Olio in Iowa

One Fine Day in Janesville, Wisconsin

One Fine Day is a series inspired by my favorite now-defunct Chicago Tribune column of the same title. The posts in this series are short, sweet, sometimes themed, and always a charming snapshot of a city.

Wildflowers next to a red planter at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin

When it comes to planning the perfect day, I don’t need a lot to be happy. Strong coffee, good food, fresh air, and local history are usually enough for me. On a recent trip to Janesville, Wisconsin, I found a community that offers all of those things and more.

This one-day itinerary shares some of my favorite places to eat, drink, and explore around Janesville, Wisconsin.

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Plan a Relaxing Afternoon at Janesville’s Rotary Botanical Gardens

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Wisconsin and my visit to the Rotary Botanical Gardens. However, all opinions are my own.

Hedges with flowers and blue trellis at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin

Pink dahlia bloom at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin

I’ve always been surrounded by gardeners. My grandfather had and my mom has an impressively green thumb, and at least a little of it has rubbed off on me over the years. As an adult, I’m now taxed with trying to tame an unruly garden of my own. But, more often than not, I find that being surrounded by seedlings still relaxes me. So it’s no surprise that after a few days of traveling, the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin was just the welcoming oasis I needed.

Even on a drizzly October day, the garden was a beautiful place to explore and unwind after a few hours on the road. I’ll admit that at first I was surprised by how much of the 20-acre garden was still in bloom so late in the season. But it didn’t take me long to discover how the gardens were still this beautiful in the late fall. The bright blooms are truly a testament to all of the hard work the staff and more than 550 volunteers put in to keep the gardens looking beautiful.Continue Reading…

Find Your Zen at Rockford’s Anderson Japanese Gardens

Disclosure: The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Rockford, IL, and my visit to Anderson Japanese Gardens. However, all opinions are my own.

When I visited Rockford, Illinois last fall, I learned that the city is full of incredible outdoor spaces. From the riverside Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens to the rustic Rock Cut State Park, there are all sorts of places in Rockford to connect with nature, and Anderson Japanese Gardens is another of them. This serene space is the perfect place to step away from the stress of your day-to-day and find some peace.

The beautiful 12-acre garden is an incredible outdoor oasis tucked into one of the city’s residential neighborhoods. The traditional Japanese garden is the perfect place to reconnect with the outdoors and enjoy some solitude. The next time you’re in the Rockford region, take some time away to experience this truly tranquil outdoor space.

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Three Ways to Experience the Unique History of Janesville, Wisconsin

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my visit to Wisconsin and facilitated some of the experiences referenced below. However, all opinions are my own.

Blue victorian home in the Courthouse Hill Historic District of Janesville, Wisconsin

Last fall I had the opportunity to spend some time Janesville, a beautiful, scenic community in southern Wisconsin. In addition to be home to some truly delicious dining options, the community also has a rich, storied past. From unique museums to engaging walking tours, there are lots of ways to experience the unique history of Janesville, Wisconsin.

Janesville was founded in 1835 along the banks of the Rock River, and much of its early history remains today. In fact, the community has more than 2,400 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That’s nearly 20 percent of all the historic buildings in the entire state of Wisconsin. If you like historic architecture and local lore, Janesville absolutely needs to be on your travel bucket list.

Continue reading to discover three unique ways you can experience the history of Janesville, Wisconsin on your next visit.

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Experience the History of the Underground Railroad at the Milton House Museum

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Wisconsin and my visit to the Milton House Museum. However, all opinions are my own.

White exterior of the Milton House Museum near Janesville, Wisconsin

About 20 minutes northeast of Janesville, Wisconsin, you’ll discover the small town of Milton. In addition to a fantastic winery and some beautiful historic houses, this community is also home to the Milton House Museum.

Built in 1845, this three-story hexagonal building was once a bustling stagecoach inn. But the Milton House Hotel’s influence extends far beyond its walls. Similarly, the hotel’s founders, the Goodrich family, had a huge impact on the growth of this progressive Wisconsin community.

Over the years, the hotel has welcomed hundreds of guests, many passing through the area on their way from Chicago to Madison. But the Milton House Hotel also served a different clientele. For many years, the hotel’s founder Joseph Goodrich made helping fugitive slaves escape to Canada on the Underground Railroad an essential part of his work.Continue Reading…

Four Fabulous Places to Eat in Janesville, Wisconsin

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Wisconsin and my meals at some of the restaurants below. However, all opinions are my own.

Mac and cheese with jerk pork at Lark in Janesville, Wisconsin

If you know me, you know that food (and not feeling hangry) is one of my top priorities. So it should come as no surprise that food is an important part of many of my travel experiences. In fact, sometimes the places I eat along the way are some of the most memorable parts of a trip. On a recent road trip through Illinois and Wisconsin, I was delighted to find some truly memorable places to eat in Janesville, Wisconsin.

One of my favorite things about dining in this small community was the people I met along the way. At every turn, friendly servers and shopkeepers provided recommendations that went above and beyond my lunch order. Everyone I encountered was not only kind and helpful but also immensely proud of their community.

From true Wisconsin staples like cheese curds and supper clubs to innovative restaurants with seasonal selections, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Janesville. I was delighted to find some inspiring local eateries in Janesville, Wisconsin, and I think you will be, too. The next time you’re exploring southern Wisconsin and find your stomach growling, consider pulling over at one of these four fantastic establishments.Continue Reading…

Catch A Ride on a Coaster at Janesville’s Wisconsin Wagon Company

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my visit to Wisconsin and my tour of Wisconsin Wagon Company. However, all opinions are my own.

Small wagon with red wheels from the Wisconsin Wagon Company in Janesville, Wisconsin

When visiting a new community, I love to get to know the more unique aspects of its history. In Janesville, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Wagon Company holds a special place in the community’s heart and traditions.

What began as a classic carriage company continues to thrive as a successful small business. Today the company produces toys, novelty wine racks, and even a specialty wagon designed to transport tourists’ groceries and luggage. Continue Reading…

Build Your Bucket List With 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die

Detailed stone archway in downtown Omaha, Nebraska

Over the years I’ve spent a good amount of time across the Nebraska border in Omaha for work. But it wasn’t until recently that I started exploring all of the fun things the city has to offer. Now with a new book titled 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die I have even more places to add to my must-visit list.

Written by Tim and Lisa Trudell of The Walking Tourists, this new book gives a delightful glimpse into the epic eateries, charming cultural attractions, and heaps of historical locations Omaha has to offer.Continue Reading…

Sips: Northleaf Winery in Milton, Wisconsin

Disclosure: The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Wisconsin and my visit to Northleaf Winery. However, all opinions are my own.

Exterior of Northleaf Winery housed in a historic barn in Milton, Wisconsin

When I travel one of my favorite ways to get to know a new community is by visiting its breweries and wineries. There’s no better way to become immediately immersed in the atmosphere of a new place than by bellying up to the bar to sample something made locally. Northleaf Winery in Milton, Wisconsin is no different.Continue Reading…

One Fine Day in Beloit, Wisconsin

One Fine Day is a series inspired by my favorite now-defunct Chicago Tribune column of the same title. The posts in this series are short, sweet, sometimes themed, and always a charming snapshot of a city.

Water running over the dam near Beckman Mill in Beloit, Wisconsin

Wisconsin has always been one of my favorite states. No matter how far I travel, I’ve been hard-pressed to find a place with friendlier people, more beautiful outdoor spaces, and a deeper appreciation for cheese. In those respects, Beloit, Wisconsin is no exception.

This one-day itinerary shares some of my favorite places to eat, drink, and explore around Beloit, Wisconsin.Continue Reading…