Wisconsin and West Coast of Lake Michigan (July 2023)

 

About This Trip

This trip involved us and our friends (4 adults, 4 kids) flying on Southwest Airlines into Milwaukee and out of Chicago. We rented a van to to accomodate our ambitious itinerary. We stayed in Door County for two nights (very nice AirBnb), Milwaukee for two nights (a really crowded Embassy Suites), and Chicago for one night. Hindsight: I would have really liked another day in Door County and could have skipped Chicago (since that's a trip all on its own, it's no place for a van, and we didn't allow enough time there). We had a great time driving along the coast of Lake Michigan though and visited places we wouldn't have otherwise. 

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Day 1 

We arrived in MKE and drove directly to Door County. This made for a long travel day, but we wanted to be at the northernmost point of our journey and then make our way back down. Since the first day was so long, we didn't do very much in Door County on our first day except check into our amazing AirBnb and spend some time on the waterfront. We did grab a drink at Bridge Up Brewing in Sturgeon Bay, which was great. 

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Day 2 - Door County: The Farm, Cana Island, Cave Point

Our first stop was brunch at Renards (five stars) and then on to The Farm. The Farm was an absolute highlight of this trip. The boys loved it so much. This will easily occupy about 3 hours; we got to bottle feed some baby goats, pet kittens, pick fruit, pet farm animals, milk a goat, and explore corn mazes. The children learned about sustainable farming practices as well. After the Farm, we visited Cana Island.  At Cana Island, you've got options: stroll across the causeway or hop on a tractor depending on the water level. Once there, climb to the top of the lighthouse for stunning views of Lake Michigan (if you don't mind heights). And don't forget to explore the rugged beauty of the rocky shell beaches. 

The Farm and Renards

Door County, when viewed on a map, will make you feel like you can cover more ground than you realistically can cover. So, we had big plans to do a lot and we barely scratched the surface. We stayed near Sturgeon Bay (very south), and we had to make a choice for our second half of our day whether to go up the east or west side of the peninsula. We chose to head toward Cave Point because the cliff jumping was rated online as one of the best things to do if you have limited time. 

The drive time was longer than expected, the water levels were way too low to jump in the time and year we went, and it took us way too long to figure that out. So, even though it was pretty, we might have prioritized the more popular Egg Harbor and Peninsula State Park areas if we had known. We still had a fun time; everything Door County is so quaint and beautiful you really can't go wrong. If we are able to return, I would prioritize Egg Harbor and the ferry out to Washington Island. After Cave Point we went to Door County Brewing which was nice for adults to have a drink; they also had board games and the BEST giant pretzels. Later we toured around Sturgeon Bay a little more and visited Door County Candy for Candy and Ice Cream too.

Day 3 Drive to Milwaukee

We aimed to stay an extra day in Door County, but our AirBnb was not availalbe. So, sticking to our original plan, we drove to Milwaukee, making stops at the Hearthstone Heritage House in Appleton and Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan along the way.

The Hearthstone House tour showcased its historical significance as the first residence in the United States powered by a centrally located hydroelectric station using the Edison system. Although my youngest wasn't fully engaged, the STEM learning museum downstairs added value to our visit, and everyone else thought it was pretty cool.

At Bookworm Gardens, our time was limited (they closed at 4:00 and we thought they closed at 5:00). Nonetheless, we enjoyed the themed botanical displays and unique photo opportunities.

Day 5 Milwaukee 

Our day started with a splash at Bradford Beach, where the kids had a blast in the water. After building up an appetite, we grabbed some lunch at the beachside food court while lounging around in the sun.

Next up: the Bobblehead Museum. Surprisingly entertaining, especially for the little ones who enjoyed the scavenger hunt and the chance to spot Waldo for bonus prizes.

We had dinner at Safe House, a spy-themed restaurant. The whole password and dance routine for entry had us laughing, especially when we realized we were being filmed! It added an extra layer of fun to the evening.

We wrapped things up with some delicious ice cream from Purple Door and a chill wind-down at Third Space Brewing. All in all, a day packed with laughter and adventure!

Day 6 Chicago

After checking out of our Milwaukee hotel, we set off for Chicago in our van. After a very tense attempt to park our van in the Chicago garage (we barely cleared it!), our next stop was the Field Museum, which was a blast. We marveled at the impressive T. Rex skeleton, Sue, and explored fascinating exhibits on ancient civilizations and natural history. Our favorite was the Egyptian area which is very popular and gets crowded fast. I recommend making a bee-line for that area as soon as they open if you want to have a better experience. 

Next, we aimed to visit Millennium Park, but our plans hit a snag. The park was surrounded by a huge fence, part of an effort to control entry, and our GPS didn’t have this update. We ended up circling the fence for quite a while, growing increasingly frustrated as we tried to find an entrance.

Eventually, hunger and exhaustion got the best of us, so we decided to skip the park and head straight to dinner. We enjoyed a delicious meal at Lou Malnati's, famous for its deep-dish pizza. While it’s my favorite, the kids still prefer New York-style pizza. But hey, at least they gave it a try!

Day 7 Chicago and Back Home

Our flight home was scheduled for later in the day, giving us time to enjoy the complimentary breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, we headed out to do one of my favorite Chicago activities – the Architecture Boat Tour. This was my fourth time on this tour, and it never gets old.

As we cruised along the Chicago River, we admired the city’s stunning skyline. The guide shared fascinating stories behind iconic buildings like the Willis Tower and the Wrigley Building. We also learned about the history and evolution of Chicago's architecture, from its early days to its modern masterpieces. The blend of styles, from art deco to contemporary designs, showcased the city’s rich architectural heritage. Even after multiple visits, the tour remains a highlight and a fantastic way to see Chicago’s beautiful buildings up close.