Hotel at a Glance: Metropolis Resort

The name “Metropolis” is fitting for the Metropolis Resort; like an indoor-city, the hotel has dining, entertainment, and sleeping all in one convenient place. The resort encompasses the Midwest’s largest indoor go-kart track and three different places to grab grub. With all this to do, the resort is ideal for family getaways or parents looking to keep their kids busy without wandering too far away.

• Use your tactical skills to best your friends at the laser tag arena.
• Take on the 30” Gorilla Pizza at the family-friendly Monkey in the Middle, or just order another of their made-from-scratch pizzas.
• Fore!: Weather permitting, the outdoor mini golf course is a great place to spend a day in the Great Outdoors.
• Head downtown: Just a short way away, downtown Eau Claire is a charming town, where you can find a children’s museum, shopping, and other activities.

Eau Claire, Wisconsin: Former Timber Town in the Northwoods

Eau Claire lies 90 miles east of Minneapolis in the Wisconsin Northwoods, a heavily forested area once known for its thriving timber industry. Today, the lumberjacks have been replaced by hikers and mountain bikers.

Carson Park, located in the heart of town, is a popular spot for jogging along footpaths, playing baseball in the shadow of a Hank Aaron statue (he once played for the Eau Claire Bears), and watching the sunset over Braun’s Bay. Just past the ball fields, you’ll find the Chippewa Valley Museum, where you can see rotating exhibits about the region’s indigenous tribes, European settlers, and timber boom. A classic ice-cream parlor nearby serves sundaes and malts.

Downtown, you can catch a show at the State Theatre, where the offerings include musicals, jazz acts, and standup comedy. While you’re in the city, you’ll also want to try out some fried cheese curds, stroll through the downtown farmers’ market, or watch roller-derby games at the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center.