Souvenirs that are Good Enough to Eat

By Kristine Hansen | Photos (left to right): photo courtesy Roots Chocolates, photo courtesy Cherry De-Light via Facebook, photo by Cheri Johnson, photo courtesy Potter’s Crackers via Facebook

Exploring a destination isn’t solely about snapping photos. What about picking up souvenirs that are good enough to eat — literally?

• Made at a fourth- generation Wisconsin Dells family farm, Roots Chocolates weave in ingredients like lavender grown nearby while honoring Wisconsin’s most famous drink — the Old Fashioned. rootschocolates.com
• The next best thing to a slice of cherry pie made from Door County grown cherries is sprinkling Country Ovens’ Cherry De-Lite Sprinkles on literally everything. countryovens.com
• Emmanuel’s Mix is a Milwaukee mom’s switch-up from blah trail mixes to one that weaves in rice cereal, pretzels and jumbo pecans. emmanuelsmix.com
• When you can’t slap a slice of cheese on a cracker, the organic Wisconsin Cheddar Oyster crackers from Potter’s Crackers will certainly satisfy. potterscrackers.com

Nordic-Style Eats in Milwaukee

Inside the new 196-room Renaissance Milwaukee West Hotel is the Eldr + Rime, a Nordic-inspired restaurant with a very hygge-style menu, including Swedish meatball sliders, grilled shrimp toast or venison tartare to kick off the meal — plus comfort-driven entrees, such as pork schnitzel with fried egg and “beer vinegar pearls.” Pair great food with dangling greenery and wicker light fixtures for a memorable night out. eldrandrime.com

There’s a New Winery in Town

From the owners of Lewis Station Winery comes the newly-opened Stable Rock Winery & Distillery in downtown Jefferson, tucked inside a stable (hence the name!). Sip a flight from your perch at a beer garden table imported from Munich, Germany, while overlooking the Rock River. stablerockwinery.com