Prairie du Chien - A River Town

Prairie du Chien is a small riverfront community located in the southwest corner of Wisconsin where the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River intersect.  This is one of our favorite drives because not only is Prairie du Chien a fun destination - the drive to and from is filled with many hidden treasures. 

From Madison take Hwy 151/18 to Dodgeville then Hwy 18 to Prairie du Chien.  Along the way you pass by or through several small towns that are destinations in themselves.  If you have time visit the trolls of Mt Horeb, Blue Mound State Park in Blue Mounds, and don’t forget a popcorn stop at Rural Route Popcorn in Montfort.  Be sure to keep your eyes out for buggies once you leave Montfort – its Amish country.  

So what do you do when you reach Prairie du Chien? 

The area is a haven for any history buff.  Prairie du Chien was a fur trading mega, the home of the first Wisconsin millionaire Hercules Dousman, there is the Villa Louie, Fort Crawford, and much, much more. 

If you like antiquing and/or just shopping visit the Cannery in Prairie du Chien or cross the bridge over the Mississippi and find shops galore in the riverfront towns of Marquette and Mac Gregor, Iowa.  

The area also home to two great state parks. In Wisconsin there is Wyalusing State Park overlooking Prairie du Chien, and in Iowa you will find Pike’s Peak State Park overlooking Mac Gregor.  Both have hiking trails, panoramic views, and camping.

View from Wyalusing State Park

View from Pikes Peak State Park

Along the riverfront you will also find many seasonal events – art fairs, a Rendezvous, and the Carriage classic.  The latter is a must see at least once.  People in period costume compete in horse drawn carriages.  There are races, obstacle courses, and precision control competitions.  You will find regular flea markets held by the Mississippi Bridge, and think about taking a river boat tour (very relaxing way to soak in the history of the area).  Here is a link for more detailed info.   http://www.prairieduchien.org/

And for you who have some gambling in your blood – check out the Lucky Lady Casino in Marquette.   It’s a converted paddle boat that is docked along the Mississippi shoreline.

If you need some nourishment while you there you will find many, many places to eat but I have a few recommendations.  

A MUST stop is Pete’s – a 100-year-old Prairie du Chien tradition.  The Gokey family started making burgers on Main St in 1909.  This is a food stand (actually a hut) – not a restaurant.  You can order burgers with or without onions, chips, a drink, and if your inclined a Pete’s postcard or T-shirt.   The burgers are uniquely made in batches (don’t know the #) so depending on the season and the day you may be waiting in line.  The burgers are worth the wait and a great way to enjoy them is grab your Pete’s bag and head to the riverside park just a few blocks away.  You may as well enjoy the river while you are enjoying the food.  Pete’s is open from early May to mid October (this can vary) and only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.   For more about the Pete’s follow this link.  http://peteshamburgers.com

If you’re in the area during the dinner hour check out Jones Black Angus.  This is a throwback to an old supper club.  The salad plates are chilled and the salad bar offers pickled herring, chivied cottage cheese, and pickled beets.  The rest of the food of course is excellent.  As you can tell from the name – you may want to try a steak.  

For something in between there is the Hungry House Cafe – large menu selection for the whole family, and a Sunday breakfast buffet that while small in size is enormous in flavor.  

Slip across to Iowa you will find the Marquette Bar.  OK this place doesn’t look like much but the food is really good.  Homemade soups, and pies and a very good bar burger.

It's always hard to leave but the routes home to Madison are as interesting as the roads from.   Pick-up Hwy 60 going east and follow the Wisconsin River.  You have the option of  staying on 60 to Hwy 14 or you can veer off onto Hwy 133 outside of Boscobel and follow that to Hwy 14 back to Madison.    Both routes are scenic and pass through other interesting little communities and unique sites.   

Be sure to plan your own route to Prairie du Chien.  I am sure once you have been there – just like chips – one visit won’t be enough. 

 

You Just Never Know

Being the first day of fall we headed out in search of apples - what do we see going down the road but a bicycle towing a canoe - not a motor bike - a two wheeled pedal powered bike with a canoe in tow.  I'm thinking ingenious. 

Sheboygan - Not Just the Brat City

For the last couple of years I have been road tripping with (as my husband calls them) “the ladies”.  Our last destination was Sheboygan – one of the many beautiful port cities along Lake Michigan. 

Our route from Madison was via Columbus, through West Bend and of course Waldo.  Yup – Waldo has been hiding in Wisconsin all this time.     

The primary purpose of the trip besides finding Waldo was to visit the bathrooms at the John Michael Kohler Art Center.   Seems like a long ways to go to look at porcelain but you see the bathrooms at the center have been declared works of art and rightly so.  But before porcelain we found some other treasures. 

OK – can you guess where these charming critters are?  Maybe a park – you would be wrong.   These and several other whimsical creations are found in the yard of a residence on 18^th Street in Sheboygan.  My husband and I actually discovered this collection following a detour and I must say one of the better detours we have taken.  

When I stopped the owner of the home and creator of the sculptures invited us to take pictures and walk around – it was amazing.   She indicated she was inspired by work she had seen at Kohler Art Center – another reason to go. 

From 18^th Street we headed for Lakeshore Drive – beautiful old homes, interesting sculptured fencing, and gorgeous views of Lake Michigan and Sheboygan’s impressive boardwalk along the Sheboygan River.   Hard to believe a number of years ago the boardwalk area consisted of coal and salt piles.  Now there are wonderful shops, hotels, eateries, and plenty of area to stroll or just sit back and take in the view.  

Next stop was the Kohler Art Center and as I promised the ladies incredible bathrooms.  The art displays were interesting, the gift shop fun, and the gardens and adjoining buildings absolutely beautiful.  Sheboygan also has many art displays scattered throughout the city.  The center provides a map so you can take your own guided tour.   In case you want more info on the center here is a link to their website - Link to Art Center  

One of the Ladies Rooms

One of the Mens Rooms

While there are many restaurants to choose from in the area like the Mucky Duck (yes real name and with great food), for this trip I opted for a picnic so we could partake in some fabulous smoked fish from Schwartz’s Fish Market.   If you go there buy the smoked trout or white fish, and FYI – the smoke fish spread is fabulous.  We bought our fish and headed for a picnic table along the boardwalk.   With the fish on crackers, an artichoke salad, assorted bruschetta, fresh fruit, and trifle in a jar for dessert, we had an awesome meal.   Between the food, the company and the setting it was a incredible relaxing way to spend some time. 

In the tradition of traveling in circles we headed back home via Hwy 23 to Fond du lac then south on 151.  Yes another great day on the road.   Find your own circle route to Sheboygan and enjoy. 

Trip Tip - Travel in Circles

Before I start sharing my adventures on the road I need to share one major road trip philosophy - never travel the same road going to a destination as you do coming home. 

I know the old image of a couple totally lost and traveling in circles with the husband refusing to ask for directions immediately pops into your head.  However our circles have never gotten us lost and we discovered amazing things.  

Be adventurous - take roads less traveled.  Afraid of getting lost - get a GPS and simply program it for home.   You will always find your way.