Wisconsin, ho!

September 20, 2008 11:08 AM

What is there to do in and around Whitewater, WI?

I'm heading up to Whitewater, WI on Monday for a 3-day stay at a B&B with my boyfriend. When we were planning this trip, the only thing we wanted was to get away from Chicago for a few days, but now that I'm about to leave I'm wondering what, exactly, it is we're going to do besides relax. So, what attractions does Whitewater possess? Anything we absolutely shouldn't miss? What about possible day-trips to somewhere nearby?

posted by coppermoss to travel & transportation around Whitewater, WI (5 answers total)

Go apple picking at the Elegant Farmer! It's a ton of fun, you can eat apples, walk the orchards, and visit their country store which has an enormous amount of great stuff, and tasty food. Here's the link for more info and directions.
posted by svdodge at 11:41 AM on September 20, 2008

Oh no, just saw that you'll be there monday through wednesday. Whoops. Apple picking is only on the weekends, sorry!
posted by svdodge at 11:43 AM on September 20, 2008

I'd still go to the Elegant Farmer. Their apple pie baked in a bag is soooooo delicious and it'll be a pretty drive.
posted by Kangaroo at 12:34 PM on September 20, 2008

Kettle Moraine state park. Mountain biking there is incredible.
posted by Ironmouth at 1:14 PM on September 20, 2008

Well, the first thing is that you're visiting a college town, not a tourist destination like around Geneva Lake. So you may want to take advantage of the student-y atmosphere and what's going on at the campus (films, art displays, theater). You may be able to take in some UW-W athletics.

More generally there are the historic areas of the city to take in on a walking tour, or visiting Indian Mounds Park, or just strolling along the lake. The Fireside Dinner Theatre is nearby. In the city is a top-notch aquatic center if you like to get in a swim (a city boondoggle, it's been taken over by a non-profit health system).

You can go up the road (WI-26) to Fort Atkinson and Jefferson, both communities with some historic heritage and antiquing (but also heavily affected by the summer floods). Or down the road to Milton (with its newly-renovated Milton House Museum, one of the first concrete buildings in the world and a documented stop on the underground railroad). A bit further and you come to my town, Janesville, which is again not really a tourist stop, but has antique and second-hand stores downtown and a fantastic house museum. There's a superb botanical garden, too.

Then you've still got the (very touristy) Lake Geneva area (less congested off weekend!), as well as Madison and all it has to offer, within day-trip range. If you like outdoor recreation there's Kettle Moraine State Park and others.
posted by dhartung at 1:20 PM on September 20, 2008