Locally owned restaurants are plentiful – many are family-owned with multiple generations on staff. This makes the dining experience extra special with locally sourced food, fresh ingredients, seasonal menus, and customized dishes. In late February each year, the community’s delicious dining scene is celebrated with Kenosha Restaurant Week.

Come for the food and stay to explore! Downtown Kenosha is located just steps from Lake Michigan. Its shopping and dining district is a mix of historic charm and modern vibes, with multiple opportunities to get on the water. Ride an authentic Electric Streetcar along the harbor!

Kenosha is a community full of history and culture. Three historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places – with a fourth one listed as a locally designated historic district. A plaque in the Library Park Historic District notes the 1915 birthplace of acclaimed actor, writer, director, and producer Orson Welles.

Within a one-mile radius are five memorable museums. At the Civil War Museum, learn the contributions of the Upper Middle West – Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio – to the Civil War. View “Seeing the Elephant” which focuses on the personal experiences and accounts of citizen soldiers. The museum is one of just a handful of venues nationwide using 360-degree movie technology. Broadcast journalist Bill Kurtis is the narrator.

Dive into Kenosha’s extensive automotive history at the Kenosha History Center. Currently on display is the 1962 Rambler American from the “3rd Rock from the Sun” television show, which is part of the museum’s collection. The next Kenosha Homecoming Car Show, hosted by the museum, will be held in July 2025.

See the famous excavated-in-Kenosha mammoths at the Kenosha Public Museum. Travel back in time 237 million years ago to the present at the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. Climb a lighthouse at the seasonal Southport Light Station Museum.

Pedal Tours in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Take a pedal tour through downtown, laugh out loud at a comedy show, see a theater production, attend a concert, go axe throwing, and more. Enjoy art galleries, DIY art studios, and outdoor art. See the sculpture that commemorates the second stop on the Winter Dance Party Tour (Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Dion and the Belmonts). In the summer, visit Bristol Renaissance Faire for an immersive living history experience.

Outdoor adventures include skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing at Wilmot Mountain and ziplining at Boundless Adventures, an aerial adventure park. Be sure to bring your bike to experience more than 150 miles of dedicated bike lanes and signed routes in Kenosha County – as well as the oldest operating velodrome in the country.

Go take a hike! Trails, nature programs, and more can be enjoyed at Bristol Woods Park with its Pringle Nature Center, Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, and Richard Bong State Recreation Area. The Charles and Kathryn Heide Observatory is located at Hawthorn Hollow and houses what is currently the largest public-serving telescope in southeastern Wisconsin. Enjoy birdwatching at Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area, which has been designated a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention.

Use VisitKenosha.com to start planning your getaway to Kenosha.

The post Dinner & a Show in Kenosha, Wisconsin appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Your food tour begins on historic Seminary Street, home to several restaurants catering to all tastes. At the Landmark Cafe´ and Crêperie, enjoy a savory and sweet crepe, their famous spinach bisque or the ever popular chicken pot pie. In spring and summer, take advantage of the great weather while enjoying your meal in their outdoor courtyard, which is tucked away and shielded by an umbrella of large trees and gorgeous green plants.
Across from the Landmark, Craft on Seminary Street offers a carefully crafted menu featuring some of the most savory steaks, chops and seafood. Make a point to get their early to visit the Craft Cocktail Lounge and enjoy a glass of wine or specialty cocktail before your meal. On Sundays, their brunch is a must for anyone who enjoys good food in great atmosphere.

If pizza tempts you, then you’ll find no better location to grab a slice than Galesburg. From deep dish to the crispiest of thin crusts, enjoy a wonderful variety of pizza selections. From quirky renditions on classic favorites to a cauliflower pizza crust loaded high with fun ingredients, everyone is sure to find their new favorites.

Before you depart, take the time to visit Galesburg’s oldest restaurant, Coney Island. For over 100 years, they have offered a variety of hot dogs, including the classic Coney Island dog, as well as chili dogs, tamales and milkshakes. All of this served up in a historic, nostalgic diner atmosphere.

To further entice your taste buds, Galesburg offers a variety of craft beers and custom drinks provided by local bars and breweries. Whether you prefer hoppy IPAs or a lighter wheat ale, this town has a beer to satisfy just about anyone.
One local favorite is Iron Spike Brewing Company. Located downtown, this rustic brick building gives off welcoming vibes to all who may enter. The interior is decorated with graffiti that provides a visually appealing, artistic atmosphere to go with the enticing food and beer.

Next, our journey brings us to the inventive La Cantinita. Quiet music floats through the air and the modernistic design mixed with the beautiful art pieces adorning the walls immediately set the tone. While it is largely a tequila bar, it has plenty of delicious food and snacks, making it a worthwhile excursion for the entire family. On their drink menu is a variety of margaritas, each one of them, while delicious, packs a punch.

The newest additions to our craft beer family are Reserve Artisan Ales and Cherry Street Brewing Company. Reserve Artisan Ales is a pour-your-own craft brewery in downtown Galesburg offering over 30 different brews to enjoy with friends in a relaxed, fun atmosphere complete with indoor and outdoor seating. Cherry Street Brewing Company offers an amazing selection of craft beer paired with some of the best food available in Galesburg.

Finally, our tour brings us to Hidden Hills Vineyard and Winery. A gravel path leads you to the beautiful winery where you will find a taste experience unlike any other. Cozy up to the unique custom designed bar and sample a variety of wines produced on site.

A small town with big time flavor, Galesburg will get you in the spirit! www.ExperienceGalesburg.com

The post Small Town, Big Flavor in Galesburg, IL appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.