The Wisconsin cheese industry is nothing short of legendary. We don't use that term lightly, either! Cheesemaking has been an essential part of Wisconsin's heritage for more than 175 years. In total, there are more flavors and varieties of cheese produced in Wisconsin than anywhere else--over 600 varieties to be specific. Not only that, but Wisconsin cheesemakers have earned themselves over 5,000 awards. It's no wonder the Wisconsin cheese industry is a popular tourist attraction.  This fall, come stay at one of our unique Bed and Breakfasts as you make your way from one tasting to the next. 

Wisconsin Cheese Satisfies Your Inner Foodie

"Happy Cows" may be part of the catchphrase for California's dairy industry, but they don't hold a candle to those of Wisconsin. There are more than 11,000 dairy farms filled with happy cows (and goats and sheep) across the state. This fall is the perfect time to visit them and to get a taste of this delicious Wisconsin treat. Spend your time getting to know master cheesemakers, dining at restaurants featuring locally-sourced cheese and produce, enjoying farm-fresh and made-from-scratch breakfasts at our B&B's, pairing Wisconsin cheese with local wine and beer, and learning everything you ever wanted to know about Wisconsin's dairy industry. However you spend your time, this is a vacation that will surely satiate your inner foodie.

Travel Wisconsin has put together an incredible cheese tasting itinerary that will take you to some of the best cheese producing regions across the state. Though there are producers located across the state, we've included a few of our favorites from two of the biggest cheese-producing areas below.

Southwestern Wisconsin

Start your journey in Madison Wisconsin at Fromagination, a fantastic and immersive cheese-centric experience. From there, head southwest.  Here, you will find some of the most popular cheese destinations, like Carr Valley Cheese, Arena Cheese, Brunkow Cheese, Montchevre, a leading goat cheese producer in the country, Emmi Roth Käse, and the National Historic Cheesemaking Center in Monroe. You might want to plan to spend most of your time here, as Monroe is the cheesemaking capital of the country. 

Eastern Wisconsin

Travel along the eastern portion of Wisconsin near Cedarburg, and visit cheese mainstays like Widmer's Cheese Cellars. You can even stop in for a cheesemaking class at The Cheesemaker. As you travel north, check out Beechwood Cheese Factory, where they've been perfecting their craft for over 100 years. On the first Saturday of each month, their fresh cheese curds can be enjoyed straight out of the vat. Talk about getting a fresh taste of Wisconsin's cheese firsthand! Continue along your journey and head towards Appleton, where you can sample some of the award-winning mozzarella and feta at Simon's Specialty Cheese. 

Savor Wisconsin at a Local Bed and Breakfast

You'll need somewhere to stay as you travel between tastings. What could be better than staying in accommodations that reflect the same unique flavors of Wisconsin you've been seeking along the way? For that, there is our collection of Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, proudly serving up the most unique and welcoming accommodations across the state. You'll find at least one of our member Inns in each region listed above. Though each Inn certainly boasts its own unique character and charm, you can expect to find the same delightful hospitality and comfortable accommodations at each. Use our search tool to help you plan, and book a room at a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast today!

This summer, it's time to gather up all of those friends and family from near and far to plan the perfect girlfriend getaway. Imagine a weekend together filled with pampering, togetherness, and of course plenty of fun. That's what girlfriend getaways are all about, and Wisconsin's finest Bed and Breakfasts can help.

Whether you're looking for an itinerary packed with plenty of fun, or something a little more laid back where the focus is simply on being together, you'll find it in Wisconsin. Our member Bed and Breakfasts are located all over the state, and are often rated as some of the best places to stay in Wisconsin.

Whatever it is you choose to do, a girlfriend getaway is bound to help you and your closest friends create memories that will last a lifetime. Start your search by browsing through our member Inns. It's time to quit dreaming about a vacation, and time to just make it happen. Book your girlfriend getaway to Wisconsin today!

The Best Girlfriend Getaway is in Wisconsin

In a state as diverse and beautiful as Wisconsin, it's easy to plan a girlfriend getaway that will make every member of your group happy. We recommend you spend your girlfriend getaway off the beaten path, in the smaller, vibrant communities of Wisconsin. Here are a few ways to do exactly that:

Sip & Swirl Your Way around Wisconsin

There is no shortage of good wineries and breweries in Wisconsin. You can spend days traveling around the state sipping and tasting your way through many of them. While the titan's of Wisconsin's brew scene, Pabst and Miller are still around, the brewing scene in Wisconsin has seen tremendous growth at the local level. In most cities, you can now find at least one microbrewery. Visiting these microbreweries and getting to know their towns and regions is an excellent way to experience the best of Wisconsin. We wrote a recent blog about some of the top breweries to visit in Wisconsin.

The state's wineries are just as exciting. Visiting a few of these gems during an afternoon or two is the perfect compliment to a girlfriend getaway. There are over 100 wineries, but some of the lesser-known and worthwhile stops include Wollersheim Winery & Distillery in Prairie du Sac, Belle Vinez Winery in Hudson, Chateau St. Croix Winery in St. Croix Falls, Cambridge Winery, DC Estate Winery in Beloit, Staller Estate Winery in Delavan, and Lewis Station Winery, the state's first craft winery, located in Lake Mills. 

Get Outside and Be Adventurous

Whatever part of the state you find yourself in, you'll find an incredible range of outdoor activities to enjoy. For example, try the Waupaca and Chain O'Lakes area of central Wisconsin. It's breathtakingly beautiful and fit for the most adventurous of groups. Maybe you want to try your hand at some fun water activities, such as Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUPing)? You can even throw a little yoga in for fun! Or maybe you and your girlfriends want to rent a pontoon boat and head out on the lakes for the day? Cool off and take a swim at one of the sandbars along the way. 

SUPing in Waupaca isn't the only way to enjoy the water in Wisconsin, either. The Northwestern part of the state is known for its rugged shoreline along Lake Superior, while the Northeast boasts nearly 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan. Both areas are ripe with rivers and lakes to explore, too. But for a tranquil trip down some of the most scenic stretches of river in the state, you can't beat staying in the Driftless Region in the southwestern part of the state. Here, you'll find the gently meandering waters of the Kickapoo River near Ontario, to name but one. At night, the quiet countryside of the Driftless region is perfect for stargazing and enjoying time together around a bonfire. These experiences and more can be had at select Bed and Breakfasts in Wisconsin. 

Another hidden gem of Wisconsin is the ruggedly beautiful town of Wausau. You can get adventurous at their acclaimed Whitewater Park, take to the hills of Rib Mountain State Park, or spend some time browsing their incredible museums in downtown, including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Other great places to hike or take nature walks around the state include Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario, Devils Lake State Park near Baraboo, Governor Dodge State Park just outside of Madison, the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest near West Bend, and Horicon Marsh near Horicon.

If biking is more your speed, head over to the Elroy-Sparta Trail near Sparta. It is a former railway that turned to a multi-use trail in the beautiful Driftless Area. Other great cycling trails include the La Crosse River State Trail, the Great River State Trail near La Crosse, and the Sugar River State Trail in Southern Wisconsin near New Glarus.

Don't Forget to add in some Shopping

We'd be remiss not to mention some of the top towns for shopping in Wisconsin. When you and your girlfriends are ready to do a little shopping, head to the Fox Cities. This collection of small towns is known as "Wisconsin's Shopping Place," and for good reason. The Fox Cities, which includes cities like Appleton, is in the northeastern part of the state.  It is made up of about 20 different small communities, each offering up a different mix of shopping. From large malls to quaint boutiques, you and your best girlfriends will have a wonderful time getting to know each of these wonderful Wisconsin communities. For other great shopping ideas, refer to Travel Wisconsin's guide to small town shopping around the state. 

Pamper Yourself at a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast

There are a number of spas around the state who put wellness at the forefront of everything they do. But many Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts make wellness a central part of their experience, too.  That's why we're among the best places to stay in Wisconsin! These Inns and the services they offer make getting pampered while on vacation even easier. Several Inns offer in-room massages and services, or they partner with local businesses or can refer you to local spas. Some even offer full wellness retreats and services so your girlfriend getaway can be focused exactly where it should be; on you and your friendships. 

Whether the focus of your girlfriend getaway is deep relaxation, wine and conversation, or finding the adventure of a lifetime, the state of Wisconsin and our member Bed and Breakfasts are here to help. Just as each region in the state has its own charms, so to do each of our lodging properties. A vacation in Wisconsin can be as interesting and unique as your group of girlfriends, and our innkeepers are here to help! Don't wait; book your girlfriend getaway to Wisconsin today!

We promised to pass along more innkeeper recommendations on nearby hiking trails and here they are! First we invite you to explore the trails close to the Eagle Harbor Inn, in Ephraim. Right in Ephraim there is a path that wanders through the town and up the bluff down small quiet back roads past all kinds of summer cottages and year around homes. The Bay of Green is never far from view. In fact at many places along the way it’s possible to dip your toes into that bay. There is a route that is mapped it takes a couple of hours. But, it is possible to walk small parts of the route at a time.   Also located close by is one of the best state parks in the state, Peninsula State Park. There are trails for all skill levels and they vary in length as well. The park is loaded with so much to see.  If those are trails too traveled for your taste there is Newport State Park a mere a 20 minute drive north. There you’ll find more secluded and rugged trails on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Also Whitefish Dunes State Park is located south of Jacksonport. Along with miles of trails over sand dunes and into the thickly wooded areas of the park, there are dunes along the shore for picnicking and sunning while you try to brave the icy cold waters of Lake Michigan.   A little further south in Appleton Judy Halma of the Franklin Street Inn shared with us that guests often enjoy hiking the Heckrodt Hiking Trail-76 acres of forested wetland, 3+ mile trail system allows access without getting your wet feet, located less than 5 miles from the inn.   Nearby in Oshkosh, Brayton B&B recommends The Wiouwash State Trail is a rail trail just a few short blocks from the inn. Its name is derived from the first two letters of the four counties it traverses: Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Shawano. The trail is used by walkers, hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers during the winter months. The trail is split into two sections. The northern section runs from Aniwa to Split Rock. The southern section runs for 21 miles from Oshkosh northward to Hortonville and offers opportunities for biking, walking, jogging and bird-watching.  As it traverses the countryside, the southern section of the Wiouwash passes through a number of interesting natural habitats. Segments of the trail run through prairie and wetlands, attracting hundreds of species of birds, including sandhill cranes. The trail also crosses Dagget’s Creek, the Rat River and Black Otter Creek. It’s a scenic and relaxing journey, whether you’re on foot or two wheels.  That's all for now! Stay tuned for Part 3 for more hiking recommendations!   [caption id="attachment_1246" align="aligncenter" width="506"] Heckrodt Hiking Trail in Menasha offers great views of the diverse life in the wetlands.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1247" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Peninsula State Park[/caption]

Scrapbooking is nice as a solitary pursuit, but wouldn’t you rather cut and paste surrounded by a crew of your favorite fellow scrapbookers? If yes, then consider making it an away occasion. Miller’s Daughter B&B in Green Lake hosts scrapbooking weekends fall through winter, with an area designated specifically just for that.  At the Franklin Street Inn in Appleton, innkeeper July Halma, a former art teacher, says her B&B is a “Crop Til You Drop” retreat location. And at Lake Orchard Farm B&Bin Sheboygan, three-night scrapbooking retreats are held in their well-lit clubhouse area, with use of fully equipped kitchen included in the package. [caption id="attachment_1110" align="alignright" width="300"] Clubhouse is full for a scrapbooking retreat at Lake Orchard Farm B&B, Sheboygan.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1109" align="alignleft" width="270"] A group at Miller's Daughter B&B, Green Lake enjoying a scrapping marathon.[/caption]

Money Magazine crunched the numbers to zero in on America's best small cities for families and it's no surprise that 4 Wisconsin cities are in the Top 100. Waukesha, a western Milwaukee suburb, ranks #50 with its easy access to miles of Rails to Trails bike paths, Frame Park's miles of hiking trails and regular weekend events and 'art crawls' every 2 months. At #69, Eau Claire's great fishing (Wisconsin is so much more than cheeseland - we're known for our fish fries too), and rolling hills are complemented by an active music scene downtown - in fact, the indi folk band Bon Iver got its start here. Madison, known for its bike friendly culture - try a scenic cruise around Lake Monona past Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace - and exceptional Farmer's Market Saturday mornings on the Capitol Square, comes in at #95. Appleton, a mecca for shop-a-holics with the Fox River Mall area, showcases Broadway entertainment (did we mention we're so much more than cheeseland?) at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, is #96. How can you find out what the locals know? Easy - B&B innkeepers are your personal concierge, sharing their insider tips for their city with you. And, it's easy to find which city you want to visit - and where to stay - by using our 'find an inn' feature.