A Milwaukee-Area Bed and Breakfast, The Port Washington Inn

For 58 years the Van Ells-Schanen American Legion Post 82  has geared up for their all-you-can-eat Smelt Dinner.  This weekend is the time and the American Legion Hall is the place (Friday 4:30-9:00,  Saturday 5:30-9:30).

Adults feast for $10, kids for $4.  Carry Out is available by calling 262-284-4690.

A little known fact:  the Memorial Building where the smelt are served was once the Port Brewing Company owned by George Blessing, who built a lovely home on Sweetcake Hill that is now the Port Washington Inn Bed and  Breakfast.

Fish Day, a festival celebrating Port Washington’s fishing heritage, will celebrate its 44th year in 2010. It is always held the third Saturday of July and without a doubt brings more people into Port Washington than any other day of the year.

The warm months of the year are predictably desirable times to visit a lakeshore location and Lake Michigan draws thousands to its shoreline each year. Port Washington is a favorite spot because of its quaint charm, its walkable environment, and the fact that it typically doesn’t feel overrun with tourists. Fish Day is the exception, however, as thousands of people arrive to enjoy the festival.

Increasingly the Port Washington Inn receives reservation requests for Fish Day a year in advance, not only because of the festival itself but also because mid July is prime time in our area. Because of this, our policies for bookings inclusive of that 3rd Saturday in July fall under the category of HIGH DEMAND DATES and are handled as follows:

1) January 1st of the year of the reserved dates, a 50% NONREFUNDABLE DEPOSIT is required to hold the reservation. This may be charged to a Mastercard or VISA or paid by a check received by that date.

2) The remaining 50% balance due for the reserved dates is payable 30 days prior to the stay (also by check or Mastercard/VISA). This 50% amount is refundable with 15 day notice. With less than 15 day notice, we will issue a CREDIT CERTIFICATE for this amount that is valid for one year.

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There are a variety of farm market opportunities in our area. Port Washington’s Farmer’s Market is held on Saturday mornings and our guests often report having found treasures there. Cedarburg (Fridays), Grafton (Thursdays), and Thiensville (Tuesdays) have markets throughout the week and we also rely upon farms that market their produce on site and often allow customers to pick their own vegetables, berries, apples, and grapes.

The map pinpoints the location of these on site farm markets which we so appreciate!
Click the blue markers to access names, addresses, and contact information for each location.

Some of Port Washington’s attractions cannot be pinpointed on a map: Interurban Bike Trail, the Sauk Creek Nature Preserve, the Art Deco Lighthouse in the harbor, Sauk Creek, the Historic Walking Tour (P.W. has significant architecture predating the civil war)!

Double click on the blue markers to see the name and contact information.

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One of the distinctive sounds we’ve grown accustomed to
since moving to Port Washington is the honking of geese as they wing their way between the shoreline of Lake Michigan and areas inland.

In Iowa where we grew up, pheasants were common but geese were not!
They offer entertainment throughout the winter as they arrow through the skies.

A walk along the harbor gives ample opportunity to observe the antics of a variety of ducks bobbing about in the water.

Geese, ducks, gulls are ever present and a myriad of other birds are sighted as they move through the area during their spring and fall migrations.

Ample viewing areas overlooking the shoreline make Port Washington a birding paradise!

At the Port Washington Inn our guests can pick up the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail Lake Michigan Region AND the Ozaukee Trailside Birding Guide.

Then they can walk to the lakeshore
and Interurban Trail with binoculars and cameras in hand to capture the moment!

This new Birding Guide was just published and is available at the inn.

Quoting from the guide:

It is certainly true that Ozaukee County is for the birds.
Our geographic location and divergent land uses create a great environment for birds and for bird watching.
Some of the best birding in Wisconsin, throughout the year, is done at key locations in the County.
During migration, the Lake Michigan shoreline guides numerous species of ducks, geese, gulls, hawks, shorebirds, and many Neotropical migrant landbirds to their breeding and wintering sites within, and far away from, Ozaukee County.

The Milwaukee River corridor provides important feeding and resting habitat to a multitude of migrating warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and wrens.
The fields, forests, and farmsteads also serve as breeding habitat for many of these species.
We also have our resident woodpeckers, cardinals, finches, chickadees, and jays that brave the winter and stay fed at our feeders.

The Port Washington Inn’s location is perfect for accessing the
Birding Hotspots within Port Washinton:
the Interurban Trail, Upper Lake Park, the Port Washington Harbor, and the Port Washington Ravine.

Port Washington is also a good central point along the trail making it easy to venture south or north of the city for uniquely differing experiences of the trail.

Take one of our Gourmet Picnics with you for the day and you will be birdwatching without interruption!

The beauty of a winter landscape softened by snow is magical; there is a peacefulness that can be most appreciated as you hike, cross country ski, or snowshoe such Ozaukee County treasures as Riveredge Nature Center, Harrington Beach State Park, and the Interurban Trail. With miles of trails including vistas of Lake Michigan, the Milwaukee River, and fields connecting picturesque towns, your outdoor time will be full of fresh air and plenty of photo opportunities. Plan your trek to include stopping points at small towns along the Interurban Trail or let the Port Washington Inn provide a steaming thermos of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, or cider, and some high energy treats to sustain you!

Bahr Creek Llamas & Fiber Studio

Originally uploaded by port_washington_inn
What a delight to step into the Fiber Studio at Bahr Creek Llama Farm! If you take inspiration from beautiful yarns and fibers, you WILL be inspired!! Everywhere you turn there are beautifully creative samples and gorgeous skeins of yarn.

There are also classes in felting, weaving, spinning, knitting and crocheting.

Check out their website at www.bahrcreek.com

Brigitte is open to planning a class (minimum of 3 people who want to do the same thing).

Gather your friends, arrange a time (call 262-668-6417),

then reserve rooms at the Port Washington Inn. Look for our winter women’s specials.

Interurban Bike Trail in AutumnOriginally uploaded by port_washington_inn

Enjoy the colors of autumn as you bike the Interurban Trail throughout beautiful Ozaukee County!

Bike trail access is 3 blocks from Port Washington Inn where your bikes can be securely stored. Bikes can be rented from Grafton & Port Ski & Cyclery by calling 262-377-5220 in advance of your stay.

For more information on the trail visit www.interurbantrail.us

Fw: Emailing: chimneys07

Originally uploaded by port_washington_inn
Wave the magic wand and imagine yourself as Alfred Lunt or Lynn Fontanne; act your parts in earnest in the spirit of Lunt and Fontanne whose passion for excellence and commitment to the art of live theatre was legendary. Now transport yourself to their longstanding summer residence in Genesee Deport, just 30 miles from Milwaukee, 55 miles from Port Washington.

For more information about this National Historic Landmark, log onto www.tenchimneys.org or call 262-968-4110. Tours are available rain or shine May 1st through Novemeber 10th, Tuesday through Saturday.