Destination Sheboygan County

Luxurious accommodations combine with breathtaking scenery
to create a memorable destination for meetings and conferences.

By Sharyn Alden

Some say Sheboygan, 50 miles north of Milwaukee, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is everything a prime destination should be. Others say it is simply one of those places that once you experience its charm, you’ll never forget it. That’s the way many visitors might sum up their visit to this waterfront city.

Sheboygan, an Ojibwa name that means “the sound like the wind of the rushing waters,” is a superb spot to host meetings at world-class facilities, including the Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sheboygan, The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake and the American Club in Kohler.

The city of Sheboygan grew out of small communities that sprang up along the Sheboygan River a few miles away. Logging and trapping were once predominant industries, but when Sheboygan was officially settled in 1844, some of the pioneers had other ideas. Early entrepreneurs built a substantial pier in Lake Michigan that allowed schooners to bring industry into the area, as well as a workforce of German, Dutch and English immigrants. The German migration was so strong, that by 1890, some 20,000 Germans were calling Sheboygan home.

It’s hard to talk about Sheboygan without talking bratwurst, a cultural staple here for as long as anyone can remember. Credit for the origins of its popularity is usually given to German immigrants who brought family recipes with them when they settled in the area. In Sheboygan, they came up with their own brands of bratwurst created in smokehouses behind their homes and farms.

Today, many of those recipes remain strictly guarded. It has been said that there are probably as many bratwurst recipes around Sheboygan as there are people in Wisconsin.

So where do you take in one of the town’s favorites — the double brat with the works served on a famous Sheboygan hard roll? At just about any local restaurant or pub. But if you like hoopla, swing by Sheboygan during Bratwurst Days in summer when thousands of visitors elbow through jam-packed streets filled with bratwurst cooks and connoisseurs.

The city maintains strong ties to its ethnic roots and has many cultural attractions that make it one of the state’s favorite tourist destinations. If you come in summer, for instance, there’s bound to be something going on along the Sheboygan lakefront, a favorite gathering point for all ages. You can take a boat ride on the Sheboygan Shoreline Cruises or take a walk and go beach combing.

Many Downtown Sheboygan buildings have been renovated and restored to their original 19th century elegance. Head to the Harbor Centre to see the transformed old iron works building and a long ago carriage factory now housing a mix of businesses.

Then don’t miss the stunning John Michael Kohler Arts Center, heralded as one of the best contemporary arts centers in the country, along with the historic Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts.

Kim Swisher, Tourism Manager for the City of Sheboygan, says, “It’s a great place to extend your visit after a meeting. We are home to the Above and Beyond Children’s Museum and GameBoard — fantastic destinations to stimulate children’s imaginations. We also offer excellent city parks where you’ll find Frisbee golf, swimming and a multitude of playground activities. Besides all this, we have over two miles of public beaches that are groomed on a regular basis.”

Another fun thing to do is take a walk on Sheboygan’s Riverfront Boardwalk. You’re bound to come across old commercial fishing shanties, which have been transformed into charming retail establishments.

Still looking for something to do following a meeting, or need ideas for great group outings? Try charter fishing — the Sheboygan area is top notch. Swisher says, “Sheboygan is a prominent destination for freshwater Coho salmon fishing. If you are new to fishing, kayaking or surfing, Sheboygan has several area shops that can get you set up with equipment.”

Sheboygan County is a great place to tap into all types of outdoor activities.  Denny Moyer, Director of Membership with the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce says, “The recreational opportunities associated with the area are exceptional. World-class golf facilities are available at Kohler’s Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits, as well as The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls. Many professional golf tournaments have been held at these courses, and in fact, the PGA Championship returns to Whistling Straits in 2010.”

Looking for help with meeting ideas? The Sheboygan City of Tourism Division works closely with area venues to provide information and insight on after-meeting activities. Here’s an example of one unusual request. “We hosted a group last January who wanted a big bang for their event so we assisted them in putting on a fireworks display over Lake Michigan,” explains Kim Swisher.

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Sharyn Alden is a Madison-based freelance writer.