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Taking a few days away from the everyday bustle is so worthwhile. That’s certainly how I felt after my getaway to lovely Port Washington, Wisconsin. With the turning of the seasons, I wanted to get out and explore somewhere new. A friend of mine suggested Port Washington, which is just 30 minutes north of Milwaukee. She’s been going there with her family for years. When I heard about the historic downtown, the lighthouse, and the beautiful scenery on Lake Michigan, I was hooked. From my first glimpse of the city, I was awestruck by how picturesque Port Washington is. It reminded me of a charming New England fishing village, yet there I was on the shores of Lake Michigan!
Port Washington Bay
Getaway to Lovely Port Washington Wisconsin
My first order of business was to check into the Port Hotel. This elegant bed and breakfast is in the perfect location for exploring the city. It features 10 unique and beautiful rooms, many with gorgeous views of the harbor. I can’t say enough about these wonderful accommodations. Between the fireplace and the whirlpool tub, I had everything I needed for a relaxing stay. The room service breakfast was superb. I can personally recommend the eggs benedict prime rib and the kailua pecan waffles, but I’m certain that anything they serve is delicious. After a big breakfast, it was time to get out for some exercise. Fortunately, the weather was amazing. I asked at the front desk about renting a bicycle, and was pointed in the direction of a local shop. After finding a rental bike for my size, I was off to explore the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. Riding along the 30 miles of the trail just might be the best way to get acquainted with Port Washington and neighboring communities. It’s fully paved, and offers some great opportunities for seeing birds and wildlife.
After a nice long ride, I was ready to explore on foot. I headed into Port Washington’s historic downtown. The shopping here is quaint and incredible. I love that all of the stores are housed in 19th century buildings. It really is a charming area for finding unique, one-of-a-kind shops. I included the harbor area in my explorations, and enjoyed seeing schools of fish, ducks, seagulls, and a few fish jumping. I stopped for a wonderful lunch at the Dockside Deli.
I was completely intrigued by this beautiful town, so I decided to spend some time looking into its history. A guided tour of the Judge Eghart House demonstrated how people lived in Port Washington during the Victorian era. I also wandered to the nearby town of Saukville to visit the fascinating Ozaukee County Pioneer Village. The village features 24 historic buildings from the area. With plenty of costumed re-enactors on hand, visiting here was a lot like stepping back in time. Whether I was cycling on the trails or walking the boardwalk, I encountered many friendly faces. Port Washington is very welcoming of visitors, and the people all have wonderful recommendations for things to do and places to go. I’m already planning a return trip so I can be there for one of the community festivals.
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