By Marlene Goldman
Published in the Sept/Oct 2007 issue of Meetings Midamerica.
From freshwater surfing to ice fishing, east central Wisconsin takes leisure pursuits to the next level. The region features Lake Michigan and Lake Winnebago, among other watery delights, and its lakeside locales are also complemented by golf courses and cultural offerings ranging from art houses to theatre.
Whatever diversions groups chose, Green Bay, Door County, Lake Winnebago, and Sheboygan brim with scenic options for business and pleasure.
Door County
Stretching 75 miles long and nearly 16 miles wide, the Door County Peninsula strings together quaint communities and natural attractions, making the region one of Wisconsin’s most popular and scenic destinations.
“The feel of the destination is not huge,” says Jon Jarosh, marketing director at the Door County Visitor Bureau. “The package is attractive to small and midsize groups.
One of the most expansive properties is the Stone Harbor Resort and Conference Center, with 6,500 square feet of meeting space, while the 294-suite Landmark Resort, set on 40 acres in Egg Harbor houses 11 meeting rooms. Another property, the Wagon Trail Resort in Rowleys Bay, features more than 7,500 square feet of meeting space.
Considering Door County’s aquatic surroundings, waterborne group activities abound in spring and summer, including fish boils and boat excursions. The region’s Spirit of LaSalle ferry runs between Sturgeon Bay and Menominee, Mich. Charters are available for up to 149 guests, and groups can arrange guided tours. The boat company teams up with Sunset Concert Cruises and offers live music and dinner cruises, which have earned it a spot on Coastal Living magazine’s “Top 10 Sunset Cruises” list.
Other boats open to groups include the Island Clipper, which ferries guests to Washington Island in time for a 90-minutes tour on the Viking Train.
Meanwhile, the Team Leadership Center runs guided kayaking trips and also offers a ropes course and climbing facility for team-building activities.
Though water options are limited by season, small groups can rent the Door County Trolley year-round for a wine tour, stopping at several wineries along the way.
Golfers will find 11 golf courses on the peninsula, and theater-goers can organize events at Peninsula Players, which recently completed a $7 million renovation.
Green Bay
The names Green Bay and Packers go hand in hand … yadda, yadda, yadda. (Edit)
Lake Winnebago
Highly esteemed for its walleye fishing and sturgeon population, Lake Winnebago … and so on. (Edit)
Sheboygan
Game geeks might remember Sheboygan as the victim of the 1979 board game The Creature that Ate Sheboygan, but today Sheboygan is more known for its fishing, golfing and … etc. (Edit)
