There is no place like your warm, cozy home in your favorite easy chair in the dead of winter, right? But let's face it, too much time inside can make you stir-crazy. Cabin-fever usually sets in just about now, even for the most hearty Wisconsinites. When your efforts to beat those winter blah's at home have been exhausted by finishing that good book, putting the last piece of the puzzle together, or completing that home-improvement project, then we have some terrific remedies to help cure those winter blues. We have winter activities!

Wisconsin does have some beautiful, picture-perfect winter days. You know the kind... when the sparkle of the sun shines on the newly fallen white snow, making everything look like magic glitter. We feel the best way to beat the winter doldrums is to get outside and enjoy this winter snow globe. We have perfect suggestions on where to go and what to do to enjoy some memorable winter activities. Whether the tried and true sledding (Spoiler alert: You don’t have to be a kid to indulge in this one) and skiing or a new winter activity like fat-tire biking or snowshoeing. A Wisconsin B&B getaway is just the ticket... staying at home and having to shovel is not what we have in mind when we say, go out and experience the Wisconsin winter wonderland! 

 

         Apple Tree Lane B&B, Waupaca                                                                 Crystal River Inn, Waupaca

With a resort community like Waupaca, located in Central Wisconsin, there are plenty of winter sports for you to enjoy in and around the city.  Among the favorites, is  cross country skiing, snowshoeing , or fat tire biking on the many trails throughout Hartman Creek State Park. Just north of Waupaca, in Iola, you will find 6.5 KM of lighted trails at the Iola Winter Sports Complex, which also features ski jumping and Nordic Combined. Nearby, in Wild Rose, Nordic Mountain has fantastic tubing hills and downhill skiing! You can ask any Waupaca innkeeper for ideas and recommendations to suit what you're looking for when it comes to getting out and about this winter. The innkeepers at Apple Tree Lane B&B, Crystal River Inn, and Green Fountain Inn are the experts in Waupaca.

 

Eagle Centre House, Eagle

Eagle Centre House B&B in Eagle is located very near the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest and Lapham Peak, which has miles of snow shoe and cross country ski trails as well as snowmobile trails in the area. The many lakes scattered around make for great ice fishing spots. About 20 minutes away from the inn is Alpine Valley Ski Resort in East Troy. Don't forget to also check out the sledding hill right on the property of the Eagle Centre House B&B!  After a day of chilly winter activities, head back to the inn where the wood burning stoves add heat, ambiance, and romance in the "tap" room and the ladies parlor.

 

Hidden Serenity B&B, West Bend

Speaking of the Kettle Moraine, Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend is located adjacent to the Northern Kettle Moraine, which offers incredible cross country skiing, snow shoeing and down-hill skiing. Just 10 minutes away from the inn, you'll also find Sunburst - a fun, family-orientated ski, snowboard, and tubing area located north of Milwaukee. Sunburst offers 77 acres of pure winter fun with skiing, snowboarding, and the world's largest tubing park with over 40 runs. They offer 12 runs with the longest being 2,600 feet. Or, tap into your inner child and build a snowman, or two or three or...!

 

Stewart Inn, Wausau

The top skiing resort in Wisconsin is just five miles from the Stewart Inn, located in Wausau. Granite Peak offers 75 runs, a 700-foot mountain, two high speed lifts, and skiing mid-November through early April. They also offer groomed cross country skiing trails (9 mile recreation and Sylvan Hills) and tubing. After a day on the hills, relax in style with a nightly wine & cheese reception and a gourmet breakfast the next day, all included with every stay at Stewart Inn!

Don't forget, you can always find a list of more member inns that participate in or offer Snow Sports experiences under the "Area Experiences" tab of our website.

After a day of winter activities, you will look forward to heading back to your warm and welcoming Inn and enjoying a hot chocolate or glass of wine, asking the innkeeper for expert recommendations of the best restaurants and evening activities and then knowing your luxurious accommodations will be waiting for you upon your return. And, don't forget, you won't have to shovel!

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

Staying at a Wisconsin B&B during the holidays or for a winter getaway is wonderful in and of itself! Beautifully decorated Inns, the warmth of a fireplace, the scent of fresh baked cookies, and the sparkle of new fallen snow delight all the senses. When you add one of the many specials or packages offered by our member Inns, it is like gift-wrapping your holiday getaway into something magical.

 

Gift Certificate from Hidden Serenity B&B, West Bend

First, we have this wonderful giveaway from Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend: Purchase a $100 gift certificate or more to Hidden Serenity B&B and your name will be entered in their drawing for a chance to win a very special getaway package, valued at $1000.00! Contact them directly for all the details.

One of their most popular packages is called the Anniversary Bangarang Package, giving you all the pampering you deserve! It starts with a rejuvenating couple’s massage from a licensed massage therapist in their on-site mini spa. Delight in this package anytime, not just for your anniversary!

There's more to look at, so be sure to check out all their specials!

 

Christmas time at Hamiltion House B&B, Whitewater

Speaking of “gift-wrapping”, the Romantic Wrap Up by Hamilton House B&B will have you wandering Whitewater’s local boutiques to find that unique gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list. After your shopping, you can settle into a romantic evening of wine and wrapping supplied by Hamilton House by your private fireplace. Then you can enjoy having your Christmas shopping "All Wrapped up"!

 

The Sheldon Room at Stewart Inn, Wausau

Beat the cold chill of this winter season and warm up with a complimentary 30 minute massage at Apex Wellness when you book a multi-night stay for the Winter Spa Getaway at the luxury Stewart Inn in Wausau.

 

Hummingbird Haven at Silver Star B&B Inn, Spring Green

This Winter Getaway from the Silver Star B&B Inn in Spring Green offers a discount on your stay. Snowshoe their trails or just cuddle in front of the fieldstone fireplace with a glass of wine or cup of hot cocoa. Let your cares melt away!

 

Wine and Chocolates by the Varsity Suite fireplace at The Buckingham Inn, Madison

Treat yourself to a rejuvenating Madison getaway at The Buckingham Inn this holiday season for a 20% savings! Take in a winter concert or sporting event, shop unique stores nearby, or enjoy brisk walks through Madison’s historic university neighborhood.

Finally, you can check out all other specials and packages offered by WBBA member inns by visiting our website and searching “by specials and packages” under “Find An Inn”. Narrow your search by categories such as “holiday”, “last minute special”, and many more. We’re positive you’ll find just the right getaway to make your holidays and the winter season that much more… well, special!

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

  Foodies book vacations around a destination’s authentic food offerings. Exercise enthusiasts map their road trips around triathlons and marathons. History devotees head to reenactments. Music lovers fill up their summer calendar with live concerts. Let’s make this the summer of music getaways in Wisconsin. You may be surprised at the line-ups! Hand it to Wisconsin to host every kind of music genre around – jazz to rock, indie to folk, up-and-comers to today’s biggest headliners. Seems we just love a good party with good tunes. If music is your thing, here’s a Billboard-esque rundown of top concerts in Wisconsin this summer and suggestions on where to stay after the final curtain call. [caption id="attachment_2500" align="aligncenter" width="304"] Waterfest, Oshkosh WI[/caption] June 15-16: Metro Jam, Manitowoc. This free music fest features performers across nearly every genre. Westport B&B and Red Forest B&B offer impeccable accommodations not far from the festival. Thursdays, June 21-August 23: Waterfest live concert series, Oshkosh. Soak up the atmosphere at the outdoor amphitheater, then stay at the Brayton B&B, where it captures the best aspects of a B&B: wonderfully inviting rooms, tantalizing food, and the personal touch of Innkeepers that happily serve as concierge during your stay. July 6-7: Eaux Claires Fest, Eau Claire. This indie music and arts festival is getting lots of national attention. The Otter Creek Inn offers one acre of wooded beauty located within city limits and is abound with flowers in the summer, while the nearby Inn on Lake Wissota is famous for being tucked away in the pine-filled shores of this picturesque lake. August 2-5: Mile of Music, Appleton. After all that walking at this free, 100% original music festival featuring emerging artists, you can walk to and rest up at Franklin Street Inn, where Victorian Charm with Modern Comfort give you the experience of comfort and elegance when you sleep. August 17-18: Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, Wausau. Stewart Inn is fit for music celebrities, where it offers unmatched charm and amenities in a beautiful arts & crafts mansion. [caption id="attachment_2502" align="alignleft" width="300"] Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, Wausau WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2503" align="alignright" width="240"] Eaux Claires Fest, Eau Claire WI[/caption]               August 24-26: Great River Road Folk Festival, La Crosse. Four Gables B&B and Castle La Crosse offer very unique overnight experiences - Four Gables B&B is a lovely Victorian Queen Anne home listed on the National Register and tastefully furnished with antiques. Castle La Crosse, also designed in the Queen Anne form, is a grand bed and breakfast featuring numerous bedrooms, beautiful leaded and stained-glass windows, a library, and a music room. September 28: Kilbourn City Live, Wisconsin Dells. Hear up-and-comers before they hit it big, then head to peaceful Bowman’s Oak Hill B&B to enjoy 8 acres of park like setting and 23 acres of woods to wander. You will have the opportunity to rest, reflect, relax and be renewed both in body and spirit during your stay.  

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

  Joining the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association takes more than pretty curb appeal and private baths. Meet the new member inns for 2017 and find out what it takes to make the list. Did You Know: B&Bs join the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association only after they’ve passed a detailed inspection. Needless to say, not every inn makes the cut. Plus, every inn in our membership is licensed and insured. We bring good tidings of inns that have joined the Wisconsin B&B Association during 2017: [caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="328"] An Evening at the Stewart Inn[/caption] Joining the WBBA earlier this year, the Stewart Inn is a beautifully restored and comfortably furnished 1906 Prairie style mansion designed by George Maher, one of the founders of the American Arts and Crafts movement. Featuring original chandeliers, sconces, decorative fireplaces and stained glass windows, the Stewart Inn is among the world’s most intact examples of George Maher’s architecture. [caption id="attachment_2221" align="aligncenter" width="369"] Pinehurst Inn B&B[/caption] The Pinehurst Inn B&B in Bayfield joined the WBBA with its Northwoods charm and Southern hospitality. Located on over three wooded acres, there is something for everyone year-round, such as hiking or biking the many trails in the area and kayaking the sea caves, or snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the picturesque trails, downhill skiing and tubing on Mount Ashwabay just minutes from the Inn, or walking on frozen Lake Superior to enjoy the ice caves. [caption id="attachment_2222" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Silver Star B&B Inn - Fireplace[/caption] Also joining the WBBA in 2017, the Silver Star B&B Inn in Spring Green. Located in the unique driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin, an area that somehow escaped the past two great "Ice Ages", Silver Star B&B Inn is situated on a beautiful 20 acre setting. Unique raised bed gardens not only provide a visual floral feast in the height of summer, but may also provide the fruits and vegetables served to you at breakfast. [caption id="attachment_2219" align="aligncenter" width="380"] Lazy Cloud B&B Hayloft[/caption] Finally, the Lazy Cloud B&B in Lake Geneva. With its rich history, this small country inn has all the privacy and luxury of the finest Lake Geneva hotels and all the personal attention and amenities of a Bed and Breakfast. You are sure to be in for a magical, enchanted evening when staying at the Lazy Cloud B&B with their many romantic packages. They provide the place and the romantic atmosphere - you provide the love, laughter and celebration of your relationship!

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

  Here in Wisconsin, we love all four seasons, and that includes the frosty offerings of winter. Candlelight cross-country ski events are a peaceful way to embrace the snow, while fat biking on frozen lakes produces a more adrenaline-spiking high.

As antidote to the hustle and the bustle of the season, try a candlelight cross-country ski in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources maintains a master list of those events going on around the state into March: http://dnr.wi.gov/calendar/events/parks/index.asp?caudience=Candlelight.

Let’s take a quick look at January gatherings: [caption id="attachment_2184" align="alignleft" width="271"] Bowman's Oak Hill Garden Cottage Bed[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2190" align="alignright" width="300"] Country Comfort at Valley Springs Farm[/caption]                 The Jan. 6 ski, hike and snowshoe at Mirror Lake State Park near Wisconsin Dells is sure to be serene just like the setting itself. Spend the night at Bowman’s Oak Hill B&B or Valley Springs Farm B&B to continue the quiet vibe. [caption id="attachment_1621" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Getaway at the Honeybee Inn[/caption] On Jan. 20 there’s a candlelight hike at the Horicon Marsh in Horicon, a natural treasure in the state. There will be candlelit trails, a roaring bonfire, owl talks, and crafts. Reserve a suite at the Honeybee Inn B&B and be enveloped in luxury. The breakfasts are phenomenal too. [caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An Evening at the Stewart Inn[/caption] Then, on Jan. 27, Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau hosts a candlelight snowshoe hike. After being inspired by the natural beauty of the park, you’ll be inspired by the stunning workmanship of the Stewart Inn arts & crafts mansion. Now, if you’re into biking in the warm weather months and looking for a way to extend your season, give fat tire biking a whirl. Cruise on soft snowy terrain or take to frozen lakes for a twist on two-wheeling. [caption id="attachment_2111" align="alignright" width="284"] Fat Tire Winter Biking[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2186" align="alignleft" width="285"] Snowshoe Group with Bay Point Inn[/caption]                 In Newport State Park on the Door County peninsula, the two-mile bike trail loop provides scenery and a workout. Relax after your ride at Bay Point Inn in Egg Harbor, where the accommodations will remind you of a European vacation villa on the water. [caption id="attachment_2192" align="aligncenter" width="371"] Crystal River Inn Winter Night[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2191" align="alignright" width="291"] Winter Lights with Green Fountain Inn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2182" align="alignleft" width="300"] Apple Tree Lane B&B Through the Snow-Covered Trees[/caption]                   The third annual Fat Tire Bike Race in Waupaca is set for January 27, coinciding with their annual Pond Hockey Classic tournament which runs all weekend. Whether a rider or spectator, there’s a room waiting for you at Crystal River Inn B&B, an 1853 farmstead set on the banks of the Crystal River that is Travel Green Wisconsin certified. Nearby inns also include Apple Tree Lane B&B, where the elegant parlor's cozy wood stove invites you to sit a spell around her warmth, and the Green Fountain Inn, with decor and furnishings reminiscent of the grandeur of the 1920s.  

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

 

  [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-19^th 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]

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

[caption id="attachment_1831" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The photo of The Red Chair that started a phenomenon in 2011[/caption] The Red Chair Travels is coming to Wisconsin!  The WBBA is so excited to part of this phenomenon that started 5 years ago in Cape Cod, MA. Beth Colt is the innkeeper of the Woods Hole Inn on Cape Cod.   She took a picture of this red chair perched out on a frozen pond in Woods Hole in the winter of 2011.  When she posted the photo on Facebook her computer lit up with "likes" and this simple image journeyed all over cyberspace, and landed in the in-box of a California-based photographer, who was inspired to come visit the Woods Hole Inn in the off season.  When she asked to borrow the chair she was surprised; when the fruits of her labor arrived in the mail Beth was in awe. [caption id="attachment_1832" align="alignright" width="300"] Captain Freeman Inn Cape Cod, MA[/caption] The red chair became a symbol, a metaphor for connections made across invisible boundaries. In 2012 Beth contacted other Inns in Cape Cod to see if they would like to "host" the Red Chair for a few days and photograph the chair's visit.  Since then the Red Chair has visited more than 20 states in the U.S., and parts of Canada. For Beth Colt, "the red chair is an invitation to come explore yourself in a quiet and beautiful place.  It is an open seat at the table of relaxation.  It is the beckoning hand of civilization, marking the edge of the wildness of nature.  It is the dialogue between artists and innkeepers, dreamers and shop-girls, lost travelers and those that welcome them into warm beds." We know the Red Chair will feel right at home in Wisconsin and we are excited to see all the different adventures it has along the way.  Listed below is the schedule for the Red Chair Travels in Wisconsin.  Are you ready to Seek the Unique?  Book your stay at one of the participating WBBA B&B's today so you can take part in the Red Chair Travels!

Dates	Property	City
3/29-4/3	Curriers Lakeview Lodge	Rice Lake
4/4-4/8	Phipps Inn Bed & Breakfast	Hudson
4/9-4/13	Pleasant View Bed & Breakfast	Chippewa Falls
4/14-4/18	Stewart Inn	Wausau
4/19-4/22	Crystal River Inn	Waupaca
4/23-4/27	Lindsay House	Manawa
4/28-5/1	Franklin Street Inn	Appleton
5/2-5/6	Brayton Bed and Breakfast	Oshkosh
5/7-5/11	Greenway House Bed and Breakfast	Green Lake
5/12-5/16	Hidden Serenity B&B	West Bend
5/17-5/21	Honeybee Inn Bed & Breakfast	Horicon
5/22-5/25	Inn at Pine Terrace	Oconomowoc
5/26-5/29	Pedal'rs Inn Bed and Breakfast	Wales
5/30-6/3	Christmas House Bed and Breakfast	Racine
6/4-6/7	At The Lake House	Lake Geneva
6/8-6/11	Hamilton House	Whitewater
6/12-6/15	The Livingston Inn	Madison
6/16-6/19	Inn at Wawanissee Point	Baraboo
6/20-6/23	Ringling House	Baraboo
6/24-6/27	Valley Springs Farm	Reedsburg
6/28-6/31	Bowman's Oak Hill Bed and Breakfast	Wisconsin Dells
7/1-7/4	Fountain Chateau B&B	Hustler
7/5-7/8	Justin Trails Resort	Sparta

 

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."][/caption]