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Wisconsin Parent

Summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Feb 17, 2014 11:47AM ● By Julie Henning
Venturing out for another adventure in Wisconsin, we once again found ourselves along the shores of Lake Winnebego, Wisconsin’s largest inland body of water.

Dubbed Wisconsin’s “event city,” Oshkosh is perhaps most famous for the EAA AirVenture, a week-long aviation event held at Wittman Regional Airport. During the event, the city’s 70,000 residents welcome over 500,000 visitors from over sixty countries (and Whittman is busier than nearby Chicago O’Hare). EAA July 25_MG_8187 Menominee Park

Always looking for ways to stretch a buck and keep the kids entertained, we headed over to Menominee Park right away in the morning. Spread out along the lake and encompassing over 100 acres, park highlights are a free zoochildren’s amusement area, swimming beach with shelter, and gigantic wooden playground.

Wooden PlaygroundOpen at 9AM with the zoo is the Lakefly Cafe, offering popcorn and other concession-themed shacks. If visiting Oshkosh in early spring, be prepared to experience the annual spring hatch of the mayfly, a mostly annoying insect hatching, breeding, and dying near the lake about this time of year. Fortunately a steady breeze and sense of adventure kept our spirits high as we looped our way through the zoo. Zoo highlights include camel, elk, wolves, and kangaroo.

IMG_1095Having visited Menominee Park a few years ago (after the “flight and plight” of the mayfly), we had previously enjoyed rides on the miniature train, merry-go-round and watched other families enjoying the rentable paddle boats and aqua-bikes. Note that the amusement area is north of the zoo and playground; plan to park in the middle or move your vehicle between parking areas at some point.

Oshkosh Public Museum

Navigating inland (away) from the lake and closer to the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh campus is the Oshkosh Public Museum; open weekly and affordable at $7 (adult), $3.50 (age 6-17) and free for those of us with younger kids. On the small and less interactive end of the museum spectrum, the Oshkosh Public Museum does offer a respite from the weather (hot and cold) and moves visitors through seven different exhibits ranging from Wetlands and Waterways to Memories and Dreams on the second floor.

Apostles ClockWith the most stuff meant for kids to touch located upstairs, make sure your visit spans the hourly performance of the Apostles Clock, an 111 year old clock that plays music and moves figures of the 12 Apostles across the clock face (apparently yours truly was as transfixed by this clock 30 years ago as my kids were a few weeks ago). Perhaps the best-kept secret in Oshkosh is the museum gift shop with eclectic and affordable souvenir gifts ranging from giant marbles to fossil magnets, bonnets, mood rings, and wind up teeth.

IMG_5159Where to Stay: Cobblestone Inn and Suites

Located near both the EAA AirVenture Museum and the Shoppes at Oshkosh outlet mall (featuring Wisconsin-based American Girl and Oshgosh B’Gosh) is Cobblestone Inn and Suites.

Cobblestone InnBuilt last July, the hotel still has the smell and feel of new construction (no paisley carpet or ancient ice machines here). Offering a complimentary continental breakfast, the hotel also has a wine and beer bar (not complimentary, but find two complimentary drink coupons in this “shop and stay” package here). Without a swimming pool, the hotel helped us secure a 1/2 price family swimming pass just down the road at the West Side YMCA on 20th Avenue (where we thoroughly enjoyed the water slide, splash area, lazy river, and hot tub).

IMG_1163Enjoy this short video of our visit:

http://youtu.be/5WME9eYA_d8

This story was originally written and published (by me) on www.roadtripsforfamilies.com.