It's a Showdown!

On Tuesday February 10 at 8 pm cst on the Travel Channel, the McCormick House Inn squares off against 3 different hotels in "Hotel Showdown". It's a winner-take-all competition. Representatives from the competing hotels spend the night at each other’s property, and with an exacting eye for detail, award points for every aspect of their experience. The highest-rated hotel wins a coveted $25,000 prize. The episode's final stop is Hayward, Wis., home to Jeff’s McCormick House Inn – a refurbished Victorian mansion decorated with art collected during Jeff’s world travels. He gives the hoteliers a taste of Hayward’s favorite winter activity, as the rivals face off in a cross-country ski race. To wrap up their evening, the McCormick House comes to life with a cocktail party and gourmet dessert from Jeff’s own ice cream shoppe. Oh the suspense! Tune in - we'll be watching! [caption id="attachment_1548" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The English Garden's reflecting pool at the McCormick House in Hayward. The English Garden's reflecting pool at the McCormick House in Hayward.[/caption]

B&B Getaway Giveaway Week 7

Here’s a quick quiz: what do trout fishing, the American Birkebeiner, and a 36-mile view have in common?  All are found at B&Bs – showing that when we say ‘seek the unique’, we mean it! The stunning view from the pub and virtually all of the Inn at Wawanissee Point is both relaxing and a stimulation to explore – and perhaps motivation to ‘work off’ the gourmet breakfast.  A world away in a 20 minute drive from WI Dells.  And referencing the Dells, innkeeper Agnes says ‘when you’ve had enough stimulation’, head just 40 miles north to the Mecan River House (Coloma) – with a #1 trout fishing stream running along the length of the property.  Unwind on the deck, or search out antiques and hand-crafted Amish items at the nearby shops.  Heading further north to the Hayward / Birchwood area, the Cobblestone B&B is a destination in any season.  Of course, the Birkebeiner  x-c  trails are the winter draw (and just a few hundred miles of snowmobile trails too), more trail systems offer fat biking, mountain biking, hiking…”run, bike, ski” is the northwoods mantra.  Enter our Facebook contest to win a 2 night stay at Cobblestone B&B, Inn at Wawanisee Point, or Mecan River House http://a.pgtb.me/qVSz88 [caption id="attachment_1451" align="aligncenter" width="286"]Breakfast at the Cobblestone B&B, Birchwood, WI Breakfast at the Cobblestone B&B, Birchwood, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1452" align="aligncenter" width="300"]The Pub at the Inn at Wawanissee, Baraboo, WI The Pub at the Inn at Wawanissee, Baraboo, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1453" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Mecan River House TROUT FISHERMAN: you can walk right down to the MECAN RIVER which is a #1 trout fishing stream!  The MECAN RIVER runs length of the property, with many DNR, newly created holes for trout to gather!   Mecan River House TROUT FISHERMAN: you can walk right down to the MECAN RIVER which is a #1 trout fishing stream! The MECAN RIVER runs length of the property, with many DNR, newly created holes for trout to gather![/caption]  

Calling All Hardy Explorers

Here in Wisconsin, we never let winter get in the way of a good outdoor event.   Stay at a Wisconsin B&B and you’ll always know you have a warm, cozy bed and warm, homemade breakfast to come back to.  So here are our picks for some terrific outdoor fests for each weekend in February, with links to B&Bs in the area, starting with the 24th annual Hot Air Affair in Hudson, February 1-3.  The weekend includes hot air balloon launches, a parade and geocaching.  The Snowflake Ski Jump Tournament will be held in Westby, February 1-2.  There’s the Sturgeon Stampede in Fond du Lac, February 8-10, with skating, broomball, ice bowling, and ice sailing.  The centerpiece of the Manawa Snodeo in Manawa, February 15-16, is the vintage snowmobile and motorcycle racing under the lights.  Rounding out the short month is the American Birkebeiner Cross-Country Ski Event in Hayward, February 21-23.  Also, feel free to take a gander at Travel Wisconsin's Snow Conditions Report and click on your favorite activity to see what the conditions are like. Feeling hardy?  We hope so. [caption id="attachment_1034" align="alignleft" width="216"] Ski Jump Tournament courtesy of the Westby House Inn, Westby.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1030" align="alignright" width="240"] Guest gears up for an afternoon of snowshoeing at Justin Trails B&B Resort, Sparta.[/caption]                 [caption id="attachment_1026" align="aligncenter" width="182"] Hudson Hot Air Affair[/caption]

Heart Healthy Activities at Wisconsin B&Bs

Getting away for a few nights to a Wisconsin B&B often mean relaxing and de-stressing, what with sleeping in late and those delicious homemade breakfasts.  For February, let’s make it about being active too.  After all, February is American Heart Month.  With a focus on outdoor pursuits, we turn to two styles of skiing – downhill and cross country. The Wisconsin Department of Tourism lists 32 ski hills in the state .  Cross reference by city to find the nearest B&B.  By the way, the largest ski hill in Wisconsin is at Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau; stay at the upscale Stewart Inn, just five miles away.  For cross country skiers, Wausau’s Nine-Mile Forest features 30k of classic/skate trails – and 6k of light trails.  Check out X-C trail conditions at www.skinnyski.com. You can literally ski out the front door at Justin Trails, Sparta, where the innkeepers groom 10 miles of trail for both classic/skate X-C skiing, with ski rentals on site.  Hayward’s Forest Moon B&B is 1 mile from “double O” where the American Birkebeiner Race crosses; their waxing table makes ski-prep convenient.  Just 10 minutes from Madison, Cameo Rose in Belleville has 120 acres with private trails for X-C or snowshoeing. Have your (coffee) cake and eat it guilt-free when you schedule a little cardio during your getaway. [caption id="attachment_416" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Hayward's Forest Moon B&B, a sturdy northwoods log-lodge warms guests with a crackling fire in the stone hearth, and of course fuels X-C skiers with a hearty breakfast."]Forest Moon B&&B,Hayward, American Birkebeiner, X-C ski, cross-country ski[/caption]
Receive our Newsletter for B&B travel, seasonal packages, Wisconsin fun, and tasty recipes, all delivered to you in our quarterly e-newsletter.