[caption id="attachment_1675" align="alignright" width="300"] Parkview B&B in Reedsburg[/caption] Are you more interested in wheeling along than walking along? You're not alone. Cycling is now being referred to as the new golf. Here in Wisconsin we have a great rails-to-trails bike system, 117 designated Rustic Roads spanning 669 miles through 59 counties,  plus lots of opportunities to log miles in state and county parks.  Wisconsin has some pretty awesome city cycling too. Take Madison, for example. They have a bike-share program, and commuter bike trails, with several connecting to excellent state trails, for those yearning for a longer-distance ride.  Of course, golf is pretty spectacular here too. The U.S. Open is coming to Wisconsin next year and that's after the state hosted the PGA last year.  We're so glad spring is here and we have a hunch we're not alone. Wisconsin is one of the top bicycling destinations in the U.S. and we're not making that up. Just ask the League of American Bicyclists - they are the ones doing the rankings. Old railroad beds converted to bike trails, including the famous Elroy-Sparta trail, have helped put Wisconsin on the national bike map in a big way. [caption id="attachment_1672" align="alignleft" width="300"] Grapevine Log Cabins in Sparta[/caption]     If you'd like to map out an extended weekend itinerary that allows you to bike during the day and pull in to B&Bs at dusk, consider one of your stops at Fountain Chateau B&B in Hustler.   The beautiful Omaha Bike Trail (originally the Omaha Railroad), connects right next door, where you can  bike all the way to the Elroy-Sparta Trail and the 400 State Park Trail. The Grapevine Log Cabins is almost within earshot of the Elroy-Sparta bike trail, a short 1 ½ miles, where it meets the La Crosse River Trail, and Justin Trails Resort tells their guests to make sure they don't miss the trail's 875' tunnel - it's awesome. [caption id="attachment_1674" align="alignright" width="300"] Justin Trails Resort in Sparta[/caption]             [caption id="attachment_1679" align="alignleft" width="300"] Pleasant View B&B in Chippewa Falls[/caption] Folks who visit Pleasant View B&B can access the Old Abe Bike Trail less than 1/2 mile away, one of 12 paved bike trails in Wisconsin, Another rail trail, Old Abe follows the Chippewa River from Chippewa Falls to Cornell, connecting Lake Wissota and Brunet Island state parks. A future addition will connect the trail with the Chippewa and Red Cedar state trails, creating a network of more than 70 miles of connected trails in the Chippewa Valley. Innkeepers who bike themselves include Heidi and Tom at the Buckingham Inn in Madison, so you'd be in great company at their B&B.  The inn provides free passes for Madison's city bike-share program for a quick ride to restaurants, the Capitol, and other Madison area attractions.   [caption id="attachment_1676" align="alignright" width="300"] Pedal'rs Inn B&B[/caption]   We couldn't talk bicycling without mentioning the Pedal'rs Inn B&B in Wales, a bicycling inspired inn, where you can pick up the scenic Glacial Drumlin State Trail. Located just a short drive north of Milwaukee, is Hidden Serenity B&B in West Bend and the Eisenbahn, a "rails to trails" project, where you get the beauty of biking in the Kettle Moraine without the steep hills.  Many B&Bs offer relaxing massages at their inns, so inquire, just in case you need to pamper yourself after your day's ride. [caption id="attachment_1678" align="alignnone" width="300"] Hidden Serenity B&B[/caption] We don't want to leave out the golfers, so here's a fun fact: There are three Hurdzan Fry-designed courses in Wisconsin and they're all public courses: Erin Hills, near Hartford, site of the 2017 U.S. Open, is just 6 miles from the Westphal Mansion Inn B&B, a restored 1913 mansion. [caption id="attachment_1669" align="alignright" width="250"] Bowman's Oak Hill B&B in Wis Dells[/caption] Get in a few rounds before the pros descend next year; Wild Rock, the quarry course in Wisconsin Dells, chiseled around and through a former quarry, is for the golfer who embraces a challenge.  After a day on the course relax in this cottage nestled near the edge of the woods at Bowman's Oak Hill B&B; or Troy Burne, in Hudson, just 30 minutes from St. Paul and only 15 minutes from the premier Queen Anne Victorian Phipps Inn.  For more B&B options near these courses, just search by city on our website.   [caption id="attachment_1677" align="alignnone" width="280"] Phipps Inn in Hudson[/caption]

On Tuesday February 10 at 8 pm cst on the Travel Channel, the McCormick House Inn squares off against 3 different hotels in "Hotel Showdown". It's a winner-take-all competition. Representatives from the competing hotels spend the night at each other’s property, and with an exacting eye for detail, award points for every aspect of their experience. The highest-rated hotel wins a coveted $25,000 prize. The episode's final stop is Hayward, Wis., home to Jeff’s McCormick House Inn – a refurbished Victorian mansion decorated with art collected during Jeff’s world travels. He gives the hoteliers a taste of Hayward’s favorite winter activity, as the rivals face off in a cross-country ski race. To wrap up their evening, the McCormick House comes to life with a cocktail party and gourmet dessert from Jeff’s own ice cream shoppe. Oh the suspense! Tune in - we'll be watching! [caption id="attachment_1548" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The English Garden's reflecting pool at the McCormick House in Hayward.[/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]  

Fishing season is officially underway in Wisconsin, which is music to anglers’ ears.  If you’d like to give the sport a try, take advantage of the free statewide fishing weekend June 2-3.   Then, if you’re hooked, purchase a fishing license online.   Just for fun, we did a search for B&Bs that serve a full breakfast (translate that to hearty, homemade and satisfying) and tout their proximity to fishing.  More than 100 inns matched the search criteria.  Which led us to think – what if you slipped those search results inside one of our Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association gift certificates and presented to Dad for Father’s Day.  As far as Father’s Day gifts go, seems like the catch of the day to us! [caption id="attachment_633" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="At the Mecan River House B&B in Coloma, a river does run through it! Trout fisherman can walk right down to the Mecan River, a #1 trout fishing stream that runs length of the property, with many DNR newly created holes for trout to gather. At the end of the day, relax with complimentary beverages / wine."][/caption]

Admit it, breakfast in bed is a guilty pleasure, what with dining in your pj’s, lingering over the Sunday New York Times, indulging in a sweet treat you might otherwise avoid because it’s not part of your diet plan and all.  To enjoy the experience fully, however, we think you need to rid your mind of guilt, and these Wisconsin B&Bs are here to help you with that.  Phipps Inn in Hudson always provides the option of breakfast in bed and about two-thirds of guests take them up on the offer.  At the Oscar H. Hanson House B&B in Cambridge, not only can you request breakfast in bed, you can request breakfast on the porch or the patio if you prefer.  Guests staying in the suites at Eagle Harbor Inn in Door County will hear a light knock on their door at 8 a.m. to signal their homemade breakfast basket has arrived, with Door County Cherry granola and Door County cherry cider among the goodies.  At the Black Walnut Guest House in Sturgeon Bay, the innkeepers there exclusively serve breakfast to the room every morning rather than providing a dining room option, noting that “everyone loves this feature!”  The Brayton B&B in Oshkosh and the Franklin Victorian B&B in Sparta are also on the breakfast in bed bandwagon. So enjoy this simple gesture of hospitality knowing it’s delivered with good wishes for a guilt-free getaway. [caption id="attachment_423" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Your breakfast-in-bed at the Black Walnut Guest House in Sturgeon Bay (Door County) begins with fruit and freshly baked muffins. You'll add to your breakfast tray with selections from the menu."][/caption]