Travel to Wisconsin Food Capitals

  [caption id="attachment_1987" align="aligncenter" width="441"] Cranberry Bog[/caption] Fall and food are the perfect pairing in Wisconsin. Plan your getaway around the state’s various food “capitals”, and be sure to enjoy a mouthwatering homemade breakfast at your favorite B&B too. [caption id="attachment_1889" align="alignleft" width="300"] Dreams of Yesteryear in Stevens Point, WI[/caption] When talking about food capitals this time of year, we have to kick it off with cranberries. Wisconsin produces more of this tart fruit than any other state. There is even a designated “Cranberry Highway,” a self-guided drive that stretches for nearly 50 miles along century-old cranberry beds from Wisconsin Rapids to Warrens, and between Pittsville and Nekoosa. Stay at Dreams of Yesteryear in Stevens Point where excellent restaurants, quaint downtown shops, a fabulous brewery tour, a picnic by the river, museums and more await you within easy walking distance. You can also visit Tuft’s Mansion in Neillsville where the area offers numerous opportunities for a unique vacation experience such as many craft and antique shops. [caption id="attachment_841" align="alignright" width="237"] Stewart Inn in Wausau, WI[/caption] The soil and climate in central Wisconsin, more specifically Wausau, makes it one of the best places in the world to produce ginseng. In fact, 95% of the ginseng in the U.S. is grown here. This root must grow for four years before it can be harvested. Don’t wait that long to visit Stewart Inn, a beautiful Arts & Crafts mansion in downtown Wausau serving both a nightly wine and cheese reception and a gourmet breakfast.   In Bayfield, cool temperatures and moist air, courtesy of Lake Superior, make it prime apple growing country. After picking apples, and squash and pumpkins too, put your feet up at eco-friendly Pinehurst Inn B&B where you’re surrounded by pine trees and gardens, and romantic Old Rittenhouse Inn where the the fall colors are best viewed right from the expansive front porch. [caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignleft" width="224"] Cherry Tree[/caption] Cooler spring months and a unique soil composition on the Door County peninsula provide just the right growing conditions for cherries. At this time of year, dried cherries are a real treat. Similarly, it’s a treat to stay at any of the 10 inns there, including White Lace Inn, Scofield House B&B, Inn at Cedar Crossing, Garden Gate B&B, White Gull Inn, Inn at Windmill Farm, Eagle Harbor Inn, Blacksmith Inn on the Shore, Bay Point Inn, and Juniper Inn.     [caption id="attachment_1994" align="alignright" width="239"] Christmas House B&B in Racine, WI[/caption] Racine is “America’s Kringle Capital.” Not familiar with Kringles? They’re the distinctive oval-shaped flaky pastry treat brought to Wisconsin by Danish immigrants in the mid-19th century. Make the Christmas House B&B, a historic downtown landmark, your home away from home while there. Sheboygan has been called the “Bratwurst Capital of the World.” Be sure to nosh on a sausage or two while visiting the area, with Tauscheck’s B&B in nearby Plymouth serving as your host. Monroe is the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the U.S.,” and you can have your cheese and eat it too at the nearby Albany House in Albany, a circa 1908 country house in the heart of the Swiss and Amish communities in the region. [caption id="attachment_782" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Albany House in Albany, WI[/caption] Finally, if you are a fan of horseradish, then head to Eau Claire, where Silver Spring farms has been growing the hot and spicy condiment ingredient since 1929. Then cool your heels at Inn On Lake Wissota in neighboring Chippewa Falls. [caption id="attachment_1995" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Inn On Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls, WI[/caption] WBBA Seek the Unique

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Explore the Door

[caption id="attachment_1910" align="aligncenter" width="325"] Cana Island Lighthouse[/caption] It’s a county, a peninsula, and one of the state’s most popular tourism spots. If you’ve never been to Door County, then let’s rectify that right now. Along with sand dunes, sailing, arts and culture, it’s also home to more B&Bs than any other county in Wisconsin. Think of it as the Cape Cod of the Midwest.

The Door County peninsula is a summer playground like no other in the state. It’s known for its 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and Green Bay, kayaking in the shadows of the bluffs, thousands of acres of cherry and apple orchards, wineries, a handful of state parks, art galleries, and 11 historic lighthouses. In other words, it’s magical. Adding to the magic are 10 B&Bs dotting the county. Let’s start at the county line and work our way up the peninsula. In Sturgeon Bay:

  1. Scofield House is a 1902 Victorian with six guestrooms. Reserve the entire third story which has been transformed into a single luxurious suite. [caption id="attachment_1912" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Schofield House[/caption]
  2. White Lace Inn has 18 guestrooms and nearly all have their own fireplace. The inn staff has hosted more than 1,300 weddings, so you know it’s for romantics at heart. [caption id="attachment_1913" align="aligncenter" width="450"] White Lace Inn[/caption]
  3. Inn at Cedar Crossing is an 1881 historic building in the city’s downtown historic district. Step outside to shops, galleries and museums. [caption id="attachment_1914" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Inn at Cedar Crossing[/caption]
  4. Garden Gate B&B is just two blocks from downtown, where you’ll find the Maritime Museum, Third Avenue Playhouse, bistros and boutiques. [caption id="attachment_1915" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Garden Gate B & B[/caption]

In Bailey’s Harbor:

  1. Inn at Windmill Farm is a restored turn-of-the-century Dutch farmhouse in a pastoral setting with windmill and orchard. There’s even an art gallery and antique shop right on the property. [caption id="attachment_1917" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Inn at Windmill Farm[/caption]
  2. Blacksmith Inn on the Shore is on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, making it the ideal setting to unwind to the sound of the seagulls or stay active with a kayak adventure. [caption id="attachment_1918" align="aligncenter" width="559"] Blacksmith Inn[/caption]

In Egg Harbor:

  1. Bay Point Inn boasts some spectacular water views that go very nicely with the European vacation villa feel of the place. [caption id="attachment_1919" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Bay Point Inn[/caption]

In Fish Creek:

  1. White Gull Inn is the peninsula’s oldest operating inn and hosts a traditional fish boil, complete with cherry pie for dessert. [caption id="attachment_1920" align="aligncenter" width="450"] White Gull Inn[/caption]
  2. Juniper Inn, located on a high bluff overlooking a juniper meadow, is an easy bike ride from Peninsula State Park. [caption id="attachment_1921" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Juniper Inn[/caption]

In Ephraim:

  1. Eagle Harbor Inn is laden with amenities, including an indoor current pool, sauna, and fitness room, to say nothing of the gourmet breakfast served garden-side plus free beach chairs to plop down on Ephraim Beach. [caption id="attachment_1922" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Eagle Harbor Inn[/caption]

While in Door County this summer: Make a point to visit The Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey’s Harbor, celebrating 80 years of preserving some of the peninsula’s most ecologically diverse lands. Then whet your whistle at Shipwrecked Brew Pub in Egg Harbor – at 20 years, it is Door County’s oldest microbrewery.  The Door County peninsula allows you to watch a sunrise and a sunset over the water without leaving the county.  There is such a variety of things to do and see, there are thousands of acres of orchards, you can explore art galleries, pick fresh cherries, sip on local wines and brews, rent a canoe or kayak to paddle along the bluffs, hike the five state parks or tour 11 lighthouses.  No matter what you’re looking to get out of your vacation, our innkeepers will help you to seek that unique experience in Door County. As we like to remind all of our readers, all member inns of the WBBA are licensed, inspected and insured, so, rest assured, you will get a tranquil night's sleep, WBBA Seek the Unique

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Fodor’s Names 10 Best Small Towns in America

  [caption id="attachment_1130" align="alignright" width="300"] Juniper Inn, Fish Creek.[/caption] This week Fodor’s unveiled its list of 10 Best Small Towns in America, saying “in a time when ‘authentic’ is a travel buzzword, these hamlets are attracting visitors with an often unexpected and surprisingly sophisticated array of independent and locally-minded offerings.” Door County was one of the 10, with a mention of Juniper Inn B&B in Fish Creek. Fodor’s lauds the peninsula for its beaches, boutique shops, working artist studios and, of course, fish boils and locally grown cherries.  We’ll add B&Bs to that list too!  
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