10 reasons you should visit Sheboygan, the "Malibu of the Midwest"

Photo courtesy of Travel Wisconsin

You'll wonder if you're actually in California

You would never expect doubly landlocked Wisconsin to be a haven for hanging ten, yet Sheboygan has been affectionately dubbed the "Malibu of the Midwest" by the surf crowd.

Resting on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city of Sheboygan is the freshwater surf capital of the world, boasting some of the best waves on the Great Lakes.

Sheboygan County itself is also full of surprises. Here are 10 that you should experience yourself.

Photo courtesy of Kohler Co.

The American Club

The centerpiece of Destination Kohler, this five-star, five-diamond boutique hotel has quite a storied history. Built in 1918 by Walter J. Kohler to house the employees who helped manufacture his bathroom products, the former dormitory will be home to 2020’s Ryder Cup golfers.

The tournament itself will be held on The Straits at Whistling Straits, one of Kohler’s four courses – all of which are considered among the best in the country.

Don’t worry if you don’t play golf, though. The American Club is filled with homey spaces to explore, settle into and, best of all, to eat. Stay long enough for a meal in each of its unique restaurants, from the Horse & Plow tavern to the elegant Wisconsin Room to the award-winning The Immigrant, where six rooms pay homage to the culinary heritage of the French, Dutch, German, Norman, Danish and English settlers of Wisconsin.

There are lots more eateries, shops and activities, and you could easily spend a weekend checking out all the treasures in the surrounding village, one of the first planned communities in the United States.

Photo courtesy of Kohler Co.

Kohler Waters Spa

This five-star spa – one of only 64 worldwide – is a destination in itself. Sure, you can opt for all kinds of indulgent services from massages to facials to mani/pedis, but where Kohler really stands out is in its bathing treatments.

Try the Acoustic Bath, Harmony Bath or RiverBath, which immerses you in the soothing flow of river currents and soft color hues. There are also a variety of unique hydrotherapy treatments including Healing Waters, Cascading Waterfall Massage and Rain Man, all of which feature a Kohler Custom Vichy shower.

Luckily, the three-story Kohler Design Center is nearby so you can turn your home into a healing environment, as well.

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Photo courtesy of Bookworm Gardens

Bookworm Gardens

This literary-themed garden may be inspired by children’s books but it’s just as appealing for adults.

Imaginations aren’t the only things growing in this magical setting. Check out the tree dedicated to Horton hatching the egg, the greens where Connor the Caddie hopes to achieve his golf dreams, Winnie-the-Pooh’s Hundred Acre Wood house and so much more.

You can even borrow the books that go along with them, planting seeds for future generations of readers.

Photo courtesy of John Michael Kohler Arts Center

John Michael Kohler Arts Center

This delightful celebration of the eccentric and whimsical turns the idea of a museum upside down, removing the stuffiness and focusing on the actual art. Twelve galleries feature paintings, sculptures and multimedia installations that are a joy to behold.

The best examples of the Arts Center’s welcoming philosophy can actually be found in their world-famous public washrooms. Designed by artists, each one has its own theme and is so appealing, you may find yourself spending an inordinate time in the restrooms.

Photo courtesy of The Osthoff Resort

The Osthoff Resort

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2020, this stunning lakeside resort has become an annual tradition for so many families who love gathering by the fireplace in the lobby’s cozy Elk Room and taking advantage of the myriad indoor and outdoor activities available. You can take a cooking class, enjoy farm-to-table meals at the beautiful Lola’s on the Lake and swim in the indoor pool all year round.

Summer is all about the lake and private beach, while winter revolves around the extraordinary Old World Christmas Market. Gorgeous during any season, the Osthoff is a special place that feels so much like home, you’ll wish it were.

Photo courtesy of The Osthoff Resort

Aspira Spa

Aspira means "infused with spirit," and this tranquil spa pays homage to the Native Americans who lived on the lake, creating a sacred foundation for a journey of the mind, body and spirit.

That reverence for nature and the Indigenous people is evident in the thoughtfully-designed space and treatments. Start your visit in the lovely Meditation Sanctuary before giving yourself over to the nurturing hands of the skillful therapists, whether they’re pampering you with the Wild Chamomile/Ancient Cedar Pedissage, the centuries-old Moroccan Hammam or the Balneotherapy Bath in ChromoTub.

End your stay with a healthy lunch or smoothie at the Spa Café, and leave content and satiated.

Photo courtesy of Elkhart Lake Tourism

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

One of only eleven National Scenic Trails in the country, this thousand-mile footpath highlights a unique landscape which was sculpted by a huge flow of glacial ice more than 12,000 years ago.

Considered the best place in the world to see certain glacial features like drumlins and eskers, the trail lies entirely within Wisconsin and is a great place to hike, backpack and snowshoe. Although the trail itself is only half complete, it gives you a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the Badger State and connect with other people, communities and yourself.

Photo courtesy of Elkhart Lake Tourism

Two Fish Gallery and Sculpture Garden

Leave some room in your suitcase because, once you step inside ceramicist Patrick Robison’s easily recognized, colorful Mission-style bungalow, you’ll want to bring home pieces from his lovingly curated collection of fine craft, fine art and fair trade works.

Robison doesn’t just support handmade art, though. He creates it – and he teaches others how to create, as well. Pick up some of his stoneware, bird houses or garden sculptures to adorn your own space. And, if you’re spending an extended period of time in Elkhart Lake, take a class with him to hone your own creativity and get your hands dirty.

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Photo courtesy of Blue Harbor Resort

Blue Harbor Resort

This beachy resort will have you checking your map, convinced you must be on one of the coasts! Not only can you make castles in the sand or walk along the shore, you can even go sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.

What makes this resort an unparalleled family destination is its 54,000-square-foot entertainment area and water park. Even in the middle of a Wisconsin winter, you can splash around in your bathing suit, drink in hand, in a safe and supervised area where it’s always a balmy 84 degrees.

Photo courtesy of Visit Sheboygan

Lino Ristorante Italiano

Lino Autiero has been perfecting the art of Italian food for 35 years, standing at the helm of five-star restaurants in Los Angeles and Italy.

His homey space, located on the Sheboygan River in the South Pier District, conjures up a warm and welcoming Mediterranean atmosphere. And the food! Oh, the food! Everything is authentic and homemade, and will make you swear you’re back in Autiero’s hometown on the Amalfi Coast.