Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
This massive dwelling was once home to early area industrialist John Bergstrom. The
highlight of the
Bergstrom-Mahler Museum
(165 N. Park Ave., 920/751-4658,
www.bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com
,
10am-4:30pm Tues.-Sat., 1pm-4:30pm Sun., free) is
a world-renowned collection of paperweights, many dating from the French classic era of
1845-1860. The glass menagerie, as the museum calls it, is made up of 2,100 exquisite
pieces.
Downtown Neenah and Menasha Riverfront
The scenic, landscaped Fox River north channel towns sport more than 30 picturesque his-
toric buildings, many straight neoclassical in design. The best view is from the still-hand-
operatedlockonthecanal.AnewmuseumalongTaycoStreet,the
Bridge Tower Museum
(920/967-5155, by appointment, free), is in an 80-year-old bridgetender's tower.
Downtown Neenah's East Wisconsin Avenue gives the best glimpse into 19th-century
opulence and great river vistas. The mansions along this stretch were the partial setting for
Wisconsin native Edna Ferber's novel
Come and Get It.
Menasha's
Kimberly Point Park,
at the confluence of Lake Winnebago and the Fox
River, has a great lighthouse and some good views of the river. The big draw is the world-
class
Barlow Planetarium
(1478 Midway Rd., 920/832-2848,
www.uwfox.uwc.edu/bar-
exhibits and new public shows every week; no reservations required.
Adjacent to the planetarium is the
Weis Earth Science Museum
(1478 Midway Rd.,
920/832-2925,
www.uwfox.uwc.edu/wesm
,
hoursvarydaily,$2),theofficialmineralogical
museum ofthestate. Doyouwanttoknowaboutglaciers andthestunningsandstone form-
ations of the state? Right here's the place.
InMenasha,the
Club Tavern
(56RacineSt.,920/722-2452,
www.clubtavern.net
)
isone
of my favorite low-key taverns. It features lots of off-beat beers on tap and friendly propri-
etors.
Theword
gran ka-ka-lin
isaFrench-Ojibwapidginhybriddescribingthelongportageonce
necessary to trek around the city's 50-foot cascades, which ultimately required five locks
to tame. A bit more amusing: In 1793, the area's land was purchased—the first recognized
deed in the state—for the princely sum of two barrels of rum.
