Outside the Ordinary in Janesville, WisconsinDEADLINE TO REGISTER: 7/17/2026Location: Minimum Participants: 3
Maximum Participants: 5
Host: Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
Primary Contact: Katie Tranel,
[email protected]Who can attend & Cost: - Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
- Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
- Spouses/partners - Not Eligible
Transportation: ITINERARY (subject to change)This three-day visit to Janesville, Wisconsin is built for writers that love to move through a community to experience all it has to offer. Just 45 minutes from Madison, this outdoors-forward itinerary will explore a handful of miles of the longest Ice Age Trail segment within city limits than anywhere else in Wisconsin, an award-winning botanical garden, a golden hour boat ride on Lake Koshkonong, and more tastes of local flavor sprinkled in. This itinerary mixes active exploration with moments to slow down: coffee stops, guided hikes, waterfront dinners, and even a jaw-dropping water ski show. It’s about discovering the kind of outdoor experiences that feel woven into a community, and leaving with stories and experiences that are grounded, unexpected, and authentic.
Wednesday, August 19:- Rotary Botanical Gardens: Our afternoon at Rotary Botanical Gardens will feature a guided tour paired with a sustainability-focused presentation over lunch. Learn how intentional design, native plantings, and environmental stewardship come together in one of Wisconsin’s most respected public gardens.
- Skelly’s Farm Market: Take a behind-the-scenes visit to one of Rock County’s most beloved farm markets, including a walk through the strawberry and sunflower fields (both seasonal), a look at the on-site bakery, and a tasting featuring Skelly’s fresh-picked produce and homemade treats like sugar-dusted apple cider donuts and cookies.
- Dinner at Genisa Wine Bar: Genisa Wine Bar has an Italian-inspired menu of brick oven pizzas, decadent desserts, and an incredible wine menu to enjoy on their outdoor patio along the Rock River under the glow of string lights.
- Rock Aqua Jays: The Rock Aqua Jays are the most successful water ski show team in the world with more than 60 total tournament victories, including 24 U.S. National Championships. This Wednesday night performance will feature pyramids, ballet, jumping and barefoot water skiing on the waters of the Rock River.
Thursday, August 20:- Coffee: Seemingly secluded, Mocha Moment is a coffee shop tucked right into the middle of Janesville overlooking a quiet woods. Mocha Moment roasts their own coffee beans and makes their baked goods from scratch. A perfect way to start your day!
- Guided Bike Ride: This one-hour guided bike ride of interconnected trails winds through parks, neighborhoods, and even along the river. This ride will show how Janesville blends everyday life with access to the outdoors as a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community designated by the League of American Bicyclists.
- Picnic Lunch in Riverside Park: Enjoy lunch from Basics Cooperative under a covered pavilion in Riverside Park. Basics Cooperative is a community-owned grocery store with a café that serves paninis, soups, and smoothies.
- Devil’s Staircase Hike: This 1.5-mile segment of the Ice Age Trail travels along and up the side of the bluffs by the Rock River in Riverside Park.
- Pontoon Boat Ride on Lake Koshkonong & Dinner: Climb aboard a pontoon boat for a relaxed cruise on Lake Koshkonong. Calm water, open sky, and shoreline views capture the easy rhythm of late summer in southern Wisconsin paired with wine produced in local wineries followed by dinner at Anchor.
Friday, August 21:- Coffee: Grab a to-go coffee, tea, or smoothie at Bodacious Brew to take along on our public art trail walk!
- Public Art Trail: With more than 50 pinpoints, Janesville’s public art trail is an absolutely gorgeous way to explore our revitalized and growing downtown. The trail highlights murals, sculptures, historical markers, and more.
- Lunch at So Chopped: So Chopped is a salad bistro where you can build your own healthy and delicious salads and wraps with fresh ingredients and premium toppings, featuring dressings made in-house.
