Tag Archives: Milwaukee

Lakeshore Park in Downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee Lakeshore State Park

Lakeshore State Park is on Lake Michigan in downtown Milwaukee adjacent to Discovery World and Festival Park home of Summerfest. During our visit on a warm summer afternoon, the 22 acre park was bustling with bicyclists and walkers enjoying the day. Canada Goose lined the banks of the fishing area while a few walkers looked out from the fishing pier. People on kayaks and stand up paddle boards sporting the top rated water sports products and gear.

As we strolled along the paved path, we stopped to enjoy the wild flowers and native vegetation. Found a nice branch to widdle with my best bushcraft knife. Signage and markers helped us identify the specimens. A few benches are strategically placed with views of the boats and Lake Michigan.

Lakeshore Park is a sanctuary for people, birds, plants and mammals too. On our walk we saw a red fox checking us out. The park is home for both red and grey foxes, minks, woodchucks and rabbits.

I learned some interesting facts at the park:

  • The water held in the Great Lakes could cover the entire United States by 9.5 feet.
  • The Great Lakes hold nearly 20% of the Earth’s and 95% of the Untied States’ fresh surface water.
  • 30% of Wisconsin lies in the Lake Michigan drainage basin – whatever is done to the land and surface waters in this area can eventually affect the lake.

The boat slips were mostly empty on the beautiful summer day. Canoeing and kayaking are also encouraged at the park. Admission to the park is free.

Lakeshore Park in Downtown Milwaukee

Lakeshore Park in Downtown Milwaukee

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern Bicycle Pub Crawl

Take your next Milwaukee pub crawl on a Pedal Tavern bicycle powered party. Sixteen people can hire this mobile party on wheels. Get your exercise and enjoy drink specials at the same time. Tours take guests to pubs and bars in Milwaukee’s Third District.

Up to 1o passengers do the pedaling while additional riders can relax and enjoy. Leave the steering to the company employee.

The middle section is open for a guest to play bartender and serve food. Bring your own food and music to enjoy on your ride.

Rates vary based on the date and time. Figure about $10 an hour for a full bike.

Follow the Pedal Tavern on Facebook.

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern

Milwaukee Pedal Tavern

Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art Musuem on Lake Michigan

The Milwaukee Art Museum along the shore of Lake Michigan has a nautical feel to many visitors. The unique architecture looks a bit like a ship from various viewpoints. Walking across the bridge feels like a gangplank.

The building itself is art in motion. The rooftop is a Brise Soleil or solar screen which rises up letting sunlight pour into the museum gallery

Milwaukee Art Museum

Milwaukee Art Museum

. The wings open up when the museum opens at 10 AM and closes at 5PM most days. At noon the screen is again opened and closed. Schedule changes may occur.

The Milwaukee Art Museum owns an extensive collection of pieces from from Ancient Mediterranean to European to Folk art. Mediums include paintings, sculpture, photographs, video, prints, drawings and decorative art.

For lunch, check out Cafe Calatrava in the lower level. The views of Lake Michigan are breathtaking. Eat outside on the patio if the Milwaukee weather is pleasant.

When we were there, two teams were playing group table tennis. After hitting the ball the paddle was handed to the next person on the team to hit the return ball. It looked like they were having fun.

Wireless internet service is available in the museum.

Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202

414-224-3200

Richardson Corn Maze and Richardson Adventure Farm Spring Grove McHenry County Illinois

The Richardson Family invited us to be their guest and tour the Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, Illinois including the Richardson Farm World’s Largest Corn Maze. If you think the destination is “just” a corn maze, you will be surprised to find there is something for the whole family to enjoy on their visit and each year a new activity is added.

The 28 acre corn maze with 11 miles of trails is the star attraction. Four of the mazes are connected via bridges celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting. A fifth maze celebrates the 500 anniversary of the first decorated Christmas tree in Latvia is located near the U Pick Christmas trees. Within the  corn maze are checkpoints and games you can play while you navigate the trails.

Richardson Adventure Farm, Spring Grove, McHenry County, Illinois

Photo Credit: Richardson Farm World's Largest Corn Maze in Spring Grove, McHenry County, Illinois

After the trails, you can gather your group around one of the picnic areas for a snack you purchase or bring with you. As the weather cools, up to 60 campfires will keep visitors toasty warm. Don’t forget your marshmallows.

When you are rested and ready for more adventure, take the kids for a ride down the giant tube slide or to climb the Mulch Mountain. Look “eye to eye” with the goats while feeding them handfuls of food. Then take a spin on the tyke track or play with the buckets and shovels in the corn crib. Teens can race each other on the pedal cart track or go for a wagon ride. Don’t miss the view from the top of the five story observation tower where you can overlook the entire corn maze and Richardson Christmas tree farm. Visitors could easily spend two to four hours with all the activities which are included in the entrance fee.

The Richardson family are fifth and sixth generation owners who plan to bring new attractions to the Richardson farm each year. If you are adventurous, check out two of the latest additions to the farm: zipline and zorbing.

New to the United States, zorbing is a sport where one or two participants are strapped inside a 10 foot diameter ball which is then rolled down a hill. The Richardson’s tell us there are just five zorbing locations in the United States. Click to watch our video as April rides the zorbing ball like a human hamster.

I rode the 700 foot zipline ride, new to the farm last year. I climbed to the top of the five story observation tower and stepped off the platform for a thirty second thrill glide over the corn maze, pumpkin patch and Christmas trees. The ride is exhilarating and you can watch as I take my ride in the video below.

The Richardson Farm corn maze is open until Halloween. The farm reopens after Thanksgiving for You-Cut Christmas tree, wreaths, garlands, wagon rides and hot cocoa.

Admission to Richardson farm includes all activities except zorbing, zipline, reserved picnic tables and concessions, also providing wheeled coolers.

You can find “Richardson “World’s Largest” Corn Maze” on Facebook and Twitter. Follow their updated for the latest weather reports from the farm, updates on special events and news. Learn more about the upcoming Midnight Storytelling event.

The Richardson Adventure Farm is located at 9407 Richardson Road near Spring Grove, IL. in northern McHenry County. It is about one hour northwest of Chicago, one hour southwest of Milwaukee or 15 minutes south of Lake Geneva. For more information call 815-675-9729.

Click on the image below to view this episode of “Where Are You Today?” and see me ride the 700′ zipline across the farm.

Our trip was sponsored by the McHenry County Visitors Bureau and Richardson Corn Maze and Richardson Adventure Farm.

Read more about Richardson’s World’s Largest Corn Maze and Adventure Farm

One Room Schoolhouse at Richardson Farm “World’s Largest” Corn Maze

Zorbing Richardson Corn Maze Adventure Farm Spring Grove McHenry County Illinois

Zipline Richardson Farm and Corn Maze Spring Grove