A weekly column written by the staff of Discover Wisconsin highlights things to do and see throughout the State of Wisconsin, and is made available for publication to members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association. The column is accompanied by photos for use in print and online. The Discover Wisconsin logo can be downloaded here.
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Things That Feel Like Home to Wisconsinites
1. Lambeau Field
Even if Green Bay isn’t your hometown, it’s impossible to feel out of place at Lambeau Field. Just look to your left and see Bill, the friendly fan covered head to toe in blaze orange, and look to your right and see Joan decked out in green and gold and topped with a foam cheesehead. You’re in good company.
2. Cheese platters
No matter where you go, no matter how homesick you are, just put a plate of cheese (bonus points for summer sausage) under your nose and you’re right at home.
3. Snow
We may complain about it. A lot. But if you stuck us in Hawaii over the holiday season, it just wouldn’t feel right. Okay, maybe we’ll try it just one year.
4. Country roads
We’ve all been stuck behind a tractor on a country road. You can’t be in a hurry while driving down a winding country road. It’s just the way it goes, and you wouldn’t have it any other way.
5. Old-Fashioneds
Can’t you just taste it now? Regardless of where you live or where you’re traveling, the Old-Fashioned is a staple in Wisconsin and will always taste like home.
6. Lakes
With 15,000 lakes in the state of Wisconsin, it’s safe to say most Wisconsinites spend a significant amount of time in, on, or near lakes. Whether swimming, boating, fishing or ice fishing, Wisconsin’s lakes are sure to feel like home.
7. Brats
“Ya want a brat?” is a question you’ve heard at least 100 times in your life. Close your eyes and focus really hard, and I bet you can smell beer-boiled brats on the grill. Smells like home.
8. Oktoberfest
A majority of us haven’t set foot in Germany, yet nothing feels more like home than a beer stein, some lederhosen, a Bavarian pretzel and a good polka.
9. Supper Clubs
It’s tough to pin-point just what makes a supper club feel like a supper club. Is it the food? The décor? The location? Whatever it is, it feels like home.
10. Sitting in a tree stand
If you’ve been upset about missing opening weekend for a wedding, you might be from Wisconsin. If you own more blaze orange than any other color, you might be from Wisconsin. If you have venison packed away in your freezer, you might be from Wisconsin.
Wisconsin feels like home in so many ways. For those of you who have left, what do you take with you that feels like home? Share with us on social media using #discoverwisconsin.
Kristen Finstad is a member of the Discover Wisconsin crew. Having grown up in River Falls, attending UW-Stevens Point and now living in Madison, she’s a Wisconsin girl through and through. Watch Discover Wisconsin TV Saturday mornings at 10 on Fox Sports Wisconsin. (Twitter: @DiscoverWI)
