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Return to Local Secrets, Big Finds homeView 2007 Local Secrets, Big Finds
Oriental Theater Photo Courtesy of George Lambros Photography.
Cedar Grove Cheese Factory
Plain
800.200.6020
Cedar Grove produces organic, non-GMO and rBGH-free cheeses in its "small, family-owned" factory. Take a "beautiful drive through classic, small-farm Wisconsin" for a taste of fresh cheese that wins "international gold medals." The factory starts off with roughly 100,000 pounds of milk to produce 10,000 pounds of cheddar cheese, totaling about 3.5 million pounds of cheese a year! Tours are available six days a week, and the store is open Monday through Saturday. Read more.
River Valley Karting
West Salem
608.634.2129
Whether you are five or 50, you'll likely enjoy "lots of great kart racing" at Coulee Go-Kart Speedway and Westby Nordic Raceway. "It's inexpensive to attend," and there are 10 divisions, which, "if racing is your thing, it's the place to visit." Coulee Raceway in West Salem has a 1/8-mile banked asphalt oval. Each competition runs weekly, with a strong contention for the championships. From April to mid-September, there's racing every weekend, including Friday night and Sunday afternoon. Read more.
Jacob Leinenkugel's Brewing Company
Chippewa Falls
888.534.6437
Eugster's Farm Market & Petting Farm
Stoughton
608.873.3822
From Memorial Day to Halloween, Eugster's Farm Market and Petting Farm specializes in fresh produce and family fun. Although it is a petting farm, it is "spread out, not crowded, and has numerous educational and hands-on areas." Animals range from cute kittens to tame whitetail deer. They also host a fall festival, a Boy Scout's breakfast, and open a fall market with the local harvest. Read more.
Bayfield Apple Festival
Bayfield
800.447.4094
With three full days of fun activities, the Bayfield Apple Festival is "an ideal weekend getaway." Every first weekend in October, for the past 43 years, the village of Bayfield celebrates this harvest. It's especially festive because usually "the fall colors have peaked at about that time." Bayfield "is a beautiful city located on Chequamegon Bay, in Lake Superior." This festival is full of "good food, art, and music in Northwoods, Wisconsin." Locals encourage a stay in one of Bayfield's "many wonderful bed and breakfasts." Read more.
Baumgartner Cheese Store and Bar
Monroe
608.325.6157
Baumgartner Cheese Store and Bar is the oldest of its kind in Wisconsin. Opened in 1931, it's a local, small-town joint. Take your pick from "homemade chili, great local Huber and Berghoff beers on tap, and stellar cheese and salami sandwiches." The atmosphere is "laid back," which "gives you a little slice of what Wisconsin has to offer." They also sell different kinds of homemade, local cheese and some "novelty items." Order your cheese by the pound, then relax "with a nice, cold beer and chili or sandwich."
Oriental Theatre
Milwaukee
414.276.8711
Bradley Sculpture Garden Party
Milwaukee
414.224.3855
Walk to the entrance of the sculpture garden on Brown Deer Road in River Hills, and for one day, once a year, you can stroll the 15-acre estate of the Bradley Sculpture Garden. Families "bring picnics," and there's "live music, wine tasting, and food for purchase." Tour the sculptures, stroll the lush landscaped grounds, and take in the culture. The Milwaukee Art Museum's Friends of Art support group sponsors this benefit. (Party dates change yearly; please contact the number above for more information.)
Capital City Bike Trail
Madison
608.224.3606
The Capital City State Trail "is a moderately easy, mostly off-road bike trail." It's a 20-mile loop that "starts in the University section of Madison and goes out to the country." You can also bike "18 miles on a connected state bike trail, the Military Ridge Trail, to visit the charming nearby city of Mount Horeb." This trail links you to trails as far out as the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. About 17 miles of the trail are now asphalt, so bikers, walkers, joggers, and skaters can all safely enjoy. Read more.
Cardboard Boat Race
Kohler
888.378.2672
The Great Cardboard Boat Regatta® is sponsored by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC) every Fourth of July weekend in Sheboygan Harbor. Each contestant "makes a boat out of cardboard to race against others in a very cold harbor." It's captivating and suspenseful--"some boats sink, some float? you just never know." Awards include the "Vogue Award" for best-looking boat, the "Titanic Award" for most spectacular sinking, and the "Pride of the Regatta" Award for best design. Read more.
Before you make plans to experience these local secrets for yourself, we suggest that you contact them to confirm dates, times, and locations. We are not responsible for the information submitted to us, and disclaim any liability for the information. Additionally, the addresses for or links to third party Web sites are provided for your convenience only. These Web sites, their owners, and operators are not affiliated or associated in any way with Travelocity, and we assume no responsibility for the content of such sites, or for any of your transactions or experiences with the owners and operators of such sites.
