Things to Do in Fond du Lac

Dedicated to fostering social change by bringing the community together, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee engages denizens through a host of activities, events, and educational programs. The organization's focus can be distilled into three parts, the first of which promotes the development of area youth via programs that help them realize their potential. Secondly, a commitment to bettering the community's health manifests itself in everything from group exercise classes to youth sports teams. Thirdly, YMCA volunteers take the reigns of social responsibility as they organize local initiatives that focus on empowering children with disabilities and promoting workplace wellness. Trained staffers also helm a variety of childcare programs that boost literacy and help develop skills, and the Y's Camps Matawa and Minikani grant city dwellers and runaway trees a much-needed reunion with nature.

Draped over 270 acres of rolling woodland terrain, Branch River Golf & Tennis’s 18-hole course funnels dimpled orbs through a circuit of arching fairways dotted with lush trees. After two generous starting holes, golfers must face Branch River’s daunting “Monster” hole, a 584-yard behemoth where players must tunnel drives though a fairway hemmed by trees, before determining how best to approach a creek-fortified green with a false front and fake ID. High-risk, high-reward shots abound throughout, forcing golfers to exercise sound course management as they drink in views of the picturesque par 72 course.

Along with pristine links, Branch River Golf & Tennis houses three tennis courts, a full-size outdoor pool, and an area for trap shooting. After a long day of spirited sport and swimming, guests can take a load off at dining facilities that overlook the course and graciously supply booster seats so anthropomorphic sand wedges can partake in the meal.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Course rating of 72.5 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 125 from the farthest tees
• Four tee options
• Click here for course layout

Carved out of 640 acres of Wisconsin farmland, the 4.048-mile, 14-turn racetrack at Road America allows roadsters of all size and stripe to careen the original track design throughout the raceway’s full season of stock-car, motorcycle, and vintage-car collecting events. The iconic raceway, one of the fastest permanent road-racing tracks in the world, nurtures aspiring Andrettis through its driving school and accommodates gatherings with group outings, such as go-karting, snowshoeing, or geocaching adventures. On race day, guests can take advantage of golf-cart rentals to enjoy the action and fill up on snacks at some of Road America’s 13 concession stands.

Being a health-conscious foodie can be a challenge, because it’s not always easy to determine the history of how and where food is produced. The owners of Armstrong Apples Orchard and Winery have created such a narrative for their clients, growing fruit deeply rooted in their commitments to community and homegrown produce.

Sixteen years ago, they planted their first apple orchard, calling on friends and neighbors aged 8 to 80 for help. Since then, the farm has expanded and now grows 14 varieties of apples, peaches, pears, and grapes, which they serve fresh, baked into pies and turnovers, and pressed into their award-winning wine. Of these libations, apple wine is the owners' specialty, and it ranges from the very dry—best paired with meat—to the cinnamon sweet—best paired with Halloween costumes.

In addition to fresh fruit, baked goods, and adult beverages, the farm boasts entertainment for kids and adults alike, including a playscape and a zorb ball, which is a 12-foot high hamster-ball-like contraption that guests climb inside to travel across an open 5-acre field.

At Navarino Hills, skis, snowboards, and inner tubes zoom down trails blanketed in freshly made snow. Double chairlifts and cable tows ferry visitors to the top of the slopes so they can start their run or help search for the yeti's lost contacts. After hitting the mountain, head inside the chalet to warm up with hot cocoa, coffee, or cappuccino daily or fish fries every Friday.

More than three decades spent trolling the fish-filled waters of the Great Lakes have allowed USCG-licensed captain Kevin Williams to master the art of freshwater and ice fishing. While leading expeditions for intrepid participants both young and old, Kevin leverages his unparalleled knowledge of marine speakeasies to catch fish by surprise—and when that happens, the fisherfolk in his boat are ready and waiting with the proper angling gear, be it their own or Kevin's. The captain sets out on warm-weather trips in a 19-foot Weldcraft Maverick equipped with GPS, a trolling motor, and a fish finder, and hosts winter fishing in a heated icehouse accessible by ATV or speed-skater piggyback rides. Fishermen can keep whatever they catch, and may head home after the excursion with buckets full of whitefish, perch, and walleye.