Summer is the perfect time to get out of the house for some fresh air and sunlight. However, sometimes the weather makes that a difficult task, especially when winter hits and temperatures dip. What you need is an outlet that can handle the changing seasons without putting a damper on your fun. Here are some of the best indoor attractions in Fond du Lac that encourage hours of recreational fun all year long. Fond du Lac Community Aquatic Center Beat the summer heat with a refreshing swim at the Fond du Lac Community Aquatic Center. Two indoor pools are available for public use, including a larger one for older kids and adults and a smaller one with a shallow end suitable for young children. You can also improve your technique with regular swimming lessons, and introduce your little ones to the water in a "baby seals" class reserved just for infants and toddlers. In addition, if you're looking for a specific wellness program, you can choose among aqua aerobics, water yoga, and water exercises to find your best match. more The Children's Museum of Fond du Lac Get your kids interested in cognitive exploration at Fond du Lac's Children's Museum. This facility boasts 15,000 square feet of indoor space and another 10,000 square feet across multiple outdoor attractions. Inside the facility you'll find an exhibit hall featuring 19 unique and interactive spaces for children of all ages. Head to the Palace of Persia to explore the decorated maze walls and hop on a magic carpet. Or travel to the Great Toddler Reef full of bubble mirrors and hanging jellyfish for kids to explore. In addition, the museum offers special programs to ensure children with autism or sensory processing impairments can enjoy the same type of fun, but in a more comfortable and controlled environment. Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts Creative enrichment is a powerful thing, and something that the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts strives to promote. This expansive facility offers a variety of attractions for art aficionados and their families. Tour the exhibit hall that houses intricate pieces from paintings and sculptures to large-scale installations. Join the free Book Club and get in on the discussion for your current read. You can also hit the stage during a summer theater program and sign up for a Studio 51 class to get hands-on with fantasy drawing, foam printmaking, and splatter painting. Fond du Lac YMCA Whether you're interested in getting fit and healthy or participating in fun family programs, you can find a lot to do at the Fond du Lac YMCA that caters to your specific needs. The building houses basketball courts, soccer and volleyball nets, and opportunities for badminton and pickleball. You can also access the indoor swimming pool during the week for a public splash, instructor-led swim lessons, and aqua aerobics. Or perhaps you're interested in out-of-water activities such as yoga and Zumba. Whatever you're in the mood for, you can find it at the YMCA. With so much to explore in Fond du Lac, it can be hard to decide where to go first. These four attractions offer a nice outlet for those who plan to take their fun indoors. Image via Flickr by amseaman
Whatever the season, it's never too early to plan a special outing for your pet. You'll find several dog parks near Fond du Lac that house top-notch facilities for your pooch and gorgeous greenscapes for them to explore and get in some healthy exercise. Here are some of the best dog parks near Fond du Lac your four-legged friend will surely love. F.I.D.O Dog Park First on the list is the F.I.D.O Dog Park, spanning 2.5 acres across a fenced-in space ideal for both small and large breeds. Your pup can enjoy an off-leash adventure on the well-groomed lawns while interacting with others. Meanwhile, you can sit back and enjoy lovely scenic views of the park and the glistening Fond du Lac River. Before you go, remember to keep the area clean. Waste disposal bags are provided on-site free of charge. more Lakeside Dog Park West There's so much to explore within the 400-acre border of Lakeside Park. You can visit the playground, hop on some carnival rides, and interact with animals at the petting zoo. You'll also find miles of vantage points for stunning views of Lake Winnebago. In addition, this facility houses an off-leash, fenced section located in the west portion of the park that's perfect for dogs to run around in. You can rest your feet while sitting on a nearby bench, toss a Frisbee and watch your dog play catch, and bring them along to pet-friendly events reserved just for them. Best Friends Dog Park Next, we head to nearby Oshkosh to the Winnebago County Community Park. Along the northeast section sits Best Friends Dog Park, a 9-acre stretch of off-leash property surrounded by blooming bushes, grassy lawns, and towering trees. Your furry friend will have lots of fun exploring this open space. You can follow them along the route or take a rest on one of the many benches located on-site. Best of all, the park is well-lit to accommodate evening guests, and waste disposal bags are available to owners who may have left theirs behind. Ripon Dog Park Your pooch will have a blast at Ripon Dog Park. It features 5 acres of fenced-in land with a separate area sectioned off for smaller dogs. There are plenty of shaded areas where dogs and their owners can rest, along with gorgeous green spaces for your furry friend to run around in. However, this park doesn't offer waste disposal bags nor a water fountain. So make sure you stock up before you leave the house. Dog-Friendly Parks in Ford du Lac There are 10 smaller residential areas and parks in Fond du Lac that allow dogs on the premises. Although there aren't any sectioned-off places for your four-legged friend to run around in, they can still enjoy a fun day out amid scenic nature trails, recreational facilities, and acres of groomed green spaces. Some of these parks include the 3.4-acre Frank Russell Park, 1.09-acre Hucks Bellevue Park, and 15-acre Ledgeview Corporate Center. As long as you keep your dog on a leash, you should be good to go. These awesome dog parks near Ford du Lac set the perfect backdrop for a fun outdoor adventure with your furry friend. Which do you consider as your go-to spot? Image via Flickr by Jef M
Sheboygan has a varied art and culture scene that you won't want to miss. These are four of the best places to see art and music in the area. What's offered is constantly changing so be sure to check back often. more Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra At the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, experience the incredible performance of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra. Home to Wisconsin's oldest continually active orchestra, this orchestra has been performing since 1918. On February 16, 2020, a magical concert titled Teddy Bears and Tunes will be held, geared toward children from age three to grade three, though everyone is welcome. Young guests can bring their own teddy bears and blankets. Age three and under are free, and children's tickets are just $5. For a full list of upcoming concerts, check the concert listings on the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra's website. Live Performances for Families Also at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts, you'll find theatrical performances involving storytelling and music. Join in the interactive, improvised performance of The Greatest Pirate Story (N)ever Told, taking place this January. After a tragic accident with squid ink, these pirates-turned-actors must rely on the ideas of the audience to fill in the blanks and go on with the show. There's even a version for adults, Rated Arrr. Don't miss the Underwater Bubble Show next April; inspired by Cirque du Soleil, this performance involves dance, juggling, contortionism, sand art, soap bubble tornadoes, snow cannons, and optical illusions. The entire family will love the high interactivity of this show. Lenore Tawney: Mirror of the Universe A rotating series of exhibitions are part of the Lenore Tawney: Mirror of the Universe collection at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. Up first is the Cloud Labyrinth, with thousands of threads suspended from a fabric ceiling and swaying with every breeze. Next up is Even Thread a Speech, featuring fabric art by eight contemporary artists. The third exhibit is Ephemeral and Eternal: The Archive of Lenore Tawney, featuring a collection of the correspondence, photographs, and journals of the artist that give insight into her career and development. In Poetry and Silence: The Work and Studio of Lenore Tawney is the final exhibit, featuring 120 of Tawney's fabric sculptures. Classic Movies on the Big Screen Spend a memorable evening watching a classic movie on the big screen at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts. Playing one movie per month, this is a fun family outing or a great date night idea. On the schedule for 2020 are: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Princess Bride, Space Jam, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Mamma Mia!, and Won't You Be My Neighbor? Tickets are just $5. The doors open one hour before the show starts, so get there early and pick the best seats. Listen to music, explore works of art, and enjoy classic movies and live performances right here in Sheboygan. Remember to look at what concerts and exhibits are coming up, since there's always something new for you to see. Image via Pixabay by YannaZazu
