Appleton’s History Museum has a large Harry Houdini exhibit because the famed escape artist called Appleton his hometown
Home to Lawrence University, famed as a paper production hub, Appleton is also the United States’ hometown of Harry Houidini.
Appleton is a also a perfect stop on the way to the Packers’ Lambeau Field in Green Bay or when driving around to do Wisconsin’s fall color.
Sitting atop Lake Winnebego on the Fox River, the town is about a 3 ½ hour drive from Chicago and only 10 minutes from Green Bay. It is about a two-hour drive from the Nicolet National Forest and Minoqua’s Chain of Lakes.
Along with football and fall color, Wisconsin is also about cheese and beer.
Satisfy your cheese craving in Appleton at Simon’s Cheese where you do get to sample stuff. Don’t worry that there is more you want to buy than you can eat. The cheeses make great Thanksgiving hostess and holiday gifts.
Then quench your thirst at the Fox River Brewing Company in the town’s huge Fox River Mall. While there, stop in at Scheels, a sporting goods store that has everything for trips including your current one or what comes next.
You choose ingredients for a personal chocolate bar at an Appleton candy shop
Save room for a chocolate dessert. Appleton has two exceptional chocolate shops. Go to Vande Walle’s Candies to see the chocolate-melting and mold-making process and snack on samples before deciding what to take on the rest of the trip.
Or make your own chocolate bar at Wilmar Chocolates. You choose what you want in the bar such as orange peel, ginger, Orios, hazelnuts and about a dozen more ingredients. You also pick the kind of chocolate.
With food still on the mind, drive to Zuppa’s in historic Neenah when gourmet deli food appeals. If you like upscale Greek dining, snag a reservation at Appollon in Appleton.
But before you leave learn about Harry Houdini at the city’s History Museum. You can even try his disappearing body trick. The museum looks like a castle, has stained glass windows and even is called the Castle. It used to be the Masonic Temple.
If this is a family trip with young children, stop at The Building For Kids, Appleton’s amazing children’s museum. Adults like it too.
Accommodations
The area has an abundance of lodging choices from bed and breakfast to resorts. There are several good chains near the Fox River Mall including the Residence Inn by Marriott.
More Information: For places to stay and more Appleton and regional information visit Fox Cities
Photos by Jodie Jacobs
