This is a re-post and has been updated for 2016.
I love Memorial Day because to me, it signals the start of summer here in the Midwest. If you plan on heading out of town, here are some events, restaurants and bars within a two-hour drive that I suggest checking out:
Lake Geneva area
I’ve enjoyed the all-you-can-eat fish fry at Popeye’s On Lake Geneva. Champs Sports Bar and Grill and Hogs & Kisses are some fun places to grab a drink or watch the game. You can find excellent steaks and fine dining at Geneva Chophouse (which is exponentially better than its sister restaurant, Capitol Chophouse) at Grand Geneva Resort.- On the other side of the lake is Fontana, which features the Abbey Resort. If you’re looking for a spa, the on-site Avani Spa is definitely the place to go (you may not want to leave!).
- Not too far from Lake Geneva is Burlington, home of the annual ChocolateFest (Friday-Monday), complete with live music (including Pat McCurdy), chocolate and wine pairings and a chocolate eating contest. It’s a fun event, but I really mean this: there needs to be more chocolate! For example, most of the food vendors don’t sell chocolate.
- The Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan is a step back in time (very 1950s/60s-esque). Its annual Lakeside Lawn Party and Pig Roast will take place on Sunday.
Galena, Ill.
- I really like the restaurant Fried Green Tomatoes–it has good food, good drinks and of course, really delicious fried green tomatoes. Another place worth trying is Fritz and Frites, a place for both French and German cuisine.
- The Grape Escape is the place for martinis and wine. For other drinks and live entertainment, try Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub & Grill.
- You can visit several wineries in a 30-minute driving radius, including Rocky Waters, Massbach Ridge, Galena Cellars and Bauer-Kearns Winery. Obtain a stamp at each and then a prize if you make it to the ones on their list.
Kohler/Elkhart Lake
- Unfortunately, the annual Kohler Festival of Beer moved from May to April. However, the Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond Resort, the American Club, is hosting “Shake and Stir Saturdays” this month in which participants make three craft cocktails.
- Speaking of the American Club, the Horse & Plow is a pub and grill in the same complex that’s open to the public. Sorta has a Boston feel to it.
- The Osthoff Resort, which will be wedding central this weekend, has its own set of restaurants, but there are plenty of other choices nearby. Enjoy the contemporary feel of Siebkens Resort or the laid-back atmosphere of Barefoot Bay Tiki Bar.
Green Lake
- If you haven’t been, Green Lake is like Lake Geneva but without the constant gridlock. The place to stay is the Heidel House, which sports a fancy restaurant called Grey Rock and a big bar with live music and outdoor seating called the Boathouse Pub.
- A fun bar–and basically one of the few in Green Lake–is the Goose Blind. Make sure to try the brick oven pizza.
- Take a quick, 20-minute trip over to Ripon, where you will find delicious fare at J’s BBQ. The brisket is incredibly tender.
Have a great weekend!
