure lol! I would have been so happy with a Super Target so close as a kid ha! It is nice to know that the orchard is still there. I feel like there was a produce place near the orchard too and I remember watching the bees coming into the store through a tube to get back to their hive. Huh, odd thing to remember at 6:45 in the morning! Ah, thanks for kicking my memory up a little  SaveSave |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Apr 12, 2018 16:03:49 GMT
if anyone in Wisconsin likes quirky, offbeat places and wants to take a road trip, my sister and I visited Honey Acres a few years ago. It's a (free) museum dedicated to the history of beekeeping, from ancient Egypt to modern times, and they also sell honey and other products made with honey. Honey Acres in Neosho, Wisconsin. (about an hour east of Wisconsin and a bit north of Oconomowoc.) RoadsideAmerica.com entry for Honey Acres-- according to the map, it's technically between Neosho and Ashippun, WI The Mustard Museum is really fun! they have mustards from all sorts of different countries on display, IIRC!! |
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grammad
Junior Member
Posts: 81
Apr 10, 2018 20:57:02 GMT
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Post by grammad on Apr 12, 2018 16:27:57 GMT
I just thought of something else. Be sure to have a good GPS. Madison is laid out really weird. Very few addresses have a direction on them, such North, South etc. Last time we were there, we found some of the signage to be confusing and poor. And this coming from someone who lived there for over 20 yrs.
Because it is football season when you will be there, if there is a home game, I suggest booking your hotel room early. There are some nice hotels in the Middleton area.
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Post by missmiss on Apr 12, 2018 16:29:10 GMT
To add to the quirky things in Wisconsin near Madison you have the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, WI. mustardmuseum.com/There is a nice Italian Restaurant across the street from it as well. |
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Post by danalz on Apr 12, 2018 16:53:39 GMT
I live two.minutes from that Super Target! There is an orchard not to far from here that is really nice, Epelgarten (sp?) Sorry, hijacking for a minute Where I grew up we were the edge of houses before all of the farmland and quary type areas along PD which is no longer called that probably since it has "stuff" on it now and they use an actual road name I am sure lol! I would have been so happy with a Super Target so close as a kid ha! It is nice to know that the orchard is still there. I feel like there was a produce place near the orchard too and I remember watching the bees coming into the store through a tube to get back to their hive. Huh, odd thing to remember at 6:45 in the morning! Ah, thanks for kicking my memory up a little SaveSaveIt's still called PD but is also called McKee road. We live on the "older" side of PD near Maple Grove so probably close to where you are up. The other side is all full of newer homes and the quarry is basically gone and there is a new road going through that area. Small world! |
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Post by colleen on Apr 12, 2018 17:39:04 GMT
Hey Wisconsinites -- if you have any suggestions for further north -- we will be at Pipe Lake, near Turtle Lake, Cumberland, and Rice Lake. Love the idea of the Mustard Museum-type thing, breweries, bars, restaurants, shops -- anything fun -- I'd really appreciate any tips!
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Post by vspindler on Apr 12, 2018 19:13:59 GMT
Sorry, hijacking for a minute Where I grew up we were the edge of houses before all of the farmland and quary type areas along PD which is no longer called that probably since it has "stuff" on it now and they use an actual road name I am sure lol! I would have been so happy with a Super Target so close as a kid ha! It is nice to know that the orchard is still there. I feel like there was a produce place near the orchard too and I remember watching the bees coming into the store through a tube to get back to their hive. Huh, odd thing to remember at 6:45 in the morning! Ah, thanks for kicking my memory up a little SaveSaveIt's still called PD but is also called McKee road. We live on the "older" side of PD near Maple Grove so probably close to where you are up. The other side is all full of newer homes and the quarry is basically gone and there is a new road going through that area. Small world! I seriously wonder if our paths have ever crossed |
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Post by frog on Apr 12, 2018 19:40:13 GMT
Mid September. Madison area. The closest I've ever been to the area is several visits to Chicago, and then Ann Arbor, when my son was at the University of Michigan. I have no timetable to get back home, so before or after my niece's wedding I could rent a car and go somewhere. But I have absolutely no idea what that area has to offer. One of my favorite hobbies is photography, so scenic places unlike I'd find elsewhere would be great. Other fun "only offered in the fall" activities? Interesting places? I have no idea, but I'd love to hear what y'all have to say to start giving me some direction of where and what to start researching. One place my ex has talked about in the past (he lived in Janesville until he was 17) is the Wisconsin Dells. Have you been? What did you think? Sorry to be so vague, but clearly I need your help  I dont see myself going back back to the area again except for when the other niece gets married....so any "do not miss while you're there" suggestions very welcomed. Thanks! Oh, one more thing. I don't do humidity well (spoiled living in Seattle). Should the weather be moderating by mid September? Thanks again! If you're interested in photography and you do get up to The Dells you should stop at H. H. Bennett studio downtown. A lot of history through his photographs of the area. Really very interesting. |
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Post by danalz on Apr 12, 2018 19:41:46 GMT
It's still called PD but is also called McKee road. We live on the "older" side of PD near Maple Grove so probably close to where you are up. The other side is all full of newer homes and the quarry is basically gone and there is a new road going through that area. Small world! I seriously wonder if our paths have ever crossed It's quite possible, or least know some of the same people! |
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Post by femalebusiness on Apr 12, 2018 20:08:16 GMT
Supper clubs are a dying breed of restaurant. They are "nice" restaurants, as opposed to diners, mom and pop places, or typical bar food. (The kind of place I would consider "fancy" when growing up, and that my grandparents would most likely take us out to.) But compared to fine dining today they may seem a bit outdated I suppose. They often have Friday night Fish Fries, with cod, perch, or walleye as the most common options, and Saturday night prime rib dinners. They are the kind of place where you have a cocktail (such as a brandy old fashioned, a classic Wisconsin favorite lol) before your meal, and where you introduce your kids to Shirley Temples/Kiddie Cocktails and let them feel all important because the bartender gave them two cherries instead of one, and they are drinking from a fancy glass lol. In the older days, you might have a relish tray in the center of your table, with sliced carrots, celery, pickles, maybe olives. Smoky's is on University Avenue near the downtown and is pretty popular, as is Toby's, though I've never been to Toby's, or at least not that I remember. OMG, it was named Lucy's Restaurant on Long Beach Blvd. All during the '50s and '60s my dad took us there to every special dinner. We always went dressed up and had to be on our best manners. That is where I was taught dining etiquette. Man, I haven't thought about that place in years. |
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Post by ferblover on Apr 12, 2018 22:22:54 GMT
Sorry, hijacking for a minute Where I grew up we were the edge of houses before all of the farmland and quary type areas along PD which is no longer called that probably since it has "stuff" on it now and they use an actual road name I am sure lol! I would have been so happy with a Super Target so close as a kid ha! It is nice to know that the orchard is still there. I feel like there was a produce place near the orchard too and I remember watching the bees coming into the store through a tube to get back to their hive. Huh, odd thing to remember at 6:45 in the morning! Ah, thanks for kicking my memory up a little SaveSaveIt's still called PD but is also called McKee road. We live on the "older" side of PD near Maple Grove so probably close to where you are up. The other side is all full of newer homes and the quarry is basically gone and there is a new road going through that area. Small world! Oh my goodness, yes that is where I lived!! I walked to elementary school every day and was amazed when I went back in October just how far a walk that was lol! It really was up hill both ways They eventually switched the boundary so I had to take the bus to the other school, but rode my bike for middle school or city bus. Ah, warm fuzzies today!! SaveSave |
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Post by evnimom on Apr 13, 2018 16:49:53 GMT
This thread is making me homesick. I am missing the food: Friday Fish Fry (and I don't even like fish!), kringles, cheese curds and crullers. And then I wonder why I gain 10 pounds every time I go back for a vacation. I also miss some of the people. Just some. |
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Where I grew up we were the edge of houses before all of the farmland and quary type areas along PD which is no longer called that probably since it has "stuff" on it now and they use an actual road name I am sure lol! I would have been so happy with a Super Target so close as a kid ha! It is nice to know that the orchard is still there. I feel like there was a produce place near the orchard too and I remember watching the bees coming into the store through a tube to get back to their hive. Huh, odd thing to remember at 6:45 in the morning! Ah, thanks for kicking my memory up a little 
