Tag Archive | Train Depot

Marinette – Expanding Horizons

Aug28

6-26-16

Marinette Water tower

Marinette is a city just across the Menominee River and Menominee, Michigan. It has a population of nearly 11,000. We didn’t have much research for this city, we did know that there is a historic train depot here so we went to see that. Very interesting!

Marinette Depot

Marinette Train depot

That’s all on Marinette that we have at this time. This video can provide a little more information.

Wisconsin Dells – Part 2 – Attractions and More!

Jan25

1-15-15 , 8-6-16 and other visits

We are fortunate living within 50 miles of this great area of Wisconsin with so much fun and beauty. Here I am going to touch on other parts of the Dells, Broadway being the main focus of our first excursion. We have been to some of the attractions and hope to get to more of them when summer comes back around.

Our first trip together to the Dells was the Dells Boat Tour. We enjoyed this trip on 6-30-02. This is one of the oldest attractions and most popular. It’s two parts, Upper and Lower Dells. You can choose just one or do both in a day. We did both and sure had a lot of fun! This view is where you begin the upper Dells tour. We did the tours again on 6-17-15.

The Lower Dells, this is Kilbourn Dam.

At the top of the landing you get a great view of the boats below.

The boat tours and many other attractions are located on the Wisconsin Dells Parkway. This is one of the Wisconsin Ducks, another tour venue, this time on an amphibious vehicle enabling it to traverse both water and land. There is also an Army Duck tour. We have not taken those tours yet. You can take a selfie by an Army Duck on the Parkway.

Also on the parkway is Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty and recently added, the Lumberjack Show. We ate there once (yum!) but not yet seen the new show. The food was great! Open spring through fall.

We enjoyed a great lunch at Sprecher’s on 6-17-15 before out Lower Dells boat ride.

Also on the Parkway is Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. This is quite a big theme park. Complete with a Trojan Horse. They also have a hotel too.

Top Secret is a thrill-based attraction.

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In 2012 we enjoyed a long-time music venue since the 1970’s, The Wisconsin Opry. If you like Classic Country music with a bit of gospel, you will enjoy coming here. We plan on returning this summer. Before the show, you enjoy a turkey dinner.

There is more to see here than the Wisconsin Opry though. There is also Cindy’s Café (we’ve eaten there), also an antique and craft store. You will have a great time here! The Dickinson Family welcomes you!

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Not far from the Opry is one of the Ho-Chunk Gaming resorts. We don’t gamble, we go there to have a great meal, also entertainment! Something for everyone there, including a hotel. They often have live music performances as well. Summer of 2016 we went back to watch Wasira Ho-Chunk dancing for one hour. It was a free show it was great! Enjoy an excerpt here.

Inside Ho-Chunk Casino

Inside Ho-Chunk 2

wasira-poster-at-ho-chunk-summer-2016

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There are many themed hotels in the Dells to give your overnight stay a special touch. Our favorite one on 223 Wisconsin Ave, the Parkway Motel with a train theme. You can stay in the 1966 Soo Line Caboose ($85 per night, $105 weekends), or the main hotel.

Antoni Wolan (owner) passed away on June 20, 2015. We are not sure if the stand or motel will be re-opening.

Take a look inside, very nice!

Spring through fall, you can also get a Vienna Hot Dog and other great food at their Raildog stand, served from a historic 1956 caboose. We plan on coming back in the spring for a great lunch here!

Listen in on their low power radio station, it may not be on the air any more.

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You can even get married Las Vegas-style at the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel. Located across from the Amtrak station.

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On our visit in January, we went bowling and had pizza for lunch at Knuckleheads Bowling and Indoor Amusement Park. We sure had fun and the pizza was delicious!

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If shopping is your thing, there is plenty to be had here. On Broadway is plenty of shopping, though some stores are closed in the winter. Another store near Broadway is Aunt Jenny’s Got It All Store.

If you like the name-brand stores, stop by Tanger Outlets mall.

We hope you enjoyed this brief overview of the Wisconsin Dells. There is much to see and do here. Wave goodbye to the Sinclair dinosaur in Lake Delton as you leave Tanger Outlets at this nearby Citgo Dino Stop. View more Dinos around the country here.

Dells Country Historical Society

Ho-Chunk Gaming – All Locations

Mineral Point – Clay in May

May18

5-3-14

It has been almost a year since our last trip to Mineral Point, and it was time to go back! On our last visit we took a tour of historic Pendarvis and Shake Rag Alley, very exciting! This time, we returned downtown to see what we missed.

This weekend was their first festival of the season, their big “Clay in May” event. This festival focuses on the many pottery artists in town, it was the 5th year. The artists give visitors a tour of their studios, behind the showroom we see in the front of the store. Four businesses took part in this event:

4. Howdle Studio – Bruce Howdle

Roland Sardeson – Pottery and mason, Shake Rag Alley artist.

We took the tour of Howdle studio, what beautiful work! Bruce Howdle was happy to show us his latest creations, including works in progress. Private customers can even commission from him custom pieces of art.

In the back room of his studio his artist friend Roland Sardeson was making beautiful works of art on his potter’s wheel as we watched. On a couple of tables he had small pieces for sale too, I got a tea-cup. His artist skills cover a wide scope of categories. He has even built this Free Little Library, beautiful!

We had lunch at the Red Rooster Cafe again, we loved it the first time we went last June. This time we saved room for their famous Figgy-Hobbin dessert, brought by the Cornwall miners a long time ago. Yum!

Our visit included seeing other historic buildings we missed the last time.

The Mineral Point Railroad Depot Museum Photography of exhibits are prohibited, admission is charged.

Historic Jail Alley buildings.

As always, we enjoyed our visit to Mineral Point. Each visit is different and special!

West Bend – Geocaching Capitol of the Midwest

Apr6

4-5-14 and 8-9-15

West Bend is a vibrant community of 30,000 in Washington County that is quite beautiful and is quite active in the arts and recreation. It is also the county seat. In fact, the city proudly proclaims themselves to be “Geocaching Capitol of the Midwest”™ We have not at this point taken up that activity, so we explored some of the other fine points of the city. Just outside of the city we found a historic marker explaining an important fact about the rivers in the area. In 2015 Al returned to West Bend to take a look at the new marker that was put up in 2014. This marker is dedicated to their famous West Bend Aluminum Company. Just beyond the sign is the former West Bend building, converted into River Shores Point Luxury Condominiums.

Our first stop upon arrival was the former train depot. Running next to it is The Eisenbahn State Trail which is 5 1/2 miles long. We saw many people using it that morning.

On a bench at the depot there were two cute frogs 🙂

The white building to the left of the depot is the new Museum of Wisconsin Art. All of the art inside has been created by only Wisconsin artists.

Just across the street is the Milwaukee River that once provided power to the community. The river bends to the west here, hence the name “West Bend” was given the community. It was incorporated in 1885.

After crossing the river on a bridge (behind this view, we explored their beautiful historic downtown.

The go-to outdoor store is Mountain Outfitters, they have equipment for a variety of sports for all seasons.

Also on North Main is Candyman on Main and a two-screen movie theater, dating back to 1929.

After exploring downtown we headed up the hill to 320 S. 5th Ave to visit the historic Courthouse and Jail. It is the tall spire on the right.

This beautiful courthouse is now a museum, the Washington County Historical Society has worked hard to make this a great place to visit. We took about 90 minutes to tour the courthouse. If you have enough time (45 minutes), you can also tour the equally impressive Jail to the left of the Courthouse.

Here is a marker in front of the courthouse.

After our tour, we looked at the former house across the street from the court house, first owned by James Kneeland. It is now The Popular Inn.

We really enjoyed our visit to West Bend and plan on returning again to tour the jail since we ran out of time. It was time to visit Port Washington!

* West Bend Chamber of Commerce

* City of West Bend

* Downtown West Bend

* Visit West Bend – A Living Masterpiece

* Museum of Wisconsin Art

* Washington County

The Don Q Inn in Dodgeville – A Quirky Hotel

Feb27

9-27-12

In Dodgeville, we saw an airplane perched on top of a hill with a hotel across from it. It turns out it was the famed Don Q Inn! The plane landed there a final time on 10-16-77.

Don Q Inn
3658 Hwy 23 North • Dodgeville, WI 53533
1-800-666-7848 • 608-935-2321

Not only that, the train depot of Dodgeville is also here at this site.

This is a unique theme hotel located near these popular attractions.

We asked permission to look inside the plane, you didn’t have to be a guest. On the other side was a ladder to go in. So cool! Here is a view of the cockpit.

Here are some facts about the plane.

Inside the hotel was just as interesting. We could not see any of the theme rooms but we saw the lobby. In the winter relax in a barber or dentist chair (!) around a circular fireplace.

A very cool place, we hope to stay a night sometime.

* The Don Q Inn Fulfills Your Creepy Fantasies

* Roadside America

* Trip Advisor Reviews

Middleton – The Good Neighbor City

Jan6

Welcome to Middleton! This community of 18,000 is just west of Madison and has a lot to offer. My husband and I spent several months exploring, it’s that big. Let’s explore the city’s more humble beginnings.This sign is at Mendota County Park, on the site was a fur-trading post in 1832. Harry Barnes, the town of Middleton’s first Postmaster, named it after a community in Vermont. The year was 1848 when it separated from the Town of Madison.

Many historic buildings still stand and are still in use today. Here you can learn about the many Landmarks in the city. The Stamm House has the proud distinction of being a way station on the Underground Railroad.

The Old Blacksmith Shop on 2645 Branch St.

Also on Branch St. is the Club Tavern or Ye Old Tavern, a popular place still today.

Downtown has a large number of historic buildings, housing great local businesses. One of our favorites is The National Mustard Museum, site of the Mustard Festival every first Saturday in August.

The former Opera House.

Louisianne’s, Etc. for great New Orleans’ style cuisine and sometimes live music, especially around Mardi Gras. The Hubbard Ave Diner and Bakery also has great food.

Railroad history remains in the downtown area. Here is the steam train water tower. Also the former Depot, now a visitor center and museum.

The other historic Museum is in the Rowley Residence, still owned by the family.

For great shopping and more dining, Greenway Station is nearby.

One of the most interesting spots in Middleton is the historic Boathouse Association. It is a row of pretty little houses on the shore of Lake Mendota.

It was impossible to get all of the boathouses in one shot, except in a boat or on the ice in winter. Here are all the houses, taken in the winter of 2015.

For a great getaway close to Madison, Middleton cuts the mustard!

Spooky Ridgeway

Oct8

10-8-12

We rode our bike here on the Military Ridge Trail from Mount Horeb. October is the perfect month to see Ridgeway, because of their famous ghost that scared the locals during the 1800’s and is still said to be haunting the area. We didn’t see the ghost the day we visited, but noticed how its part of the town’s identity. It’s on their water tower. Also on their public works trucks.

The first business as we entered town is a gas station and convenience store, Badger Mart.

Downtown, the largest store there is Ayers Furniture.

We also found their historic train depot with a railroad car outside.

We enjoyed our visit here but still hoped to see a ghost. Ride or drive in, the countryside is quite pretty. Also, Hyde Mill is in Ridgeway if you want to go there.

6-26-16

Marinette is a city just across the Menominee River and Menominee, Michigan. It has a population of nearly 11,000. We didn’t have much research for this city, we did know that there is a historic train depot here so we went to see that. Very interesting!

That’s all on Marinette that we have at this time. This video can provide a little more information.

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1-15-15 , 8-6-16 and other visits

The Lower Dells, this is Kilbourn Dam.

At the top of the landing you get a great view of the boats below.

Also on the parkway is Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty and recently added, the Lumberjack Show. We ate there once (yum!) but not yet seen the new show. The food was great! Open spring through fall.

We enjoyed a great lunch at Sprecher’s on 6-17-15 before out Lower Dells boat ride.

Also on the Parkway is Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park. This is quite a big theme park. Complete with a Trojan Horse. They also have a hotel too.

Top Secret is a thrill-based attraction.

In 2012 we enjoyed a long-time music venue since the 1970’s, The Wisconsin Opry. If you like Classic Country music with a bit of gospel, you will enjoy coming here. We plan on returning this summer. Before the show, you enjoy a turkey dinner.

There is more to see here than the Wisconsin Opry though. There is also Cindy’s Café (we’ve eaten there), also an antique and craft store. You will have a great time here! The Dickinson Family welcomes you!

There are many themed hotels in the Dells to give your overnight stay a special touch. Our favorite one on 223 Wisconsin Ave, the Parkway Motel with a train theme. You can stay in the 1966 Soo Line Caboose ($85 per night, $105 weekends), or the main hotel.

Antoni Wolan (owner) passed away on June 20, 2015. We are not sure if the stand or motel will be re-opening.

Take a look inside, very nice!

Spring through fall, you can also get a Vienna Hot Dog and other great food at their Raildog stand, served from a historic 1956 caboose. We plan on coming back in the spring for a great lunch here!

Listen in on their low power radio station, it may not be on the air any more.

You can even get married Las Vegas-style at the Dells Bells Wedding Chapel. Located across from the Amtrak station.

On our visit in January, we went bowling and had pizza for lunch at Knuckleheads Bowling and Indoor Amusement Park. We sure had fun and the pizza was delicious!

If shopping is your thing, there is plenty to be had here. On Broadway is plenty of shopping, though some stores are closed in the winter. Another store near Broadway is Aunt Jenny’s Got It All Store.

If you like the name-brand stores, stop by Tanger Outlets mall.

We hope you enjoyed this brief overview of the Wisconsin Dells. There is much to see and do here. Wave goodbye to the Sinclair dinosaur in Lake Delton as you leave Tanger Outlets at this nearby Citgo Dino Stop. View more Dinos around the country here.

Share this:

Like this:

5-3-14

It has been almost a year since our last trip to Mineral Point, and it was time to go back! On our last visit we took a tour of historic Pendarvis and Shake Rag Alley, very exciting! This time, we returned downtown to see what we missed.

1. Brewery Pottery

2. The Mulberry Pottery

3. Windy Ridge Pottery

4. Howdle Studio – Bruce Howdle

Roland Sardeson – Pottery and mason, Shake Rag Alley artist.

We took the tour of Howdle studio, what beautiful work! Bruce Howdle was happy to show us his latest creations, including works in progress. Private customers can even commission from him custom pieces of art.

We had lunch at the Red Rooster Cafe again, we loved it the first time we went last June. This time we saved room for their famous Figgy-Hobbin dessert, brought by the Cornwall miners a long time ago. Yum!

Our visit included seeing other historic buildings we missed the last time.

The Mineral Point Railroad Depot Museum Photography of exhibits are prohibited, admission is charged.

Historic Jail Alley buildings.

As always, we enjoyed our visit to Mineral Point. Each visit is different and special!

Share this:

Like this:

4-5-14 and 8-9-15

Our first stop upon arrival was the former train depot. Running next to it is The Eisenbahn State Trail which is 5 1/2 miles long. We saw many people using it that morning.

On a bench at the depot there were two cute frogs 🙂

The white building to the left of the depot is the new Museum of Wisconsin Art. All of the art inside has been created by only Wisconsin artists.

Just across the street is the Milwaukee River that once provided power to the community. The river bends to the west here, hence the name “West Bend” was given the community. It was incorporated in 1885.

After crossing the river on a bridge (behind this view, we explored their beautiful historic downtown.

The go-to outdoor store is Mountain Outfitters, they have equipment for a variety of sports for all seasons.

Also on North Main is Candyman on Main and a two-screen movie theater, dating back to 1929.

After exploring downtown we headed up the hill to 320 S. 5th Ave to visit the historic Courthouse and Jail. It is the tall spire on the right.

Here is a marker in front of the courthouse.

After our tour, we looked at the former house across the street from the court house, first owned by James Kneeland. It is now The Popular Inn.

We really enjoyed our visit to West Bend and plan on returning again to tour the jail since we ran out of time. It was time to visit Port Washington!

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9-27-12

Here are some facts about the plane.

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The Old Blacksmith Shop on 2645 Branch St.

The former Opera House.

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10-8-12

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