After hitting Bay Beach and meeting Thomas the Train, we decided to make one more stop before heading home. We decided to stop and stay in Sheboygan, WI. It was on the way, and then we’d only have about an hour drive home the next day.
My husband grew up in Sheboygan, so he already had some ideas in mind for activities. I’d been there once before, but it was 6 years ago. I was pregnant with our oldest, and we went to the John Michael Kohler Art Museum. It was a beautiful museum, but I wasn’t feeling so hot, so that’s all we got to see.
This trip, we were going to go eat, go check-in to our hotel, walk along the waterfront, eat again, and visit the beach. We also planned to drive through my husband’s old neighborhood to show the boys where he grew up. Most of it went according to plan. With our boys, you never know.
Sheboygan is really a beautiful city. It’s located right on Lake Michigan. It took us less than an hour to get there from Green Bay, WI, which is 55 miles North, and Milwaukee,WI is just another hour South.
We found a restaurant right on the Harbor, so we got a table outside. While waiting for our food, the boys were able to walk along the boardwalk, and I just got to relax for a second. It was wonderful.
Our food came, the boys ate a little, drank a lot of lemonade, then we were ready to get to the hotel.
The waitress also mentioned an ice cream parlor along the boardwalk, so after dropping off our stuff and checking out the room, we headed to get ice cream.
The shop was really cute. It was like an old-fashioned soda shop, complete with a train running on a track near the ceiling. The boys were pretty excited to get some ice cream…until they saw the giant Lollipops. Of course, this was after we already got them ice cream. Oh well. It’s vacation, right?
So, I caved to the screaming, and we piled in the car with Lollipops. We then took a drive to see where my husband grew up. We got to see his old house, his elementary school, and there was even a tree swing he remembered.
The kids finished their lollipops and were so sticky, we had to clean up. We then took out the wagon, and once again walked along the boardwalk and peer. It was such a beautiful day.
By the time we finished, it was time to eat again. My husband called an old high school friend to meet us for dinner, but the combination of no naps and a lot of sugar did not bode well. Needless to say, I spent most of the dinner out in the car with a screaming twin.
Early to bed for everyone!
The next morning, we took advantage of the free continental breakfast at our hotel, then headed to Kohler-Andrea State Park. We ended up buying a season pass for the State Parks because we figured it would give us a good excuse to visit another one soon. Plus, a season pass for a resident is only $25.
It was really beautiful. There are two beaches, plus trees surrounding everything. There were sand dunes for the kids to climb…and jump off of. Plus, when we first arrived, we had the whole beach to ourselves.
And yes, we are wearing long sleeves. In the end of June. It’s Wisconsin, after all.
It was too cold to go in the water, plus the tide was very high. We had a lot of fun just digging in the sand, and running around. Into the park a little ways near the campgrounds, there was a playground. The kids got to run, slide, and burn off some energy before we decided to head home.
Full of sand and great memories, we really had a fun road trip!
katerina says
What fun and beautiful pictures! It looks like such a fun trip with your boys and it’s so nice to show them where your husband grew up!
kat | http://www.DeliriumStyle.com
Shann says
Thank you!
Autumn @ Stay gold Autumn says
My mother in law grew up in Sheboygan. I think that area of the country is so beautiful!
Also, you really wear pregnancy well, so cute! 🙂
Shann says
Awe. Thank you!
Krysten says
Gosh that looks awesome!
Krysten @ Why Girls Are Weird
Lindsey Smallwood says
Oh man, I’m totally jealous. I LOVE the beach, looks like you had so much fun with your boys. We are moving to Michigan next year so I will keep that place in mind since we’ll be closer.
Shann says
Nice! Good luck with your move.
good enuf mommy says
The state park looks beautiful!! What a fun trip! I’m sure you’ve built many memories!
Shann says
It really is. Thank you!
Emily says
Looks like your family is having a lot of fun!! Enjoy!
Shann says
Thank you!
shelahmoss says
It looks like this road trip is a big success. Aren’t lollipops wonderful in stressful moments? 🙂
Shann says
Yes…if only they weren’t so sticky. 🙂
caitlincheevers says
Oh my goodness, the lollipops! Too funny. I live about 45 minutes from the opposite side of Lake Michigan, so it’s always fun to see what’s on the Wisconsin side! 🙂
xo, Caitlin
And Possibly Dinosaurs
Shann says
Nice! If you ever take a trip across the Lake…come visit! 🙂
Sarah says
How fun! Sorry about the sugar meltdown stress, but it looks like the rest of the time was enjoyed 🙂 .
Shann says
Yes, it was. Thanks for reading!
Chandler says
So fun!! We just went to visit my husband’s old neighborhood and it was a fun experience to share with him. This trip really makes me want to go on one soon!
Shann says
Yay! You should. Thank you!
Caitlin says
Looks like you had a great day! Sounds like a really neat soda shop!
Shann says
Yes, lots of fun. Thank you!
Cynthia @craftoflaughter says
the lollipop pics are the best! Love them all
Shann says
Thank you!
triciathegoodmama says
Oh it looks like you guys had a really nice time! It sure sounds pretty up there. I’ve only been to Michigan which is gorgeous.
Shann says
It’s definitely has some similarities to MI, but I’m a little biased to WI 😉
sicorra says
Sounds like an excellent trip! My first stop would have been the ice cream shop. I love old fashioned soda shops 🙂
Shann says
Yes, it was so cute! Thanks!
Erin says
Another Wisconsinite! I live in Madison but have spent some time in Sheboygan! Beautiful area! So glad to find yet another Wisconsin blogger 🙂
Shann says
Yes! Wisconsin rocks!
Donni says
It looks like your road trip was so much fun! I’ll be taking my young cousin to A Day Out With Thomas event later this year and I can’t wait to get to the beach.
Thanks for sharing!
Shann says
Thanks for reading! Have fun with Thomas!
Logan Can says
It looks like y’all had a great time! My son also met Thomas back in April and he was in heaven! haha Your boys are adorable!
Shann says
Thank you!
Jessica says
looks like such an amazing trip!!
Shann says
Thank you!
Justine Y @ Little Dove Creations says
I love old fashioned soda shoppes! They are so much fun. 🙂 And I totally get where you’re coming from, I love my kids and love creating memories with them, but sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it. Then I remember it is. 🙂
Shann says
Ha! Yes! Sometimes parts aren’t so great, but as a whole it’s worth it. 🙂
Connie Schachel says
We lived in Sheboygan from 1960 until 2007 – first in Black River at the north end of the park, and then in Lake Park Estates, on Terry Andrae Terrace, which is just west of the park. Which high school did your husband attend? He may know our kids who all went to South High.
Shann says
He lived in Black River on Timberline lane, but only went to South for one quarter in 1987. Then his family moved for his Dad’s job. Small world!
Angie Brunette says
I live in Sheboygan, and usually don’t take advantage of everything we have here. Thanks for opening my eyes again to the beauty of our city, and making me want to go out and enjoy it!
Shann says
Awe. Thank you so much! We really had a great time in your city. 🙂
Jennifer Clay says
It looks like you and your family had a ton of fun. I bet my son would really like the Thomas event. He is getting into trains alot lately. He is 2 though.
Shann says
He might be a little young, but you never know. Each kid is different. Thanks for reading!
Ellen Oliveira says
I wish my kiddo liked to play in the sand, we live so close to the beach. Soon! Have a great a week!
Young Love Mommy
Shann says
Thank you!
Dayne says
AWWWW!!! Those lollipop pics are priceless! Such a great trip! Thanks for sharing 😀
Shann says
Thank you! 🙂
kleebanks says
Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Great pics! I commend you for traveling and doing so well at 8 months pregnant!
Rebekah Hamblen says
Oh my goodness you definitely brought back some fond memories for me with this post! I grew up in the U.P. so Bay Beach was a summer tradition. Sheboygan is definitely beautiful as are so many of the little towns in WI.
Shann says
Awesome! Thank you for reading!
Liz Mays says
I love all that climbing and sand dune exploration. Kids have such fun doing that!
Shann says
Yes! Especially my 5-year-old. 🙂
Brea says
This looks like you had a blast!!
Shann says
We did! Thank you!
Helen Olivas says
Was one of those lollipops the kind that makes your whole mouth blue? I used to love them when I was a kid!
Shann says
Yes! I think he got everything Blue!
Curtis Joseph says
A nice road trip is always fun! I love doing one in the summer with the family.
Shann says
Yes! Thank you!
Dina Farmer says
Who doesn’t like the beach right? Haha!
Shann says
Exactly!
byecomparison says
Fun! Sheboygan, who knew?? I’m actually heading back to my hometown tomorrow with my girls for a week. I love seeing childhood places of the people I love and it’s always a little surreal to visit my own, too. That picture of you and all 3 boys at the sand dunes is fantastic!!
Shann says
Thank you!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Sounds like a fun road trips with your kids. I would love to visit Wisconsin.
Shann says
You should! I can show you around 😉
Jenni says
Sounds like such a fun visit! I haven’t been to Sheboygan before, but I’m from MN so I think I need to make it happen at some point. That ice parlor sounds like an amazing spot.
Shann says
Yes, you should! Thanks for reading!
Pat Fenner says
Many years ago we tool a roadtrip with our 11 yr old, 9 yr old and infant. By the end of the 6-week experience, the baby was just done with that car seat, and I remember the last leg of that trip with the 2 older kids curled up in the car with pillows wrapped around their heads! It’s funny now, but it sure wasn’t then!!
Thanks for sharing your story…
Shann says
Ha! Too funny! It’s good you can laugh about it now. Thank you for reading!
Inspiration Indulgence says
This post makes me so happy because I am a Wisconsinite as well! Good ol’ Bay Beach 🙂 I was born in Green Bay, went to school at UW-La Crosse, and am now living in Oconto Falls pursuing my master’s degree at UW Oshkosh. Love me some Wisconsin!!
Shann says
Awesome! Great to “meet” another WI blogger! Thanks for reading!
Mykidsguide says
Too bad, you didn’t get to swim. It’s nice, though that you were all able to enjoy the sand and the beautiful view.
Elizabeth O. says
Sounds like you had an amazing trip. I love the lollipop photos!
almostsexymommy says
It looks beautiful there. Sorry you didn’t get to enjoy your dinner 🙁
tonygreene113 says
with all my children being of the teenage variety these kinds of excursions have become few and far between. I’m hoping sometime this summer that we could head down to the Keys of florida and see the farthest point in America.
Esther Wilson says
Sounds like you had such a great time. I love the matching shirts. I bet it was so neat for your husband and you to see some of his past. I love going back and looking where I grew up. we used to go and see a tree we planted but now someone has taken it down. I hope you have many more trips like this and enjoy the rest of your summer. 🙂
Shann says
Thank you! You too!