There's Something Else?

By John Dorcey

Hard to believe, but some folks attend AirVenture for reasons other then their passion for things aeronautical. Some people go just to spend time with their family or friends. AirVenture has always had a family feel to it and there are plenty of non-aeronautical things to do on the convention grounds. A quick look at the AirVenture website or the convention program will provide many options.

Whether flying or driving to (and from) AirVenture 2005 there are plenty of ways to thank your loved one for sharing your passion for aviation. Where do you want to go today? Wild or mild, Wisconsin offers many opportunities to enjoy yourself this and every summer. A great way to begin your planning is a visit to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism either at their web site (link below) or booth 1127 in Exhibit Hangar A. Be forewarned however - vacation option overload is likely.

Consider your route and mode of travel as one way to make a first reduction. Are you more likely to opt for the wild, outdoors kinds of options, or are you looking for an art exhibit and a candle-lit dinner, or maybe a combination of the two? Maybe a stop or two for the younger ones would win their praise?

Consider these possibilities for side trips as you travel through Wisconsin:

• Green Bay's Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame or the National Railroad Museum.
• Manitowoc is home to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum where you can tour a WWII submarine.
• Did you know that Harry Houdini spent his childhood in Appleton, Wisconsin? Visit the Outagamie Museum and Houdini Historical Center and you'll discover that Houdini was the first person to fly in Australia.
• Breweries and brewpubs are plentiful. About four hours west of Oshkosh (by car) in Chippewa Falls is the famous Leinenkugel family brewery. Their handcrafted beers and educational yet tasty tours make the drive worthwhile.
• The Wolf River, among others, offers great kayaking, rafting, and canoeing opportunities. Hiking and biking trails are spread across the state with serene, scenic vistas awaiting you. State Parks throughout Wisconsin offer beauty that is nearly unmatched.
• Did you ever watch a car being made? Well you can do just that in Janesville, about and hour and a half south of Oshkosh. The General Motors plant there has been turning out vehicles for more than 80 years.
• Are gardens more to your liking? Milwaukee's Boerner Botanical Gardens will provide many ideas for your home garden. The Mitchell Park Conservancy and their domed gardens are just minutes away providing even more plant displays in a unique setting.
• The Milwaukee County Zoo and the Milwaukee Children's museum provide many more possibilities for those travelers heading south from Oshkosh.

Fishing, boating, fairs, exhibits, museums, water parks, bookstores, golf, winery tours, lighthouses and more are here, too. We have yet to scratch the surface of the literally endless list of possibilities for side trips and adventures for you to consider.

Besides AirVenture, what is there to do? …in Wisconsin -- Everything!

FMI: www.travelwisconsin.com, www.nationalrrmuseum.org, www.wisconsinmaritime.org, www.leinie.com, www.countyparks.com