The music scene in Wisconsin has taken some intriguing, indie twists in the last few years, with festivals featuring performers you’d only expect to see on the coasts. Buy your tickets and book your B&B for music events in Eau Claire, Appleton, Wausau and more.

Wisconsin’s live music calendar this summer should impress even east and west coast concert fans. Here are a handful of still-insider gems that are getting bigger by the year. Eaux Claires in Eau Claire, June 16-17, the brainchild of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, is a multi-stage experience with live music, performance art and visual art. Stay: The English Tudor-style Otter Creek Inn gives you room to spread out after being in the crowd at Eaux Claires. [caption id="attachment_1903" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Otter Creek Inn[/caption] Driftless Music Festival in Viroqua, July 8, features jazz, swing, bluegrass and zydeco genres. Stay: Cream Pitcher B&B in Blue River and Westby House Inn in Westby are both an easy drive from this music fest. [gallery columns="2" ids="734,396"] Acoustic Fest in Manitowoc, July 15, showcases the talents of accomplished acoustic musicians. All proceeds go to local scholarships and community organizations. Stay: Guests of Westport B&B are treated to a full candlelight breakfast, a nice complement to the unplugged vibe of the acoustic festival. [caption id="attachment_1904" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Westport Bed & Breakfast[/caption] Mile of Music in Appleton, August 3-6, prides itself on being cover-free, meaning only original music from hundreds of artists and it’s all free. Stay: Franklin Street Inn is the perfect mix of Victorian charm and modern amenities, providing a quiet oasis after hearing all those great artists perform. [caption id="attachment_1905" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Franklin Street Inn[/caption] Big Bull Falls Blues Fest, Wausau, August 18-19, is Wisconsin’s longest running blues fest. Stay: The Stewart Inn was designed by one of the founders of the American Arts & Crafts movement with luxurious rooms that will make you feel like an A-list musician yourself. [caption id="attachment_1906" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The Stewart Inn[/caption] Music Festivals allow fans an opportunity to sample a large number of bands in just a few days.  The rise in the popularity of the living like the locals also adds to the allure, giving folks who value experiences much more than owning things, an opportunity to not only enjoy some music, but also experience the community around the festival. They get a chance to break away from the business of their everyday lives and sample something out of the ordinary.  For those who love the camaraderie of a diverse group of folks coming together for one weekend to enjoy their favorite genre of music, but then would prefer to leave that all behind for a quiet, restful night's sleep, the WBBA Inns are the place for you.  Our Innkeepers can provide the peaceful respite you crave to rejuvenate and be ready for all of the mayhem another day has to offer.  We always like to remind our readers that all WBBA members are licensed, inspected and insured.  So rest asured, you will get a good night's sleep when you stay at a WBBA B&B, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated the next morning.

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

People who remember them don't necessarily miss them and most young people have seen them only on TV in “A Charlie Brown Christmas”… the Evergleam aluminum Christmas tree! Wisconsin – known for its lumberjack history and woodsy vibe – was also home to the Aluminum Specialty Company of Manitowoc, manufacturer of over a million silver trees from 1955 – 1972. Laugh – or cringe - if you must; sold originally for $10-$20, the trees are now are worth hundreds – and the rare pink tree is valued at $1500. Is anyone running up to the attic about now? If you find this treasure, it will be light – the trees were designed to be light enough for women to lift the boxes containing the tree, stand, and colored light wheel. How considerate. We can’t promise that you’ll see shiny-ever-changing-colors aluminum trees at our 140 B&Bs, but feel free to look.  And, the Wisconsin Historical Museum on the Capitol Square in Madison now has an exhibit – due to its popularity, this is the 4th time Evergleam trees have been featured.  Shine on! [caption id="attachment_1335" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Blue ... red...green... shimmering aluminum tree. 60% of America's aluminum trees were produced in Wisconsin![/caption]

According to industry research, a whopping 87% of travelers head to B&Bs for romance. We love that! This time of year also brings to mind that famous quote from Lord Tennyson: "In the spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." Let’s add woman’s too. At any rate, check out the romance packages offering by Wisconsin B&Bs and see which offer the highest level of compatibility with your idea of a romantic spring getaway. [caption id="attachment_1195" align="alignleft" width="300"] Bath Sommelier - the ultimate in a soothing bath in the privacy of your room, with a beautiful array of the finest spa soaps, lotions, homemade bath salts from the Dead Sea, and loofahs. Total relaxation emersion, with soy aromatherapy candles, specialty music CD, and sprinkle of bath rose petals around to delight you. Fresh flowers, a small tray of fruits and chocolate truffles, and a beverage of your choice will complete the experience at Honeybee Inn, Horicon.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1196" align="alignright" width="270"] Enhance your Romance - Two relaxing and invigorating one hour in room massages performed by a certified therapist to the soothing sounds of nature, enhanced by soft music for a quiet interlude from a busy and hectic day. Chilled bottle of champagne or sparkling juice in your room upon arrival, a rose bouquet, and box of Bernstein's chocolate truffles. Romantic dinner for two at the award winning Courthouse Pub Restaurant. In the morning, a four course candlelight breakfast ... Westport B&B, Manitowoc[/caption]

Forget snow.  Record high temperatures for the third week of March – we’re talking high 70s to low 80s! - have been set all over the state, from Wausau to Green Bay to Stevens Point to Oshkosh.  According to meteorologists, we can thank the jet stream for the mild readings.  How wonderfully odd to see people out biking, hiking and even golfing.  A great number of the state’s golf courses opened early, so if you’re itching to tee up a combo golf/B&B getaway, you’re in luck.  Many of our more rural member inns have excellent hiking trails on their own acreage or state and county park trails nearby. Dare we predict that summer is just around the corner?     [caption id="attachment_524" align="aligncenter" width="199" caption="Cameo Rose Victorian Inn, located in Belleville (less than 10 miles south of the heart of Madison) has four miles of private and beautiful hiking trails. Cameo Rose is a mile from the Badger State Bike Trail, six miles from the Military Ridge Bike Trail and 12 miles from the Sugar River Bike Trail. Daily and annual bike trail passes can conveniently be purchased from the innkeepers."][/caption]   [caption id="attachment_525" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The Red Forest B&B in Two Rivers is your home base while biking the Rawley Point Trail or the Mariner's Trail. The Rawley Point Trail, six miles of hard packed limestone trail, connects Two Rivers and Point Beach State Park, winding through pine and hemlock forests, dunes and fields. The Mariner's Trail is six miles of paved lakeshore trail joining Manitowoc and Two Rivers, with lake views and flower gardens along the way."][/caption]