In a world where people are more connected to their phones than they are with one another, many are craving destinations where it’s ok to let go of the deadlines and the pressures of daily life. Places where they can unplug from the constant connections of the digital world and leave the bumper to bumper traffic in their rear view mirror, and instead connect with family and friends and the unaltered beauty of the world around us.
Port Washington, Wisconsin is one of those places.
Located just a short road trip from Northwest Indiana, the quaint town of Port Washington exudes peace and tranquility in a rather loud world. Resembling the beauty of New England paired with the undeniable friendliness of the Midwest, Port Washington has become one of Wisconsin’s most popular vacation destinations.
“Many people come here from the East Coast and say that Port Washington reminds them of their homes in Massachusetts or Connecticut,” remarks Kathy Tank, Executive Director of the Port Washington Tourism Council. “Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, visitors can walk from our bustling downtown to our marina and beach areas in a span of minutes.”
And yes, the downtown area is bustling like never before. Named by Midwest Living as one of the Top 100 Best Midwest Small Town Getaways, Port Washington is home to a number of family owned businesses who are flocking to the historic downtown area and offer everything from quaint gift shops to exquisite restaurants. “In the last twelve months, we have seen so many come back to invest in our downtown area,” explains Tank, whose organization recently released a free mobile app for the town and its visitors. “One of our building owners is an investment banker from New York. Another investor has plans to bring the ‘farm to table’ restaurant concept to our downtown area. We have even had an anonymous donor come back into town and restore our old bank into a museum. It’s amazing to watch.”
And while there has been quite the economic boom in Port Washington as of late, it’s the town small town feel that keeps people coming back for more. “There is a buzz here 12 months out of the year,” says Tank. “We are just 30 miles north of Milwaukee and two hours from Chicago, which makes it easy for people to get here from a travel standpoint.”
Far removed from the big box stores and cold customer service, Port Washington also offers a shopping experience like no other. Behind the doors of each and every shop lie treasures just waiting to be discovered. Walking paths throughout the downtown area and countryside of Port Washington will undoubtedly lead to countless memories for every visitor. “People live and do business here every day,” explains Tank. “We don’t close up shop like other nearby beach towns. We constantly have things going on. Our festivals such as the “Polar Bear Dip” in January, “Pirate Festival” in June, “Fish Day” in July, “Maritime Festival” in August and “Christmas on the Corner” in December bring tens of thousands of people into town for non-stop fun."
FOR MORE INFO:
Port Washington Tourism Council
126 E. Grand Ave.
Port Washington, WI
(800) 719-4881
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