By Shayna Mace and Shelby Rowe Moyer | Photo courtesy Granite Peak
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DUBBEL DUTCH HOTEL, MILWAUKEE
Built in 1898 as a townhouse-like “double house” for two bachelor brothers, this former private residence has been renovated and restored as a 17-room hotel. The renovation was completed just last year, and though it’s been updated with modern amenities, many of its 19th-century detail remains. Drop off your bags in your room and then head to either the Tavern, Parlor or Dining Room with a house-made cocktail or coffee. Better yet, the Dubbel Dutch is close to both downtown and the Lake Michigan waterfront, making it an easy starting point for the day’s activities. thedubbeldutch.com
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LARSON’S GENERAL, LA CROSSE
With an environmentally-friendly bent, home products abound at this store in downtown La Crosse. At Larson’s General store, find an array of eco-forward products from biodegradable hair ties, to bamboo kitchen tools, to shampoo bars for people and pets alike. larsonsgeneral.com
ARCADIA BOOKS, SPRING GREEN
Named after the 1993 Tom Stoppard comedy/drama “Arcadia” — due to the owner’s American Players Theatre connection — this bookstore is tucked on a quaint corner in downtown Spring Green, an idyllic setting for an equally pleasant book-browsing experience. Find current bestsellers, a robust kid’s book section and friendly staff on hand for book recommendations. Rivaling the book selection is the on-premise Paper Crane Coffeehouse with an array of tasty coffee drinks, beer and wine, and grab-and-go salads and sandwiches. readinutopia.com
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GRANITE PEAK, WAUSAU
A year-round destination, Granite Peak truly shines in the winter when the ground is blanketed with snow and the chair lifts are ferrying skiers to the top of the 700-foot peak. Shred your way through the 68 runs with snow guaranteed for roughly six months of the year. Lodging is available just a few minutes away in Wausau, where visitors can expand their outdoor adventures with hiking, fat tire biking and snowmobile trails; shop the plentiful boutiques; and wine and dine at breweries, wineries and restaurants. skigranitepeak.com
SAND VALLEY GOLF RESORT, NEKOOSA
The landscape of this golf destination is enough to evoke poetry. One of the newest additions to Wisconsin’s golf resorts is built amongst majestic sand dunes in Nekoosa and offers three courses: Sand Valley, Mammoth Dunes and The Sandbox. Beyond its picturesque courses, Sand Valley also has luxurious lodging and multiple dining options — so you can stay for the day or make the resort your entire vacation destination.
Golf enthusiasts should also keep their eyes out for the opening of The Lido Golf Club, slated for completion in 2023. The Lido was originally built in Long Island, New York, in 1914 and was touted by golf historians as one of the greatest golf courses ever created. Its life, however, was short-lived, because the U.S. Navy took over the site and demolished it during WWII. It’s currently being recreated here in the Midwest, and Sand Valley resort guests will have limited access to the 850-acre par-72 course. sandvalley.com, thelido.com
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