Door County: The "Thumb" of Wisconsin and other Wisconsin, WI Things to Do Tips

Dee at Lake Michigan in Door

County, WI

Our Honeymoon in 1963 was our 1st visit to Door County.

Photo: Dee on honeymoon in 1963 in Door County

Door County is really a long peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan. Jean Nicolet, a French explorer, discovered Door County in 1634; what a discovery it was!

Door Peninsula claims more miles of shoreline than any other county in America. It also has more state parks & lighthouses than any other county in America!

Its coastlines are dotted with about 40 islands, great for boaters looking for a scenic spot to drop anchor. Of the 10 lighthouses that guard the islands & harbors of the county, only 1 of them, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, is open to the public. Built in 1868, it is located in the great Peninsula State Park.

Door County is famous for its cherry orchards. There are many roadside shops that sell cherry pies, cherry jams, & dried cherries. I've tried all 3; they are delicious.

Door County is also famous for its Fish Boils. Many places have Fish Boils on Friday evenings; some places offer them three or four times a week during high season (May through October).

Even if you do not care for fish, you should experience a fish boil in Door County!
They use freshly caught Lake Michigan whitefish caught by the local fishermen. They cook the fish outside over an open fire (been doing it for over 100 years..brought here by the Scandinavian settlers). They cut the fish into chunks & along with small red potatoes, they put them into a huge boiling water pot. They only use Salt to flavor the pot. Fish oils rise to the surface of the boiling pot. When the fish is done, a small bit of kerosene is tossed on the flames under the pot so that the burst of flames causes the boilover. Actually, the fish oils spill over the side of the pot. It is quite a spectacular event.

There are many quaint Inns & B&B's as well as hotels; many activities such as golfing,fishing, boating, hiking, shopping, & eating.

Door County is beautiful all four seasons of the year. Give it a try.

Leave a Comment

Directions: 3 hours north of Chicago.
Eastern side of Wisconsin

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Eagle River Wisconsin: Great Family Vacations

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Dee & Three Nieces in Eagle River,

Wisconsin

Allan & I went several times to the Eagle River area with Allan's mother, Allan's sister, Jayne, her husband, Ron, & their five daughters.

We stayed in one cabin with his mother, & Jayne's family stayed in another. It's a perfect area for families because of the multitude of small lakes for "pan fish" such as perch, which we would then fry up for a marvelous fish fry dinner.

It's a rustic area where you can enjoy fresh air, peaceful northern atmosphere (not too peaceful with five little girls!), & magnificent pine trees.

Eagle River is a vacation destination year around. In the Fall, people travel there to see the dramatic show that the trees put on before they shed their leaves. Hunters visit Eagle River to hunt deer. Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, & snowshoeing are the winter activities.

Where is Eagle River located? It is located right in the middle of the world's largest inland chain of freshwater lakes. Because of this, Eagle River offers visitors, especially families, a wide-range of recreation opportunities. While we were there, we golfed, did canoeing, boating, lots of fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, and we visited the Nicolet National Forest.

The lakes in Eagle River area are sparkling clean. We spent many an afternoon swimming in the lake where we could see to the bottom, even far out. We all loved to fish, so that, too, was a daily activity.

We women loved to go into the town of Eagle River to shop. I remember one time that a great Woman's Store was having a fabulous sale, and we "cleaned up"! Also, there are two ice cream shops with delicious ice cream cones; thus, we partook.

The photo is from 1968. I was babysitting three of Jayne's girls while everyone else was out fishing. The blond is Karen, the darker-haired one is Beth, and the one I'm holding is Amy.

If you have the opportunity, visit one of the family resorts which dot the lakes around Eagle River, Wisconsin.

Leave a Comment

Directions: Middle of the Chain of Lakes.

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Rolling Hills, Lovely Lake of Quaint Lake Geneva

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Geneva Lake

Lake Geneva is only about half an hour from our home, but the atmosphere and the environment make it seem light-years away.

This small town has a small beach called Library Beach because the library is on the beach, many specialty shops, fine galleries, superior golf courses, many outstanding resorts, restaurants with delicious foods, stunning landscapes, an architectual Lake Geneva tour, Big Foot State Park, and the Potawatomi Trail!

It's a good place to go for an afternoon jaunt or for a week's "getaway" in one of the many spa resorts.
It's interesting to note that the city is called Lake Geneva . Whereas, the lake is called Geneva Lake!

Just perusing the town with its "yesteryear" homes and buildings, its one-of-a-kind shops, and its sparkling, enticing Lake is enough to refresh the most jaded of us.

I suggest that you take a lake tour to see and hear about the historic mansions that line Lake Geneva. You'll hear fascinating stories about the famous and not so famous people who live or lived in these elegant places.

John Brink (government surveyor) named the town and lake after his home in Geneva, New York.
Prior to the Civil War, Lake Geneva was on the reverse route to the Great Lake ports for slaves escaping from Southern Illinois & Eastern Kentucky. Later it became a resort community for wealthy Chicago families; thus, it was called Newport (RI) of the West. All of this history was learned on the Lake Tour!

Come see for yourself what a great place Lake Geneva, WI really is.

Leave a Comment

Directions: Southern Wisconsin about one and a half hours from Chicago

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: What an Architectual Gem: Milwaukee Art Museum!

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Milwaukee Art Museum

A visit to Milwaukee must include a visit to the Milwaukee Museum of Art (MAM)...even if you don't like museums or you don't like art. Why? Because this museum is, as Conde Nast Traveler called it, "a Wonder of the World."

Why all the fuss? Well, the new (2001) Quadracci Pavilion, which was designed by Santiago Calatrava, is dramatic architecture at its best. The Calatrava addition has received worldwide acclaim as art itself.

Until you see it for yourself, you cannot believe the impact it has.

First of all, its location is unique and quite beautiful...right on Lake Michigan. When you first see it, you think that it is a huge sail boat. With its expansive "wings" rising from the water's edge, it seems to float. The day we were there, the morning was foggy, and the white "wings" blended into the mist; Lake Michigan could not even be seen. By noon, the mist had "burned" off, and photography was possible. Another incredible feature of MAM is the stunning landscaping which surrounds it.

By the time you recover from the architecture and the landscaping, you are ready for the wonderful collection of art inside. There are permanent collections and changing exhibitions throughout each season.

We were interested in the:

New Georgia O'Keeffe Gallery", the "Frank Lloyd Wright and the Prairie School", and the "Tom Uttech's (a Wisconsin artist) "Magnetic North". We were not disappointed.

Underground parking garage entry off of Michigan Street or Lincoln Memorial Drive.
It is possible to park nearby at the street metered parking. That is what we did.

Admission is free for members.
$8.00 for adults.
$6.00 for seniors.
$4.00 for students.
Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 414-224-3200
Address: 700 North Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee
Website: www.mam.org

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Milwaukee Art Museum, Part II

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Inside the Quadracci Pavilion at

MAM

If you think the outside of the Quadracci Pavilion is dramatic, wait until you walk inside what Time Magazine named as the"Best Design of 2001". It features the glass-walled Windhover Hall that is enclosed by the Burke Brise Soleil ("a sunscreen that can be raised or lowered creating an unique moving sculpture.")

There is a Pedestrian Bridge and a wonderful Bridge Lobby.

Keep in mind, all of this is in brilliant WHITE. White is everywhere! There is also a long reception hall, a South Terrace, and a West and East Galleria. In addition, there are Special Exhibiton Galleries, an Auditorium, and a fantastic Museum Store (a store that is really worth visiting!)

On the lower level, there is a Restaurant, a Rotunda, Public Lockers, Coat Check, and a Meeting Room.

The Original Section of the Museum contains:

Minimalism Art
New Realism Art
Pop Art
Abstract Expressionism
Antiquities
18th-Century English and Italian Art
European Modern Art
German Expressionist Prints
Photography Gallery
20th Century Design

The above list is ONLY PARTIAL!
It's certainly an impressive collection and one worth visiting.

SEE TRAVELOGUE for more interior views of the Santiago Calatrava-designed building

Leave a Comment

Phone: 414-224-3200
Address: 700 North Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI
Website: www.mam.org

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Milwaukee

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Cathedral of St. John the

Evangelist

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is the seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee and an historic landmark which was dedicated in 1853.

It has been the seat of the Archdiocese for 150 years and has been designated a Milwaukee landmark of historical places. Its design is an austere German style built of Milwaukee brick.

Since 1847, the exterior appearance has varied very little except for the tower which was constructed in 1893 and the expansion of the east end of the building after a fire partially destroyed the church in 1935.

In 2002, the Cathedral was rededicated after much interior and exterior renovation. The tower is admired by many artists and architects who have drawn or recreated it because they feel that it is one of the most wonderful pieces of architecture in Milwaukee.

Through the years, updates have been made such as the addition of the Patrick Cudahy Memorial church organ and tower chimes in 1923, new electrical clock in 1942, the three original bells were equipped with an electrical system in 1965, and in 2001, the majority of the old high school was removed to make way for new gates.

The Cathedral is open for self-guided tours on Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and on Sunday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 414-276-9814
Address: 831 North Van Buren Street, Milwaukee, WI

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: General Store Museum & Visitor's Center, Cedarburg

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

General Store Museum & Visitor's

Center

There are really two places to visit when you first arrive in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

1. Cedarburg Cultural Center
W62 N564 Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, Wisconsin 53012
262-375-3676

This Center features permanent and temporary exhibitions exploring the history of the community. It also explores the heritage and contemporary culture. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm AND Sunday from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm.
Admission is FREE

2. General Store Museum & Visitor's Center
(See phone and address below)

This center is located in an 1860s restored wood frame building as shown in the photograph. The center houses an outstanding collection of antique advertising art, packaging, and depression era pieces. Its items are displayed to recreate a typical general store. It is quite delightful. The Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors' Center are also located within the museum.
Admission is FREE, but donations are appreciated.
By appointment, group guided tours can be arranged.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 1-800-CDR-BURG
Address: W61 N480 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI

Add to Your Trip Planner | Post a Question | Write a Tip

Things To Do: The Cedar Creek Winery

Tip Rating:

Updated by deecat

on May 22, 2005

Cedar Creek Settlement & Winery