Situated on the northern shores of Lake Winnebago, approximately thirty miles south of Green Bay, the city of Appleton is an excellent destination for travelers looking for the gateway to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Welcoming locals, excellent dining, engaging entertainment and wonderful lodging options are but a few of the reasons to make a trek to the city of Appleton.
When approaching Appleton from the south, I was immediately struck by its size. This is no mere village in the middle of Wisconsin. The downtown area is rather sizeable and several tallish buildings dot the downtown landscape. For accommodation choices, there a multitude of chain hotels on the west of the city, sure to include your family’s favorite.
If you are looking for something a little different, take a look at the outstanding Copperleaf Boutique Hotel and Spa. The rooms of this hotel are luxurious equipped with beautiful bedding, a fully stocked mini-bar, a whirlpool jet tub and the best little treat of all, Aveda bath products, for the enjoyment and convenience of Copperleaf guests. The staff here are extraordinarily accommodating and always willing to provide an extra shampoo or a dining suggestion in the nearby area. Traveling with small children, my husband and I found ourselves having not had dinner at 8:30p.m. after the kids were in bed (we had fed them earlier in the evening). The hotel staff helped us obtain great take-out from a local establishment and set up a small table just outside the hotel pantry immediately across from our room, so that we could enjoy a quiet meal while continuing to keep an eye on our sleeping kids. Spa services are offered downstairs in the hotel. A luxurious fifteen person hot tub is also located in the basement for the use of hotel guests. Attached to this beautiful hotel is an Italian restaurant and full-service bar.
There are also plenty of wonderful dining options in and around the city of Appleton. The Good Company, conveniently located at 110 North Richmond Street, features outstanding American favorites at affordable prices. The portions are plentiful and families are such to be delightfully amused by the kitschy themed décor throughout the interior of the restaurant. In business since 1980, the Good Company has truly become a staple in the Appleton area. Another great dining choice is the classic George’s Steakhouse, located at 2208 South Memorial Drive. Prices here are also affordable and their plentiful portions feature an array of outstanding classic American dishes. Their steaks are perfectly cooked, the vegetable beef soup is savory and delectable and the fried cheese curd appetizer is outstanding – truly a not-to-be-missed Wisconsin classic for out of town visitors. While Appleton is located in the middle of northeastern Wisconsin, don’t be fooled by its Midwestern location. This city is home to an outstanding array of ethnic cuisine restaurants including Chinese, Thai and Greek establishments. We even stopped for lunch one day at a local cook-out organized by senior citizens for the benefit of their local center and were treated to an outstanding grilled chicken sandwich and some lively local conversation with the welcoming local crowd.
Appleton is also a great place to entertain kids. The most famous of all magicians, Harry Houdini, claimed Appleton, Wisconsin as his home town and visitors can relive his life and times in the History Museum at the Castle. In addition to actual memorabilia from his life and magic shows, the History Museum at the Castle features a variety of hands-on magic experiments certain to delight the budding magicians of your family. Be sure to check ahead for weekend visits; there are a variety of Saturday activities perfect for entertaining the children in your traveling party. For a change of pace, take the kids for a leisurely nature walk through the Gordon Bubolz Nature Center. With 775 acres of Wisconsin nature, kids are sure to pick up a thing or two about the northern Wisconsin environment. Hiking, cross country skiing and snow-shoeing are all acceptable here on the trails of the Gordon Bubolz Nature Center. Kids will be delighted by the exhibits at the Fox Cities Children’s Museum conveniently located in downtown Appleton.
For a day-trip from the Appleton region, consider a visit to the Heritage Hill State Historical Park. This large living history museum features actual and replicated buildings important to the development of the northeastern Wisconsin region. Beginning at the top of the hill, visitors can wind their way down the path and experience late-19th century life as it must have been in downtown Green Bay through buildings such as Movarian Church, the Franklin Hose Company, the YMCA library, and the Baird Law Office. Kids will be delighted by the printer in this area where they can print out an actual calendar on the ancient presses. At the blacksmith, visitors can observe a blacksmith in action as he describes the tools and hazards of his trade. Proceeding further down the path, toward the back of the park, the Fur Trade area features a replica of the first courthouse of the region, a primitive church of the area and most interestingly, an equipped fur trader’s cabin where costumed interpreters will guide you through the daily life and chores of a French fur traders in the early days of Wisconsin settlement. Further back up the path toward the Visitors’ Center, folks can stroll through the Fort Howard buildings including a hospital, military lodgings and a missionary’s first home here in northeastern Wisconsin. The old Belgian farm and cheese factory back at the top of the hill complete the tour here. My family and I toured this outstanding site on a Thursday this summer. The park was far from crowded and my kids were able to ask numerous questions of the outstandingly well-informed historical interpreters volunteering here at the park. If you find yourself in the Appleton/Green Bay area, a visit to the Heritage Hill State Historical Park should not be missed.
Throughout this region of northeastern Wisconsin, there are countless dairy farms providing wonderful cheeses and dairy products. Be sure to take some time to stop at one and fill up your cooler with some of the delectable cheddars, cheese spreads and fudge of northeastern Wisconsin. Best of all, Appleton, Wisconsin is situated just to the north of the acclaimed Lake Winnebago, allowing visitors to experience all the benefits of a bustling metropolis with beautiful outdoor recreation at their fingertips. Lake Winnebago is in fact the largest lake located entirely in the state of Wisconsin. With eighty-eight miles of shoreline, Lake Winnebago is the perfect local for a relaxed day on the beach. Fishing and boating are particularly popular here and there are fishermen who would argue this is some of the best walleye fishing in the state. Vacation homes and cabins dot the landscape here for those looking to turn their brief stay into a lengthier summer or even a permanent relocation.
A gateway to the extraordinary Northwoods of Wisconsin, the Appleton region is perfect for a lengthier stay or a brief respite before you proceed northward to lake country. Midwestern charm, beautiful terrain, pristine lakes, rich history, delectable dining, all with the added benefit of a low cost of living. What could be better? As you plan your next trip to northeastern Wisconsin, be sure to plan a stop in or around the Appleton region.
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