Wisconsin Wellness Getaway: Best Things to Do

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Travel can heal, and wellness travel is a major trend over the past few years. As a wellness traveler, I’ve experienced it all on the East Coast, from retreats in Vermont, spa trips in Philadelphia and iridology readings in NYC.

In my search for the next wellness destination, I discovered a best-kept secret in the Midwest—Wisconsin. Home to beer, cheese and sports, you can find hidden gems in Dairyland for serenity. I visited Wisconsin for a solo wellness trip in three cities. Here are my recommendations for places to relish, rest and restore for a wellness retreat in Wisconsin.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.

Welcome to Milwaukee

Colorful mural of African American man with the words: "Voting Rights are Human Rights" surrounding his head. Around him are words like "liberation movement", "equality", and "we are related" with geometric shapes in the background. — Enjoy Milwaukee’s art scene that resets the soul. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

A city home to food, festivals and fun from the bar to the stadium. Welcome to Milwaukee, my first stop when I landed in Wisconsin. I love the ease of navigation with streetcars, colorful murals downtown and a comfortable city vibe.

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To Relish: Avli

A white dish filled with a Greek salad with olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions with feta cheese block on top. A white plate with a cheese soufflé and rosemary sprig. A cream colored drink in a glass with a sprig of mint and nutmeg sprinkle. — Nourishing my body with Rizogalo mocktail, Greek Salad and Moussaka. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

Relish in fresh food and refreshing drinks at Avli, a Greek restaurant that creates contemporary twists on classic dishes. This chic restaurant transported me to a hilltop in Greece despite overlooking the Milwaukee skyline.

What to Order:

Greek Salad with a blend of olives, tomatoes and a block of feta cheese on top
Moussaka, a soufflé with eggplant, graviera and beef. This warm and gooey dish made my evening feel luxurious with each bite
Rizogalo mocktail, a pistachio-forward mocktail with tons of flavor

To Rest: The Pfister Hotel

A cool-tone living room with a couch, table, and two chairs. A taupe bedroom with a king-size bed with white sheets and pillows. A writing desk with a book, four photos on the wall, and a lamp on the desk. — Cozy living in my suite at the Pfister Hotel. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

Look no further for five-star rest and relaxation than The Pfister Hotel. Opened in 1893, this hotel embodies the Romanesque Revival aesthetic. Centering on extravagance and refined details makes it perfect for any wellness getaway. Suites have a living room section for relaxing or enjoying room service. The King-sized bed and plush bedsheets whisked me away to dreamland after a long day of exploring Milwaukee. The Pfister offers high-end wellness for travelers looking for a touch of luxury in the Midwest.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Do a hotel staycation: start by booking a reiki session at the hotel’s wellness spa, enjoy lunch at their cafe and have evening mocktails at their Blue Club—all without leaving the property.

To Restore: HoneyBee Sage Wellness Cafe

Barista pouring honey into a cup of tea at the cafeAn African-American woman standing in front of natural products and paintings. She wears a head wrap, bee jewelry, and glasses.Multiple jars of herbs on a shelf with golden labels. — My heart is full of tea and good vibes at the HoneyBee Sage Wellness Cafe. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin and Travel Wisconsin

Find a corner of peace in Milkauwee with a visit to HoneyBee Sage Wellness Cafe. Owned by herbalist Angela Mallet, the cafe champions herbal remedies for the wellness of the communities in Milkauwee. I sipped on the Pressure Release tea, a blend of rosehip, hibiscus and passionflower. The space bursts with high energy from the rows of herbs and cozy couches for relaxing with a good book. My visit to HoneyBee uplifted my spirit and prepared me for the drive to the next location on my trip: Kenosha.

Other Wellness Highlights in Milwaukee

Discourse C offee for a craft caffeine mocktail
The Grohmann Museum for its sculpture garden and eclectic art
Jam out at Summerfest to all your favorite artists this summer

City: Kenosha

A quaint building in front of a lighthouse on a street. In the background is the ocean. — Seaside breezes nourish the spirit in Kenosha. Photo credit: Visit Kenosha

A city only a short drive from Chicago, Kenosha is a hidden gem located on Lake Michigan. My second stop in Wisconsin offers sights like the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum. Most quintessential Wisconsin vibes: the Mars Cheese Castle for curds and cheesy trinkets.

Relish: The Apis Restaurant

A bartender crafting a cocktail at the bar.A wine glass with red liquid at the bottom and clear liquid at the top with a orange garnish and rosemary sprig.Small plates of food including a bowl of olives, calamari with a sauce on the side, and focaccia slices. — Mocktails and bites at the chic Apis for an evening on the town. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin and Visit Kenosha

This trendy Italian steakhouse is in the center of downtown. The black and white interior feels sophisticated yet comfortable for a night of wining and dining. Apis offers delicious Italian cuisine in Kenosha.

What to Order:

House-baked focaccia is crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The rosemary and balsamic added an herbal touch
Fried Calamari with a chili aioli sauce. A great choice of a shareable or all to yourself
Aperitivo Spritz mocktail. It captures the essence of a traditional spritz, featuring juicy citrus flavors, bold tartness and just a hint of bitterness

Rest: The Stella Hotel & Ballroom

Exterior of a building with a sign that says "The Stella" with flowers surrounding it. A living room with two red chairs, three windows, a couch, and a tv.A white kind-sized bed with a dog pillow on the bed and with two deer photos overhead. — Finding peace and quiet at The Stella Hotel & Ballroom. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin and Stella Hotel & Ballroom

A kitschy modern hotel in the heart of downtown Kenosha that has cute dog pillows? Welcome to The Stella Hotel & Ballroom. I stayed in the Heritage Suite during my time in Kenosha. The room had a living area, a retro microwave and mini fridge and a huge bed with the cutest dog pillow. Guests can dine at any one of the three restaurants on site for a bite to eat. Plus, they left a homemade cookie in my room. A sweet touch after traveling all day. Visit The Stella Hotel & Ballroom when in Kenosha!

Restore: Art Class at Lemon Street Gallery

A hand holding a stained glass leaf with brown and earth tones in the glass.The author and instructor smiling with the completed stained glass.An art display of various pots, glassware, and paintings on the wall. — Embracing my inner child with stained glass making at the Lemon Street Gallery. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

Explore your creativity with a stained glass class taught by Melanie Hovey, an artist with over two decades of experience. During the class, students went over glass cutting, using cutters and selecting a pattern. I picked a leaf design and traced the design on the glass with a marker. Then I cut the pieces and smoothed them on a wet stone machine. Finally, I soldered pieces together for my final piece. The hands-on and accepting atmosphere at Lemon Street Gallery makes this class ideal for anyone to explore stained glass artistry.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Check out the gallery on-site to see and purchase local art in Kenosha

Other sites for wellness in Kenosha:

Tour of Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum for an adventure in the woods (and check out their chicken coop)
Eat at Anna’s on the Lake for a view of the harbor at lunch
Visit the Mars Cheese Castle for all your cheesy needs

City: Kohler

A bird's eye view of the American Club hotel with autumnal trees in the background — Meditate on life while being tucked away in the woods at Kohler. Photo credit: Destination Kohler

Kohler is a community away from it all. A village created by the Kohler Company (yes, the hardware from showerheads to toilets, Kohler Company) in the 1900s still operates today. The village houses the iconic hotel: The American Club, along with golf courses, spas and restaurants. The abundance of nature makes it a place for rejuvenation away from daily life.

To Relish: Blackwolf Run

Multiple plates of bread, cheese, jams, and veggies.On a brown plate there are roasted sweet potatoes with dried cherries and kale.On a white plate a piece of salmon on top of rice. There is broccoli on the side. — Feast fit for a self-care queen at the Blackwolf Run. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

Dine, only a short drive away from The American Club, at Blackwolf Run. A log-cabin-lodge-style restaurant that curates farm-to-table cuisine for their guests. At my last meal in Wisconsin, I had a bit of everything on their menu, including famous local cheeses. This meal was the highlight of my evening in Kohler.

What to Order:

Toasted Crostini features whipped ricotta with hot honey and garlic chili crisp for a sweet-spicy mix
Wisconsin Bread Cheese offers smoky flavors with sweet-tart berry compote on the side
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with dried cherries and hot honey dressing, a lighter option
Honey-Garlic King Salmon with wild rice

Rest: The American Club

A tan bedroom with a white king-sized bed and side lamps on the wall at The American Club.A living room with two brown chairs, a cream couch, TV and sink. — Beauty sleep is a must at The American Club. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin

Rest in style at The American Club, a Tudor-style 1918 hotel with Ivy League aesthetics. Each room has a sitting area for lounging. I love the bathroom with the three shower heads and an assortment of Diptyque products for use. Located in the center of everything, making it easy to get to one of their nine restaurants, four golf courses or spend time at my favorite spot—their spa.

SheBuysTravel: They have on-site shuttles for guest use, so make your way into town or one of their restaurants without having to lift a finger! Simply let the front desk know you’d like a shuttle and they will send one out ASAP.

Restore: Kohler Waters Spa

A chic white interior with the front desk that says "Kohler Water Spa".A woman walking in a robe past the pool area.The author in the locker room of the spa with a robe on. — Take a dip in the pool or indulge in a massage at Kohler Waters Spa. Photo credit: Sonjirose Chin and Destination Kohler

Recenter the body, mind and spirit with a visit to Kohler Waters Spa. A paradise tucked away in the American Club property, the Kohler Waters Spa. The only five-star spa in the state with an ice cave, whirlpool, sauna, steam room with a cool plunge and relaxation pool. The Hydrotherapy Circuit at the spa left my body feeling evaluated, realigned and surprisingly buzzy. It helps with muscle relaxation and regulates stress levels. I would recommend this circuit to anyone looking to experience high-level wellness for the day.

A Memorable Massage Experience

I wanted something truly out there and decided on the Sound Bowl Massage. My masseuse, River, had a soft aura that made me feel welcome. River’s delicate touch soothed my sore muscles. Halfway through the massage came the sound of bowls. She put the sound bowls on my back and played them to align with my chakras. The vibrations sank to my core and I left the massage feeling serene. I highly recommend it for anyone visiting the Kohler Water Spa.

SheBuysTravel Tip: If staying at The American Club, take the underground tunnel to the spa. The hotel features fascinating decor inspired by historical events.