Sometimes you want to spend a whole week on vacation, but often you can only get away for a weekend. Now the challenge becomes: How do you fit all the best attractions, restaurants, and activities into one perfect weekend away? Well if you only have two days to explore Green Lake then we have outlined the best way to spend your time.
If you’re coming from Madison, Milwaukee, or even flying in from far away, there is one thing in common. You’re going to be a little tired when you get here on Friday night. You’ll want a centrally located place to stay and an easy bite to eat. Pull up to Greenway House Bed & Breakfast and you’ll be greeted with warm smiles and a beautiful room to unpack in. After you set down your belongings, head to ThunderBoss located just half a mile from the B&B. This lakefront restaurant doesn’t require reservations or a fancy outfit and will take you in and make you feel at home in an instant. Bite into one of their juicy burgers or try one of their entrees like the grilled salmon with seasonal vegetables and dill vinaigrette. Either way, you’ll leave full and satisfied. Day one at Green Lake and you’re already starting on a good note.
Saturday:
Wake up in the morning to the smell of a freshly cooked breakfast, compliments of innkeepers Candace and Paul. Follow the smell into the dining room to find a gourmet breakfast made with the freshest local ingredients available. After indulging on a meal fit for a king, you can head out for a day filled with exploration.
Stop by the Dartford Historical Society
Located right in downtown Green Lake, the Dartford Historical Society is a great attraction to learn about the people and nature of this area. There are 7 staple exhibits in the museum ranging from pantry items stocked in the 1800s to the history of baseball in Green Lake, to an architectural collection of the buildings in the area, to an homage to the men from Green Lake who fought in World War I. Enjoy your time here with interactive exhibits, interesting pieces from a life long ago, and historical findings.
Lunch at Little Corporal
Some say you can’t make a trip to Green Lake without stopping at The Little Corporal at least once. Lori & Steve Kruger have served up breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week for the last 25 years at this local establishment. Over the years, The Little Corporal has kept to their roots of providing comfort food that will remind you of your mama’s cooking, but they also add new trending food items to their menu every now and then. Try their stuffed avocados for a delicious and unique take on this trending food.
Winery Tours
Some of the best wineries outside of Napa lie just minutes from Green Lake. For the perfect mini road trip we would start off by driving over to Lunch Creek Vineyards & Winery to sample their dreamy wines in their cozy tasting room. After, head back east to the Rushford Meadery & Winery in Omro to taste their mead. This is the perfect place for a mid-afternoon sweet treat. Head back to Ripon and stop by the Vines & Rushes Winery. As one of the most acclaimed in the region, Vines & Rushes is the perfect high note to end your afternoon with. Don’t forget to grab a couple of bottles to bring back home!
Dinner at Norton’s of Green Lake
Head back to your rooms for some light relaxing after all the wine tastings. Get ready for a wonderful dinner and head over to Norton’s on the lake for an unbelievable meal. Gaze out upon the beautiful lake as you dine on Hudson Canyon scallops, fresh-made pasta, and their famous Walleye. While they have quite the extensive wine list, I would try one of their cocktails, even if it is just an after dinner drink. Masterfully blended and the perfect end to the meal of a lifetime.
Thrasher Opera House
If you love live theater, great music, and any sort of entertainment, then check out the Thrasher Opera House. Built in 1910, this opera house has seen thousands, if not millions of acts. If there is an act playing while you are visiting Green Lake, then you should definitely reserve tickets to hear the best music in town.
Sunday:
Wake up once again to a wonderful smelling breakfast. Let the excitement pull you out of bed to find an entirely different, yet just as appetizing meal in front of you. Eat up and savor every bite before heading out for your last day in Green Lake.
Head out to the Green Lake Conservancy
The Green Lake Conservancy is the best place to see the flowers bloom in spring, to stroll through on long summer days, to watch the leaves change in fall, or to nordic ski throughout the winter. After breakfast take in a little natural beauty and stretch your legs before traveling home.
Shopping in Downtown
The historic waterfront district is the perfect place to go shopping. You’ll find unique gifts, beautiful boutiques, and antique stores galore. Pop into Gysbers Jewelry to see the most incredible collection of rings, necklaces, and earrings or head to Dish, a Parisian store with the cutest clothes you will ever lay eyes on. Treasures are around every corner!
And you’re out!
I know it seems like your time in Green Lake just flew right by, and it probably did, but the best part about Green Lake is that you can come back time and time again, try new restaurants, visit familiar stores, and with each changing of the season, new activities are unlocked and more memories are waiting to be made. So come back to your little slice of heaven in gorgeous Green Lake, Wisconsin!
Planning a trip to Green Lake, Wisconsin? Book a stay at the Greenway House Bed & Breakfast, a historic retreat in the heart of beautiful Green Lake.
