Winter in Wisconsin: What to do

Winter in Wisconsin is not for the faint of heart – freezing temperatures, ice, snow and wind – you get my drift.  Despite the weather, my impression has been that the people of Wisconsin embrace the season.  My daughter looks forward to using the ice rink and sledding hill at her school, neighbors cross country ski on the Oak Leaf trail, and my bike is outfitted with studded tires to get through the season.  You can even buy or sell a home in the winter here (yes really!).  As my holiday gift to you, here’s a list of ways to embrace the season, and appreciate this beautiful place we call home. I’m especially looking forward to 9, 11 and 24.  Please add anything I’ve missed in the comments.
Enjoy the season!

  1. Drink some winter brews at Draft & Vessel
  2. Fill your tummy with Matzo Ball soup at Benji’s
  3. Snuggle up at home with a heartwarming book from Boswell Book Company
  4. Call the chimney sweep and get your fireplace up to snuff
  5. Spend an afternoon in West Bend at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, follow up with ramen at Tochi
  6. Change or clean the filter on your kitchen exhaust fan; test it out with some baking
  7. Buy a 414 hoodie at Too Much Metal for One Hand in the 3rd ward
  8. Enjoy some hot chocolate at Colectivo
  9. Stock your medicine cabinet (pamper pantry?) with luxurious lip balms & lotions (try some lovely options from Wisconsin based LuSa Organics!)
  10. Book an overnight at Kohler, free cross country ski rentals with your stay or just cozy up in the room with someone you love
  11. Get your chili on- grab spices at Penzeys and a baguette at North Shore Boulangerie
  12. Insulate your attic
  13. Find a sled hill and race your friends and family to the bottom
  14. Surprise a neighbor, shovel your walk, and theirs too
  15. Sip a cold drink in front of a warm fire at the Iron Horse or the Pfister Lobby Bar
  16. Stock up on sweet, crunchy treats at Goody Gourmet
  17. Warm up and see some greenery at the newly re-opened domes
  18. Explore a new cuisine at Three Brothers or Old Town Serbian Gourmet
  19. Replace or upgrade your shovels at Bliffert Lumber & Hardware
  20. Donate to a local charity, their needs persist after the holidays
  21. Head up north, book a cabin with a fieldstone fireplace at Estrold Resort
  22. Have mulled cider or a toddy at Von Trier
  23. Ice Skate – find a rink at a local school or head downtown to Red Arrow Park
  24. Make snow angels or a snowman in the front yard
  25. Take time for reflection, consider joining a friend at a new-to-you place of worship
  26. Join the Urban Ecology Center and rent some snowshoes
  27. Get outdoors for a winter walk on the Seven Bridges Trail at Grant Park
  28. Pick out some yarn at Wild Haven Fiber Company and knit something cozy
Winter in Wisconsin: What to do