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This is our third attempt to experience a Milwaukee adventure – which we've defined as visiting two different places – on a single Jackson. It's a challenge, but the goal is to present cheap outing itineraries you might not have considered.
Last time, we suggested beers and a burger, and now we're upping it a notch with gorgeous gardens and Japanese food. This one takes a little planning ahead of time to get the best deal. The Boerner Botanical Gardens are free, the last Thursday of every month, which is when we suggest going.
Stop 1: Boerner Botanical Gardens, 9400 Boerner Dr., Hales Corners
Hours: Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free, on the last Thursday of the month.
The magical Boerner Botanical Gardens, located in Whitnall Park, are home to thousands of plants laid out in 12 gardens. It's an easy stroll and a joy for people of all ages. Hit the gardens during the day – or even for the last hour – and then head over to Tanpopo, just a few minutes away.
Stop 2: Tanpopo Ramen & Sushi Restaurant, 5191 S. 108th St., Hales Corners
Hours: Thursdays, open until 9 p.m.
Cost: Depends on order
Tanpopo offers authentic, affordable Japanese food in a clean, no-nonsense setting. For $20, diners can get a massive bowl of ramen ($13.50), tea ($3.50) and still have a few dollars for the tip. (We recommended over-tipping waitstaff, but that topic gets a little sticky for some, so moving on...) Another alternative is six maki sushi (rolls) and a variety are in the $7-$9 range, which, with tip, is more than covered by $20.
"The maths"
With free last-Thursday-of-the-month admission to Boerner Botanical Gardens and a bowl of ramen or sushi and tea, the math looks like this:
$0 (gardens) + $3.50 (tea) + $7 (sushi) + $3 tip = $13.50!
OR
$0 (gardens) + $3.50 (tea) + $13.50 (ramen) + $3 tip + $20
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
