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For my birthday I wanted to get away from work and daily life, even if just for a night. Not wanting to stray too far from Chicago but
still see somewhere new, R and I packed our bags and headed an hour north to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was pretty excited when we crossed the border since it
was my first time in Wisconsin. It may not be the most exciting state in the US
but one of my favorite things in the world is exploring new places. I wish I
had a chance to take a picture with the Wisconsin welcome sign but we were
speeding on the expressway and deep in conversation when I
noticed we were passing the sign. I had my camera ready and as you can see in
the photo below, it’s a bit blurry, but at least I got it though.
Before heading to downtown Milwaukee R and I spent the day skiing at a small ski resort just a half hour away. This ski resort was not the size we were used to (Whistler, Breckenridge, or Tahoe) but we still had a blast seeing the local kids practice their jumps and flips in the terrain park. Most of all we enjoyed watching the annual Spring Splash Pond Skim where skiers and snowboarders of all ages came down the hill and had to skim across a small man made pond of freezing water. It was quiet entertaining to watch.
After our day of skiing we were looking forward to checking into our hotel because we knew it had a sauna and hot tub waiting for us (which didn't disappoint). While booking a hotel R and I debated over whether to stay at the typical Hilton, Marriot or Hyatt or find a hotel unique to the city. R ended up finding Hotel Metro, an art Deco boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown.
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(Wisconsin Welcomes You sign, blurry but I got it) |
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(Front entrance of Hotel Metro) |
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(Lobby of Hotel Metro) |
Designed in the mid 1930s by the architectural firm
Eschweiler & Eschweiler, Hotel Metro has been placed on the National
Register of Historic Places. The lobby welcomed us in with a glow from the
fireplace and soft music playing in the background. Our room number was 312
which we took as a sign that the room was for us because we are from Chicago were
the area code is 312. The hotel room alone was quiet unique in its design and
layout. We took a few steps into the room and walked along the curving wall that gently
spiraled us from the entrance and through our living room area and into our
bedroom. Our bathroom was a beautiful open space with a simple yet elegant Deco
vanity. (see photos below).
We couldn’t have picked a better place to stay. The moment we
arrived the hotel staff was very friendly and helped us with our car and
questions we had about the area. The valet, Jessie, was kind enough to park our car for us and help us unload our bags. R had forgot to pack a nice shirt for dinner
so we asked the hotel concierge where the nearest store was, he happily looked
up a department store and also offered us the complementary car service, a
London Cab imported from England, to take us. I couldn’t be mad at R for
forgetting shirt since we got to take a ride around Milwaukee in a London Cab.
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(Excuse the lighting, it was dark once we got to our room to I didn't have the best light. Curved wall in our room) |
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(Bedroom side of the curved wall, and yes we had two TVs in our room) |
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(Our bathroom) |
We didn’t have to stray too far from our hotel to find a delicious
Cuban restaurant, Cubanitas which was recommend to us by the assistant concierge Jessie (also known as valet Jessie) I know what you are thinking, why would we go to a Cuban
restaurant when we are in the meat, cheese and beer capital? Well lately Cuban
sandwiches have been popping up on menus at places R and I keep eating at and we
have been looking for a Cuban restaurant to try one at. We did not regret going
there. The place was packed with people when we walked in so we waited at the bar until
our table was ready, sipping on our Caipirinhas (Brazil’s national cocktail
made with half a lime, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 1 2/3 oz of Cachaça). A
delicious drink I will have to try and recreate at home.
Both of us were hungry
from not eating since lunch so we immediately ordered a plate of Cuban
Guacamole with Plantain Chips. Once our table was ready we sat down and fully
took in the atmosphere of the restaurant. From the music flowing around us to
the laughter and chatter of people sitting around us, it felt like we had been
transported to Cuba and were enjoying a night out in Havana and not Milwaukee.
After dinner we walked across the street to a nightclub for a quick drink and
to see Milwaukee nightlife. Having driven to Wisconsin and skied all day and
continued to Milwaukee we were both exhausted and made our way back to the hotel shortly after.
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(Dinner at Cubanitas) |
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(Top: R's Sandwich Cubano; Bottom: My Lechon Asado - roasted pork with rice, beans and Mojo which tasted like onions with lemon and were delicious! This picture doesn't do the meal justice) |
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(Left: Clock inside of Milwaukee Public Market; Right: Cubanitas Restaurant) |
Eager to see more of Milwaukee R and I headed downstairs for breakfast in our hotel the next morning and who were we welcomed by? None other than our waiter Jessie (also the valet and conceirge). Yes, he seemed to do it all at the hotel and was happy to see we were enjoying ourselves. We both
couldn’t resist ordering a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon, to celebrate our morning in Milwaukee and my birthday. After breakfast we
ventured out towards the Milwaukee Public Market. Just a ten minute walk across
the river and south of our hotel we found ourselves inside the market hall. The
place was filled with people eating and drinking all kinds of deliciousness. R
and I had just eaten breakfast so we didn’t try anything but the aroma enough
satisfied us.
We walked around the market, looking at the rows of chocolates,
candies, wine and especially cheese. Never have I seen so much cheese, the
display case was filled with every type of cheese imaginable. The shop that interested me the most was The
Spice House since I recently have become obsessed with finding new spices to
cook with. This new love for spices began last winter in St Lucia when I was shopping in the Castries market and bought a handful of spices to try out. There were spices of al kinds and I found a bag of pink Himalayan salt
which I had been trying to find for a while now. Pink Himalayan salt has over
eighty four minerals and elements that nourish our body and can help detoxify,
boost energy and improve digestion. I wanted to try for it for myself and see
how it tasted. Happy to have found my pink salt, R and I walked around the
neighboring blocks of the market and before heading back to the hotel for our
car.
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(Our Sunday breakfast - chocolate chip pancakes for me, banana for R) |
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(Morning walk through downtown Milwaukee) |
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(Mackie building - Chamber of Commerce Building also known as the Grain Exchange) |
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(Ice cream and candies in Milwaukee Public Market) |
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(Cheese upon cheese that wrapped around the counter in Milwaukee Public Market) |
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(The Spice House - where I bought my pink Himalayan salt) |
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(Crossing Milwaukee River) |
Before we said our goodbyes to Milwaukee R wanted to show me
the Milwaukee Art Museum he had visited during a school trip. Designed by Santiago
Calatrava, a Spanish neofuturistic architect and structural engineer, the
Milwaukee Art Museum spreads its wings along Lake Michigan’s water front. The
217 foot wingspan unfolds and folds twice a day and we were fortunate enough
to see it open. Although we didn’t have time to explore the exhibits, the
architecture and structural elements of the museum were remarkable to see. We had two kitties waiting for us back in
Chicago so we couldn’t leave them for too long.
Visiting Milwaukee even just for a brief moment was special
and R and I both got a mini break away from work and our everyday lives. I wouldn’t
have celebrated my twenty fourth birthday any other way. Next time I take the hour drive north I hope to see more of Milwaukee and stop by in a brewery for a beer.
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(Pedestrian bridge leading to the Milwaukee Art Museum) |
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(Left: Sculpture at inside the lobby of the Milwaukee Art Museum; Right: Inside the lobby looking up at the roof structure) |
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(Looking out towards Lake Michigan) |
Links to things I mentioned in my post:
x the Adventurer
It IS nice to get a break from everyday life. I would like to see the Milwaukee Public Market someday, so a trip may be in order, but maybe in the summer. I am so over the cold, hah!
ReplyDeletearoseisinbloom.blogspot.com
it was a great escape and we were lucky to have a sunny sunday morning. i would definitely recommend checking the market out =o)
DeleteGreat photos! Amazing places!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Love from www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
thank you =o) it was a great city to see!
DeleteWow such amazing clicks...I have stayed in Wisconsin..and loved the place...but never got a chance visit Milwaukee...but thank you for sharing these museum pictures...LOVE your blog girl. Your new follower on Bloglovin. Stay connected.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Epsita
www.thepositivewindow.com
thank you! you definitely have to check out Milwaukee, its such a fun little city to explore =o) thanks for the follow as well =o)
DeleteLooks like a great trip! Hugs, Kait
ReplyDeletewww.makeminemaroon.com
thank you it really was =o)
Deletelooks lovely!
ReplyDeletexx
http://thedemeler.com
thank you =o)
DeleteMilwaukee looks like a beautiful city, I've personally never been and would love to go! Love your shots!
ReplyDeletexo, alice / T Y P E N U
thank you! you have to visit =o)
Deletehttp://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
Looks like a fun trip! Great photos - never been to Milwaukee but it looks fantastic!
ReplyDeletexx, Caitlin
www.wandererandwolf.com
you have to venture out sometime, it was fun! =o)
DeleteHope you had a great birthday getaway! I have actually only been to Milwaukee once for a wedding, but we absolutely loved it. Next time we're there we definitely have to stop at the market - it looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe market was the best find! hope you make it back there =o)
Deleteincredible photos!! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Animated Confessions
thank you! i hope you have a lovely week too =o)
DeleteLooks like you had a great time! Milwaukee looks so fun, especially that public market :3 And that hotel bathroom!! <3
ReplyDeletehttp://www.deasynoel.com
we did thank you =o) the market was fun to explore
Deletehttp://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
Aw. this is such a lovely place to go to. I know you are coming to London soon. Look forward to your new post about your adventure. :)
ReplyDeletewww.lifewithalk.blogspot.com
thank you =o) and yes I am this summer! can't wait
Deletehttp://dreamofadventures.blogspot.com/
Awww, look like a great way to celebrate your birthday! Milwaukee looks really cool, like a hidden gem people should visit at least once hahah <3
ReplyDeletexx Bash | go say H E Y B A S H
it really was a hidden gem =o) i would never have known and we not visited it =o)
Deleteawesome place! Thank you for share!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.queenhorsfall.com/
it was a great city to visit! thanks for stopping by =o)
DeleteI love that view looking out to Lake Michigan. Living so far away I wouldn't even know what to expect Wisconsin to look like, so posts like this are always really interesting for me. Love the look of those choc chip pancakes as well!
ReplyDeletewww.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Wisconsin is a great little find and if you are ever in this part of the world I hope you get to explore it too =o)
Delete