Uncovering Wisconsin’s Hidden Gems: Wellness Getaways

Uncovering Wisconsin’s Hidden Gems

WELLNESS Getawaysby Anne Sayers

I like to think that I maintain a satisfactory wellness routine. I enjoy walks at my local park, sip herbal teas, cook with local foods, and even tune in to a meditation app semiregularly. But these days, that routine doesn’t always get the job done.

When it comes time to really bliss out, there’s simply no substitute for an escape from the everyday. Done right, there can be true restorative power in travel. Whether taking the time to meander down an unfamiliar trail, discover a new favorite artist, enjoy a masterful meal or craft cocktail, or explore a cute downtown, travel activities are good for you. You can feel it—mind, body, and soul. And after the last few years, we’re all reminded just how important travel can be for embracing fleeting moments, creating new memories, and centering our own wellness.

If you’re feeling the need to feed your soul this year, you’re in luck. Wisconsin’s breathtaking natural beauty and unique getaways are just right for travelers in search of rest and renewal. Whether wellness means yoga in a serene setting, pampering at the spa, being awed by nature, or curling up in historic accommodations, Wisconsin really does have something for everyone.

WILD RICE RETREAT, BAYFIELD

Located just outside of Bayfield, the gateway to Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on the beautiful waters of Lake Superior, Wild Rice Retreat is the Midwest’s first all-inclusive wellness retreat, complete with daily programming, locally sourced meals, and comfortable lodging. It’s rooted in the idea of exploring and supporting expression in nature and offers a home for guided, personal, and group retreats. Spend days enjoying yoga classes, art classes, and other mindfulness activities.

MULROY’S IRISH ACRES FARM, NEW LONDON

Experience a truly off-the-grid experience at Irish Acres, a working farm. Stay in the rustic log Fairy Cabin, where you can relax and enjoy spots for hiking, fishing, and quiet meditation only steps away. Take your pick of a variety of opportunities for arts and crafts, like felted soapmaking lessons, or even pitch in with chores and activities on the farm. Your getaway can be as relaxing and secluded or active and immersive as you’d like it to be. You won’t even miss having access to Wi-Fi and television.

IRON AMETHYST INN, MAZOMANIE

Just 20 minutes from Madison, nestled among scenic bluffs in a gorgeous, wooded area, sits the Iron Amethyst Inn. Each of the five rooms in this brick 1865 Victorian home is complete with a whirlpool and lush linens. When you’re ready to venture

Kohler Co. Kohler Co.

out, enjoy the surrounding wilderness with bike and kayak rentals. Relax after your adventures in the state-of-the-art spa. You won’t want to miss the beer garden, where you can enjoy a beverage while playing yard games, or the speakeasy, where you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back to the 1920s to enjoy a delicious cocktail.

SPA VERDE - SALON AND SPA, EGG HARBOR

Among the many getaways of Door County, known for scenic vistas and vibrant communities, is the Spa Verde - Green Salon and Spa in Egg Harbor. This unique spa, dedicated to ecofriendly products and services, offers several organic treatments, such as a healing deep tissue, shiatsu, or Thai table massage.

AMERICAN CLUB AND KOHLER WATERS SPA, KOHLER

Delight in the height of luxury at this five-star resort and Wisconsin’s only five-star spa, where guests can enjoy therapeutic water services; a relaxation

pool with a cascading, eight-foot wall of water; hot and cold dip pools; steam rooms; saunas; and more. Make sure to also set aside some time to visit the John Michael Kohler Arts Center to experience contemporary American art with emphasis on craft-related forms, folk traditions, new genres, and the work of self-taught artists with the backdrop of stunning architecture.

YOGAPADDLER/ CEDAROMA LODGE, SAINT GERMAIN

Find your inner zen with an original take on wellness and self-care. Try out a YogaPaddler class, a practice combining beach yoga with paddleboarding, for a refreshing way to enjoy the Wisconsin Northwoods while going on a mindful journey. After class, rest up at your cabin, lodge, or farmhouse rental.

ARTHA SUSTAINABLE LIVING CENTER, AMHERST

If a more traditional take on the yoga getaway is what you’re looking for, check out the Artha Sustainable Living Center in Amherst, equipped with a yoga studio. Stay one or more nights at the bed and breakfast tailored to guests seeking a restful sleep and calming vistas of open fields and hills.

Here’s to treating yourself with the perfect Wisconsin getaway and making lasting travel memories. Namaste.

For more inspiration, be sure to visit travelwisconsin.com.

Anne Sayers is the secretary-designee at Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

Photographs provided by Travel Wisconsin.

Anne Sayers

Madison’s LGBTQ magazine since 2007

OPEN DAILY!

3330 atwood ave. madison, wi 53704 olbrich.org | 608-246-4550