Travel: Wisconsin in the Winter

Christmas is far and away my favorite time of the year. The feeling of nostalgia wraps around me like a warm, cozy blanket. Every holiday, we travel to Wisconsin to celebrate the holidays with the Burgos clan. And while the subzero temperatures may be off-putting to some, Wisconsin is a wonderful place to visit during the winter season.  

FIVE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES BACK HOME

Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum is located on the banks of Lake Michigan. Originally built in 1888, this institution houses more than 30,000 works of art, including a vast contemporary collection. In 2001, the museum’s most recent addition, the Quadracci Pavilion designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, opened to international acclaim.

Le Duc's Frozen Custard
Even in the bitter cold my craving for frozen custard cannot be denied. While the possibilities abound, my top pick is Le Duc’s. This is one of my childhood spots that serves outstanding comfort food as well as the most decadent custard around. Try a turtle sundae; you will not be disappointed.

Odd Duck
Odd Duck is a relatively new restaurant that serves damn good food. The cuisine cannot be categorized in any one genre; instead the owners Melissa Buchholz and Ross Bachhuber draw inspiration from their personal experiences and the landscape around them. Odd Duck has endeared itself to the Milwaukee community by sourcing local ingredients as much as possible.

Harley-Davidson
Wisconsin born and bred Harley-Davidson offers tours of its manufacturing factory in Menomonee Falls. The facility focuses on the production of engines and transmissions before they are shipped out to assembly plants.  As an added bonus, you also have the option to visit the Harley-Davidson museum where you’ll receive a full historical background of this American icon.

Wolski's Tavern
What Wisconsin guide would be complete without the mention of my favorite dive bar? Wolski’s is a neighborhood haunt that draws a diverse crowd, from old timers to college hipsters. Go for the cheap beer and grungy décor. Stay until close and receive the most-revered “I Closed Wolski’s” bumper sticker for posterity’s sake.

/Tina

Photograph by Jenica Flores