Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association Blog » Wisconsin

Floating An Idea for a Spring Getaway

wbba — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:14:19 +0000

Have you ever gone whitewater rafting? In Wisconsin, now’s the time, as spring is when the rivers are high with meltwater and spring rains. We recommend the Peshtigo River, which offers a nice, long stretch of active whitewater. Inns located in north-eastern WI include Lakeside B&B in Florence and Inn at Pinewood in Eagle River. The Wolf River has Class II and Class III rapids, great for experienced paddlers looking for a rush. Crandon’s Courthouse Square B&B and Marinette’s Lauerman House Inn, M&M Victorian Inn and Riverside Manor B&B are closest to outfitters along the Wolf.

Guests at The Inn at Pinewood, Eagle River, a log resort, can enjoy the private lake by boat or by balcony view. A true Wisconsin 'up north' experience.

B&Bs That Believe Earth Day is Every Day

wbba — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:12:57 +0000

We have an especially soft spot for Earth Day (it’s April 22) here in Wisconsin. Maybe it’s because the force behind the first Earth Day was Wisconsin’s own Senator Gaylord Nelson. Or because of our state’s proud farming heritage (you can even stay at a B&B on a working farm) and abundant natural resources. Here at the Wisconsin B&B Association, we have another reason to support Earth Day in a big way – it’s because B&Bs were among the first tourism businesses in the state to step up and be Travel Green Wisconsin certified when the voluntary certification program launched some five years ago, and our lodging segment remains a pioneer yet today in the state’s green movement. If you’re looking for a B&B getaway that will allow your eco-conscience to rest easy without giving up the amenities you love, then choose from any of our Travel Green Wisconsin certified inns. You’ll have nearly 40 to choose from! Happy Earth Day everyone.

Rainbow Ridge Farm B&B, your country farmhouse getaway, is just a stones throw from La Crosse. The comfortable, serene atmosphere at Rainbow Ridge Farms will renew your spirit while you take a break from the hustle and bustle of your daily life. And, for a different kind of hustle, visit their 'baby animal due date' calendar!

At Justin Trails Resort of Sparta, llamas Dusty and Rusty get a snack. Justin Trails' rolling fields are criss-crossed with hiking and X-C ski trails - great exercise for both 2 and 4-footed creatures!

A Cure for Downton Abbey Withdrawal

wbba — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:46:52 +0000

A Cure for Downton Abbey Withdrawal

If you’re among the growing legion of fans of the PBS series “Downton Abbey” then, like us, you’re already in withdrawal knowing Season 3 won’t premiere until 2013. Until then, may we kindly suggest you plan to holiday at one of these Wisconsin B&Bs known for their opulence and luxury as a way to ease your pain and channel the Crawleys. We believe the Dowager Countess of Grantham herself would approve. In alphabetical order by city, we unveil our most Downton Abbey-esque B&Bs: Rittenhouse Inn – Bayfield, Washington House – Cedarburg, Joannes B&B – DePere, Angel Inn – Green Lake, Westphal Mansion Inn – Hartford, McCormick House – Hayward, Phipps Inn – Hudson, Livingston Inn – Madison, Lauerman House Inn / M&M Victorian – Marinette, Ludlow Mansion – Monroe, Inn at Pine Terrace – Oconomowoc, The Roth House – Soldiers Grove, Strawberry Lace Inn – Sparta, Dreams of Yesteryear – Stevens Point, Scofield House – Sturgeon Bay, Apple Tree Lane B&B – Waupaca, Isadora’s B&B – West Bend.

Originally separated by pocket doors, the Ladies' Parlor and the Men's Parlor now permit co-ed relaxing...scandalous in Victorian times! Dreams of Yesteryear - Stevens Point welcomes you to yesteryear with today's comforts.

Pass through the portieres and step back in time at the "high Victorian" Scofield House in Sturgeon Bay of Door County. Hint: you'll find TV's hidden in the armoires, plus other comforts of today.

When is Breakfast in Bed a Guilt-Free Pleasure?

wbba — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:43:54 +0000

Admit it, breakfast in bed is a guilty pleasure, what with dining in your pj’s, lingering over the Sunday New York Times, indulging in a sweet treat you might otherwise avoid because it’s not part of your diet plan and all. To enjoy the experience fully, however, we think you need to rid your mind of guilt, and these Wisconsin B&Bs are here to help you with that. Phipps Inn in Hudson always provides the option of breakfast in bed and about two-thirds of guests take them up on the offer. At the Oscar H. Hanson House B&B in Cambridge, not only can you request breakfast in bed, you can request breakfast on the porch or the patio if you prefer. Guests staying in the suites at Eagle Harbor Inn in Door County will hear a light knock on their door at 8 a.m. to signal their homemade breakfast basket has arrived, with Door County Cherry granola and Door County cherry cider among the goodies. At the Black Walnut Guest House in Sturgeon Bay, the innkeepers there exclusively serve breakfast to the room every morning rather than providing a dining room option, noting that “everyone loves this feature!” The Brayton B&B in Oshkosh and the Franklin Victorian B&B in Sparta are also on the breakfast in bed bandwagon. So enjoy this simple gesture of hospitality knowing it’s delivered with good wishes for a guilt-free getaway.

Your breakfast-in-bed at the Black Walnut Guest House in Sturgeon Bay (Door County) begins with fruit and freshly baked muffins. You'll add to your breakfast tray with selections from the menu.

Funny Videos on Why B&Bs Are a Better Way to Stay – Part 1

wbba — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:58:22 +0000

If you’re a loyal Wisconsin B&B traveler, you already have your reasons for choosing inns over hotels. Like quiet ambience, free wi-fi, gourmet breakfast, luxury linens, big screen TVs, connection to local history and culture, and friendly innkeepers. But for the rest of the traveling public who’ve not yet crossed a B&B threshold, it may simply be a case of the unknown or that a B&B just never entered their consideration set. Well, our trade organization, the Professional Association of Innkeepers International, put out a series of videos on YouTube that we think are a hoot showing why a B&B is a better way to stay. Here are links to our favorites regarding the food experience. Enjoy and feel free to forward to that friend of yours whom you’ve been trying to convince to give B&Bs a try. Real Breakfast Real Food Great Coffee

By the way, fourteenWisconsin B&B inns actually have full restaurants on site.

And this is just the first course of the breakfast you'll enjoy at the Westby House Inn, in Westby WI. The inn's menu, whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, changes to insure the freshest locally sourced foods.

The White Gull Inn hosts a regular Fish Boil - no trip to Door County is complete without this tradition! And, the White Gull Inn's breakfast of Door County Cherry French Toast was named the "Best Breakfast in America" by Good Morning America.

A Spirited Travel Suggestion Just in Time for Halloween

wbba — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:06:55 +0000

This may not be your thing, but there are a number of theaters in Wisconsin that are said to be haunted. In Milwaukee, the Riverside Theater, a grand vaudeville theater, is said to have apparitions. Where to stay: Brumder Mansion B&B. In Menomonie, the Mabel Tainter Memorial Theatre, with a style reminiscent of a Moorish palace, has garnered top billing as a haunted center for the arts. Where to stay: Country Comfort B&B, where you can “exorcise” stress with a massage in the inn’s spa room. Finally, the historically resorted Grand Opera House in Oshkosh is said to have a resident ghost or two. Where to stay: Brayton B&B.

One Last Round of Golf in Wisconsin

wbba — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:43:53 +0000

There’s still time for one last round of golf before the courses “roll up the greens” for the season. If you really want to make it memorable, book a tee time at one of these 12 golf courses around the state that made it to the 2010 list of Best Wisconsin Courses from Golf Magazine. Once you select the course, search for a B&B by city by clicking this link. For the die-hard golfer what could be better than waking up to a great cup of coffee and a energy-boosting breakfast followed by a round of 18.

The March of Fall Color in Wisconsin is On

wbba — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:59:04 +0000

Sunny days, cool nights - September is delivering perfect conditions for fall color, starting in the northwoods and marching south. As you plan your Wisconsin B&B getaway, you might want to log on to TravelWisconsin.com for up-to-the-minute fall color reports; you can even request the report be delivered to your e-mail. The Department of Tourism has dozens of spotters around the state, so it’s a great little tool. On your drive, maybe set aside time for a little detour to enjoy a Wisconsin Rustic Road. Lest you think “rustic roads” is a clever title for unimproved roads, think again. These roads, with their terrific natural features, offer hikers, bikers, and motorists a less-traveled escape into some of the finest scenery the Midwest has to offer. There are more than 500 designated miles of Rustic Roads in 54 counties of the state, many with B&Bs close-by.