Winter has officially arrived in the upper Midwest and so have all of the fun filled activities that come along with that! Whether you’re a snowmobile connoisseur and are ready to hit the trails, or love to sit back in the rink and watch a hockey game, we definitely have something for you all throughout Wisconsin. Get ready to embrace this Jack-Frost themed winter and head outdoors with us now as we explore 4 different small towns across Wisconsin that transform into a winter wonderland.
Shawano
Photo Credit: @shawanocountry via Instagram
If days filled with exploring the trails by snowmobile is your speed, you’ll definitely want to plan your stay in Shawano County at the Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels! In Shawano, you can head out by snowmobile (and even by ATV with exceptions of the Mountain Bay and Wiouwash Trails) and adventure upon over 400 miles of groomed and marked trails. See a map of the trails here.
If you don’t have your own snowmobiles, no worries…plan ahead of your trip and book your rentals with American Marine Motorsports right in Shawano! Be on the lookout on the Snowmobile Conditions Report to get the most up to date information for your trip and don’t forget that the trails are only open when the temperatures are below 28 degrees!
After a cold day out exploring what Shawano County has to offer, you can definitely count on a good night’s rest at the Boarders Inn & Suites by Cobblestone Hotels, which is conveniently located near almost everything Shawano has to offer from Shawano Lake to the county fairgrounds! And remember, when you stay with Cobblestone Hotels you will always receive big city quality, with small town values!
Wisconsin Rapids
Photo Credit: Powers Bluff County Park via Wood County
A classic winter tradition, ice fishing, is definitely one of the key things to do while visiting Wisconsin Rapids this winter! Plan your trip first with a stay at the Cobblestone Hotel in Wisconsin Rapids and then get ready to get in all of your winter fun. Get hooked on Wisconsin Rapids by enjoying a day ice fishing on one of their beautiful lakes: Lake Nepco, Lake Dexter, or Lake Wazeecha. As always, be careful when it comes to ice conditions!
If you’re more into hitting the slopes for some downhill skiing, snowboarding or sledding…check out Powers Bluff Park and Winter Recreation Area! This worn down peak of an ancient mountain has 4 snow tubing hills, 3 downhill skiing hills, as well as other hiking trails for a full day filled with some of the best winter activities for all ages! You can rent skis, snowboards, poles, and boots there and must rent your tubes for the tubing hill on site. Learn more here.
Although there truly is no place like home, Cobblestone Hotels do their best to make every hotel a runner-up. With easy access to Highway 73, 54, or 13, it is the perfect one-stop spot to get in all of your fun winter activities in the heart of central Wisconsin!
Oshkosh
Photo Credit: Fox River Brewing Company // @frbcompany via Instagram
Not a fan of the outdoors and frigid temperatures during the winter season? No worries! Oshkosh has a plethora of indoor winter activities to make for the perfect day staying cozy indoors. Downtown Oshkosh is the perfect place to get started with a warm cup of coffee at a local shop and then you’re ready to explore all of the little boutiques and stops along the way! You can catch a movie at the Time Community Theatre, if you’re in the mood. Other activities to let your creative side out are at FIRE Escape, a DIY Art Studio, or test your skills at Escape Oshkosh, a real life escape room. New this year, you can have the most picturesque winter dining experience in the fireside domes at Fox River Brewing Company. Cuddle up to enjoy food and drinks on the Fox River with the snow falling around your cozy igloo.
After a day indoors, you can also stretch your legs with the quintessential winter activity: ice skating at Roe Park! You can definitely lay your head to rest at night at the Cobblestone Suites to prepare for your next day exploring Oshkosh…indoors or outdoors! The Cobblestone Suites is conveniently located right in beautiful Winnebago County right off of I-41. As always, when you stay at a Cobblestone you can always expect big city quality in a small town!
Janesville
Photo Credit: Janesville Jets via Facebook
Calling all hockey fans! Have you gone to a Janesville Jets game just yet? Get ready to see the action and grab tickets to a weekend game this winter! The Janesville Jets are a part of the North American Hockey League and are focused on developing talented players into eventual collegiate athletes. Learn more about how you can catch the Janesville Jets live in action here.
Another fun winter activity to do while visiting Janesville is heading out to see what “Wisconsin’s Great Outside” is all about! You can head out for a snowshoeing adventure in one of their 60 parks and over 30 miles of scenic trails. Don’t miss out on exploring the southern-most segment of the Ice Age Trail while visiting. Or if you’re visiting during the holiday season, the Janesville Holiday Light Show at the Rotary Botanical Gardens is one of the best in the state!
Plan your stay at the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in downtown Janesville where you can be right in walking distance of so many hot-spot locations while visiting. You can even hit the indoor hot tub, perfect for a winter trip, and be sure to check out the fitness center if that’s something you look for in a hotel!
—
Well, if you didn’t have your winter bucket list ready to go…now you do! Where are you looking most forward to visiting this winter? Let us know in the comments below. And, if you’re going to visit somewhere else throughout Wisconsin, let us know what small town you’re exploring! Wherever you venture off to this fall, be sure to check out if there is a Cobblestone Hotel near you!
—
About Cobblestone Hotels: Headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin, Cobblestone Hotels, LLC prides itself on filling the lodging needs of communities throughout the United States through its select brands. Since its first property opened in Clintonville, Wisconsin in January of 2008, the brand has expanded to more than 160 locations open or under construction, spread across 27 states. With more than 50 locations under development, Cobblestone Hotels is one of the fastest-growing hotel brands in the country. The cohesive approach of community and entrepreneurship provides the catalyst for success.
—
Kortnee Hass: Digital Media Associate for Discover Mediaworks. A Wisconsin ‘now & forever’ transplant with a soft spot for squeaky cheese curds, craft breweries, and all things Wisconsin tourism.
