When the leaves were starting to fall and the holidays were getting closer, I was ready for the beautiful white crisp snow and the slow season to arrive. I have a love / hate relationship with winter. I love the holiday season and they definitely help with the winter blues but I wanted to make sure I had ideas of things I could try or places I could visit to distract from the chilling discomfort that winter can bring too. 

I started thinking about what I wanted to put on my winter bucket list. I didn’t share it publicly (like I have in the past), but I have it written down for reference. One thing that I really wanted to get back into was ice skating. So I turned to the internet and started looking for places that have ice skating and rentals. 

When I came across The Plaza and Globe Coffee online, it looked like it was right out of a Hallmark movie- twinkling lights strung throughout the space, blazing fire pits for guests to warm up around, and local businesses flourishing all around this centered location. I knew I wanted to see it for myself. 

The Plaza

I’ve spent a lot of time researching The Plaza and Globe Coffee, mostly online through their website and social media. I’ve discovered that they coexist with one another. They both compliment the other’s operation and functions with their own. 

Highlights:

Ice rink

Private room

Globe Coffee (more details later on!)

Patio (pet friendly)

Private events

Fire pits

Roller skating

Ice Skating

When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was that the Plaza is mainly covered for people to wear their skates throughout the establishment. If you get cold on the ice, you can make your way over to one of the three fire pits to warm up. They even have a window to order food and drinks from Globe Coffee while you’re outside so you don’t even have to take your skates off!

I made my way over to Skate Admissions window located past the Globe Coffee entrance. Here you’ll sign a waiver, pay your admission and skate rental fees (you can bring you own skates too!), and grab your skates. They are cashless so be ready with your card payment or Apple Pay! There are general daily admissions and rental prices or a family package is available too (if you want to create a new family tradition)!

Chairs are situated throughout the space to put on your skates and cubbies to store personal belongings too. Everyone seemed respectable around others’ belongings. Then, all that’s left to do is hit the ice! About half way through their open hours, they direct everyone off the ice for the Zamboni to take over and smooth it out. 

Hours of Operation:

Monday: 4pm – 7pm

Tuesday: School/Non-Profit Private Events

Wednesday: Private Events

Thursday: 4pm – 8pm

Friday: 4pm – 9pm

Saturday: 11am – 9pm

Sunday: 11am – 6pm

(Be sure to check their Facebook page for updated hours / scheduled private events)

Themed Nights for the Public

While checking out their Facebook, especially during the holidays, they had some themed nights to make it an even more magical environment. They’re extremely interactive with their visitors on social media too! 

Some Past Events:

• Polar Express Night
• Eloise the Elf (elf on the shelf)
• Pictures with Santa
• The Grinch came to visit
• New Years Eve Party at the Plaza
• Wicked Night

I took a little deep dive scroll and it looks like they plan events all year round. The themed nights when it isn’t cold enough turn ice skating into rollerblading nights!

Schools and Private Events

I think it’s so important to highlight that they set aside dedicated times for schools to come visit, support non-profits, and welcome their community to book private events. Think corporate parties, community events, birthday parties. They even have dedicated time set aside for homeschooled students too! 

Globe Coffee

I’m always up for coffee. And most of the time it’s not even about the coffee itself. Coffee shops are incredible places of connection, introduction, and curiosity; coffee is supplemental.

I go to coffee shops to meet up with friends. To complete a routine (stopping before work or getting a caffeine fix). For the limited time offer holiday specials. I go for the atmosphere. I make efforts to connect with baristas, even if it’s just a shared smile.

More recently, I’ve been on a coffee flight kick. I love trying something new, AND if I can get 3 of them? Count me in! 

Menu Features

I didn’t spend too much time inside at Globe Coffee but I can tell you it feels so cozy the moment you walk through the doors, kind of like walking into a cabin at a ski resort to warm up after hitting the slopes.

While they do have a food menu, I want to focus on their specials and limited time flights. Normally I’d be someone to get a flight because I like to have my options. But for the sake of my experience, I tried out the Crême Brulée latte with oatmilk. It was delicious and creamy, and the perfect fit to thaw out my hands from being on the ice for almost two hours. I hope that I can get back to try a coffee flight, maybe earlier in the day so I don’t end up staying awake all night. They also roast all of their own beans in house which reminds me a lot of a local coffee shop that I used to frequently visit. There’s just something about the flavor that immediately took me back.

Neenah, Wisconsin

My first time visiting Neenah was to check out their summer farmer’s market. It was one of my first solo adventures living here and I was looking for something smaller than the blocks and blocks of the downtown Appleton farmer’s market. There’s tons of parking and it looks like a lot of intriguing businesses too! 

“Coming to Neenah is like coming home. Quietly nestled along the shores of Lake Winnebago, Neenah is a friendly, spirited “hometown,” where life is safe, comfortable, and secure. Here you’ll enjoy the lifestyle of small-town America and the convenience of living in the Fox Cities,  metropolitan areas, the fastest growing urban center in Wisconsin.” (their website)

After being in a small town for three years in the UP, this was the perfect addition to my solo adventuring. And this is exactly how I felt even in the small portion that I’ve seen so far. I’m challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone and explore little bits and pieces of my neighborhood and place I call home! 

Be curious. Be intentional. And be imperfect. 

Do you know of any cool locations that I should check out? Send me a message and keep an eye on my website or social media for what comes next!