Most of the Inn at Wawanissee Point bed and breakfast’s guests come to explore the area’s spectacular natural landscape and find themselves engrossed in outside adventures. But we also have interesting indoor sites open in winter and early spring.
When the trails are too rough and icy for comfort even with crampons (read about hiking with them here), or too wet and muddy, enjoy an indoor retreat from the best view in Wisconsin …
- rejuvenation at the Inn, see the list at the end
- interesting museums, galleries, and tours within 25 minutes of the Inn
The Inn at Wawanissee Point is your private resort for nourishing winter and spring getaways. Select your guest room at www.innatwawanisseepoint.com or call us at 608-355-9899.
Around Town
One-hour Eagle Watching Bus Tour Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. in Sauk Prairie Jan. 5– Feb. 16, 2019, guided by Ferry Bluff Eagle Council volunteers with stops at ideal viewing locations, one with a spotting scope. Seats sell quickly. Call the Cedarberry Inn in Sauk City at 608-643-6625 to reserve, tickets $5.00. Learn more at ferrybluffeaglecouncil.org
Guided tour of Wollersheim Winery and Distillery, a scenic 20-minute drive from the Inn at Wawanissee Point bed and breakfast. Along the Wisconsin River and a designated winter-viewing location for bald eagles, Wollersheim is one of the oldest wineries in the country and a National Historic Site. Sample wine, spirits and cocktails. Browse the gift shop. www.wollersheim.com
Explore nature, culture and the area’s heritage at the historic Tripp Heritage Museum in downtown Prairie du Sac, 15 minutes from the Inn. Besides changing exhibits, you’ll find the unique Ochsner collection of more than 300 mounted birds, a curious collection of Victorian hair art, a 7,000-year-old bison skull and more. Open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday www.saukprairiehistory.org.
River Arts On Water Gallery www.riverartsinc.org in downtown Prairie du Sac overlooking the Wisconsin River represents 40 local artists from within 30 miles, with changing featured artists, open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Rotating art exhibitions and periodically students’ work, and live performances in the River Arts Center in the Sauk Prairie High School, open school days 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. See the current offering at www.riverartsinc.org
Rejuvenate during a drop-in yoga class. Try hot yoga or other styles in Prairie du Sac at Prairie Fire Yoga, with classes on weekends www.prairiefireyoga.com. At the BRAVO Center in Baraboo try a class on Wednesday or Friday with our neighbor and experienced instructor Bonnie Clark www.bravocenter.com.
Indulge with a couple’s massage at Baraboo’s exclusive day spa, Spa Serenity. Our guests receive a 10-percent discount. Reserve here spaserenitydayspa.com.
Tour America’s prettiest playhouse and one of the country’s first movie palaces, Baraboo’s Al. Ringling Theatre, recently restored to its original, magnificent splendor. It’s situated in the Downtown Baraboo Historic District in the courthouse square, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The eldest of the five Ringling brothers, who founded the Ringling Bros. Circus and made Baraboo, Wis., its winter quarters, built it in 1915 as a gift to the city. Architects modeled it after a theatre in Versailles, France. The one-hour tour is an experience in culture, history and architecture, by appointment in the winter. Call 608-356-8864 and visit at www.alringling.com.
Learn how spirits are distilled at Driftless Glen Distillery driftlessglen.com in Baraboo, from grain to mash to fermentation. Tours are Wednesday–Saturday by appointment or on the hour depending on the day of the week, and include a sampling of spirits.
Flyways Waterfowl Museum, adjacent Devil’s Lake State Park’s north shore entrance, is a modern, natural-science museum with world-class exhibits and accompanying audio recordings about North American waterfowl and their habitats. See 80 mounts of 43 species that migrate through the Mississippi River flyway. Also experience historical exhibits, art collections, short videos in the Duck Blind Theater, laser arcade games and a gift shop. From November until mid May it’s open by appointment weekdays or weekends, call Nichol Swenson at 608-225-7732. Learn more at duckmuseum.com.
Devil’s Lake State Park’s Nature Center at the north shore. This pretty, little stone building is full of natural and geologic history, wildlife and park history exhibits. In the lower level you’ll find many photos from the 1800s when the park housed a burgeoning resort and mining operation. It has limited hours in the winter but is open when there are events in the park. Call or e-mail 608-356-8301 ext. 140 or SusanA.Johansen@wisconsin.gov and visit www.devilslakewisconsin.com to check for events.
Aldo Leopold Legacy Center www.aldoleopold.org 20 minutes from the Inn, along the Wisconsin River, is an educational and interpretive facility in a renewable-energy-powered building, one of the greenest in the world. Browse interpretive, photography and art exhibits with information about Aldo Leopold, the family legacy, the Foundation’s conservation work and the green building’s features. Until early April it is open Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Portage Center For The Arts has monthly exhibits of local, national and international artists, and featured artists in its Drury Gallery in downtown Portage and at Tivoli, part of the Divine Savior Healthcare & Hospital complex on the north side of town, and live performances. Open Wednesday–Saturday. See what’s display now at www.portagecenterforthearts.com.
The Wisconsin Dells Antique Mall is an easy 25-minute drive from the Inn, www.wisconsindellsantiquemall.com.
