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Over the first weekend in May, Mike and I got the chance to check out Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It's about a 2-hour drive west of Milwaukee and just an hour west of Madison. Mineral Point is Wisconsin’s third-oldest city and proudly calls itself the “Most Cornish Town in the USA.” The town is full of stunning buildings made from 19th-century limestone. So, what did we get up to in this historic Wisconsin spot? Our weekend was jam-packed, and we didn’t quite get through everything on our list, but that just shows how much there is to do in Mineral Point—it’s definitely a place worth visiting. Lodging in Mineral Point We stayed at The Lion & The Porcupine in the Haven room, and it was a great home base for the weekend. The Lion & The Porcupine is perfect walking distance to food & shops. The building has been recently remodeled, so everything feels clean, updated, and thoughtfully done while keeping the building’s historic character. There are also shared spaces, including a communal kitchen and living area, which made it easy to relax and settle in between exploring around town. It’s a historic, beautiful, and comfortable option right in the heart of Mineral Point. Food & Drink in Mineral Point There are so many good spots to eat in Mineral Point - we didn't have time to try them all! Our first stop for dinner was Popolo Pizzeria and it did not disappoint. We started with the spinach artichoke dip (highly recommend) and each got our own pizza (not necessary, but that’s what we did). Everything was really tasty and the restaurant is full of charm. We stopped by Midway Bar & Grill for lunch and ordered their steak sandwich with waffle fries. The sandwich exceeded my expectations. They are known for their pizza at Midway Bar, but we wanted to switch it up a bit. We started one of our mornings at Wild Blue Yonder Coffeehouse. They were celebrating their two year anniversary and giving out samples of Strawberry Shortcake. It was so, so good. Mike and I both ordered lattes and it was the perfect spot to caffeinate first thing in the morning. We also grabbed breakfast at Pointer Cafe - if you are looking for an old school diner, this is it. The portions were big, the service was great, and the vibes were immaculate. Mike tried the biscuits and gravy while I had a classic breakfast. It was all so good. I have heard great things about Eliza’s Lounge so we stopped there for after dinner cocktails. It has such a great vibe! They have a full menu and live music on the weekends. It was one of my favorite spots throughout this trip. We heard great things about American Wine Project so we had to make the stop - such an adorable place! They have tons of seating inside and a gorgeous outdoor area to enjoy wine. Mike and I bought purchased flights and tried samples of several flavors. Shopping in Mineral Point Historic downtown Mineral Point has so many fun shops to visit! We spent hours in the afternoon paroozing the stores. The Violet Fig is a European-style florist and tea-boutique. If I was a loose-leaf tea drinker, this place would be my haven. The store smells amazing and all of the items are perfectly curated. The Station is a beautifully curated yarn shop offering everything you need to create knitted and crocheted pieces along with group knitting spaces. Even if you don’t knit, you’ll find Wisconsin-made gifts and other handmade items. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who loves crafting. I have followed Republic of Letters Books on social media for a while and was so excited to finally visit. This might be one of the hippest bookstores I’ve ever been to. Republic of Letters Books has a wide variety of books, both new and used, a little something for everyone. I love the vibes inside and even left with a new-to-me-book! To know me is to know I love a sweet treat, so we had to make a stop at High Street Sweets. High Street Sweets is a nostalgic candy shop packed with retro treats, local chocolates, and colorful displays that make it hard to leave empty-handed. Aspen Ridge Home & Garden was the last spot on our shopping spree. It is more than just a garden center; it feels like a destination in itself. The space blends plants, restored antiques, garden art, and home décor, creating an eclectic mix that’s both inspiring and easy to wander through. Outdoor Fun in Mineral Point We were lucky enough to be in Mineral Point during the opening weekend of the Mineral Point Market! I bought a homemade pop tart (yum) and Mike purchased a crocheted blanket that he fell in love with. The market takes place on Saturday mornings from May-October where you can find local produce, bread, and other homemade goods. We wanted to get some movement in while we were visiting, so we hiked Merry Christmas Mine Hill. The Merry Christmas Mine Hill is about a 1-mile loop that brought us past old mining artifacts – it was super cool! It is located across the street from Pendarvis – a Wisconsin Historical Site. Unfortunately, Pendarvis was not yet open for the season, but we wandered around the grounds a bit anyway. We also roamed around Shake Rag Alley Center of the Arts. There were a few workshops going on, but we stuck to exploring the grounds. I will definitely be signing up for a workshop when I visit again, though! They have workshops for things like blacksmithing, glass bead making, embroidery, and more.

This is a part two to my first blog listing 5 Day Trips from Milwaukee ( read it here ). Each of these places is within a 2-hour drive time which makes them all great options for a quick getaway from the city. Whitewater I love Whitewater . It is absolutely one of my favorite places in Wisconsin. Whitewater is located about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Milwaukee. Their food/drink scene is superb with places such as Barista Cats Café , Staller Estates Winery , Jessica’s Diner , and Sweet Spot Café . There is an ample amount of places to shop with some of my favorites being The Fuzzy Pig (GREAT place for seasonal décor and gifts!) and Dale’s Bootery - because what woman doesn’t want a new pair of shoes? There are also so many outdoor activities in Whitewater! I love hiking and there are multiple sections of the Ice Age Trail located in Whitewater. There are also lots of lakes that are perfect for beach days, boating, and water sports. So much to do! Fort Atkinson Not too far from Whitewater is another amazing Wisconsin town: Fort Atkinson . Fort Atkinson is located about 1-hour northwest of Milwaukee. Fort Atkinson is such a tight knit community and has so many things to offer. The Fireside Dinner Theatre is located here and if you have never been, you must visit! The dinner food is amazing and the theatre productions are highly entertaining. Aside from that, Fort Atkinson is filled with great places to eat like Paddy’s Irish Pub (get the cheese curds), Beauty and the Bean , The Island Bar and Grill (great if you are looking for lakeside views), and Frostie Freeze for dessert. You can also make a stop at Jones’ Market for some local artisan goods and a quick sandwich. Lake Geneva Lake Geneva is southwest from Milwaukee and you can get there in just under an hour. Lake Geneva is known for being a tourist destination for Chicago-ians (is that a word?) but don’t let that steer you away. The town is absolutely beautiful and has so much to offer. If you are a golfer, Lake Geneva is a great place to go. If you enjoy being on the water, you can do that in Lake Geneva, too. Additionally, they have several great places to eat including two of my favorites: Flat Iron Tap and Oakfire Pizza . If you are a coffee aficionado, be sure to visit Inspired Coffee . The best people work there! There are tons of boutique stores in the downtown area that are great for browsing around. Shop til you drop, baby! Baraboo Baraboo is a little further of a drive than the aforementioned destinations but it is worth the miles. If you are thinking about Wisconsin Dells right now – think again. Baraboo is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Milwaukee and located OUTSIDE of Wisconsin Dells. They are a town that deserves to be recognized. There are so many great places for a foodie but one of my favorites is Tumbled Rock Brewery . They have a gigantic outdoor patio and grass area with an outside bar and live music. They serve awesome pizza and delicious craft beer. It’s an experience, not just a restaurant. Speaking of craft beer, another great thing to do in Baraboo is visit the Al Ringling Mansion and Brewery . You can take a tour of the brewery and learn all about the history of the Ringling Brothers. Pop on over to the Circus World Museum , too, and check out one of the live performances! Fond du Lac Fond du Lac is just over an hour north of Milwaukee and it is such a cute city! Parts of the city are right on Lake Winnebago which is an awesome lake to spend your summer days. Lakeside Park alone has so many things to offer such as a petting zoo, carousel rides, and more. Downtown Fond du Lac is filled with great restaurants and small shops. One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Fond du Lac is The Salty Pig . If you haven’t had brunch here yet, make the trip just for that. When you are finished with brunch, stop at Ledgerock Distillery for a tasty cocktail and sampling. But before you leave town, make a stop at Kelley’s Country Creamery – some of the best ice cream in Wisconsin.

If you were invited to a "creator retreat" with a bunch of women you have never met, would you go? It's so far out of my comfort zone, I almost said no. But I decided I need to start putting myself into more uncomfortable situations so I said yes and had the best time. There’s something special about getting a group of creative women together in a cozy lake town for a few days; good conversations, great food, and a little space to recharge. That’s exactly what we did during a weekend creator retreat in Waupaca , a charming town known for its Chain O’ Lakes, small-town shops, and relaxed Northwoods feel. Our home for the retreat was the beautiful Dryden Lodge , and it could not have been a more perfect setting. The lodge blends historic character with cozy, modern touches, making it feel both elevated and welcoming the moment you walk in. With spacious common areas, wood details, and plenty of natural light, it’s the the coziest spot and the perfect getaway. Night One: Pizza, Wine & Vision Boards After everyone arrived and settled in, we kicked off the retreat with a relaxed evening at the lodge. Dinner was simple and delicious: pizza and wine as we chit-chatted and got to know eachother better. We created water bottle vision boards, courtesy of Shellady Udoni with United Country, Udoni & Salan Realty Group . Such a fun and creative activity where we decorated water bottles with stickers representing our goals, inspirations, and intentions for 2026. It was the perfect little activity to start the weekend. Day Two: Yoga, Local Food & Downtown Waupaca We started the morning with a peaceful yoga session at the lodge with Kika Schey Yoga . Easing into the day with movement and mindfulness - it was perfect! After yoga, we enjoyed a beautiful charcuterie-style breakfast board from The Gouda Life . The spread was filled with cheeses, fruit, pastries, and other delicious bites that were almost too pretty to eat. After breakfast, Krysten Potega stopped by to give us a little insight on how to become a successful creator. She shared her experiences, answered the 1 million questions we had, and provided some great information on platforms, brand deals, and so much more. We learned so much! Once we were ready to head out, we wandered into downtown Waupaca. Lunch was at Sulten Belly , where we filled the table with colorful salads, hearty sandwiches, and amazing mac and cheese. Shopping & Candle Making No girls’ weekend is complete without a little shopping, and downtown Waupaca has some truly charming local spots. A lot of businesses graciously gave us coupons to their shops and it was so appreciated! We popped into: Country Chic Boutique The Revival Boutique Northern Home Wanderlust Scents Lucky Tree Each shop had its own personality - from stylish clothing and accessories to beautiful home décor. It was the perfect way to spend a relaxed afternoon strolling through town. Of course, a coffee stop was necessary. We grabbed drinks at Java Jive , which gave us a much needed caffiene boost. One of the most memorable stops of the weekend was making our own candles at Huck & Finn . During the workshop, we got to blend our own custom fragrances, choosing from a variety of seasonal and classic scents before pouring the wax into beautiful jars to take home. It was such a fun, hands-on activity and the perfect creative break during our weekend. Plus, now every time I light my candle, I get to be reminded of how great our weekend was. Distillery Tour & Evening Drinks In the afternoon, we headed over to Empty Barrel Distillery for drinks and a behind-the-scenes tour. It was fun learning more about their process while sipping delicious handcrafted cocktails. Then we popped into Grand National Lounge for another round of drinks before heading back to the lodge to get ready for dinner. Dinner at Indian Crossing Casino To wrap up the day, we headed to the historic and beautiful Indian Crossing Casino for dinner. Visit Waupaca hosted the dinner for us and everything was perfect. We sampled several small plates: charcuterie, potato leek soup, bruschetta flatbread, cheeseburger sliders, and a deep fried brownie ball for dessert. Between the incredible food, lake views, and great conversation, it was the perfect ending to a full day of exploring. Unfortunately due to Wisconsin weather (Blizzard Elsa), we all headed home after dinner. It was so sad that our trip was cut short, but we made the best out of the time we had together. It was so fun getting to know like-minded ladies from all over the state of Wisconsin and I guarantee we will stay in contact for years to come.