Economy got your travel budget in a bind? Extend your "buy local" mentality and travel local. Explore historic downtown Appleton.
Stay & Save
Take advantage of the Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau's "The Fun's on Us" promotion and book a two night stay at participating hotels to receive a $50 gift card, good at more than 90 businesses in downtown Appleton. From family to romance to girlfriend getaways, downtown Appleton is ready to welcome you.
Looking for romance? Look no further than two nights at the welcoming Franklin Street Inn, 318 E. Franklin St. ($398). Soak in your two person whirlpool and enjoy innkeeper Judy Halma's home cooked breakfasts in your very own suite. Learn how to whip up your own breakfast dishes with a complimentary copy of "Signature Breakfast Sauces or Spreads." On-site massages available by request for an extra fee. franklinstreetinn.com.
Need to reconnect with friends? The Inn also calls all gals with their "U-R-2-Good-2-B-4-Gotten" package. Able to accommodate up to 16 ladies, the inn's $398 package includes a welcome treat and beverage, complimentary reservation tickets to the Skyline Comedy Club, full breakfast each morning, souvenir magnetic picture frame, afternoon style show and on-site massages, manicures and pedicures (available for an extra fee).
Got kids? Take advantage of the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel's family package. $199 will get you two night lodging in a room with two beds, microwave and mini fridge, a welcome gift for the kids, one large one topping pizza and pitcher of soda in the Clubhouse, four Ben & Jerry's ice cream treats and a 10 percent discount at the Orchard Restaurant. radisson.com/appletonwi.
To take advantage of the Fox Cities promotion or to view the complete list of participating hotels, visit foxcities.org/fun. Packages must be booked through the Convention & Visitors Bureau to receive the $50 gift card, some date restrictions may apply.
Eat
You're booked for a weekend—so now what? Take a break at Copper Rock Coffee Company, 210 W. College Ave. Munch on a slice of chocolate aphrodisiac cake or try the Peach Pizzazz smoothie—you'll swear it's just like biting into a fresh Georgia peach. copperrockcoffee.com.
From the Black & Tan Grille to Vince Lombardi's Steakhouse, downtown Appleton offers up an abundance of fine dining options. Guaranteed to please, Flanagan's Wine Review, 528 W. College Ave., is a local favorite. With a rotating menu, the restaurant caters to a range of palates, from the portabella and parmesan ravioli ($21) to beef tenderloin ($33). And don't forget the wine—choose from over 260 options on their wine list. Can't pick just one? Arrive for happy hour, 5 to 6 p.m. daily, where a glass of wine is half price. Better yet—dine on Wednesdays when bottles are half price all night long. Reservations are a must. For an extra shot of romance, request one of the establishment's cozy booths for two. flanaganswinereview.com.
Once the sun goes down, give in to the downtown nightlife. Over 20 stops for drinks line College Avenue. Sip martinis at the Speakeasy Ultra Lounge, 425 W. College Ave., thespeakeasybar.com, or the Déjà vu Martini Lounge, 519 W. College Ave, dejavumartini.com.
Shop
Get a taste for the way bookstores used to be at Conkey's Bookstore, 226 E. College Ave., the oldest independent bookstore in the state of Wisconsin.
Peruse the staff picks for recommendations or hit the stacks yourself. Buy
local in the gift shop—Conkey's features MoeMentos Custom Cards, unique
greeting cards created by Fox Cities resident Maureen Hermsen. conkeys.com.
Stop and smell the local roses at Kindred Spirits Organics, 10 College Ave. Order a bouquet of fresh flowers from the greater Appleton area. Stock your pantry with Great River Milling Organic flour from Fountain City and seasonal fresh veggies and fruit from local farms. Got a green thumb? Purchase your own tomato plant for some homegrown goodness. For a special treat, chat with owner and "mother" of the shop, Connie Glasheen. She may even let you try a piece of their delectable Australian black licorice. kindredspiritsorganics.com.
Save up for a rainy day with a piggy bank from hey, daisy!, 206 E. College Ave. You won't be able to keep your pennies away from the pretty painted pigs. Clothing, accessories and gifts make the shop a must stop for girly-girls looking for unique finds. heydaisy.com.
Play
"Grease" is the word at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, 400 W.
College Ave., June 2-7. American Idol winner Taylor Hicks makes a special
appearance as Teen Angel. Open since November 2002, the center attracts New
York worthy performances minus all the traffic, including Broadway hits such as
"Avenue Q" and "Wicked." foxcitiespac.com. For a special treat, listen to the March 28 "A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor" broadcast from Appleton, all about Appleton. prairiehome.publicradio.org.
For some added culture, visit the Appleton Art Center, 111 W. College Ave. Established in 1960, the center provides programming as well as art exhibitions. Check out "Art in the Park," July 26, as 215 of the Midwest's finest visual artists travel to Appleton to share their work with 20,000 patrons in City Park. appletonartcenter.org.
Grab the kids and head for The Building for Kids, Inc., Appleton's Children Museum, 100 W. College Ave. Play doctor and care for a sick baby doll in the Doll Hospital, climb the Story Tree, or take the controls of a Boldt Crane in Construction Junction. For a special deal on admission, visit Tuesday-Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. to get $2 off the regular price. buildingforkids.org. Take a walk down the street to The History Museum at the Castle, 330 E. College Ave., and learn all about the life and career of Appleton native Harry Houdini. myhistorymuseum.org.
For more information on downtown Appleton, visit appletondowntown.org. To book your getaway, visit foxcities.org/fun.
