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Revel in the wonderment of Christmas on this 2-day trip filled with holiday happenings!
Experience holiday magic with a European flair at two of the largest Christkindl markets in Wisconsin; Savor German and ethnic foods while enjoying holiday entertainment and decorations; See magnificent holiday light displays and decorations at Milwaukee’s Holiday Lights Festival; Observe the spectacular holiday floral display and decorations at the horticultural domes, and even catch a glimpse or two of Santa – We have it all on this 2-day trip!
All double, triple. and quad options must be purchased at check out as one transaction. If you’d like split your payment with a friend on a double room, contact us using the form below. No problem!
Itinerary:
*minor adjustments subject to change
Saturday, Dec. 7 (3 hour 20 minute drive)
7:00 am – Leave La Crosse and travel to the Old World Christmas Market in Elkhart Lake, WI arriving about 10:30 am. This market was voted #5 Best Holiday Market by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice awards in 2023 and is the #1 Christmas Market in Wisconsin! It is reminiscent of the Christkindl markets that have been held in Nurenberg, Germany since the 1600’s.
Guests will have an opportunity to select unique and specialty gifts from vendors representing international and regional artisans. Items may include Czech blown glass ornaments, Russian nesting dolls, German hand-carved smokers and nutcrackers, handmade jewelry, Turkish pashmina scarves and shawls, stained glass art, Russian hand-painted Santas, fresh green wreaths, Estonian woolens, fine chocolates, lace items, woodworking and much more! Shopping is in a heated tent that is the size of a football field! While there, take a shopping break and enjoy the spectacular food court (on your own) filled with authentic German foods including schnitzels, dumplings, potato pancakes, pulled pork, apple strudel, specialty sweets and German beers! Take time to enjoy the huge 17-foot beautifully decorated Christmas tree and maybe even catch a glimpse of Santa!
https://osthoff.com/old-world-christmas-market/
2:30 Drive to Milwaukee for more holiday experiences at the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival!
3:00 Check into the Spring Hill Suites Milwaukee Downtown, 744 Vel R Phillips Ave., Milwaukee, WI 35203, 414-273-9811. The hotel is located near the bars, restaurants and famous Riverwalk area in the heart of downtown. Milwaukee will be all decked out for the holidays during the spectacular Holiday Lights Festival!
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/mkesh-springhill-suites-milwaukee-downtown/photos/
4:15-6:15 Dinner on your own at the Milwaukee Public Market (Milwaukee’s most iconic food destination) in the Historic 3rd World Neighborhood, 400 N. Water St. Take time to explore the many artisan, and ethnic food and specialty shops including candy, coffee, wood-fired pizza, Mexican food, mediterranean, vegan, sushi, bakery, olive oils, specialty spices, boutique wine and bar, brew city and much more. It’s an experience in and of itself! See Santa and Mrs. Claus on their festive route riding on top of a vintage fire truck that will be leaving from the Public Market at 5:15 and traveling around downtown Milwaukee. You will hear some jazzy holiday tunes, too! After dinner, see the lights on Broadway St., too. It will be a night to be remembered!
https://milwaukeepublicmarket.org/vendor-listing
6:30 Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival – See the holiday lights and displays on a Jingle Bus Tour (approximately 40 minute tour) visiting 3 lighted Milwaukee parks: Cathedral Square Park, Zeidler Union Square and Pere Marquette Park. Experience the many Christmas holiday sights and sounds including the larger than life hand-painted ornaments along Wisconsin Avenue.
Return to hotel with time to explore the downtown scene/festivities and/or riverwalk area on your own – within walking distance of the hotel.
Sunday, Dec. 8
8:00 Breakfast buffet included at hotel (available beginning at 7:00 a.m.)
9:00 Depart Hotel
9:30 Mitchell Park Domes Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd, Holiday Festival plants and decorations. Immerse yourself in winter beauty in the domes by viewing a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and over 3000 poinsettias, chrysanthemums, and amaryllis plants amidst the holiday splendor. There’s also an arid desert dome and a tropical steamy rainforest dome to explore, too!
https://www.mitchellparkdomes.com/shows
11:30 Greater Milwaukee’s Christkindl market and European Holiday Festival. Shop the many outside vendors at this European market including handmade crafts and keepsakes, while enjoying food options such as hot Bavarian pretzels and sausages, specialty beer, and mulled wine. (on your own)
Enjoy the accompanying holiday entertainment including carolers and polkas!
https://tosaholidaymarket.com/
2:30 Depart Christkindl Market; drive to Madison (1 hr. 15 minutes) after a rest stop.
4:30 Drive through the Holiday Fantasy in Lights at Olin Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct. See Madison’s beautiful light display!
5:30 Dinner on your own in Madison at a fast food stop.
6:30 Depart for La Crosse, arriving home at approximately 9:00 pm.
Have any questions about this trip? No worries, just fill out this form and we’ll get back to asap. Include your phone number if you’d just like us to give you a call back.