{"id":41365,"date":"2019-03-18T13:33:19","date_gmt":"2019-03-18T18:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=41365"},"modified":"2019-03-18T13:34:15","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T18:34:15","slug":"appleton-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/appleton-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"Appleton, Wisconsin is an A+ Small Town Getaway"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hugging the shores of the meandering Fox River, Appleton, WI, blends a big-city lifestyle with the ambiance of a small town.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cultural and dining attractions are top-flight, and waterfront options can be active or leisurely. Appleton is one of 19 charming communities that make up the Fox Cities in East-Central Wisconsin. Located about 200 miles north of Chicago and 30 miles southwest of Green Bay, it\u2019s just the right distance for a weekend (or longer) getaway!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some ideas to inspire your Appleton, Wisconsin, adventure&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See a Live Show<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41367\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41367\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41367 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC-1300x870.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesPAC-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton has the second largest stage in Wisconsin. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When Broadway shows make their touring premier in Wisconsin, chances are they\u2019ll choose the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/foxcitiespac.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox Cities Performing Art Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It\u2019s a world-class modern theater with the second-largest stage in the state. None of the 2,100 seats are further than 108 feet from the stage. The schedule is chock-full with beloved theater traditions like <em>Rent<\/em> and <em>The Lion King<\/em>, as well as music and dance performances by renowned popular and international entertainers. Big news: <em>Hamilton<\/em> is on board for the 2019-2020 season!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cruise the Fox River<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41368\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41368\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41368 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxRiverAppleton-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The Fox River in east-central Wisconsin invites active and leisurely watersports. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hop aboard a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxrivertours.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox River Tours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> canal boat and enjoy a relaxing and informative 2-hour sunset cruise. The narrated roundtrip routes through a vintage hand-operated lift lock. Get even closer to the water by kayak or stand-up paddleboard.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/foxriverkayakingcompany.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox River Kayaking Co.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> rents gear and leads excursions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a Shopping Frenzy<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41369\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41369\" style=\"width: 2042px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41369 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2042\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2-600x401.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2-1300x869.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/AppletonShopping2-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2042px) 100vw, 2042px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Shopping mavens find a haven in Appleton, where one-of-a-kind boutiques meet up with designer names. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a small city\u2014or a big city, for that matter\u2014Appleton is a shopper\u2019s delight. Stroll the picturesque downtown for stylish boutiques, vintage and resale shops, and loads of locally made wares. Discover unique home decor at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.harpgallery.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harp Gallery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which sells antique and vintage furniture painstakingly restored and ready for modern living. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/urbanevolutions.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Urban Evolutions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> specializes in reclaimed building materials but also purveys a wide assortment of new textiles, wall and table decor, handmade crafts, light fixtures, topiaries, and jewelry. More than 140 big-name retailers beckon at the enclosed regional <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxrivermall.com\/en.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox River Mall<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indulge in Hoppy Hour<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41370\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41370\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41370 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/Stone-Cellar_Appleton-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Wisconsin is well-known for its extensive beer culture. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wisconsin\u2019s deeply rooted beer culture is on parade with craft breweries at the forefront. Fans find keg-fulls of flavorful production beers plus seasonal selections. As an aside, the brew meisters are also notable for their dining accompaniments. Burgers are rave-worthy, but so are sandwiches, small plates, and pizzas. In addition to pleasing traditional tastes, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appletonbeerfactory.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Appleton Beer Factory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is known to experiment with flavors such as coffee, citrus, florals, and tea. <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stonearchbrewpub.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stone Arch Brewpub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is Wisconsin\u2019s oldest, with a history dating to the 1850s. Not a beer drinker? Try non-alcoholic Stone Arch Root Beer or Stone Arch Orange Cream Soda. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mrbrewstaphouse.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mr. Brews Taphouse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a small, mostly Wisconsin franchise serving local, regional and international craft beer.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take a Nature Hike<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41371\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41371\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41371\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve-1300x868.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BubolzPreserve-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41371\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Within the Fox Cities, vast stretches of natural landscape and wildlife habitat are protected. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just a few miles out from the city bustle is <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bubolzpreserve.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a wildlife preserve and education center with 775 acres of unspoiled natural landscape. Eight and a half miles of groomed trails wind amid forest, ponds, and creeks. Another outdoorsy choice is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.heckrodtnaturecenter.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heckrodt Wetland Reserve<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in nearby Menasha. This urban nature reserve is made up of diverse habitats, including forested wetland, cattail marsh, open water, and prairie. You\u2019ll view them all via three trail miles, two of which are elevated boardwalk. Don\u2019t miss the memorial butterfly garden.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find Houdini Magic at the History Museum<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41372\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41372\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41372\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1502\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton-600x440.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton-300x220.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton-1024x751.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/HistoryMuseumAppleton-1300x954.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41372\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>History Museum at the Castle honors legendary magician Harry Houdini and Appleton native with a permanent exhibit. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World-famous magician Harry Houdini grew up in Appleton, and the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.myhistorymuseum.org\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">History Museum at the Castle<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pays tribute to his life and career. As you tour the extensive exhibit, AKA Houdini, you\u2019ll view his actual artifacts and learn to perform some of his major illusions. See if you can escape from the mock jail. Other exhibits in the stately museum, a former Masonic Temple, depict regional history and other notable locals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attend a Timber Rattlers&#8217; Game<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41373\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41373\" style=\"width: 2048px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-41373 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium-1300x867.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/FoxCitiesStadium-128x86.jpg 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41373\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>The Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton is home to the Timber Rattlers minor league baseball team. Photo courtesy of Fox Cities CVB.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fox Cities Stadium is home to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.milb.com\/wisconsin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timber Rattlers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a Class A minor league affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The team is named for the timber rattlesnake, which doesn\u2019t live in the area, but that\u2019s what happens when you let school kids vote (the mascot is a rattler named Fang.) The modern stadium, built in 1995, seats almost 6,000 enthusiastic fans. Choose your viewing at Neuroscience Group Field from traditional bleachers, grassy hillsides, luxury boxes, picnic areas, patio tables, and all-you-can-eat buffet seating. Perhaps you\u2019ll catch a flying brat\u2014that\u2019s a bratwurst sandwich flown into the stands from a brat-zooka.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Design Your Own Chocolate Bar<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41374\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41374\" style=\"width: 1960px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41374 size-full aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WilmarChocolateBar.jpg\" alt=\"A mound of melted chocolate on a marble slab with blue, pink, yellow and green candies being mixed in.\" width=\"1960\" height=\"2048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WilmarChocolateBar.jpg 980w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WilmarChocolateBar-600x627.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WilmarChocolateBar-287x300.jpg 287w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WilmarChocolateBar-1300x1358.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1960px) 100vw, 1960px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41374\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>Choose your own ingredients, and Wilmar Chocolates in Appleton will make a custom candy bar while you wait. Photo by Pamela Mckuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By now your chocolate craving is sure to kick in. Stop by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wilmarchocolates.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wilmar Chocolates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an Appleton tradition that has specialized in fresh small-batch chocolates since 1956. Wilmar\u2019s chocolatiers will create a custom candy bar just the way you like it. Choose your chocolate flavor: light, dark or mixed. Add up to four mix-ins, including fruits, spices, nuts, and even Pop Rocks. Or you can follow one of their \u201crecipes\u201d such as Toffee Coffee or Curry &amp; Coconut. Then watch as your special masterpiece is created. <\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">View Paperweights in a New Light<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_41375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-41375\" style=\"width: 1646px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-41375 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BmmGlass1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1646\" height=\"2048\" srcset=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BmmGlass1.jpg 823w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BmmGlass1-600x747.jpg 600w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BmmGlass1-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/BmmGlass1-1300x1617.jpg 1300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1646px) 100vw, 1646px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-41375\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>More than 6,000 paperweights and other objects of glass artistry are on display at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah, Wisconsin. Photo by Pamela McKuen<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/bmmglass.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is chock-full of bright, shiny objects. We\u2019re talking glass here, mainly antique and contemporary paperweights and Germanic drinking vessels. What started in the 1930s as a private collection has grown to one of the largest paperweight collections in the world. Also on display are exquisite contemporary glass sculptures by international artists and delicate Victorian glass baskets. The museum is located on the western shore of Lake Winnebago in Neenah.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For more information, visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxcities.org\">Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau<\/a>\u00a0and start planning your trip today!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hugging the shores of the meandering Fox River, Appleton, WI, blends a big-city lifestyle with the ambiance of a small town. Cultural and dining attractions are top-flight, and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":679,"featured_media":41366,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4066],"tags":[9840,9856,9841,9839,9844,9848,9863,9861,9858,9862,9843,9853,9860,9854,9852,9857,9849,9847,9855,9851,9859,9846,9845,9850,9842],"class_list":["post-41365","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-category-travel","tag-appleton","tag-appleton-beer-factory","tag-appleton-wi","tag-appleton-wisconsin","tag-chicago-getaway","tag-cute-small-town-getaways","tag-fox-cities-performing-art-center","tag-fox-river-kayaking","tag-fox-river-mall","tag-fox-river-tours","tag-getaway-experience","tag-gordon-bubolz-nature-preserve","tag-harp-gallery","tag-heckrodt-wetland-reserves","tag-history-museum-at-the-castle","tag-mr-brews-taphouse","tag-museum-of-glass","tag-small-towns","tag-stone-arch-brewpub","tag-timber-rattlers","tag-urban-evolutions","tag-vacation-hotspots","tag-vacation-spots","tag-wilmar-chocolates","tag-wiscon-getaway"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.4 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Appleton, Wisconsin is an A+ Small Town Getaway<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Appleton, WI, blends a big-city lifestyle with the ambiance of a small town. Start making plans to visit soon with this helpful guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/appleton-wisconsin\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Appleton, Wisconsin is an A+ Small Town Getaway\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Appleton, WI, blends a big-city lifestyle with the ambiance of a small town. 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