Travel back to an era of mid-century charm, open roads and motor court motels on a retro road trip. Slow time down with those who matter most in destinations across the state. Here’s to reliving a classic road trip.
Retro charm meets Swiss culture in New Glarus (Green County)
Make New Glarus your next road trip destination for a throwback vibe at The Blanc Chalet. New owners started fully renovating the motel in 2023. The motel’s Swiss-inspired exterior fits in nicely for a town dubbed America’s Little Switzerland.
The renovated guestrooms are a mix of modernity and vintage-inspired design. Rooms are outfitted with stylish furniture, plush beds and comforts like soaker tubs. A variety of layouts offer options for travel parties of all sizes.
Make a reservation at the newest restaurant impressing visitors to New Glarus. The Canter Inn is a fine-dining restaurant inside a Queen Anne Victorian home. It was started by a husband-wife duo who are veterans in the hospitality industry. The menu takes advantage of fresh, local produce of Green County and weaves in the area’s Swiss heritage for meals that are truly unforgettable.
Thrifting, golf and a throwback stay in Princeton (Green Lake County)
Pull out the map and navigate yourself to Princeton for your next retro road trip. Acorn Ridge Motel was originally built in the 1960s and well maintained through its long history of hospitality. Today, a recent renovation retains the retro vibes while adding modern comforts. You’ll appreciate mid-century details like pastel tiles and wood paneling.
Be sure to grab a drink at Tim’s Hardware Store Bar. The recently opened, on-site tavern will make you feel like you stepped into your grandpa’s basement bar.
Seek out more vintage treasures with a visit to the famous Princeton Flea Market. The market is the largest outdoor flea market in central Wisconsin and runs every Saturday through October 10. Browse vendors whose stock is constantly changing in search of the retro find right for you.
For golfers, be sure to book a tee time at one of the country’s best golf courses. Lawsonia is minutes from the Acorn Ridge Motel. Choose from two exceptional 18-hole courses, including The Links, which Golf Digest names among its top 100 public courses in the country.
Musical happenings at a motel in Door County
Set the soundtrack to your next road trip by staying at the Holiday Music Motel. The motel has been an establishment in the Sturgeon Bay community since 1952. In recent decades, the motel hosted hundreds of musicians, songwriters, sound engineers and other creatives to produce and record music at the motel.
Now, the Holiday Music Motel operates its own radio station exclusively broadcasting music that was created within its walls. The guestrooms preserve vintage details like the original bathroom tiling and Simmons metal furniture for a trip to the past.
Explore Sturgeon Bay’s bustling downtown for a variety of shops, restaurants and activities. Visit the Bluefront Café for delicious and healthy breakfast and lunch options. Soak in local history at the Door County Maritime Museum. Highly interactive exhibits and the sounds from the working waterfront will immerse you in the area’s rich maritime history.
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