The Chirping Moms

“Hit the Road” Summer Travel Series: Kohler, WI

A guest post by Meghan Wolf 

Despite the fact that we’ve lived in Chicago nearly all of our lives, my husband and I rarely consider Midwest destinations when planning vacations. Now that vacations include a baby, we decided to ease our way into traveling as a party of three with a road trip to Wisconsin.
Our requirements included a reasonably short drive, golf for my husband and a spa for me. After hearing several recommendations for the American Club, it seemed like the perfect fit. The American Club is in Kohler, WI, home to the Kohler manufacturing & plumbing company. So, if all else failed, I knew I’d have a top of the line shower!
Turns out, our friends were right and the American Club didn’t disappoint! We felt like we’d escaped the city for the perfect getaway that was quiet, welcoming and had all of the amenities of a top-notch resort. (Including an amazing, top of the line Kohler bathroom.) Best of all, we felt comfortable bringing our son, Connor, everywhere we went. The staff at the American Club and all of the restaurants could not have been nicer!
If you’re looking for a weekend trip with your family (with or without kids) or a group of friends, here are some of our “can’t miss” things to add to your Kohler, WI itinerary:
Dining
  • Field to Fork – Just as the name says, this café serves food made with local ingredients and seasonal produce. It was perfect spot for a casual lunch – including some really good cheese curds. And, according to my husband, the best sandwich he’s ever had in his life. There’s also a bakery and a little market attached, so we picked up a few things to snack on later in the day.
  • Trattoria Stefano – Arguably one of the best Italian meals I’ve had in a long time. Again everything is locally source and homemade. Even the WSJ agrees that this is one of Wisconsin’s best Italian restaurants.
  • Whistling Straights – The restaurant at Whistling Straights golf course has beautiful views of Lake Michigan and we actually caught a gorgeous sunset on the golf course just as we arrived. But the food totally stole the show. We tried the signature dishes – potato leek soup and rack of lamb — which rivaled some of Chicago’s restaurants.
  • The Greenhouse at the American Club – The Greenhouse was the perfect spot for coffee in the morning and an ice cream cone in the afternoon. The cozy couches make it so inviting, any time of day.
  • The Library Bar at the American Club – Since we had to drive to dinner both nights, we ended up stopping at the Library Bar for a drink before heading back to our room. The bartender makes a delicious homemade Pimm’s Cup with tons of fresh fruit and it was the perfect way to end the day.
Activities
  • Spa – Kohler Waters Spa is one of only 48 five-star spas worldwide. It definitely lived up to its reputation too. I could have spent all day relaxing, dipping in the pool and lounging in one of the comfy chairs. Since my post-natal hair loss has been pretty bad, I treated myself to the Moroccan Scalp and Hair Treatment. I think I can honestly say I got more than I paid for. The treatment was amazing and included a scalp massage, shoulder massage, shampoo and blow-dry. It was so relaxing and definitely a treat since I rarely blow-dry my hair these days!
  • Golf  – My husband had heard a lot of great things about Whistling Straights and was very excited about playing it. The Straits has hosted PGA Championships and it is the future site of the 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup. When you arrive at the course, you don’t feel like you’re in Wisconsin anymore! Stepping off the shuttle bus, he was greeted with a strong, brisk wind that would rival some courses in Scotland. Overall, the facilities were great and he was really impressed with all of the staff. The caddies were very knowledgeable and really make a difference when trying to navigate the many sand traps on the course.
  • The Shops at Woodlake – I spent an afternoon walking around Kohler and these shops were just a short walk from the American Club. I was actually pleasantly surprised with what I found there too! I ended up picking up a few baby gifts, a pair of sunglasses and some books at one of the best toy stores I’ve ever – been in – Movers & Shakers Kids Toys.
  • Kohler Design Center – This is a great place to daydream about your future kitchen or bathroom. When the weather got a little chilly, we spent some time looking at all of the state of the art products that Kohler creates.
  • Walks! When the weather is nice, you can’t beat a walk around the village of Kohler. Between the Gardens of Kohler, the nearby arboretum and Blackwolf Run golf course, there are several options for long and short walks. We especially enjoyed all of the spring blossoms in the gardens and walking through the arboretum on our way home from shopping.
We loved our weekend in Kohler, everyone was so incredibly nice and welcoming. Next time you’re planning a vacation, don’t forget about the Midwest!
 
Visit our Travel tab above to keep up with our “Hit the Road” series this summer!  We have a great group of moms traveling the US and internationally, who will be sharing their family adventures!
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Comments

  1. Love this! Great post. I was in Kohler a few weekends ago and I completely agree! A wonderful place to go for a long weekend get-away with plenty to do! I even took a yoga class on the lake. Love all of your photos and that sweet little peanut! Beautiful family. xo

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