Expert: Kim Nolet - 12/31/2000

Question
We will be driving from Calif. to Oshkosh for the Air Races in 2001. Do you have any tips on where to stay near or at the air show? We are thinking of buying a motorhome for the occasion. What type of services are available? Any handy hints for our visit would be highly appreciated.

Answer
Hi again,
I got more information for you on places to stay from a friend that lives very close to Oshkosh.  She has a 2000 booklet from the Airshow and said just to hit www.oshkoshcvb.org and it has all the hotels listed.  She said she's hear the Baymont isn't very nice and the Howard Johnson is just ok.  Everything else, such as the AmericInn, Fairfied, and Holiday Inn are nice.  If you can't find reservations there, check the neighboring city of Neenah and the Park Plaza Valley hotel.  Appleton (about 20 miles North of Oshkosh) would be your closest major city.  As far as campgrounds go, she said that her boyfriends family came in last year and camped at Hickory Oaks and they found it to be just fine.  They did tent camping, but I checked and they do have RV hookups and Air Show shuttles.  I'd call places now to book though, because it's not a huge city and motel space is very limited.  All the phone numbers of hotels are on that website.

I made a list of some of my favorite stores in the outlet mall which is right near the airshow (again, it's a fairly small town, so nothing is too far away):  Eddie Bauer, Liz Claiborne, Jones New York, Bass, Levi's, Nautica, Ralph Lauren...and many more.  When I've been to Oshkosh otherwise, it was to do watersports.  I know they have a boat to do Lake Michigan cruises, etc.  The website might have more info.  Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions!  I'll do my best to help out.