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’re delighted to tell you about 2 B&Bs that have just joined WBBA. Door County Lighthouse Inn in Egg Harbor/Door County is a cozy lighthouse-styled B&B. Innkeepers Claire & Frank are your source for ‘everything lighthouse’ – including lighthouse tours by trolley packages. And, rather than choose which winery to visit, check out their Wine & Dine package: tour & taste at 4 wineries, dine, and leave the driving back to the inn to the trolley. Claire notes: "in May we expect the cherry and apple tree blossoms to show!" Allyn Mansion B&B is one of those rare properties at which the term ‘elegant’ is appropriate – it was the grand prize winner nationally for historic restoration and is considered among Wisconsin’s 20 most remarkable homes - it’s in the book! But, relax … at Innkeeper Randy’s evening wine and craft beer reception, and therafter in your spacious suite furnished with a 32” flat screen tv (premium satellite access), WiFi w/a Samsung Galaxy 4 tablet and stereo system. And just so you know, your private bath is stocked with aromatherapy soaps and plus Turkish towels. The Allyn Mansion B&B is located in Delevan, in the Lake Geneva area. [caption id="attachment_1566" align="alignright" width="265"] Step back into the elegant past with all the amenities of today at the Allyn Mansion.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1565" align="alignleft" width="265"] You're guided by beacons of light to the Door County Lighthouse Inn.[/caption]

Breakfast outdoors at Springdale Inn in Verona, and watch the resident Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, and Monarch and Swallowtail Butterflies as they revel in their native prairie gardens. And that’s not all! Prairie enthusiast turned Innkeeper Nancy Hylbert is known for sending you off with your own complementary starter native plant garden, which she'll dig from the extensive prairie nursery surrounding her inn. Experience the Seasons (thanks - we'll take SPRING now) at Cold Spring Inn & Vineyard in Hubertus, located on 80 acres of the Kettle Moraine watershed along the Oconomowoc River. A new boutique vineyard enhances the landscape and guests are invited to sample the wines ... now that's as "locally sourced" as you can get! Try the inn's par-3 golf green - a hole-in-one scores a free night stay! [caption id="attachment_1472" align="alignleft" width="267"] 10SNEI? On the grounds of Cold Spring Inn, guests can play the par-3 golf course, work up an appetite and thirst on the tennis court, bird-watch on the extensive private trail with walking bridges over the Oconomowoc River.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1473" align="alignright" width="300"] Prairie flowers grace the entrance of Springdale Inn ... and 54 acres of native prairie restoration surrounds the solar-powered inn.[/caption]

"The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go" … ahhh – you DO have places to go! A quick amenity search reveals over 2 dozen B&Bs have wood-burning fireplaces in the guestrooms! And for those who appreciate immediate gratification, over 60 B&B have gas fireplaces in the guestrooms.  Picture yourselves infront of a cracking fire in the great room, wine glass in hand or mug of hot cider - nearly 100 B&Bs can make this vision a reality. Let it snow - let it snow! [caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="263"] Tauschek's B&B Log Home in Plymouth marries the warmth of wood and stone in the comfy great room.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1317" align="alignright" width="270"] Just off Hwy 41-45 north of Milwaukee is Hubertus, home to the Cold Spring Inn. Close to the 'big city' yet an escape from the city.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957" align="alignleft" width="300"] Toast your cares away![/caption]  

Wine and cheese and B&Bs has such a nice ring to it.  Many of our member inns provide complimentary tastings in the evening, featuring Wisconsin artisan cheeses and Wisconsin wines.  Yes, that’s right, we have some incredible wineries in Wisconsin, including one that took top honors at this month’s San Diego International Winery Competition.  Wollersheim Winery in Prairie du Sac was named 2012 Winery of the Year, beating out entries from Napa Valley and 13 countries.  What an especially nice honor during Wollersheim’s 40th anniversary year, although the vineyards there date back to the 1840s.  Take of tour of the historic buildings here – you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to Europe – and allow time for tastings.  Then spend the night at a B&B in the Madison area or nearby Wisconsin Dells.    [caption id="attachment_508" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Savor the local flavor includes sampling locally produced wines at many B&Bs. With over 40 Wisconsin Wineries and over 150 WBBA member B&Bs, the pairings are nearly endless.  The Wine Cellar at Madison's Speckled Hen Inn is shown here."][/caption]

Our bed-and-breakfast visitors have a taste for culinary tourism, which is why we decided to participate in the first ever Wine Dine Wisconsin tasting event, set for October 10-11 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee.  There will be vintners, microbreweries and artisanal food producers there.  And we’ll have a booth too (with giveaways, of course, since that’s all part of our hospitality credo).  Our very own Pat Fischbeck, owner of the Speckled Hen Inn and the winner of our 2008 recipe contest, will take to the Chef’s Stage on Saturday morning to prepare her Wisconsin Breakfast Panini for the crowd.  There’s a price break if you order your tickets in advance.  For out-of-towners, Milwaukee-area B&Bs are listed here.  Two other culinary fests we recommend:

• Wisconsin Dells on Tap, part of Autumn Harvest Fest in Wisconsin Dells, will take place October 17.  More than 25 Wisconsin microbreweries participate in this tasting event, and there are food pairings from Carr Valley Cheese and the National Mustard Museum too.  To order advance tickets, click here.  
• The first Wisconsin Original Cheese Festival set for November 6 and 7 at the Monona Terrace in Madison.  There will be bus tours to cheese factories, seminars on the art of cave-aged and pasture-grazed cheeses, and a gala reception featuring 100 different Wisconsin cheeses.  Tickets for the cheese-a-thon are available by clicking here.