Water. We quench our thirst with lakefront views and shoreline investments. The fluid that keeps us alive also lulls, invigorates, and mesmerizes.
We love the look, swirl, sound, and rhythm of water. With the value we associate with water, it's a good thing we have 1,100 miles of coasts to explore, through the 18 communities in the Wisconsin Harbor Towns Association. These ideas will have you navigating the communities that call these harbors home. For more visit www.wisconsinharbortowns.org, (800) 205-0504.
Kenosha
The Kemper Center campus, on 17.5 acres along Lake Michigan downtown, simultaneously preserves history and celebrates creativity. Tours are by appointment.
Walk the park-like grounds. Look for the Gothic chapel, built in 1875. Discover Durkee Mansion, home to Wisconsin's first senator. Examine, until March 29, an international exhibit of quilts.
The Kemper Center campus, on 17.5 acres along Lake Michigan downtown, simultaneously preserves history and celebrates creativity. Tours are by appointment.
Walk the park-like grounds. Look for the Gothic chapel, built in 1875. Discover Durkee Mansion, home to Wisconsin's first senator. Examine, until March 29, an international exhibit of quilts.
Racine
Perhaps no Wisconsin habitat for wild animals has a more scenic location than the Racine Zoo, whose gardens are bordered by lakeshore. The zoo, which began with three monkeys in 1923, today is an ever-growing menagerie. The new Walkabout Creek exhibit brings humans close to 'roos, as in kangaroos, wallaroos ... and emus.
New to the collection, zebras are residents in Racine for the first time since 1982.
Milwaukee
Docked outside of Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin during most of the year is the S/V Denis Sullivan, a floating classroom that is used for research, nautical training, short excursions and on-board tours. The re-created 19th century schooner and lakefront learning lab spends the winter at work in Florida.
Port Washington
What motivates up to five busloads of Flatlanders to travel here during the weekend after Easter? A Chicago seafood restaurant arranges a road trip to American Legion Post 82's annual all-you-can-eat smelt dinner, in its 58th year.
The post orders 1,500 pounds of the minnow-like fish from Susie Q Fish Market, Two Rivers. The Lake Michigan catch is served batter-fried, with fries and slaw for $9 at the lakeside clubhouse, April 17-18.
Paul Tutas, with the post at least 50 years, says he used to simply put on a pair of waders and swoop up smelt with a five-gallon bucket, close to shore.
To read the complete story on Wisconsin Harbortowns, pick up a copy of the March/April issue of Wisconsin Trails, on newsstands now.