Milwaukee Magazine | Fall Getaway Guide

FALL GETAWAY GUIDE

The La Crosse Region

Grandad Bluff is a must-visit Wisconsin destination. From the 600-foot peak in La Crosse, you can see all the way to Iowa, plus an unmatched view of the Mississippi River Valley below. But the La Crosse Region has plenty more to offer. Consider a drive down the Great River Road, which provides phenomenal views of foliage throughout. In autumn, the Hidden Trails Corn Maze of West Salem, a 12-acre attraction with over 5 miles of trails among the stalks, is ideal for an afternoon with the family. And throughout the year, La Crosse Queen Cruises offers daily Mississippi River excursions on a

modern-day replica of the old paddleboats that used to travel the river. A short walk from the Queen’s dock in downtown La Crosse is The Waterfront Restaurant and Tavern, offering farm-to-table fine dining in a beautiful riverside setting. Or wander to Red Pines Bar & Grill on Lake Onalaska to savor festive flavors in a cozy, rustic setting – don’t miss their shrimp and fish fry Fridays. Snag your perfect souvenir at whimsical Treehouse Gift & Home in Onalaska or Drift Mercantile, a modern general store, in Historic Downtown La Crosse. explorelacrosse.com

PHOTO: COURTESY OF EXPLORE LA CROSSE, BY COLIN STOUFFER

Whether you’re planning a day trip or an international excursion, we can help you find your next destination.

La Crosse

Wausau

Wausau has the small-town hospital ity of Up North Wisconsin combined with exciting and convenient urban amenities. You can hike and bike Rib Mountain , float the Wisconsin River, boat on Lake Wausau, or get a little more intense with whitewater kayaking at Wausau Whitewater Park . Downtown, you can enjoy a bevy of cafes, music venues and delicious dining options. Consider Italian cuisine at Ciao, Asian fusion at Lemongrass or Old World European at Tine & Cellar. Or stop by Stoney Acres Farm for a unique night of farm-to-table dining, with homemade pizzas on the scenic farm.

The cultural milieu in Wausau is also robust, most notably the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, a national award-winning museum that houses more than 14,000 piec es dedicated to birds. The nearby Whitewater Music Hall is the place to tap into the local music scene. And if you’re considering a family trip, sync it up with Harvest Fest on Oct. 8. Wausau’s downtown will host a petting zoo, potato sack races, a pumpkin patch and a dozen more children’s activities, alongside food and drink vendors. visitwausau.com

Richland Center

Start driving west from Milwaukee, and eventually the flat fields turn into the dramat ic, hilly landscapes of our state’s beautiful Driftless Area. Richland Center, in the heart of that scenic region, is the place to go for an escape into nature. The region offers a wide array of secluded cabins, like Mick’s Ridgetop Retreat , Ridge and Valley Hospitality’s tiny homes, Little Cabins on the Pine and the popular Anaway Place collection of cottages.

Richland Center offers plenty of opportu nities for outdoor adventure. Stop by Pine River Paddle and Tube to rent a kayak, and then enjoy the leisurely, rapid-free ride down the Pine with stunning views of

sandstone cliffs and 60-foot rock ledges. One of the most popular outdoor destinations in the area is Eagle Cave , Wisconsin’s largest onyx cave, with over 3,000 feet of underground passageways. It’s an easy and fun underground trek for families.

Richland Center is also home to many great restaurants. Branding Iron Road house offers farm-to-table dinners, with delicious burgers and a Friday night fish fry. For something a little different, try Los Amigos , which fuses Nicaraguan and Mexican cuisines. And Oakwood Fruit Farm sells fresh apples grown in its surrounding orchards throughout the fall. richlandcentertourism.com

Richland Center

Downtown Wausau

FLY AWAY

Over the past two years, Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport has been expanding its flight options, destinations and airlines. Here are just a few of many spots to visit for a fall getaway, with an easy flight available from MKE.

BOSTON

Nonstop flights from MKE: Delta and JetBlue Boston is surrounded by some of the most scenic fall foliage in the country. Take a drive north to see the bright leaves in New Hampshire and Vermont, or head east to Cape Cod for quaint oceanfront views. Of course, you can also stay right in Boston for all its historic sites, like the Freedom Trail, which traces Boston’s Revolutionary War past with highlights like Paul Revere’s house, the Old North Church and Faneuil Hall.

NEW YORK CITY

Nonstop flights from MKE: Delta and JetBlue The city that never sleeps needs no introduction. The end of the year is full of exciting events. Consider timing a trip for Oct. 21-23, during Open House New York, when normally closed skyscrapers and brownstones across the city open for free tours. Or, of course, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in Novem ber or the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in December.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Nonstop flight from MKE: Southwest

A pro tip for visiting our nation’s capital: Go in the fall. In exchange for slightly chillier weather, you’ll run into far fewer tourists, which translates to shorter lines and a less frustrating experience at the District’s many must-see monuments.

Elkhart Lake

Elkhart Lake is a perennially popular vacation destination for Milwaukeeans. A short drive north of the city, the village’s lakeside resorts – The Osthoff, Siebkens and The Shore Club – feature stunning views and luxurious accommodations. The resorts offer many watersport rentals, like kayaks, paddleboats and even hydro-bikes for a day on the water.

If you head to Elkhart Lake in mid-Oc tober, you’ll catch the fall colors at their peak. A hike through the Kettle Moraine State Forest’s segment of the Ice Age

Trail provides striking views of the foliage at its finest. For a look from above, head to Broughton Marsh Park, which boasts the tallest wooden observation tower in Wisconsin, 80 feet above the ground. From the top, you can see well beyond the park’s 30 acres of wilderness. Autumn also brings new dining options to Elkhart Lake. The Paddock Club, coowned by former Bartolotta Restaurants chef Lynn Chisholm, unveils a delicious and inventive new menu this fall. elkhartlake.com

Elkhart Lake

EVERY EXPECTATION

Discover Norwegian Prima’s most luxurious accommodations in The Haven. Private elevators whisk you away to an exclusive oasis where your personal concierge and 24-hour butler will cater to every craving. Enjoy a cocktail and stunning views at The Haven Lounge & Bar, dip into the infinity pool on The Haven Sundeck or relax at the Outdoor Spa — all exclusively for guests of The Haven.

Haven Suite

Landmark Resort

Head to Egg Harbor, in the heart of Door County, for a scenic, relaxing weekend at Landmark Resort. Nestled in the trees, the resort overlooks Green Bay and boasts beautiful views of the fall colors. The Carrington , the resort’s on-site upscale/casual American restaurant, serves seafood and steak, along with a full bar and a patio overlooking the bluff and the bay.

If you’re considering a trip to Landmark Resort, you might want to schedule it to catch Egg Harbor’s Pumpkin Patch Festival (Oct. 8-9) or Sister Bay Fall Fest (Oct. 14-16), both of which are nearby. The Pumpkin Patch festival focuses on family-friendly fall activities, like pumpkin displays, face painting, carnival rides and kid’s games. While Fall Fest does feature plenty of events for the kiddos, adults can also find a wide selection of craft beer on hand. thelandmarkresort.com

THE ULTIMATE CAMPER VAN

If you’re looking for the right vehicle to go on a statewide leaf-peeping tour, camp out in the Kettle Moraine, or just go for a drive, check out the Orion 365. Brian and Heidi Dondlinger worked in product development for over two decades, and both have mechanical engineering degrees. In 2020, the couple decided to use that experience to form their own company, Orion Motors. They designed and built the Orion 365, a camper van that expands the definition of the term. It has four

modes: drive, sleep, relax and cargo.

“You can drive five and sleep five legally and comfortably,” Heidi says. “Switching between modes takes a push of a button.” Use cargo mode to fill your space with bikes, kayaks or whatever you need. Push the sleep mode button, and ready-made beds will descend. Switch to relax, and chairs will turn inward so you can sit around with friends and family. Plus, the van has a kitchenette and toilet, along with electricity, wi-fi and television. “You can use the Orion 365 all the time, not just for road trips,” Brian says. “It’s a cargo van, it’s a pickup truck, it’s a camper, and it can also be an everyday vehicle.” driveorion.com

Landmark Resort

PHOTOS:

TAKE A CRUISE

Norwegian Cruise Lines offers hundreds of cruises across the globe, and it just unveiled its newest ship, the Norwegian Prima. Samantha Ermold of NCL calls it an “all-exclusive resort at sea,” with delicious meals from dozens of vendors, luxury accommodations, award-win ning live entertainment and more. Here are three of NCL’s most popular destinations.

HAWAII

NCL is the only major cruise line that is flagged in the United States. That means that on their cruises, unlike all the other major lines, you won’t have to waste time cruising to another country and back to comply with U.S. regulations. Instead, you can spend your entire vacation among Hawaii’s islands. NCL sails past the beautiful Napali coast, and lets guests stop off at multiple ports.

ALASKA

NCL is known for its excellent Alaskan cruises, with stops at all the major ports, including Juneau, Alaska’s capital; and Skagway, filled with historic sites. With an additional land package, NCL will set you up in a luxurious hotel near the stunning Denali National Park, where you can spend a few days exploring pristine wilderness.

THE MEDITERRANEAN

Travel along the Mediterranean coast, with stops at multiple ports, from Rome to Cannes, taking in each city as you go. NCL’s Mediterranean cruise options allow enough time to get a taste of each port, while also serving up traditional Italian cuisine on the ship. You’ll explore the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Adriatic seas, and NCL offers an option to stay overnight in Venice.

Beloit

If you’re a Wisconsin supper club aficio nado, Beloit is a must-visit destination. The city, only an hour’s drive from Milwaukee, is home to three classic supper clubs where you can enjoy old-fashioned hospitality: 615 Club, Benedetti’s Supper Club and The Butterfly Club. But there’s a lot more to Beloit than just supper clubs. The city hosts its popular annual Wine Walk this year on Saturday, Oct. 8. Beloit’s many downtown stores and restaurants put on special deals while visitors sip an assortment of wines (included with the ticket), stroll the street and shop. Beloit’s

shopping scene is known for its many vintage options, like Vintage Etcetera and Vintage Bliss. And the Best of Beloit Vintage Mall has 130 vendors in a 20,000-square-foot building, selling all kinds of vintage goods, from historic memorabilia to clothes and accessories. And worth a stop during any trip to Beloit is The Apple Hut, an orchard and store known for its dangerously delicious apple cider donuts. If you’d like to turn a day trip into an overnight, consider 1810 Emerson House , a charming boutique hotel just off downtown. visitbeloit.com

The Butterfly Club

1810 Emmerson House