5 unique spots that’ll inspire a day trip
Kristin Tschurwald grew up in Oconomowoc and today, she lives in Milwaukee with her husband and son, but loves to return to her hometown as often as possible.
“It was a wonderful place to grow up, but it feels like even more of a special place to me now,” says Tschurwald. “My mom and I very often have coffee and lunch at Roots and then walk downtown to shop. It’s a great little town and has grown so much.”
Oconomowoc, located in northern Waukesha County, is about 35 miles from Milwaukee. This year is the city’s 150th anniversary. Known for its lakes, scenic views and thriving downtown area filled with shops, restaurants, bars, art and greenspace, Oconomowoc is both charming and vibrant as well as an ideal destination for a day trip for families and folks of all ages.
During recent visits, it felt like we were on vacation and much farther away than a 30-minute car ride. Plus, parking is free and easy – both street parking and public lots – making visiting a breeze.
There is much to experience in Oconomowoc – it might drive you “Oco Loco” – and so we narrowed down our 5 favorite spots.
1. Golosi Gelato Cafe
162 E. Wisconsin Ave.
(262) 391-0697
facebook.com/GolosiGelato
Paolo and Marina Degiovanni moved to Wisconsin from Casale Monferrato – the Northern part of Italy – 28 years ago. Marina felt homesick and culture shock living so far away from Italy, and so in 2006, they opened Gelosi Gelato Cafe. “Gelosi” comes from the Italian word “goloso,” that in English means a person with a sweet tooth.
Marina’s father was a gelato maker in the late 1940s and 1950s, and they mirrored his artisan method of gelato making.
“We don’t take any short-cuts,” says Paolo. “We make everything from scratch.”
For the Degiovannis, gelato creation is both an art and a science. They are extremely particular about where they source their dairy, coffee, chocolate and the other ingredients and stick to traditional flavors like tiramisu, strawberry, pistachio and espresso.
“No M&Ms or bubble gum or Laffy Taffy flavors,” says Paolo.
The shop is warm and cute with space to eat indoors, at the counter or on benches outside. They also sell Italian coffee drinks, bakery, candies and food items.
Paolo sees similarities between Oconomowoc and Italian culture.
“In Italy, people stop, relax, sip a coffee, eat a gelato and talk with a friend. Slow movement is important. Here (in the United States) it is often eat fast and drive fast,” he says. “But in Oconomowoc, people love to walk around the lakes, look inside the shops and make the impulse decision to buy a gelato.”
2. Wood Station Co-op
132 E. Wisconsin Ave.
(262) 349- 5703
woodstationco-op.com
Wood Station Co-op offers rustic home decor, artwork, handmade gifts, items for entertaining, locally made body products, candles, jewelry, jams, mixes and locally handcrafted charcuterie / cutting boards.
The co-op first opened seven years ago in Cambridge, Wis., but owner Mindy Goff moved the business to Oconomowoc in 2020.
“It’s such a thriving Downtown,” says Goff. “So many people come to Oconomowoc for day trips. They walk around the lakes, grab cocktails and lunch, and do some shopping. It’s truly a one-stop shop for weekend entertainment.”
Goff, who is a woodworker, sells her attractive charcuterie boards in the co-op. Other items that appealed to us include flower paintings featuring vintage faucet handles, Wisconsin-shaped cribbage boards and plant hangers made from natural fibers. The artists and makers are from Wisconsin as well as other parts of the United States.
“It’s an eclectic, fun mix,” says Goff.
3. Roots Coffeebar & Cafe
124 E. Wisconsin Ave.
(262) 354-0705
rootscoffeebar.com
Owned by sisters Heidi Laatsch and Hilary DeVries, Roots was named in honor of the women’s family lineage. “Roots made sense, because their father’s roots are from Oconomowoc and their mother’s roots are from Waukesha,” reads the website.
Roots, which opened in 2011, is a lifelong dream for the sisters who talked about opening a coffee shop since they were kids.
The artistic and airy space is welcoming, with high ceilings and soft globe lighting.
The menu is a solid mix of coffee drinks and fresh breakfast, brunch and lunch foods. During our visit, we tried the Stevie Wonder, a sourdough bread sandwich stacked with ham, bacon, pepperjack, tomato and Chipotle mayo, along with the Brie Salad made of mixed greens, chopped apples, Brie cheese, chicken chunks and raspberry vinaigrette. We also got two cappuccinos made with Anodyne coffee.
The energy is buzzy and inspiring, and the clientele is a mix of young families, old friends and those simply in search of quality eats and caffeine.
4. The Etcetera Bar & Grill
118 E. Wisconsin Ave. – rooftop
(262) 569-2734
theetcbarandgrill.com
Initially, The Etcetera – which is located in a 75-year-old building – sports a friendly, local tavern vibe which we love. But if weather permits, head to the rooftop for a completely different experience. The second-story patio, Oconomowoc’s only rooftop dining option, overlooks the picturesque Lake Fowler and provides a snapshot of lake fun.
During our visit, we sampled the house Bloody Mary, as recommended by our server, and a pizza. Stand-out appetizers include housemade Reuben rolls and cheesecurds; burgers that range from classic to gourmet; sandwiches such as grilled cheese, BBQ pork, Philly cheesesteak and BLTs; wings; salads and more. A kids’ menu is also available.
The Bloody was well seasoned and served with what we consider perfect garnishes: a meat stick, cheese stick, pickle, olive and citrus. It came with an adorable Hopewell “Lil Buddy” chaser. The pizza was also very good. We chose the “Colucci,” a buttery, medium-thick crust topped with sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms, red onions and cream cheese.
Our time on The Etcetera’s roof was extremely relaxing and packed the most “vacation” vibes.
5. Sweet P’s Pantry
169 E. Wisconsin Ave.
(262)-408-9831
sweetpspantry.com
Nestled inside the historic Old Theater Mall, Sweet P’s Pantry specializes in toffee, chocolates, Ghana-style brittle and candied nuts. The small space – which smells delectable – houses the confections and serves as the production space.
Sweet P’s has more than 15 kinds of toffee, five varieties of candied pecans, including the Wisconsin State Fair award-winning “Rosemary, salt and pepper” and “margarita” pecans, along with many forms of dark and milk chocolate, including truffles and cocktail-infused Brandy Old Fashioned creams and Bourbon balls. Also of note are candy bars embossed with maps of Wisconsin and Lake Country.
Yaw Asare and Orson Fournillier purchased the family business in 2023. They’ve welcomed customers from Racine and Chicago, but say the support of Oconomowoc locals has been tremendous.
“Everything we make is made by hand, and Oconomowoc and Waukesha customers really see the value in that,” says Fournillier. “Anytime someone walks into our shop, it’s a personalized experience. We encourage more people to find us. I think we’re truly an Oconomowoc hidden gem.”
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