Laverne & Shirley’s Milwaukee
A Great Place on a Great Lake
June 24-26, 2016
Schlemeil, Schlimazel, Hasenpfeffer Incorporated! Do you know what that means? Find out by taking a fun-filled tour of Milwaukee….Laverne & Shirley style. You’ve never been on a tour like this before. Every once in a while, a three day getaway appears that is so fabulous, you have to read the entire brochure to discover how exciting it really is. This is that three day getaway!!! Join Laura and Gary Block June 24-26 for our “Laverne & Shirley’s Milwaukee” that includes a sunset skyline cruise, the Basilica of St. Josaphat, a Lake Michigan shore hotel, great food, more food and lots of food! Milwaukee has been named one of the ten most “unexpectedly exciting” places to visit in the United States. Our Andy’s Charter Service coach departs Little Falls Friday June 24th from the northeast corner of Wal-Mart and we’ll pick up in Royalton, Rice, St. Cloud, the Twin Cities or anywhere else on our route. Our journey will take us through Wisconsin where we’ll take regular breaks and stop for lunch on your own. This afternoon we arrive at our destination and experience a highlight for many visitors to Milwaukee…..the Burke Brise Soleil. It’s impossible to describe what you’re about the experience. Unprecedented in American architecture, the Burke Brise Soleil is a movable, wing-like sunscreen that rests on top of the Milwaukee Museum’s vaulted, glass-enclosed Windhover Hall. The Burke Brise Soleil has a wingspan comparable to that of a Boeing 747-400 and the wings close around 5:00 pm, just about the time that we’ll be there. A local guide will meet us when we arrive. Dinner this evening is a Wisconsin Experience at the Milwaukee Beer Bistro with a Friday Night Polka Fish Fry. Enjoy House-made beer battered cod (battered in light ale) served with fries and coleslaw. An alternate entrée is a seasonal white chicken dish. Please inform us which entrée you would prefer when you sign up. Both entrees will include a non-alcoholic beverage and Key Lime Pie for dessert, plus lively polka music. Tonight we’ll check into the Park East Downtown Lakeshore Hotel. This downtown Milwaukee hotel features great city and charming Lake Michigan views. This older property is located on the Upper East Side next to a luxurious new condominium development and near the world-famous Milwaukee Art Museum. All guestrooms have been designed for simplicity, cleanliness and comfort. All rooms have a refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, iron and ironing board and high-speed wireless internet. A welcome reception that includes cookies and punch will be available when we arrive.
Day two begins with breakfast at the hotel. Our Laverne & Shirley costumed guides will provide a light hearted city tour while exploring Milwaukee and sharing stories of Laverne & Shirley’s antics. Plus a photo stop at the Bronze Fonz, see City Hall, a Polish Flat (very similar to the style Laverne & Shirley lived in) and the Pfister Hotel, which was featured in a few episodes of the television show. Take a guided tour through the beautiful Basilica of St. Josaphat. This is one of 62 minor basilicas found in the United States. In its grandeur and opulence, it is an excellent example of the so-called Polish Cathedral style of church architecture found in the Great Lakes region of North America. Modeled after St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it features one of the largest domes in the world.
Gary Block Tours
320-632-8632
mgaryblock@hotmail.com www.garyblocktours.com
The Basilica is featured on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Milwaukee Landmark. The Basilica will take your breath away and there’s a little gift shop that offers a variety of treasures. The Lakefront Brewery tour, ranked 4th best brewery tour in America by Trip Advisor, is our next stop. Find out why it’s one of the best, have a beer or a root beer, and enjoy the infamous bottling line. At Lakefront Brewery you’ll also have the opportunity to learn the Schlemeil, Schlimazel dance which can be a great photo opportunity. Lunch is included at a local mom and pop Italian Restaurant well known for their thin crust pizza. Lunch consists of salad, garlic bread, pizza and beverage. There is also a Chocolate Shop and baker in this quaint area that you may want to visit. On our way to the next destination, we make a photo stop at the Bronze Fonz, hear some interesting city facts, plus Laverne & Shirley stories. There will be a fun stop at Koz’s Mini Bowl, Milwaukee’s favorite place for mini-bowling, fun and atmosphere. There are four mini bowling lanes with human pin setters. The balls fit in the palm of your hand and weigh two to three pounds. People travel to Koz’s from all over the Midwest to play a game of mini-bowling. Enjoy a half game and everyone receives milk and Pepsi to try also. Have you heard of Leon’s Drive-In? It’s a Milwaukee tradition since 1942. From Presidents to celebrities, all stop at Leon’s for a delicious frozen treat. Everyone will enjoy a frozen custard treat with two scoops in a dish. After our break, we’ll tour the “Streets of Old Milwaukee” at the Milwaukee Public Museum. This experience will transport you back to Milwaukee at the turn of the 19th century. Re-imagined in 2015, the Streets boasts a life-sized street car entrance that, through clever use of technology, transports the visitor on a journey back in time to Milwaukee’s yesteryear. You can stroll down the gas lit lanes, peer into the windows of some thirty shops and pay respect to Granny patiently rocking on the front porch of one of the residences gracing the Streets. Before dinner we’ll visit the Clock Shadow Creamery and have an opportunity to purchase Wisconsin Cheese Curds from Milwaukee’s Cheese Factory. Saturday is fresh cheese curd day and you haven’t lived until you try a just made, warm cheese curd!! Dinner is at Mader’s German cuisine restaurant which has been in downtown Milwaukee for 106 years and has been voted the most famous German restaurant in North America. You’ll dine amid a stunning three million dollar collection of art, suits of medieval armor and antiques dating back to the 14th century. There’s a choice of three entrees. Please let us know what your choice is when you sign up. Choose from Franconian Chicken Schnitzel, a breaded chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, onion and garlic simmered in a Madeira wine veloute sauce and served over spatzle or sauerbraten; marinated roast beef with a raisin and ginger snap sauce, sour cream and toasted almonds served with red cabbage and spatzle or the Bavarian Platter with a brat, knack and Weiss wurst, Kasseler Rippchen and a potato dumpling. All entrees are served with rolls, butter, coffee, house salad and apple strudel. The evening has just begun as we board the boat for a Sunset Skyline Cruise. Travel down the Milwaukee River into the harbor of Lake Michigan and get a front-row view of architectural treasures and highlights including the Historic Third Ward, the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, City Hall, The Allen Bradley Clock Tower and other developments and revitalizations along the riverfront. Returning to the hotel, after a fabulous day, we say goodbye to Laverne & Shirley and relax at the hotel.
Day three begins with breakfast at the hotel. An optional shuttle will be provided for those who wish to attend Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, the See of the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and completed in 1852. The original tower was deemed unsafe and the section above the clock was replaced with a taller tower in 1893. A fire partially destroyed the church in 1935 and the tower remained intact. Rebuilding was completed in time for midnight mass on Christmas Eve of 1942. St. John’s Cathedral features 13 large hand-cut stained glass windows, a large tomb-shaped baptismal pool and marble font situated in the center of the sanctuary. In 2001, a gated garden and atrium were added at the north end of the church. This city features old world charm and new world vigor, where today’s vibrant attractions and restaurants are built on a rich history. On our way home, we’ll drive down the Lakefront area of Milwaukee. The “Gold Coast”, as it’s called, is a narrow band of gracious homes that are architectural gems. We’ll arrive in Little Falls early in the evening. Five meals are included, plus lots of fun and unique entertainment. Sign up today for our “Laverne & Shirley’s Milwaukee”. It’s guaranteed to be fun and entertaining!!!!
Ø Comfortable Andy’s Charter Service
motor coach transportation
Ø Two night’s accommodations at Park
East Lakefront Hotel in Milwaukee
Ø Guided tour of the city with Laverne
& Shirley costumed guides
Ø Burke Brise
Soleil at the Quadracci Pavilion
Ø Guided tour of the Basilica of St. Josaphat
Ø Sunset Skyline Cruise on the
Milwaukee River
Ø Tour, samples and fun at Lakefront
Brewery
Ø Dinner at Mader’s
German Restaurant (Let us know your entrée choice)
Ø Friday Night Polka Fish Fry at
Milwaukee Beer Bistro (Please inform us if you’re having fish or chicken)
Ø Shopping stop at Clock Shadow
Creamery – Milwaukee’s Urban cheese maker
Ø Lunch at a local mom & pop
Italian restaurant
Ø Half game of mini-bowling at Koz’s Mini Bowl with Pepsi and milk samples
Ø Two scoops of frozen custard treat at
Leon’s Drive-In
Ø Photo opportunity at the Bronze Fonz
Ø Optional shuttle for Mass at the
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Ø Five meals which include two breakfasts, one lunch
and two dinners
Ø Baggage handling
Ø Fun and prizes
Ø Hosted by Laura and Gary Block
$549
per person double occupancy $535
per person triple occupancy
$530
per person quad occupancy $635
single occupancy
$100
deposit per person required. Remainder
due on June 1, 2016
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Transportation and lodging hosted by
Gary Block Tours is arranged with independent firms. Bookings for entertainment are arranged
through independent hotels, theatres and other entertainment venues. We take great pride in our selection of
reliable firms. However, we do not
control these independent firms.
Sometimes shows or celebrity appearances are changed or cancelled without
notice. We cannot be responsible for
claims or losses arising out of injury, accident, death, loss of enjoyment,
frustration or inconvenience that arises from the act or omission of any
independent firm supplying services to Gary Block Tours, or for mechanical
breakdowns, governmental actions, acts of God, strikes or acts of war beyond
our control. We cannot be responsible
for the consequences of your failure to follow instructions, including but not
limited to check in, check out and baggage handling. If events or reservations are cancelled or
changed, we will make every effort to provide a comparable substitute tour
experience. Deposits and payments are non-refundable unless the tour is
cancelled or if we are able to fill those spaces..
I have read and understand the
Cancellation and Refund Policy notice.
All participants of this trip must sign below.
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Laverne
& Shirley’s Milwaukee