Mom and Dad were visiting for two weeks and we decided to escape Chicago and all the crowds of Lollapalooza invading my neighborhood. In their young 75 years, they had yet to visit the wondrous land to our “North”. The Badger State. America’s Dairyland. Cheese. Beer. Cherries. Supper Clubs. What else would we find? Here we come Wisconsin!

Mars Cheese Castle

How do you drive to Milwaukee without showing Mom and Dad where we would be stopping for “must haves” on the way home? We had to make plans and strategize what we would be buying on the return trip. Quick run through for the “lay of the land”.

Sobelman’s, Milwaukee

Second Stop. The original Sobelman’s on St. Paul Avenue. Cheese Curds, Bloody Marys and The Sobelman. In that order. I really wanted to order “The Beast”. Or have someone around me order it. (Look at the menu online. Trust me.). But I was a wimp. Only had the Baconado and it was delightful.

The Iron Horse, MIlwaukee

Should have been ready for a nap. But there was a Blues band jamming in “The Yard” at the fabulous Iron Horse Hotel. Handed the valet our keys, ordered a couple of local craft drafts and listened to an hour of afternoon blues while the sun was shining. Stay here.

Fixture Pizza, Milwaukee, Walker’s Point

Cheese on the bottom. Sauce on the top. Thin Crust. Paso Robles Cabernet. Chopped Salad.

Walking Distance from the Iron Horse. Go.

Fuel Cafe, Milwaukee, Walker’s Point

Avocado Toast. Cappuccino. Went light. :)

Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee

Took an afternoon stroll next door to the Iron Horse to the Harley Davidson Museum. Beautiful walking paths and lots of metal!

St Paul’s Fish Company, Oyster Bar, Third Ward, Milwaukee

My “Every Time I Go To Milwaukee” Stop. Oysters. Fried Clam Strips. Steamed Shrimp in Old Bay Broth. Lobster Bisque. Ice Cold Beer.

Colectivo Coffee, Third Ward, Milwaukee

Stopped at the Foundry Cafe for a cappuccino for the drive to Door County.

Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Grandpa (Mom’s Dad) was a College Football Coach, Scout for the NFL and friend of Vince Lombardi. Had to pay our respect to the Motherland.

Chanticleer Guest House, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Fabulous B&B outside of Sturgeon Bay. A converted farmhouse and barn set amongst the orchards in Door County. Cherry-stuffed French toast. Bananas and strawberries with fresh Cream. Vegetable and cheesy-egg frittata delivered to my door in a sweet linen-lined basket with coffee and orange juice. Freshly baked cookies in the barn "lobby". Thank goodness for the bowl of apples and bananas. I felt like I was being "healthy". This B&B is a total gem.

Wood Orchard Farm Market, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin

Cherry Strudel. Cherry Donuts. Cherry Pie. Cherry Fudge. Cherry Salsa. Sweet Cherries. Sour Cherries.

Sweetie Pies, Fish Creek, Wisconsin

The sweetest, most adorable pie shop ever. Peach Raspberry Pie.

Al Johnson’s, Sister Bay, Wisconsin

We didn’t eat here. But I had to see the goats on the roof. They were amazing. They just stared at Green Bay. We stared at the goats. My dad thought they were animatronic. We debated that for about a half hour until one started chewing his cud and gave us a nod.

Door 44 Winery, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Tasted bubbles, whites and reds all from Door County — situated on 44° North Latitude. This latitude includes the great wine regions of Bordeaux, France and Tuscany. Our favorite was the “Sparkler”.

Nightingale Supper Club, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

We had to try at least one supper club. Why did we not go to more? Prime Rib, Baked Potato. Side Salad with Crumbled Blue Cheese. Mom and Dad had the Wednesday Night Special — Half Slab of Ribs with Broasted Chicken. And of course we saved room for dessert. Cherry Pie :)

Mars Cheese Castle - Part Deux

Applejack Cheese. Port Wine Cheese. Various Mustards. Cheese Curds. Kringle. Kolacky. We drove across the border back into the Prairie State and the Land of Lincoln.

I have shared this trip with lots of friends and I know, I missed a lot of "must sees". I need to stay and brunch at the White Gull Inn. How could I miss Donny's Glidden Lodge for their Prime Rib? I need to take the ferry over to Washington Island. And we didn't even head over to New Glarus for a Spotted Cow. Madison for a game, an Old-Fashioned and the Saturday's Farmer's Market. Mount Horeb to see the Trolls. The new "tech" scene in Beloit. We are already planning our next road trip when Mom and Dad visit next summer. We know we only scratched the surface of the great edible and liquid finds of the great state to our North. On, Wisconsin!