Follow Your Bliss!

We at ThriftyRambler challenge you to expand your horizons when considering even the simplest of family outings.  We greatly enjoy “off the beaten path” destinations and attractions.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to go main-stream.  But if that becomes all that you do, you are missing a huge amount of interesting interactions and experiences.

There are times when we just want to get out of the house without revisiting the same old places.  But we don’t want to go far and we don’t want it to be a costly adventure.  Here are some of our favorite local destinations to challenge that “I’m bored” mentality.

• Delaney’s Surplus – Located next door to Dr. Evermor’s sculptures on the road to Baraboo, this dusty and expansive store has a gazillion items to examine.  Need a $6 pair of jeans?  They might just have a pair in your size.  Need a large glass paperweight, a giant jar of pickles, or a large spool of wire?  There is no telling what will be in stock when you visit.  And if you pay cash, you get a discount!
• American Science and Surplus – Tucked away on a Milwaukee street, this store is so much fun!  The inventory is always changing, but you will be sure to find items ranging from arts and crafts supplies to an assortment of loose wheels in all shapes and sizes.
• Dr. Evermor’s – We’ve never had much luck visiting when the entire property was open.  But just being able to explore the sculptures located outside of the main area are worth the stop. And if you’re lucky, you might get to see the Forevertron!!!
• Middleton Playground  – Trust us on this one.  It’s a great park that’s easy to find.  Our kids love it.  But don’t tell everyone – we enjoy the lack of swarms of children.
• Vilas Zoo – A very walkable zoo with a great variety of animals.  You can take your time or you can just visit your favorite Red Panda – as entry is no cost.  Parking is a major pain at the height of the season.

All of the above destinations are free unless you choose to purchase something.  But what about places for our readers that aren’t local?  Here are some interesting destinations for them, as well as our local readers, to consider:

• Thrift Stores – It is our experience that every town, no matter how small, typically has a thrift store.  They are great fun, whether you are ‘just looking’ or have a particular shopping goal in mind.
• Libraries – If you have kids, this can be a great outing.  Most libraries offer a cozy children’s section with fun things to explore- ranging from iPads to building blocks.  Just pick a town and see what their library has to offer.  If nothing else, you can sit and read a few stories together.  If you’re in an unfamilar town, ask the librarian where to go for ice cream!
• College Museums – We suggest that you’d be surprised at the museums hidden away on most college campuses.  These museums tend to be free but always call ahead to verify cost, hours, and general admission policies.  Whether you like art, dinosaurs or maps, there’s a campus museum for you out there.

When you throw caution to the wind and allow yourself to venture beyond your familiar boundaries, wonderful things can happen!