Sustainable Travel Leap

  Looking for ways to tread lightly on the earth when you travel? Try green-certified independent inns to start, and then ask the innkeepers for recommendations on locally owned shops and restaurants. Spring always seems like the ideal time to talk about eco-lodging, what with Mother Nature waking from winter slumber, delicate plants and edibles poking through the once ice-crackled earth, and travelers eager to inhale the fresh air and exhale wind-chill hangovers.     Here in Wisconsin, we have a voluntary certification program called “Travel Green Wisconsin,” and we’re proud to say the Wisconsin B&B Association was a pioneer in this movement to promote eco-friendly travel. Among the many inns that are certified are Lake Ripley Lodge B&B in Cambridge with their new rain gardens boasting Native Wisconsin wildflowers, and Crystal River Inn in Waupaca, who serve food from their garden, harvest local wild fruit, and make all their jellies and jams. [caption id="attachment_2315" align="alignleft" width="260"] Lake Ripley Lodge B&B[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2316" align="alignright" width="263"] View from Crystal River Inn[/caption]                 Going above and beyond what Travel Green Wisconsin requires are Pinehurst Inn B&B in Bayfield, which was named one of the “Top 10 Eco-friendly Inns” by BedandBreakfast.com and received the 2014 Wisconsin Governor’s Stewardship Award, and Artha Sustainable Living Center in Amherst, where guests appreciate local, organic food and are welcome to attend the yoga studio’s weekly classes. You can find a more complete list of travel green certified inns on our website. [caption id="attachment_1394" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pinehurst Inn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1395" align="alignright" width="268"] Artha Sustainable Living Center[/caption]                 But the Wisconsin B&B Association’s commitment to the environment doesn’t stop there. We’re also proponents of “conscious travel,” with innkeepers always happy to suggest ideas for shopping local, dining at locally owned restaurants, and visiting attractions that preserve the history and culture of the community. We’re all in this together!

WBBA Seek the Unique

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

The Wisconsin Governor's Tourism Stewardship Award goes to...

Congratulations to Steve and Nancy Sandstrom of Pinehurst Inn!  This past Monday at the Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism held in Lake Geneva, Pinehurst Inn of Bayfield was awarded the Governor's Tourism Stewardship Award! "Pinehurst Inn is an 8 room B&B on Lake Superior, offering a magnificent natural environment that is enjoyed by visitors year round.  Pinehurst has a mission to be a premier eco-lodging facility, providing the highest level of green lodging hospitality and guest experience while preserving and promoting the unique historical and environmentally sensitive nature of the property and area. Pinehurst is committed to sustainability in all practices, serves as a model for other tourism businesses, and is a leader in the Wisconsin Travel Green Program.  A few of the sustainable initiatives Pinehurst practices includes using solar panels, organic and/or locally grown food, composting of all food and garden waste, providing guests with reusable stainless steel water bottles, and offering workshops and seminars to other business owners to learn about sustainable business.  The 'bottom line' at Pinehurst is a triple bottom-line, not only measuring business success with financial capital, but natural and social capital as well." [caption id="attachment_1426" align="aligncenter" width="133"]Pinehurst Inn Stewardship Award Pinehurst Inn Stewardship Award[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1427" align="aligncenter" width="158"]Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism March 3, 2014 Wisconsin Governor's Conference on Tourism March 3, 2014[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1428" align="aligncenter" width="161"]Congratulations Steve and Nancy! Congratulations Steve and Nancy at the Pinehurst Inn![/caption]

Think Green - Warm Up with Us – B&B Getaway Giveaway

Think GREEN … not what’s deep under the snow or St Paddy’s Day, but “traveling green”.  Innkeepers are doing their part to protect our environment while you enjoy a getaway in comfort and style.  Think earth-friendly cleaning & laundry products and a breakfast that supports local farmers – or features juicy tomatoes right from the inn’s garden. WBBA is honored to have as members Pinehurst Inn (Bayfield) which earned the highest score, and Artha Sustainable Living Center (Amherst) at #2 in Travel Green Wisconsin’s certification program. And, you can win a 2-night stay at either inn by entering our facebook contest!  On a final note, about 40 B&Bs throughout the state have earned their Travel Green certification. [caption id="attachment_1407" align="aligncenter" width="230"]Travel Green in eco-elegance at Pinehurst Inn located in Bayfield. Travel Green in eco-elegance at Pinehurst Inn located in Bayfield.[/caption]  

Superlatives to Guide B&B Travelers to Wisconsin

Why not fill up fall with B&B getaways in Wisconsin to all the “est” inns. Here’s what we mean: Oldest Inns:

Structure:  Wisconsin House Stagecoach Inn - Hazel Green. Built in 1846, Wisconsin House is structurally our oldest member inn.

In Operation:  Old Rittenhouse Inn - Bayfield.  In 1974 Old Rittenhouse Inn was the first B&B to open in Wisconsin  when the idea of a Bed & Breakfast was just gaining acceptance in the Midwest.

[caption id="attachment_745" align="aligncenter" width="211"] Wisconsin House Stagecoach Inn, Hazel Green[/caption] Newest Inns:

Structure:   At the Lake House - Lake Geneva. Built as a B&B in 2010.

In Operation:   O’Neill Manor – Neillsville.  Opened May 2012

[caption id="attachment_748" align="aligncenter" width="240"] O'Neill Manor, Neillsville.[/caption] Largest Inn: Washington House Inn - Cedarburg with 34 rooms. [caption id="attachment_750" align="aligncenter" width="211"] Washington House Inn, Cedarburg.[/caption] Tallest Inn: Strawberry Lace Inn - Sparta with four floors. [caption id="attachment_751" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Strawberry Lace Inn, Sparta[/caption] Highest Inn: Inn at Wawanissee Point – Baraboo. Perched 800 feet above the Wisconsin River Valley, this 42-acre estate offers a 36-mile view of the Lake Wisconsin Valley. [caption id="attachment_752" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Inn at Wawanissee Point, Baraboo[/caption] Greenest Inn: The top four point-getters in the Travel Green Wisconsin certified program include Pinehurst Inn – Bayfield at 140 points, Artha Sustainable Living Center - Amherst at 125 points, Token Creek Eco-Inn - Madison at 112 points, and Crystal River Inn - Waupaca at 100 points. [caption id="attachment_753" align="aligncenter" width="246"] Innkeepers Steve and Nancy Sandstrom at Pinehurst Inn, Bayfield.[/caption] ...Stay tuned for part 2 of the "est" list released this Friday!

Madison Continues to Rack Up Bike-Friendly Honors

Madison was just rated the fifth most bikeable city in the United States by Bike Score, a quantitative measurement of locations based on availability of bike lanes and infrastructure, hilliness, amenities and percent of people who bike to work.  Check out the heat map that shows areas best for biking in green and those areas not so accommodating in orange and red.  It would be fitting to stay at a Travel Green Wisconsin certified B&B when in Madison if you’re there to bike, don’t you agree?  There’s a nice trio to choose from: Annie’s B&B, Speckled Hen Inn, and Token Creek Eco-Inn.   [caption id="attachment_648" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="Look what's waiting for you after exploring Madison's bike trails at Token Creek Eco Inn just outside of Madison."][/caption]
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