I was recently asked to describe my perfect day in Rome, and I thought, oh that’ll be easy. But then, with my laptop in hand I started thinking, it’s not easy at all. I had a real case of writer’s block. I just sat and stared at the screen and didn’t know where to start. Not because I couldn’t think of anything, but, rather, because I was overloaded with all the things there are to see and do.

But as I learned early on, when there’s nothing but a blank page staring back at you, just walk away. Take a break. Give your brain a rest. So, that’s what I did. I went and poured myself another cup of coffee and wolfed down a donut, and that’s when it hit me; that’s how I’ll start my perfect day.

And with that, the rest just flowed.

Ask any hardcore Wisconsinite to list their favorite things, and you’ll undoubtedly hear things like cheese curds, Brandy Old Fashioneds, and of course, the Packers. Oh sure, there are many more, and some might disagree, but there are two things that have been on everybody’s list since the first cheesehead came over on the boat from Germany. You guessed it, beer and brats.

Right next door to Kwik Trip, there’s a little shop that otherwise might go unnoticed, that is so full of goods and services, you’d expect it to be ten times its actual size. Welcome to Rome Outdoors. A store that fills the void left behind by Pritzl’s with everything from coolers to hats and gloves to fishing nets to fatheads, suckers, and chubs. 

That’s right, if you’re looking for live bait, they got it. Fishing rods? They’re there. Boat and ATV batteries? T-shirts? Hardware? Keys? Yup, It’s all there. Even RV and marine toilet paper!

With an unusually warm December and January, the winter landscape gave us nothing but shades of browns and grays. Any snow that fell melted almost as fast as it came down. Ice on the lakes was opaque and slushy and safe only for the foolhardy.

Winter activities in and around Rome, Wisconsin were being canceled left and right. Even the annual SnoBlast Winter Celebration at Lake Arrowhead was in jeopardy of being a total bust.

But thanks to the thoughtful planners and coordinators who did an amazing job of outsmarting Old Man Winter, there was a whole host of activities not dependent on his cooperation. And fun was had by all. Just like always.

Oh sure, some of the events had to be canceled - like the lawnmower races, ice bowling, and snow golf - while others were moved indoors, but nobody seemed to mind.

Located right next to the gazebo, it’s easy to find, especially since the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee greets your senses even before you get out of your car. It wafts through the air, enticing you to step inside and experience the goodness that awaits. But this delightful little shop isn't just a bakery. It's a journey back in time. A place that brings back memories, and memories are made.

There are two types of people in this world: those who do all they can to escape cold weather and those who thrive in it.

If you’re the latter, chances are you’ve discovered snowmobiling. And if you have, you know it’s impossible to avoid the forevermore lure that now confronts you as soon as the leaves start changing and the temp starts falling.

It’s inevitable. It catches you. You can’t resist the pull. Like a panda to bamboo, a pirate to rum, or a honeybee to a black-eyed Susan, snowmobiling is an addiction. An all-around obsession. And those who are afflicted are not ashamed to admit it.

What an interesting name; Hoozels. 

Wondering where it came from? Don’t try to look it up online, cuz it isn’t there. All you’ll find is an invitation to visit and ask your server.

So, that’s what we did. We asked Ali, and she was happy we did, and happy to answer. Sorry, but you’ll have to do the same, because it’s a story best told by them. 

It took a half second for our eyes to adjust. Not because it was especially dark inside, but because it was one of those perfect days where the sky is bluer than blue, and the sun is so bright that sunglasses really aren't doing what sunglasses are supposed to do. And as a bonus, the temp was somewhere around 75 degrees with no humidity. In other words, a perfect day to walk past the bar and head straight for the outdoor deck to claim one of the coveted lakeside tables as our own.

This bar and grill fully embodies “lake life” hook, line, and sinker. Adorned in fishnets, bobbers, and of course lures of all shapes and sizes, The Lure Bar & Grill is exactly what you’d describe if asked to describe the perfect place to eat and drink while sitting on the shores of Wisconsin’s second largest lake. Especially if you’re taking in a magnificent sunset from one of their oversized decks.

Since they opened their doors in 2009, it has become a favorite hangout for locals and visitors alike. Certainly, the views have something to do with that, but it could also be because it has the perfect “up north” vibe with knotty pine paneling, timber framing, and overall “cabin feel” to the establishment.

Locals know it as Devil’s Elbow, a 90° curve on Highway Z as it wraps around the backwaters of Lake Petenwell in Rome, Wisconsin. There’s obviously a story there, but that’s for another day. For now, the significance of Devil’s Elbow is that as you come out of the turn, the next thing you’ll see is the best thing you’ll see all day - Romano’s Pizza & Pub.

To call it a clubhouse bar is a disservice as it is. Yes, the word bar is in the name, but The Mammoth Bar is way more than a bar. Some would argue it’s one of the finer dining establishments in the area. With its warm, rustic ambiance, high airy ceilings, and large picture windows looking out over the expansive first hole of the original course, you know there has to be a menu that’ll keep pace with such magnificence. 

Inside the Lake Arrowhead clubhouse, Greenside Grille is the perfect place to meet and mingle after a round of golf on one of their two elite 18-hole courses. The Pines and Lakes courses have both garnered high praise from Golf Digest, receiving an impressive 4 1⁄2 stars in their "places to play" rankings. So, it stands to reason that the clubhouse - and the restaurant - would be worthy of high praise too.
Greenside Grille has an open and airy atmosphere which creates a welcoming ambiance that appeals to not just golfers, but visitors who come from miles around to enjoy lunch, dinner, or maybe just a cocktail or two shared with a friend or two. 

When we walked into Cal’s for the first time, everyone at the bar, sitting shoulder to shoulder, turned to see who had just come in. Not because they were nosy, or bored with whatever conversation they were having, but because they were looking to welcome whoever it was. Cal’s, formerly Friar Tucks, is your quintessential Wisconsin gathering place that serves up cold beer, a juicy burger, and a friendly “everybody’s family” environment.

With an authentic Mexican ambiance - from the colorful hand-painted tables to pictures on the wall - you’d swear you were somewhere in Mexico City.

But here’s the best part; as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a smiling anfitriona who delivers a big basket of fresh, warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa with just the right amount of kick. Go ahead, eat ‘em fast. She’ll bring you more.

Couple that with a Top-Shelf Margarita served in a salted mason jar, or a Modelo Negra in a frosted mug, and you’re well on your way to one of the best meals you’ve had in a long time.

There once was a building in Rome, Italy that needed a little sprucing up, so the powers-that-be hired a young artist to do just that. And with a little paint, some scaffolding, and no doubt, an ungodly pain in the neck, the Sistine Chapel became one of the world's greatest treasures.
Here we are some 500 years later, and there’s yet another building in Rome that could use a little love. 
OK, so this time we’re in Rome, Wisconsin, and the building doesn’t hold the same significance as the cathedral in which popes are crowned, but it’s a building, nonetheless, in need of the talents of a young artist.

Shopping in Rome, Wisconsin isn’t shopping at all. Rome is home to quaint and one-of-a-kind shops that cater to a wide range of interests. Whether you're looking for culinary delights, indoor decor, outdoor adventures including golfing and fishing, spa services, or fashion, Rome has something unique for everyone on your list.
You’ll be able to see, feel, and even smell everything before you buy. You'll be able to assess the quality and value. The size. The color. There'll be no more guessing and no more stress.
Now, doesn’t that sound a little bit smarter?

Leave behind your Zoom calls and shopping malls and just imagine the rustic natural materials, earthy colors, and cozy furnishings - the overstuffed pillows, stone fireplace, built-in bookshelves, and the warm wooden accents. Imagine yourself reading a good book with nothing but the song of birds and the smell of fresh autumn air wafting in through the open window.

The Wisconsin, long notorious for devastating floods, is now partially controlled by 21 reservoirs (flowages) on the river. One such control point, the Petenwell Flowage, consists of 23,040 acres and is the second largest inland body of water in Wisconsin. It was built in the late 1940s by damming the river near Necedah for hydroelectric generation and flood control. 

The flowage offers some of the river's best fishing. Especially in locally known fishing "hot spots" which include Devil's Elbow, the mouth of Fourteen Mile Creek, Barnum Bay, and Strongs Prairie, to name a few.  

When summer fades to fall, and the temp drops a degree or two every day, something spectacular happens. And it’s been happening since the dawn of time, and yet, year after year we marvel like it’s the first time we’ve ever seen it. The cool, crisp air brings a change to the landscape that is nothing short of magical. As the brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange descend upon our state, those of us lucky enough to call central Wisconsin home, and visitors alike, fall in love with fall all over again.