1848 Greek Revival Inn Readied for Modern Times

Like settings from a Victorian novel, The Rochester Inn's luxurious suites come furnished with antiques, sophisticated parlor rooms, and four-poster beds. The old-style aesthetic allows guests to see themselves as original tenants, back when it was first built in 1848. Since then, the building has seen its share of renovations—though never at the expense of the Greek Revival architecture.

The inn’s four suites feature modern amenities such as whirlpool bathtubs and Kohler fixtures brought in from the company’s nearby headquarters, but it’s the antiques that draw the eye. Undulating camelback couches, wingback chairs, plush wool carpets, and steam-powered WiFi keep The Rochester Inn firmly rooted in the past. Just like in the old days, the suites are cordoned off from the rest of the inn, meaning tenants move between floors by way of en-suite staircases. In the morning, hot breakfasts are delivered directly to rooms or served in the inn’s main parlor.

Sheboygan: Championship Golf and Bratwurst Festivals

An hour north of Milwaukee, Sheboygan overlooks Lake Michigan to the east and dairy farms to the west. True to its Wisconsin zip code, the city hosts an annual Brat Days event, replete with endless stands selling sizzling sausages and deep-fried lederhosen. Sheboygan is also home to the Dairyland Surf Classic, one of the largest lake-surfing competitions in the world.

Central Wisconsin is home to some of the best golf courses in the Midwest, with championship links hugging the Lake Michigan shoreline. Further inland, hikers can hop on Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail, a 1,000-mile footpath that immerses trekkers in the rugged landscape formed by a 12,000-year-old, massive glacial ice flow. Visitors can learn about the glaciation process while enjoying rare natural sights such as kettles, potholes, eskers, and glacial erratics.