Western Wisconsin Travel Itinerary
"Where History and Nature Meet"
A Wisconsin Style Travel Itinerary for Southern and Western Wisconsin
Day 1
As you arrive in the afternoon; we begin at the state capitol's Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin. Stroll through 16 acres of outdoor display gardens including the Rose Garden, Thai Pavilion and Garden, Sunken Garden, and Perennial Garden. Enjoy a tropical paradise in Olbrich's Bolz Conservatory, a glass pyramid filled with exotic plants and flowers, small birds, a rushing waterfall, and fragrant orchids. Visit the Thai Pavilion and Garden it's the only one in the continental United States. A rushing waterfall, bamboo arbors, free-flying birds, 80 foot reflecting pool and a meandering stream are among the sites to see.
Contact: Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Name: Katie Skadahl
608-246-4550
Web: www.olbrich.org
From the Botanical Gardens it is off to Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison. The story of Monona Terrace began in 1938. Knowledgeable docents share information about how Frank Lloyd Wright's successors firm preserved his original designs. His "long-awaited dream of a wedding between the city and beautiful Lake Monona" has been finally realized.
Contact:
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Name: Heather Sabin
608-261-4015
Web: www.mononaterrace.com
Before our stop for dinner, we head 20 miles west of Madison towards Mount Horeb and Blue Mounds to tour the Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark. Spend some quality time with Mother Nature at this geologic wonder your group will never forget. Take stroll through the extensive flower and butterfly gardens and nature center. Be dazzled by crystal and fossil displays and shop in the amazing rock shop. Over a million years ago Cave of the Mounds began to form as water gradually dissolved the rock to create otherworldly crystal statues. On August 4th, 1939 the cave was discovered and now is a world-famous attraction. Cave of the mounds is designated a National Natural Landmark for its beauty and uniqueness.
Contact:
Cave of the Mounds
Name: Joe Klimczak
608-434-3038
Web: www.caveofthemounds.com
Whatever the occasion, The Grumpy Troll is the perfect spot for a fun and relaxing get together. The historic Mount Horeb, WI Creamery building, built in 1916 was transformed into a restaurant and brewery in 1996; making this the ideal spot for dinner.
Contact:
Mount Horeb Area Chamber of Commerce
Name: Melissa Theisen
608-437-5914
Web: www.trollway.com
After dinner we head approximately 40 miles northwest and arrive at the House on the Rock Inn in Spring Green, Wisconsin for a welcome reception and our overnight accommodations.
Contact:
House on the Rock Inn
Name: Matt Schneider
608-935-3639
Web: www.thehouseontherock.com
Day 2
Our day begins with continental breakfast at the Inn followed by a tour of The House on the Rock in Spring Green, Wisconsin. Here is a simple guarantee, no matter how long or widely you have traveled, you have never- anywhere or at anytime- seen anything remotely like the House on the Rock. Architectural marvel stupendous panoply of amazing collections, tribute to the power and beauty of nature, an explosion of one mans creative energy, it continues to defy simple explanation.
Contact:
House on the Rock
Name: Matt Schneider
608-935-3639
Web: www.thehouseontherock.com
Lunch is at your leisure choosing from numerous eating sites along the tour.
After lunch we head in the direction of Pendarvis in Mineral Point, Wisconsin to see the state Historical Society's museum of Wisconsin's early lead mining. In the 1830's and 1840's, settlers from other parts of the United States and Europe began to flow into the Wisconsin Territory. They were lured by the prospect of plentiful lead to be had in shallow diggings throughout the region. As the easy lead became scarce, and greater technical knowledge was needed to work the earth for its deeper lead and zinc deposits, immigrants from Cornwall, England filled the need. These miners and their families made a lasting imprint on southwest Wisconsin. At Pendarvis you can see their stone cottages, learn about their lives and see how their legacy was preserved in the Twentieth Century.
Contact:
Southwest Wisconsin Visitor's Bureau
Name: Matt Schneider
800-334-5275
Web: www.southwestwi.com
Dinner for this evening will include a tour at the Potosi Brewery. In Potosi, Wisconsin a brewing tradition is alive through the Potosi Brewery Restoration project. Come explore history, memorabilia, and the wonderful gift shop at the Potosi Brewing Company Transportation Museum, Great River Interpretive Centre, National Brewery Museum and Potosi Brewing Company Restaurant.
Contact:
Potosi Brewing Company
Name: Greg Larsen
608-763-4002
We will return to the House on the Rock Inn for our overnight accommodations.
Day 3
We start our day by heading to La Crosse. We stop first at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine. This domed shrine church, is a key component of an eye catching complex in a backdrop of woods and scenic beauty, is designed in the Romanesque style.
The restaurant is its biggest surprise, Culina Mariana, offers a zest for artistry, gourmet flair and creativity. From-scratch soups, flat bread pizzas, ethnic themes from Mediterranean to Thai entrees, and remarkable breads and bakery items will delight all.
Our afternoon continues to Grand Dads Bluff. This 540-foot high bluff overlooks the city of La Crosse. The view of the Mississippi River Valley includes the three states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa and was voted the "most scenic view in the state".
Cruising and dining on the La Crosse Queen Paddlewheel concludes our evening.
Contact:
La Crosse Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Name: Clarissa Bates
608-782-2220
At the end of the day, Holiday Inn Express is a great place to stay.
Contact:
Best Western Midway Riverfront Hotel
Name: Group Sales
877-688-9260
Web: www.midwayhotels.com
Day 4
We journey to Eau Claire from La Crosse. The Chippewa Valley has everything you are looking for. The offer all the amenities of a large metropolitan area, but set apart from the rest with the Valley's amazing rolling hills and meandering rivers. It is truly the unexpected Wisconsin. Our first stop will be at the Chippewa Valley Museum. The Chippewa Valley Museum sits beneath towering pines in beautiful Carson Park, a 134-acre peninsula nestled inside horseshoe-shaped Half Moon Lake. True Adventures in History are found here.
Lunch: TBD. Heading off to explore the Amish way of life we will find more history and nature in the Chippewa Valley.
Contact:
Eau Claire Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Name: Jackie Boos
715-831-2345
The Meat & Cheese Shop
Name: LaShawn Nelson
2425 Seymour Rd
Eau Claire WI 54703
715-839-8666
Our evening events include a diner theatre production and meal at Fanny Hill. Perched atop a bluff overlooking the city of Eau Claire, Fanny Hill is one of the premier dining and entertainment establishments in the state of Wisconsin. The unique blend of scenic beauty, award winning dining, hilarious live theatre, champagne Sunday brunch and the romantic bed and breakfast inn makes Fanny Hill a true Chippewa Valley treasure.
Contact:
Fanny Hill Inn and Dinner Theatre
Name: Lois Hodgins
715-836-8184
Web: www.fannyhill.com
Our overnight accommodations will be at the Eau Claire Holiday Inn Campus Area.
Contact:
Eau Claire Holiday Inn Campus Area
Name: Val Schwartz
715-835-1515
Web: www.holiday-inn.com/eau-campus
Day 5
Heading home, it would be our pleasure to help plan your itinerary home.
