Milwaukee: Where Surprises and Fun Await!
Milwaukee?! We couldn’t believe it either when our travel plans pointed us toward this unsuspecting gem in Wisconsin. But oh, what a ride it turned out to be!
Picture this…
a summer filled with German Fest shenanigans, dachshund derbies, state fair spectacles, a bronze Fonz, and a frothy adventure through the Miller Brewing Company – all in one quirky city!
Our journey to Milwaukee was like stumbling upon a hidden treasure. You see, we were en route to Denver when fate whispered, “Stopover in Milwaukee.” And oh boy, are we glad we did!
German Fest was our gateway drug into Milwaukee’s madness – and you don’t need a drop of German blood to revel in its glory.
Dachshund races? Check.
TimberSports showdowns? Double check.
And the beer? Let’s just say, we tested the limits of our stein-holding abilities.
Now, about those dachshunds.
Who knew those little sausage dogs could dash like Usain Bolt?
Not us, until we witnessed them tear up the track at German Fest. It was a sight to behold, complete with pint-sized pups and their even tinier legs zooming past.
But German Fest wasn’t just about the dachshunds – oh no, there was so much more!
From the lively oompah bands to the mouthwatering array of German cuisine, the festival was a celebration of all things Bavarian.
We feasted on bratwurst, schnitzel, and pretzels galore, washing it all down with steins of ice-cold beer.
And let’s not forget the entertainment – from traditional folk dances to modern music acts, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
We clapped along to the infectious rhythms of the polka bands, laughed at the antics of the yodeling contest participants, and even tried our hand at the Bavarian games.
But wait, there’s more – the Wisconsin State Fair!
This wasn’t just any fair; it was a carnival extravaganza set against the backdrop of Beer Country.
As we strolled down the main concourse, it felt like walking through a bustling cityscape, with real buildings transformed into bars and live music venues rivaling Broadway in Nashville.
Forget cotton candy and funnel cakes – at the Wisconsin State Fair, it’s all about deep-fried cheese curds and ice-cold brews AND …
And just when you think you’ve reached peak dairy overload, along comes the Cream Puff Factory to send your taste buds into a frenzy. (see our post dedicated to the cream puff)
But the pièce de résistance? The Bronze Fonz.
Yes, you heard right – a life-size statue of the Fonz, immortalized in bronze.
Nestled along the east side of the river walk, almost at the north end, there he stands, forever immortalized in his iconic leather jacket and thumbs-up pose.
Tracking him down was like hunting for buried treasure, complete with cryptic clues and false leads. But when we finally laid eyes on him, all we could do was laugh – turns out, the Fonz is a lot smaller in person (who knew leather jackets could shrink?).
As the sun set on our Milwaukee adventure, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences we’d had – from the quirky festivals to the mouthwatering food and, of course, the unbeatable hospitality of the Midwest.
Milwaukee may not have been on our bucket list, but it sure left an impression. So next time you’re in the area, be sure to swing by – you never know what surprises await at the Bronze Fonz and beyond!
