Destination Waukesha County
Natural Beauty, High-Tech Amenities

By Sharyn Alden

Get ready to be dazzled by the Waukesha/Pewaukee area. When it comes to scenic retreats, this area of Wisconsin — with its endless forests, lakes, rivers and streams — is one of the most breathtaking in all the state.

The area is spectacular in all seasons, but in autumn, the forests, glens, and lakeshores are awash in a palette of gold, russet and red. Waukesha County has an enormous number of great places of natural beauty. You can canoe, snowshoe, hike, swim, ski, bike, play golf or go horseback riding. And it’s one of the most gorgeous places in the country to do absolutely nothing, if that’s your style.

One of the best ways to see, hear and sense the flavor of an area is by parking the car and communing with nature. Since the 1700s, people have been drawn to the Waukesha County area because of its countless springs.

Another way to tap into the area’s history is by visiting the historic downtown Waukesha Riverfront. The stunning area is brimming with beautifully restored historic buildings. Miles of lighted promenades along the Fox River make this a distinctive, memorable destination.

Andy Ruggeri, owner of The Clarke Hotel and Black Trumpet restaurant, opening in autumn 2008, says, “Historic downtown Waukesha is a perfect backdrop for unforgettable events with elegant, unique meeting facilities and service beyond one’s expectations.”

Other reasons to book your meeting here are the numerous nationally recognized eateries and pubs, antiques shops, boutiques, galleries, and visual and performing arts venues. “Visitors are usually in disbelief about all of the fabulous options downtown Waukesha has,” says Ruggeri, “and it’s all walkable!”

For those who love the outdoors, Pewaukee Lake is recognized for its great Muskie fishing. But if fishing isn’t your cup of tea, pontoon boat rentals are also available for meeting excursions. Count on nearby Erin Hills Golf Course, selected by Golf Digest as the best new golf course in the country in 2006, for a great round of golf. Nearby, Lapham Peak State Park offers hiking and mountain biking.

Deep in the woods west of Milwaukee, visitors now have an unusual opportunity to immerse themselves in the theatre of yesteryear. Ten Chimneys was the artistic residence of stage actors Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne, universally regarded as the greatest acting team in the history of the English-speaking theatre. The estate is heralded as a world-class house museum, a national home for the arts, and a rare journey into a nostalgic past that was lavished with TLC.

The Lunts’ country estate consisted of a creamery, greenhouse, stables, Swedish log cabin, pool, main house with 18 rooms, and 10-room cottage. Throughout the property, visitors can feel the Lunts’ passion for the theatre. Named for the retreat’s 10 chimneys, it’s located in Genesee, a tiny speck on the map 30 miles west of Milwaukee. Katharine Hepburn, Helen Hayes, Laurence Olivier, Noel Coward and Carol Channing were frequent guests, and several rooms in the main house are named after them.

Old World Wisconsin, a deeply rooted time travel escape in Eagle, is another wonderful diversion. You’ll explore 19th-century ethnic farms and villages at the largest outdoor museum of immigrant history in the country. When you leave and reenter the 21st century, you won’t easily forget Old World Wisconsin’s enduring frontier spirit.

The massive outdoor museum owned and operated by the Wisconsin State Historical Society has 16 ethnic farmsteads and villages spread over 600 acres. The picturesque property amid the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin is a “living museum” in the purest sense of words. The time travel you’ve just embarked on offers fascinating insight into how immigrants survived and thrived in Wisconsin by creatively using their ethnic heritage to carve out new chapters for their families in new settlements.

Memorable Meetings
Not only is the area historically interesting and brimming with fascinating things to see and do, it’s also a meeting planner’s dream. Tiffany Zamora, Marketing Manager with the Waukesha and Pewaukee Convention and Visitors Bureau, says, “We’re connected to all major thoroughfares in the state, making it an easy drive from any direction.” It’s just 20 miles to Milwaukee, 50 miles to Madison and about 100 miles to Chicago.

Zamora continues, “Being a suburb near metropolitan regions, the Waukesha and Pewaukee area is able to create the highest value for planners’ fixed resources.” She also says visitors speak highly of the charm and friendliness of area communities.

An intrinsic element also found at this destination is the area’s memorable Midwestern hospitality. “We offer planners the charm of rural living with the conveniences of urban amenities,” Zamora says.

That makes it easy for planners to expect rave reviews from guests. You can also expect high-quality, consistent guidance and expertise when you contact the Waukesha and Pewaukee CVB. Zamora notes, “From your first contact working with the CVB to working with the facility of your choice, planners will find a seamless transition.”

She also notes the CVB offers a wide range of complimentary services, such as help garnering facility information and availability, securing room blocks, hosting site inspections, and providing service referrals like transportation and floral needs. “We also assist with opening ceremony needs, develop special activities, spousal tours and entertainment,” she explains.

Outstanding, personalized, attentive service are other reasons why the Waukesha and Pewaukee are top destination spots. Zamora adds, “Planners looking for a one-to-one event experience can be assured that they will be provided with the best in personal service at each of the meeting facilities within our destination.”

Facilities Raise the Bar
You’ll find practically every type of facility under the sun, from excellent trade-show venues that accommodate thousands of people, to intimate meeting spaces in every style imaginable. Pointing out the variety, Zamora says, “We have a wide variety of venues from the 14,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom at the Milwaukee Marriott West, to the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Radisson Milwaukee-Pewaukee, the Best Western Waukesha Grand and Select Inn. What’s more, most properties are located off of Interstate 94 in close proximity to one another for overflow needs.” The following fine properties will help make your meeting a success.

Unique Setting
If you are looking for a special venue where elegance and pampering reign supreme, The Delafield Hotel is the place for you. Susan Kainz, Director of Sales and Marketing with the hotel, which opened in 2006, says, “We are the only Wisconsin hotel associated with the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection.”

This worldwide hotel group includes 440 hotels in 70 countries. The attention to detail, inspiration and tranquility are just a few of the property’s widely heralded virtues. “This is a very unique venue for meeting planners,” notes Kainz. “With over 5,000 square feet of meeting space, which may be considered too small for other properties, is just right for many events. For executive board meetings or smaller groups, here you won’t get lost among other conventions at the same hotel. When you book a meeting with us, you are king of the hill.”

Kainz also points out that The Delafield Hotel offers full planning services with trained professional staff on-site to assist with all meeting needs. Adjacent to the hotel is an outstanding fitness center. “We partner with the Be Fitness and Wellness Center to provide corporate team building and well-ness program options,” she says. “It’s one of several perks of staying with us.”

The Clarke Hotel Shines
Among the shops, cafés, art galleries, restaurants, theatre, symphony and RiverWalk in historic downtown Waukesha, you’ll find the new 20-suite luxury boutique hotel, the neoclassic Clarke Hotel and Meeting Center, and the Black Trumpet Restaurant, a French-inspired fine dining establishment. Andy Ruggeri, owner of the hotel and restaurant says, “At the Clarke Hotel, our experienced meeting and event planners will take care of every detail. Leave everything o us. There is nothing beyond our reach. Meeting planners will find incomparable convenience,” he says.

The hotel, located on Waukesha’s Five Points, covers three floors in an historic block. “There is something for everyone at the Clarke Hotel. “It’s all at your fingertips here,” says Ruggeri. “Guests will find there is no need to incur hefty transportation expenses, since ‘convenience’ is the operative word — all the great sights and sounds of the area are within walking distance of the hotel.”

At the Black Trumpet Restaurant, Chef Dean Schmitz brings classic world cuisine to the modern American palate. An extensive, world-class wine cellar holds 1,000 wines from the finest vineyards. Don’t miss a visit to the Clarke Bar, where the bar “floats,” as in island, so guests can sit on all four sides or enjoy the plush surroundings sitting in front of the fireplace.

 

Fun and Learning
The unique Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha has 187 newly remodeled guest rooms. Julie Beck, Marketing Manager, points out that one of the reasons planners enjoy booking events here is due to the hotel’s on-site Executive Leaning Center (ELC), tailored to learning and training. “It was designed by meeting planners for meeting planners,” says Marc Dannecker, Director of Catering. “From its location on the second floor, to the private restrooms and pre-function gathering area, the ELC brings the latest technology to meetings in a private, quiet setting.” Each ELC suite has the capacity to seat up to 36 people in a classroom setting or up to 20 in a U-shape meeting setting.The hotel also offers sites for outdoor meetings and parties. “The Garden Gazebo is a fantastic venue for outdoor entertainment, and the Grand Pavilion, an air-conditioned facility with indoor and outdoor seating, is great for a variety of events,” says Beck.

Another perk for guests is the hotel’s indoor water park. Why not combine corporate time with fun time? Beck has some ideas for making that happen. You might consider hosting a Splash for Cash fundraiser at the water park. She says the hotel recently held a Splash for Cash outing for a company that wanted to turn its annual United Way fundraising efforts into a fun event for employees.

Here are other ideas for corporate picnics, holiday parties and employee appreciation events. Beck says, “We’ve hosted many unique water park events. For a customer appreciation event, the package included use of the water park, complete with swim time and food for all of the company’s guests. The client was overwhelmed by the positive response from its customers and could not have been happier with the results.”When you’re planning your next event, consider the Waukesha and Pewaukee area, with its inspiring natural attractions, nostalgic historical activities and all-encompassing hotel venues.

Sharyn Alden is a Madison-based freelance writer.