Farmers' Markets and Farmstead Inns

  [caption id="attachment_1941" align="aligncenter" width="413"] Lake Orchard Farm Retreat in Sheboygan, WI ~ greenhouse[/caption] Farmers’ markets in Wisconsin are legendary, so much so that even visitors make a point to include them on their fall itineraries. To further the farm connection, stay at a working farm B&B. [caption id="attachment_1338" align="alignright" width="164"] Astor House B&B in Green Bay, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1903" align="alignleft" width="156"] Otter Creek Inn in Eau Claire, WI[/caption] [caption id="attachment_357" align="aligncenter" width="147"] Hotel Ruby Marie in Madison, WI[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_1945" align="alignleft" width="198"] Farmers' Market in Dane County[/caption] Perhaps the most famous farmers’ market not just in Wisconsin but in the country is the Dane County Farmers’ Market, the nation’s largest producer-only market. Walk to this market on the capital square when you stay at Hotel Ruby Marie. In Oshkosh, vendors line the main street, with shoppers loading up on fruits and veggies, flowers and egg rolls, even a loaded Bloody Mary morning cocktail before doing a little shopping at the downtown boutiques. The Brayton B&B is conveniently located right downtown as well. In Appleton, stroll among 150 vendors and treat yourself to some baked goods too. Stay at the Franklin Street Inn, where an elegant breakfast can be delivered right to your suite. A bit farther north is Green Bay, where the Saturday farmers’ market dates back 100 years this year. Enjoy music while you shop before heading to your room at the Astor House B&B. If you’re staying at the 1810 Emerson House B&B in Beloit, then be sure to visit their farmers’ market in the heart of their historic downtown district. Make the connection to country life at the Eau Claire farmers’ market, then spend the night at the spacious Otter Creek Inn. [caption id="attachment_1137" align="alignleft" width="229"] Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska, WI is very kid-friendly![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1735" align="alignright" width="229"] Valley Springs Farm B&B in Reedsburg, WI[/caption]                 We’re proud to have a number of farmstead inns among our membership too. There’s Lake Orchard Farm Retreat, a 6th generation farm with on-site golf course in Sheboygan; Rainbow Ridge Farms in Onalaska, with turn-of-the-century farmhouse and 35-acre working hobby farm; and Valley Springs Farm B&B in Reedsburg, a 4th generation dairy farm and one of the stops on this year’s “Hill and Valley Exploration Tour” in Sauk County being held the first two full weekends in October. The tour includes more than 60 activities along the way, from learning how to shear sheep to grooming a show calf to harvesting honey. Fill your cooler with fresh veggies, jellies and preserves purchased directly from the 14 participating farms.   WBBA Seek the Unique

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

Fall Getaway in Wisconsin Must Include…

We all have our favorites when it comes to the quintessential fall getaway in Wisconsin, so this is by no means a definitive itinerary, but it comes close in our book.  Did we mention you’ll probably need at least a week to get everything in? [caption id="attachment_821" align="alignright" width="300"] Underwater view of a cranberry bog, courtesy of          Amil's Inn B&B, Wilton.[/caption] Tour a cranberry bog.  Make reservations to tour Glacial Lake Cranberries in Wisconsin Rapids.  This historic and sustainable cranberry marsh has been in continuous operation since 1873. Make reservations to stay at one of two nearby inns in Steven’s Point – Dreams of Yesteryear or A Victorian Swan on Water. Also, this weekend September 28-30 is the 40th annual Warrens Cranberry Festival  in Warrens, WI, the largest of its kind in the world.  Before you go check what's available at these area B&Bs...rooms are going fast!
Attend an Oktoberfest event. We have to go with La Crosse on this one,  with their Oktoberfest running September 28-October 6.  Relax at Four Gables B&B or Wilson Schoolhouse Inn after the merry-making. Take in a view from above.  At Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau, take a ride to the top of Granite Peak and back via ski chairlift.  The rides are available September 29-30, October 6-7 and October 13-14. Then stay in a National Register Arts & Crafts masterpiece, the Stewart Inn. Head to a farmers’ market.  No matter what B&B you’re visiting, there’s bound to be a farmers’ market close by.  Just ask the innkeeper. Tailgate. Tailgating before a Badger game? There are a half-dozen different Madison B&Bs to choose from to serve as home base.  Just be sure to pack plenty of red and white.  Tailgating before a Packer game? There are numerous inns within 50 miles, with half-dozen of them within a 25 mile radius of  Green Bay and Lambeau Field for your game-day pleasure. Experience opera.  The Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee kicks off its season at the end of October with a performance of Bizet’s “Carmen.” Experience fall drama by staying at Cold Spring Inn in nearby Hubertus. Located on 80 acres with a river valley running through it, Cold Spring Inn also has a new boutique vineyard and wine tasting.  Bravo! Eat a caramel apple. In Cedarburg, the caramel apples at Amy’s Candy Kitchen are the best (that’s not just us saying it either, it’s according to the Wall Street Journal, Milwaukee Magazine and the Wisconsin State Fair).  The two B&Bs in town are historic gems – they are the Stagecoach Inn B&B and Washington House Inn.
Receive our Newsletter for B&B travel, seasonal packages, Wisconsin fun, and tasty recipes, all delivered to you in our quarterly e-newsletter.