Post-Tour FAM Trips
Door County Stevens Point Area Lake Geneva
Door County
Early fall in Door County is the perfect blend of lingering summer warmth and the first hints of autumn color. Spend the day picking apples in a local orchard and climbing historic lighthouses for sweeping shoreline views. In between, sample standout flavors from Door County’s first-ever James Beard Award finalists and sip a new appellation wine from the Wisconsin Ledge AVA, Ledge Blanc, marking exciting milestones for the local food and beverage scene. It’s a season filled with fresh tastes, golden light, and unforgettable experiences.
Day 1:
- Pick up in Eau Claire, 3.5-hour drive
- Lunch at Cultured, Sourdough Bakery (James Beard Finalist)
- Check in and relax at the newly renovated Spruce and Shore or Fresh Coast Motel in Fish Creek
- Optional Sway Brewery Visit (James Beard Finalist)
- Walk to dinner at Barringer’s
- Waterfront sunset and “Murder Girl,” a Wisconsin supper club-themed mystery at Peninsula Players Theater.
Day 2:
- Lunch at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Tour/Eagle Tower Visit
- Apple picking at Lautenbach’s
- Mixed Meadia Wines Ledge Blanc Tasting
- Cana Island Lighthouse
Day 3:
- Walk to White Gull Inn for breakfast
- Optional Jacksonport Farm Market
- Optional visit to Door County Maritime Museum
- Departures
Physical requirements: Walking short distances, stairs
Stevens Point Area
Stevens Point Area Fall Bucket List: Where outdoor adventure, elevated dining, and unexpected experiences meet in the heart of Wisconsin.
Just a scenic drive from Eau Claire, the Stevens Point Area offers a refreshing mix of outdoor recreation, culinary creativity, and uniquely local experiences, perfect for storytellers looking to uncover something new in the Midwest.
Day 1:
- Travel from Eau Claire
- Behind the Scenes Tour of Point Brewery
- Supper Club Experience
Day 2:
- Breakfast at Ruby Coffee Roasters
- Exclusive golf lessons at SentryWorld golf course
- Lunch at PJ's at SentryWorld
- Free time in the downtown area
- Dinner at Father Fats
Day 3:
- Breakfast at The Wooden Chair
- Tour of The Wellness Spa/School/AirBnB
- Enjoy a segment or 2 of The Green Circle Trail before departing to CWA
Physical requirements: biking (with e-bikes)
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva has been a beloved Midwestern escape for more than a century, and this post-conference trip invites journalists to step directly into a legacy that generations of travelers have enjoyed. From gilded-era estates to storied lakeside retreats, the destination’s vibrant past still shapes its character today. Attendees will explore the people, places, and treasured moments that transformed Lake Geneva into a nationally known vacation haven known as the “Newport of the West” and “Hamptons of Chicago”. It’s an opportunity to uncover rich history, compelling storylines, and fresh angles that continue to resonate with travelers today.
Day 1:
- Pick up in Eau Claire. Arrive in Lake Geneva
- Lunch at Oakfire Pizza overlooking Geneva Lake
- Check into lodging accommodations at Maxwell Mansion, the first 1850s-era luxury mansion in Lake Geneva
- Guided walk on the Geneva Lake Shore Path for an up-close view of historic mansions and estates
- End at Oak & Oar at The Geneva Inn for dinner overlooking the lake
Day 2:
- Coffee and light breakfast at The Porch in Downtown Lake Geneva
- Walk to the famed Riviera Plaza & Ballroom on the Geneva Lake shore
- Lake Geneva Cruise Line narrated boat tour on the area’s history, including Gilded Age era homes along the lakeshore (box lunch included)
- Arrive by boat to Black Point Estate & Gardens for a tour of this 1887 beer baron’s retreat
- Boat cruise back to Riviera
- Honey Tasting and cocktails at Maxwell Mansion
- Dinner at 1878 on the Lake, Lake Lawn Resort’s premier dining experience overlooking Delavan Lake, and home to a unique 19th-century circus legacy
Day 3:
- Breakfast at 240 West at The Abbey Resort on Geneva Lake’s western shore
- Tour of Pearce’s Farm Stand, a third-generation farm operation and popular visitor destination
- Cooking class and lunch at Lake Geneva School of Cooking, led by the celebrated chef and author, John Bogan
- An in-depth and out-of-this-world experience at Yerkes Observatory, home to the world’s largest refracting telescope and known as the birthplace of modern astrophysics
- Tour and tasting at Duesterbeck’s Brewing Co., a reimagined endeavor on the family’s 150-year-old farm
- Dinner at Mars Resort, a classic Wisconsin supper club nestled on the shore of Lake Como since 1923
Day 4:
- Transportation to departing airports
Physical requirements: The Blackpoint Estate tour involves approximately 100 steps up from the boat dock to the home. However, alternate transportation can be arranged to arrive by car instead of boat cruise. Geneva Lake Shore path walk can be altered to distance preferable to group.