For Valentine’s weekend, my fiancé and I enjoyed a cozy getaway at Bantr. We’ve been in the greater Wausau area a few times now and have continued to find new-to-us spots to explore. I like to challenge us to find new restaurants, coffee shops, and mini adventures on each of our weekend trips.
We got into town on Saturday around lunchtime. Hungry for a bite to eat, we went to La Taqueria. We both ended up getting the big burritos, so maybe we were hungry for more than just a bite…But, our meal was delicious! I went for chicken, and Ryan opted for chorizo. Whichever is your preference, I believe you’ll enjoy it!
While we did plan on exploring another restaurant in the area for dinner, *spoiler alert* we didn’t. We were full and very satisfied with our meal at La Taqueria throughout the rest of the day, so we just had a few snacks for dinner. The next time we visit, I’d love to try Tine & Cellar or The Velveteen Plum for a meal.
After lunch, we stopped by a coffee shop that has been on my list to try: Tucknee Coffee Company. I really enjoyed the look and feel of the cafe. And, they made a perfect London fog latte. It’s definitely the type of coffee shop that I could get comfy and sit for hours in.
It was just about time to check into our hotel room once we got done with our sips, so we made our way to Bantr. Our room was complete with a whirlpool tub and fireplace. Plus, a cute little rubber duck?!
Mr. Coolio caught my eye as we were getting settled in. He’s one of the Bantr ducks that you may find during your stay, and you can redeem him for a drink at the hotel bar. After taking some time to relax, we took up Mr. Coolio’s offer.
When we got to the bar, we saw speed daters chatting around tables. In the theme with Bantr’s event, there were two fun drink specials: Royal Blush and Nervous First Date. We grabbed a seat at the bar and ordered. Royal Blush was my favorite! I may need to put my skills to the test and try to make it at home.
Later in the evening, we enjoyed some live music and eventually ventured to the pool/hot tub. The hot tub is always one of the best things about staying at Bantr.
The next morning, we got packed up and checked out. Before really hitting the road, we wanted to grab breakfast. Breakfast Bear had been on my radar since I saw Visit Wausau post about the restaurant, so we decided to try it! I’m very happy we did.
It was admittedly packed when we got there, but we snagged a spot at the bar for 0 wait time. I got a vanilla iced latte and a classic breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast that hit the spot. Ryan got the most delicious-looking breakfast burrito and a macchiato.
Breakfast Bear or Era Pancakes and Cafe are both amazing brunch spots in the area with nice aesthetics and quality coffee drinks. You can’t go wrong with either!
Cheers to our sweet Valentine’s getaway! I’m looking forward to the next adventure.
Where is your favorite weekend getaway destination? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
This year, I enjoyed a couple of mini getaways in Wausau, and I’m planning another soon! It’s the perfect distance away from my home in Green Bay to feel like a getaway while being a short and sweet road trip. On my Wausau adventures, I’ve discovered unique places to explore, eat, and grab drinks. Read on for some of my favorites!
A Cozy Stay
Bantr has been a lovely host in the Wausau area. The hotel has a log cabin style and cozy feel. I’ve had a great time at events they host. The NEW Dueling Pianos performed at the hotel bar over Halloweekend – it was a blast. Also, Bantr has the best hot tub, so pack a swimsuit when you visit!
Things To Do
On my first trip to the area, I saw the Monk Botanical Gardens. This was the perfect place to get a relaxing walk in. I’d love to visit again when the gardens are in bloom!
On another trip, I went to Wisconsin’s oldest bookstore, Janke. I highly recommend this shop to all book lovers. There are so many used and new books to look at as well as other items like craft supplies, journals, and more.
If you’re a night owl, The Garage is a fun bar to check out. They are true to the theme with creative decor like cars mounted on the walls.
Delicious Bites & Sips
I always love trying local food spots! During my first time visiting the Wausau area, I grabbed dinner at Red Eye Brewing. Their Forager pizza was delicious (and vegetarian-friendly!). The next time, I had dinner at Sconni’s – if fried brussel sprouts are your thing, you need to go there for the apps.
On future trips, I’m looking forward to exploring more of the local coffee shops, but I’ve enjoyed Clean Slate Coffeehouse. The playful and eclectic aesthetic of the place is very cool!
For brunch, Era Pancakes and Cafe is the spot! The look and feel of the place is very pretty and open. Also, the food and hand-crafted coffee drinks are amazing! Treat yourself, and order the Caramel Macchiato if you visit.
Have you been to Wausau? What local spots do you love? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Just one hour away from my home in Green Bay is the city of Sheboygan. Yet before this October, I had never really been to the area before. Sure, I had driven through and seen the World’s Largest Symbol of Freedom from the road, but I hadn’t explored the other things that Sheboygan had to offer. I am happy I spent a weekend in the area to experience the city. Now, I have some new favorite restaurants and shops in the area, as well as a list of things I need to try when I visit again. Curious what you can do in the Malibu of the Midwest? Read on for my 2-day trip adventure!
On a Friday night, after work, I drove to Sheboygan. It was a quick and relaxing cruise! I arrived around 6:00 pm at The Watershed Hotel. I was very impressed with the overall aesthetic of the place. The lobby’s big fireplace gave all of the coziest vibes. My room was very modern and chic with a balcony overlooking the Sheboygan River. I got settled in quickly and ready for my dinner reservation.
I’m glad I went hungry to BoMallies because there were so many great dishes to taste. First up, I enjoyed some Beef Khalbi Smashed Dumplings. Then, I had some of the special of the night: Seafood Ravioli. I couldn’t resist the Mozzarella-Stuffed Meatballs (I’m a big fan of vodka sauce). And finally, I tried the Banh Mi Tacos. Everything I ate was absolutely incredible.
I highly recommend visiting this place with a friend or a group so you can sample around the different plates! I think the Smashed Dumplings may have been my favorite, but the Banh Mi Tacos were a very close second.
To drink, I had the Wisconsin Mule. It had cranberry vodka with honey, orange and rosemary syrup, fresh cranberries, and lime. Tasty and on the sweeter side! But, I suppose that wasn’t the only sweet thing I enjoyed… After a delicious meal, I had to try the Car Bomb Cake. Guinness chocolate cake, soaked with Baileys, Jameson cream cheese frosting… anyone else drooling?
Not only did BoMallies impress me with food, but also art! The walls were covered with unique pieces, and I even spotted one of my favorite artist’s works, Donald Topp. Yes, those are the ladies of the Mystery Machine all tatted up; I adore them.
Post-dinner, I wanted to check out 3 Sheeps Brewing. I always enjoy exploring breweries outside my area and adding new brews to my Untappd profile! At 3 Sheeps I enjoyed a Pumpkin Spice Beer (’tis the season). Typically, I don’t go for dark beers, but this one was nice and smooth. 3 Sheeps’ indoor space was roomy and definitely felt like the place to be on a Friday night.
The next day, I woke up to a gorgeous view from my hotel room and began getting ready for more exploring. My first stop was the Sheboygan Visitor Center. Here, you can get all of the information on local things to do, shop for souvenirs, and find unique pieces from local artists. They had a pull-tab art kit that I thought was awesome (here’s the artist’s site).
To fuel up, I visited Eb Flo Coffeehouse for a latte and avocado toast. The aesthetic was very relaxing, and I loved looking out on the water while sipping my coffee. This place made for a satisfying breakfast and a great start to the day.
I knew when I was planning to visit Sheboygan that I wanted to check out some local shops. First up, I visited the Hello Happiness Creativity Center. It’s a craft supply store that has new and second-hand items to get creative with. I enjoy bullet journaling and collaging, so I was excited to find bundles of different papers to work with. Whatever your craft of choice may be, I believe you’ll be able to find something that inspires you at Hello Happiness.
In Downtown Sheboygan, there were lots of shops to look around. Nikki’s Nex2New consignment shop was right up my alley. There, I found a cozy cardigan and a cute top to take home. Mainstream Boutique was fun to look around. They had lots of pretty pieces and perfect styles for the current fall and winter seasons. If you’re looking for a classic thrift shop, Revolution Resale is a great place to go.
One of my favorite shops was FreakToyz. They sell all sorts of unique toys, figurines, comics, and collectibles. I saw everything from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Doctor Who to Harley Quinn to… the list goes on! This place really had so many amazing things to look at. Here, I picked up a little Ash Pop Figurine to add to my haul.
In between shops, I discovered some murals downtown. The street art in Sheboygan is very lively and energetic. If you visit, don’t miss your chance to get abducted in the UFO mural!
I also explored the John Michael Kohler Arts Center (JMKAC). It’s an art gallery that’s free to enter and look around! They also offer other programs and activities to engage with the arts. I was happy my visit landed at the same time that Patricia Piccinini’s exhibit, Encounters of Another Plot, was on. It was incredible to see it in person. I also caught Bea Fremderman’s exhibit, Weeds Compared to Flowers, which was very interesting (you can catch it until February 18, 2024). Also, did I mention that the JMKAC washrooms are works of art too?!
Walking around shops and art helped me work up an appetite for lunch. Pizza sounded good, so I ended up at Il Ritrovo. Little did I know that this pizza would definitely ruin some other pizzas for me. Il Ritrovo was the 5th Certified Vera Pizza Napoletana member in the United States. So what does that mean? Their wood-fired, Neapolitan pizza is authentic. Special training and strict requirements are needed to be a certified established. In short, this place is the real deal. It may go without saying, but the pizza was delicious!
Before hitting the road home, I had to take a moment to look out at the water and see if I could catch any surfers riding the waves. In case you didn’t already know, Sheboygan is nicknamed the Malibu of the Midwest because of its surf community! Yes, people surf on the Great Lakes (even in the winter).
I had the best time exploring Sheboygan for a couple of days and getting to know the area. Huge thanks to Visit Sheboygan for hosting me and guiding me on the adventure.
Have you been to Sheboygan? What local spots do you love? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Last month, I had a family vacation in Texas, and I’m excited to tell *y’all* about it. We spent a total of five days traveling and sightseeing in both San Antonio and Dallas.
When we first landed in Texas, I spotted a Dutch Bros Coffee and just had to stop. I ordered a Caramel Pumpkin Brulee Cold Brew; it was absolutely delicious. After getting caffeinated, it was time to get to our hotel and check-in. On the first night of the trip, we stayed at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel in San Antonio. The hotel was very posh and pretty.
That same night, we enjoyed a San Antonio River Boat Tour. It was dark out, and the streets along the river were beautifully lit up. Our tour guide pointed out some historically important spots along the river and even gave us intel on haunted locations. Our hotel was, unfortunately, on the haunted locations list, but I don’t recall experiencing anything too paranormal.
After the boat ride, we grabbed dinner at Rio Rio Cantina. They had 10/10 margaritas and a perfect veggie quesadilla. What can I say, it hit the spot.
On day two, we checked out The Alamo (aka the place you kinda have to check out if you go to San Antonio). We also stopped by “The Oldest Saloon in Texas,” The Buckhorn. The Buckhorn was more than just a bar; it was also a pretty sizable museum featuring Texas Ranger memorabilia, lots of mounted animals, a replica Bonnie & Clyde car, and more. I know the “mounted animals” part sounds a bit odd, but the story behind the animals is quite interesting. My favorite part about this place was a section of the museum that looked just like an old western town. You could walk through swinging saloon doors and peek in old-time shop windows. Overall, The Buckhorn is a fun tourist spot to check out!
The second half of our Texas trip brought us to the Dallas area. Here, we saw the Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium. It was neat to see another NFL stadium but, admittedly, the Green Bay Packers’ tour is better.
Post-tour, we grabbed food at Mellow Mushroom: a groovy pizza chain. The food was good, and the aesthetic was very cool. I mean, take a look at that lava lamp chandelier!
We spent our last night in Texas watching a Cowboys game at Texas Live. The Live Arena was packed full of energized fans. This place has a few different bars and restaurants inside and lots of TV screens for game days. If you find yourself in Arlington, definitely check out Texas Live.
I’m happy I got the chance to see so many new-to-me places on this latest trip to Texas! Feel free to let me know in the comments, or on Instagram, if you’ve ever been to Texas or have any favorite spots. I’d love to hear about your experience too!
Last month, I hit the road to Kentucky with my S.O. and family. We saw and explored a lot during the three-day road trip.
We left Green Bay, WI on a Thursday night to begin the drive. After a few hours, we made it to Fair Oaks, Indiana. We decided to spend the night at the Fairfield Inn by Fair Oaks Farm.
This hotel was very cute and unique. The outside looked like a literal barn, and an actual farm was a short walk away. It was fun to explore the farm store, the hotel, and the property that the hotel was on. I appreciated the very *aesthetic* cow statues that were in the lobby.
Staying here gave us all the rest we needed to continue the drive Friday morning.
It took most of the day to make it to our cabin in the Red River Gorge area in Kentucky, but we made it before dark. We stayed at the “Along the Ridge” rental. It was roomy, beautifully tucked away, and it even had a hot tub.
On Saturday, we went on a few hikes. First, we explored Gray’s Arch. Then, we walked across the Sky Bridge. Both trails were gorgeous with amazing views. As someone who doesn’t typically hike, I found these trails more than doable. It made me want to explore more hiking trails on future trips, as well as back home.
After a long day of adventuring, we made it back to the cabin to enjoy family time and mules.
We got up fairly early the next day to finish sightseeing before heading home. On the road to Churchill Downs, we got to stop at a Buc-ee’s. I’d describe it as the Disneyland of c-stores. Seriously, they had everything (not to mention a bronze beaver statue in front of their store).
Arriving at the Churchill Downs gate was incredible. I felt like an ant next to the entrance. In case you didn’t already know, Churchill Downs is where the Kentucky Derby happens, but they host other horse races throughout the year. It was cool to see the place and a few races in person. Of course, I had to get a mint julep to really take in the atmosphere.
We got back to Green Bay early Monday morning, so after some sleep, it was time to get back into the swing of things. I feel like we definitely made the most of our time in Kentucky, and I enjoyed seeing so many new sights. I’d love to go back sometime and maybe even see the Kentucky Derby.
Have you ever been to Kentucky? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Last weekend, my S.O. and I went for a weekend trip to Chicago. We definitely made the most of our two full days in the city.
Our first stop upon arrival was the Starbucks Reserve Roastery that’s downtown. Fun fact: this is actually the world’s largest Starbucks! I ordered us a couple of cold brews and a big cinnamon roll. It was delicious, of course.
Once energized, we headed over to Shedd Aquarium. It had been years since I was there, so it was cool to see it again! There were tons of exhibits to check out; we almost didn’t realize that there were multiple floors. The shark and stingray section has remained my favorite.
After exploring the aquarium, we got checked into our hotel.
We decided to stay at the Moxy since it was walking distance from everywhere that we wanted to go. Our room was on the third floor, so it ended up having a nice view.
We hung out in the lobby bar after getting settled and grabbed drinks. We discovered a lot of new games; the Moxy had a bunch of card, board, and other games just sitting out. Quickly, Space Force became an addiction.
Soon it was time to grab some dinner, so we headed over to Radio Room.
I ordered some fish tacos and a drink by the name “Spice World.” I couldn’t resist ordering a spicy marg named after the Spice Girls.
The next day, we grabbed coffee at Heritage and then grabbed breakfast at Edie’s. If you like pink, you’d love the interior decor of Edie’s. It was a super aesthetic place with a good menu.
Once again caffeinated, we walked over to Millenium Park. We walked around and took a bunch of pictures in the bean. We also stumbled upon a mini-golf course, so we gave it a go. Each hole had its own Chicago-themed challenge. I was not victorious in this game, but it was still very fun.
Once we covered everything that we wanted to see at the park, we headed to Navy Pier.
We rode the huge ferris wheel and grabbed a marg at Margaritaville. Is the ferris wheel overhyped? Maybe, but if you didn’t ride it, did you really get the Navy Pier experience? Also, it is pretty cool to look out on the city from that height. I’d say it’s worth the ride ticket.
After a while, we left the pier to do a bit of shopping. I scored a cute top to wear to dinner at Zara (you may have seen it on the ‘gram, here). Speaking of dinner, we ended up at Pink Taco! I enjoyed their shrimp tacos and a cilantro cucumber marg.
The next day, it was time to head back home to Green Bay. I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t exhausted after our big walking day. It felt good to have the time to sleep in and then make the drive back.
It was fun to see the windy city again. I’m sure I’ll be back sometime!
Have you ever been to Chicago? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Warning: I may be posting (too many) Instagram pictures from the Windy City soon.
Recently, I got a mini-trip to Chicago all planned and booked! I’m looking forward to taking a few days off and exploring. I’ve been to Chicago many times before, but it has been a while since I’ve actually been downtown.
I’m planning on enjoying some of the classic tourist spots, like Shedd Aquarium and Navy Pier. Also, you can’t forget Millennium Park and the world’s largest Starbucks. Of course, I’m looking forward to some iconic Chicago deep-dish pizza too. If you have any recommendations, let me know!
I’m planning on exploring some new-to-me areas of Chicago as well. For example, my stay is booked at the Moxy downtown. I was sold as soon as I saw that the hotel had a taco bar in the lobby. I was even more excited when I saw some of the spots to check out around the Moxy. For example, there’s a radio-themed bar/restaurant just a couple of blocks down. Understandably, this may just be cool to me since I work in the industry. But, if the food/drinks are good, I’m sure I can convince my travel partner that it’s a good place to be.
Once I’m back from the trip, I plan on recapping it on the blog like I did with my Nashville getaway! Then, I can share some of my thoughts and recommendations for what to do in Chicago.
In the meantime, I do have a few tips for you if you’re planning a trip to Chicago:
Purchase your parking ahead of time. If you’re driving to your destination, plan where you are parking! Also, beware that not all hotels have parking. For my stay, I pre-paid a 3-day parking pass at a nearby ramp.
Purchase your passes ahead of time. This will also save you a headache and some money. If there is something that you want to see or do, don’t wait until the last minute to buy tickets. Often, tourist stops have higher prices at the door than online.
Stay loyal to a hotel chain. Many hotel chains or groups have loyalty programs that are free to join. I’m part of Marriott‘s rewards program, so I typically try to book with Marriott. Then, I get better rates and can rack up points!
Download OpenTable. A lot of restaurants use OpenTable to manage reservations. With the app, you can easily make dinner plans on the go and avoid waiting for a table.
Make a list of what you want to do. Prioritize the items that you 100% want to experience, and keep some bonus items in your back pocket. This ensures that you will get the most out of your trip!
Have fun! I know this is an obvious point, but it’s the most important. Sometimes staring at a computer screen and booking hotels isn’t the most exciting process, but it’s part of the bigger picture: your vacation! Enjoy the process of customizing your trip and curating an experience for yourself.
Have you ever explored Chicago?What are some of your recommendations? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
I couldn’t have asked for a better time for my first time in the Music City. On my recent trip to Nashville, I enjoyed late honky tonk nights, lots of drool-worthy food, and an endless ambience of country music.
I’d say that my S.O. and I planned just the bones of our trip before visiting. We knew where we were staying, how we were getting there, and we had tickets for the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry. Yet, we left quite a bit of room in our itinerary to explore.
We decided to stay right in the heart of Downtown Nashville at the Moxy for a few nights. This hotel was very different than your average stay. The lobby had live music, games, a swing, and lots of lounge space. On the first night, we checked in at the Moxy bar and got our hotel keys along with a couple of drink chips.
The rooms at the Moxy were very clean and modern with an industrial style. If you ever stay at a Moxy hotel, definitely click the “bedtime story” button on the phone in your room for a laugh.
It was around dinner time by the time we settled into our room and got ready, so I booked us a reservation at The Diner. This place was a quick walk away from our hotel. I’m still thinking about the shrimp and grits that I had; it was seriously the most delicious start to our trip.
After dinner, we walked over to some of the bars. Our first stop was Johnny Cash’s bar. Here we learned that you better pay attention when the band tells you to raise your glass. My S.O. and I may have been distracted in conversation and a bit surprised when the bar went silent (and everyone was looking at us). I’m thankful for the bartender that tapped me on the shoulder so we could all get on with a “hell yeah” cheers.
After Cash’s, we checked out Kid Rock’s Honky Tonk. This spot became one of our favorites. The music was great, and the atmosphere was very fun. According to some locals, it’s one of the louder bars. That night we also went to Ole Red; it was a good time with a more laid-back vibe.
We began day two with a tasty brunch at Another Broken Egg Cafe. Pro tip: make reservations ahead of time for this place, so you don’t have to wait as long as we did.
Once we were full of coffee and beignets, we headed to the Johnny Cash museum. It was conveniently across the street from our hotel. If you’re a fan of Johnny Cash or country music history, I’d say that this is a must-see spot.
Later that day, we grabbed a quick dinner and went over to the Grand Ole Opry. It was an incredible experience to see a show at the Opry, and it was an added bonus that we got to see Jon Pardi take the stage.
The next day we went on a tour of Studio B and explored the County Music Hall of Fame. Overall, it was a really cool experience. At Studio B we even got to sit at the piano that Elvis used to record his music.
We also grabbed drinks at Miranda Lambert’s bar and Nudie’s Honky Tonk. Casa Rosa had a great dance floor and all the pink decor you could dream of. When we went to Nudie’s, it was gorgeously decorated for the holiday season.
As we walked around downtown, I did some window shopping at Boot Country. But, all I got was a photo with their giant boot. Unfortunately, I was not going to fit new boots in my luggage.
The following day, we checked out of the Moxy and into the Graduate. We thought it would be a nice place to spend our last night in Nashville. Full transparency: the hotel was gorgeous, but the service was not. I wouldn’t book a stay there again, but I would probably stop by to snap some insta-worthy pictures.
Soon after we got into our room, we went to the rooftop bar, White Limozeen. I had a “Queen of the Rodeo” cocktail, which was absolutely delicious. Later, we grabbed dinner at an Italian restaurant across the street and then watched a movie in our room. It was a good and relaxing night before traveling home the next day.
When we got back to Green Bay, we had a lot of sleep to catch up on, but it was absolutely worth it. I’m looking forward to planning another adventure soon.
Have you ever been to Nashville? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments or on Instagram. Let’s chat!
Megan Roshak 