Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association

The Ultimate Road Trip

Did you know it’s the 80^th anniversary of The Great River Road, that ribbon of highway that hugs the Mississippi River? Now that you do, do make plans for a road trip to end all road trips. The GRR, for short, has loads of B&Bs along the way. The Great River Road may be turning 80 this year, but its ability to deliver an awesome scenic tour along the Mighty Mississippi never gets old. If you’re looking for an epic road trip, this is it. First, a little background. The route was formally established in 1938 by stringing together existing roads, auto tours and state trunks. It is Wisconsin’s only National Scenic Byway. There are 33 historic river towns along the 250-mile Wisconsin stretch, with some of those communities dating back to the 1600s. [caption id="attachment_2523" align="aligncenter" width="202"] Mississippi River Bluffs along The Great River Road[/caption] O.K., now on to a couple of recommendations on what to see and where to stay: Tritsch House B&B in Alma, WI is in an area that hugs the beautiful river banks of the Mississippi. The B&B itself is nestled into the river bluffs with wonderful views of the river. Nearby, you will find walking paths, rivers activities such as boating, fishing, canoe or kayaks, art galleries and wonderful shopping. Just imagine sitting out with a glass of wine while you watch the beautiful Alma sunset with that someone special. Another B&B you will find nearby to The Great River Road is Rainbow Ridge Farms located in Onalaska, WI, where you can relax in their turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 35 acre working hobby farm. As their guest, you are invited to feed animals, milk a goat, bottle feed a "kid", or collect eggs. In this area, you can enjoy antiquing, visiting Amish farmsteads, or participate in one of the area's many festivals like Oktoberfest, the Great River Folk Fest, Jazz Fest, Art Fair on the Green, and Riverfest. Some of the tallest bluffs along the Great River Road are located around La Crosse. La Crosse is the largest city you’ll pass through on your Great River Road journey. Castle La Crosse B&B and Four Gables B&B are the places to be if you're stopping to enjoy the variety of great restaurants, stores, museums and historic attractions that the city has to offer! WBBA Seek the Unique

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Fall Getaway in Wisconsin Must Include…

We all have our favorites when it comes to the quintessential fall getaway in Wisconsin, so this is by no means a definitive itinerary, but it comes close in our book. Did we mention you’ll probably need at least a week to get everything in? [caption id="attachment_821" align="alignright" width="300"]

Underwater view of a cranberry bog, courtesy of Amil's Inn B&B, Wilton.[/caption] Tour a cranberry bog. Make reservations to tour Glacial Lake Cranberries in Wisconsin Rapids. This historic and sustainable cranberry marsh has been in continuous operation since 1873. Make reservations to stay at one of two nearby inns in Steven’s Point – Dreams of Yesteryear or A Victorian Swan on Water. Also, this weekend September 28-30 is the 40th annual Warrens Cranberry Festival in Warrens, WI, the largest of its kind in the world. Before you go check what's available at these area B&Bs...rooms are going fast!

Attend an Oktoberfest event. We have to go with La Crosse on this one, with their Oktoberfest running September 28-October 6. Relax at Four Gables B&B or Wilson Schoolhouse Inn after the merry-making. Take in a view from above. At Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau, take a ride to the top of Granite Peak and back via ski chairlift. The rides are available September 29-30, October 6-7 and October 13-14. Then stay in a National Register Arts & Crafts masterpiece, the Stewart Inn. Head to a farmers’ market. No matter what B&B you’re visiting, there’s bound to be a farmers’ market close by. Just ask the innkeeper. Tailgate. Tailgating before a Badger game? There are a half-dozen different Madison B&Bs to choose from to serve as home base. Just be sure to pack plenty of red and white. Tailgating before a Packer game? There are numerous inns within 50 miles, with half-dozen of them within a 25 mile radius of Green Bay and Lambeau Field for your game-day pleasure. Experience opera. The Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee kicks off its season at the end of October with a performance of Bizet’s “Carmen.” Experience fall drama by staying at Cold Spring Inn in nearby Hubertus. Located on 80 acres with a river valley running through it, Cold Spring Inn also has a new boutique vineyard and wine tasting. Bravo! Eat a caramel apple. In Cedarburg, the caramel apples at Amy’s Candy Kitchen are the best (that’s not just us saying it either, it’s according to the Wall Street Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Wisconsin State Fair). The two B&Bs in town are historic gems – they are the Stagecoach Inn B&B and Washington House Inn.

New Microbreweries Map with Nearby B&Bs

Just in time for all those Oktoberfest celebrations, the Wisconsin B&B Association brings you a map of all the great microbreweries in the state, cross-referencing nearby B&Bs. It's a great pairing - tour an award-winning Wisconsin craft brewery, spend the night at an artisan-style B&B, and maybe even enjoy a breakfast dish with beer in the recipe. For the ultimate experience, there's Brewery Creek Inn, which is a B&B and microbrewery in one!