Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast Association

Crystal River Inn B&B

When the whisper of quiet comes floating though the air calling, you know it’s time to return to the Crystal River Inn B&B. Our 1853 Greek Revival National Register Historic home awaits. Our 11 acre property is the largest contributor to the National Register Historic District of “Rural on the Crystal” including two barns and a brick silo. Nicknamed "Wisconsin's hidden hamlet," our little village abounds with history. We are one of only two intact Yankee villages in Wisconsin. We are located just four miles outside of Waupaca, home to the 23 lake "Chain O’ Lakes" called the “Killarney of America.”

Wisconsin Government and University eligible travel rate are available ($70/night,breakfast additional).

The Inn and area offer wonderful and diverse birding given the wide variety of habitat from tamarack swamps to hardwood uplands. There are lots of other wildlife in the immediate area such as river otters. We are three miles from Hartman Creek State Park, an easy bicycle ride in good weather.

There are many scenic roads and trails for fine walking and bicycling. We are on Rustic Road 23 and listed in many Bicycling Wisconsin books. As we also cycle, it is a great pleasure to us to host bicyclists with safe, indoor storage of your bikes and gear.

We have just been certified as a Travel Green Wisconsin lodging and are committed to making as gentle impact on the earth as possible. We are also committed to preserving and restoring wildlife habitat and native plant communities on most of our property. We support the Audubon Society, Wild Ones, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO), Friends of Hartman Creek and the National Wildlife Federation.

Our Inn and area offer wonderful treats any time of year.

Winter is mesmerizing with the beauty of the snowy banks of the "river that never freezes." Cross-coutnry ski trails abound and a fire will be aglow and hot chocolate waiting at the Inn as you come in - winter fun, indoors and out.

Find spring inspiration and summer serenity as you strol the grounds along the river, in the woods or by the natural spring. You can meditate in the gazebo or curl up in a wicker rocker with a book on the screened porch. For more activity you’ll want to visit the “chain” to swim, water ski, canoe, and kayak or just sit back and relax while the "Chief Waupaca," the authentic sternwheeler, takes your eyes on a scenic tour of the lakes. Shop the shops and art galleries, visit the charming out of the way restaurants then return home to the riverside Victorian gazebo to sip lemonade and dream while the murmur of the river gliding over the rocks and through the stone arched bridges lulls you a step into the past. As you reminisce you almost hear the stagecoach approaching from down our Wisconsin Rustic Road #23 as it did in the past. We are just a short way from the Yellowstone Trail and the Ice Age Trail and just down the road from Hartman Creek State Park. You're never more than a minute from relaxation when you stay with us.

Fall colors make the area a photographer's dream. Travel the many designated "Rustic Roads," beginning at our front door, and the perfect autumn picture can be found around every curve.

Enjoy the authentic taste of earlier days with our homemade wild grape and wild plum jelly and homemade strawberry and raspberry preserves on bread or southern biscuits (homemade, too, of course). You'll find great food here at the Inn!

At local restaurants you'll find the brats, beer, fish frys and pizza are great but the choices are much wider than that. There are small and large cafes, supper clubs, and bar/restaurants just like years ago plus up-to-date euro-american bistros, chinese restaurants and cozy, pleasant pubs.

We don’t like to get too far into the past where amenities would be forgotten so we do include high speed wireless internet, copy and fax machine all hidden out of sight in nooks and crannies. We also warn guests as when to expect “rush hour” where as many as three cars may go through the village within 10 minutes. Other times, feel free to walk the village streets, dip you fingers or your toes into the refreshing waters of the Crystal.