By Chelsey Lewis
Wisconsin’s got cool down to a science – the state is full of destinations that beckon during the cold, snowy months. Try out these 10 spots to get your frosty fix this winter.
Apostle Islands Ice Caves, Bayfield
nps.gov/apis, ice hotline: 715.779.3397
The
crowds may wane when winter rolls around, but the Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore keeps its cool when the temperatures tumble. Situated
along Lake Superior just north of Bayfield, this national park
features 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline. In the winter,
crashing waves freeze into sheets of ice that cloak the
already-majestic, red sandstone cliffs and sea caves. To access the
caves on the mainland and Devils and Sand islands, park in the lot on
Meyers Beach Road (off Highway 13) and make the one-mile trek across
frozen Lake Superior. But be sure to check the lakeshore’s ice hotline
before heading out. Conditions can vary greatly on the lake and the
window for access can be very small – or nonexistent some years.
Chili John’s, Green Bay
chilijohns.com, 920.494.4624
Nothing
warms the belly like a steaming bowl of chili. This winter, make it one
from Chili John’s in Green Bay. This chili packs the heat, with hot and
extra hot varieties; the more meat, the spicier the chili. Pair your
dish with beans and noodles and toss in some oyster crackers, which
restaurant founder, Lithuanian immigrant John Issac, is said to have
helped invent. This Green Bay staple has been delighting diners since
1913, and even NFL legend John Madden is a fan. And while the building
itself doesn’t convey “time-honored tradition” (the restaurant relocated
to a strip mall a few years back), the chili certainly does: the recipe
hasn’t changed for more than 80 years. Not in Green Bay? Check the
shelves of your local grocery store, and when you’re out West, try Los
Angeles’ Chili John’s, started by Issac’s son, Ernie, in 1946.
Chilton
ledgeviewnaturecenter.org, 920.849.7094
In
addition to its cool name, Calumet County’s Chilton boasts one of the
state’s coolest geological features: the Niagara Escarpment. Stretching
from New York state through Ontario, Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin,
the long ridge features majestic outcrops, bluffs and cliffs, including
one over which its namesake, Niagara Falls, tumbles. Explore the
escarpment at Ledge View Nature Center, a 105-acre park that also
features three semi-wild caves, including the “all-crawl” Mother’s Cave.
The caves are open for tours May through November; kids must be at
least 5 years old to participate, 8 for Mother’s Cave. This winter, rent
snowshoes and cross-country skis on-site or join a naturalist-led
snowshoe hike Sundays in January and February.
Cold Spring
thecoldspringinn.com, 920.563.2056
Tiny
Cold Spring, southeast of Fort Atkinson in Jefferson County, is a bit
off the beaten path, but worth a visit for its traditional supper club,
the Cold Spring Inn (N1431 Highway N). The classic Wisconsin restaurant
is housed in a century-old building that was once a general store and
post office. Warm up with one of their signature steaks or slow-roasted
prime rib, or try the Drew Burger, named after the restaurant’s chef and
topped with four types of cheese. After dinner, drive a short distance
north on Highway N to find a historical marker commemorating a quirky
tie to our nation’s 16th president. In 1832, 23-year-old Abraham Lincoln
was serving in the Black Hawk War with a unit pursuing the Sauk leader
in southern Wisconsin. With a dwindling food supply, a number of
volunteers, including Lincoln, were granted an honorable discharge on
July 10 near Fort Atkinson. Lincoln spent that night in Cold Spring, but
before leaving the next day he discovered his horse had been stolen,
forcing him to walk and canoe 250 miles home to New Salem, Illinois.
Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, statewide
dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/iceagereserve/
As
if a 1,000-mile walkable footpath weren’t cool enough, Wisconsin’s Ice
Age Trail also boasts the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve.
Comprising nine units – parks, forests and wildlife preserves and
refuges – the reserve was established in 1964 to protect Wisconsin’s
glacial landscapes. Affiliated with the National Park system but managed
by the Wisconsin DNR, the units (including Mill Bluff State Park,
Kettle Moraine State Forest and Devil’s Lake State Park) feature
interpretive centers, hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities
among natural landscapes unique to glaciated Wisconsin, including
drumlins, kettles, moraines and eskers. Visit the Chippewa Moraine State
Recreation Area just east of New Auburn January 7 or February 4 for a
moonlit snowshoe trek.
International Snowmobile Hall of Fame and Museum, St. Germain
snowmobilehalloffame.com, 715.542.4463
Considering
the modern snowmobile was invented in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, it’s the
only fitting spot for the sport’s hall of fame and museum. The museum
features historic and championship race sleds from the sport’s best
drivers as well as trophies, photographs and other artifacts. Ponder the
past, then watch history being made in nearby Eagle River, host of the
World Championship Snowmobile Derby January 13–22. Join 30,000
need-for-speed spectators in watching the snocross and ice-oval races
that culminate in the World Championship Finals on Sunday.
Pettit National Ice Center, Milwaukee
thepettit.com, 414.266.0100
One
of only 29 indoor 400-meter skating ovals in the world, the Pettit
National Ice Center is one of the coolest rinks around. Top-tier
athletes from around the world have skated at this official U.S. Olympic
training facility – including Olympic gold-medal speedskaters Bonnie
Blair and Wisconsin natives Eric Heiden and Dan Jansen. Channel your
inner Ohno during the rink’s public skating hours (check the website for
times) or cheer on some stars in the making at the U.S. Junior
Championships (Long Track) February 3–5. Not a blade-runner? Some ice is
set aside for curling practice and competitions.
Snowflake Ski Club, Westby
snowflakeskiclub.com, 608.634.3211
The
Pettit isn’t the only Wisconsin facility to host Olympic-caliber
athletes. Among the five jumps at the Snowflake Ski Club’s ski-jump
complex in Westby (Vernon County) is a 118-meter Olympic-sized one used
for international competitions. Competitors jet down the large jump at
up to 50 miles an hour before flying hundreds of feet in the air and
then making (what everyone hopes will be) a safe landing at the bottom
of the hill. The all-volunteer club got its start in 1922 and today has
more than 500 members. Catch some of the high-flying action at the
club’s 89th-annual ski-jumping tournament February 3–5.
U.S. National Snow Sculpting Competition, Lake Geneva
usnationals.org, 414.332.2188
The
country’s finest snow-sculptors gather in Lake Geneva February 1–5 to
determine whose ice is nicest. Using only water, ice, snow and hand
tools (nothing powered allowed), contestants shape a 9-foot-tall
cylinder of snow into a winter masterpiece. Past creations include
mammoth muskies, frolicking fauna and a tower-bound Rapunzel. Visit
during the week to see the sculptors at work, or on Saturday and Sunday
to see the completed sculptures. Enjoy music, refreshments and
children’s activities all weekend long at Lake Geneva’s Winterfest, held
in conjunction with the competition.
Winter Festival, Fish Creek
visitfishcreek.com, 800.577.1880
Door
County’s cool factor doesn’t drop in the winter, especially at Fish
Creek’s Winter Festival, this year February 3–5. Costumed runners,
sidewalk ice sculptures, wacky carnival games and candlelight
cross-country skiing are just some of the activities you’ll find at the
25th-annual festival. When you’re ready, step out of the cold into a
heated tent stocked with food, brews and chili cook-off entries.
Assistant editor Chelsey Lewis gets her cool fix on the Ice Age Trail in the Kettle Moraine State Forest.