Wisconsin Summer Vacations Within Driving Distance

Summer Vacations Within Driving Distance

Kid Friendly Camping

Whether your family likes to camp in a tent or an RV, remotely or right by the action, you’ll find a spot to set up camp in Wisconsin. Load up your camping gear and get ready for some fun and don’t forget to pack the marshmallows!

Consider Stoney Creek RV Resort & Campground in Osseo. Here you’ll find a kiddie pool full of fun play structures your toddler is sure to enjoy while older kids can swim in the deeper pool. Family members of all ages can also enjoy playing volleyball, basketball or mini golf! All this within 30 minutes of Eau Claire!

Your family may also enjoy Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Warrens. Being kid-friendly is the signature of the park! They have a full waterpark with slides, wading pools and lazy rivers, swimming pools, golf carts to zip around the campground, children’s crafts and programs, and weekend entertainment such as puppet shows, hypnotists, bands and choirs for young and old. The park also has fishing ponds stocked with pan fish for eager fishermen. This trip is just over an hour from Eau Claire!

Dog Friendly – Door County

As some of you may know, Eau Claire Ford Lincoln & Quick Lane welcomes all well-behaved dogs and their people, too! So, we appreciate other places that welcome man’s best friend!

Door County is about 3.5 hours from Eau Claire and is well known for their wineries and amazing scenery, but many locals also know that Fido is welcome, too! Plan to stay at the Country House Resort in Sister Bay where dogs are welcomed with goody bags that include an all-natural treat, dog towels and a list of local canine hot spots.

Experience a fish boil at Waterfront Mary’s in Sturgeon bay where dogs are welcome to witness the festivities or visit Harbor Fish Market and Grille in Bailey’s Harbor where dogs even have their own menu! For dessert, be sure to stop by Not Licked Yet Frozen Custard in Fish Creek where dogs get their own free cone while humans can debate between the many amazing flavors of this Scandinavian-inspired custard shop.

Be sure to check out Door County Kayak Tours in Fish Creek where dogs are welcome to join tours through caves, sand dunes and shipwrecks on calm days. Try some of Door County’s famous wine at Simon Creek vineyard and Winery in Jacksonport (dogs welcome outside) or at Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery in Fish Creek where dogs are welcome throughout the grounds, especially during apple and cherry picking! Wind down at Northern Sky Theatre or Skyway Drive-In Theatre both in Fish Creek where leashed dogs are welcome to enjoy the performances and shows!

Couple’s Weekend Get Away

Canoe Bay Resort is right along the Chetek Lake just under an hour from Eau Claire.

Enjoy hiking miles of trails, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, lounging by the lake, fishing, biking, exploring the gardens, optional guided fishing, and golfing at the nearby course. You can also indulge yourself in the impressive literary library or set up an in-room massage for the ultimate relaxing get away.

Parents be aware – no one under 21 is allowed at the resort so plan to take this weekend for yourselves!

For more information or to book your stay, please visit their website!

P.S. Before you head out on your summer vacations, be sure to stop by our Quick Lane for an oil change, tire rotation, and multi-point vehicle inspection to ensure safe travels! For more great Wisconsin trip ideas, visit www.travelwisconsin.com!

Should I buy or lease my next vehicle?

Leased vehicles accounted for 31% of new vehicle sales in 2016, according to Edmunds. Leasing can be a great option to get you lower payments and get you into a new car, but you will have to factor in how much you drive and your goals to decide if buying or leasing is right for you. 

Let’s go over a few benefits of buying and leasing to help make your decision a little easier.

Benefits of Leasing

Leasing a vehicle allows customers to trade into a new vehicle usually much faster than they would be able to if they were purchasing a vehicle. This means they are always able to get the latest and greatest in safety and technology.

How leasing works: When buying a car, you are responsible for the entire purchase price. When you lease, you only pay for the difference in the vehicle’s price and the vehicle’s expected value at the end of the lease. This amount is also known as a residual value. Essentially, you just have to pay for the depreciation that occurs over the term of your lease agreement.

Small Down Payment: Leasing is perfect for customers who do not have a large down payment or do not have a vehicle that gives them much back as a trade-in. Many leases do not require money down at signing and it is easy to find one that only requires a couple thousand dollars down, but it is important to remember that just like purchasing, more money down will lessen your monthly payment.

Warranty Coverage:  The average lease term lasts three years, which means when leasing a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle, you will be covered under the bumper to bumper warranty for the entirety of your lease. Some leases can even include basic maintenance, so the only costs you are left with is insurance and fuel.

Tax Savings:  Leasing may save you money in sales tax as well! In Wisconsin, and some other areas, you’ll only have to pay sales tax on the amount you spend at signing and on your monthly payments (and you don’t pay taxes on the residual value.) When you purchase a vehicle, you are responsible for paying tax on the entire purchase price.

What happens at the end of my lease? There’s no need to worry about selling your vehicle or trading it in as you have options versus obligations.
Option 1: Buy the vehicle for lease end value and keep it.
Option 2: Buy the vehicle for lease end value and sell or trade the vehicle with equity.
Option 3: Simply drop the car off at the dealership and walk away!

Benefits of Buying

No Mileage Restrictions:  When you buy, there are not restrictions to how many miles you can drive each year, though some lenders may put restrictions on use of a vehicle as an Uber or Lyft driver. If you live in a rural area, commute to work, or travel long distances, buying may be a wise choice.

No Monthly Payments After the Loan:  When you pay off the vehicle, you won’t have any more monthly car payments. Leaving you with only fuel, maintenance, and insurance costs. If you are the type of buyer who likes to drive your vehicle for a very long time, leasing may not be the best choice for you.

No Customization or Excess Wear Fees:  Car buyers can customize their vehicles as much as they like. Some of these customizations may even add value when it comes time to sell the vehicle. Any changes to a leased car may cost you at the end of the contract. Buyers who miss a regular service interval or two also do not have to worry about any fees when they sell the car but a lease customer might.

Final Thoughts

Every car buyer is different, so there is no single answer to whether buying or leasing is better. We advise you to look at the costs and benefits of each choice and align them with your needs and budget. Your choice may depend on the current incentives that are available on the vehicle you are considering as well, so be sure to talk with our knowledgeable sales consultants about all of your options.

Whether you choose to buy or lease your next vehicle, Eau Claire Ford Lincoln & Quick Lane will be happy to assist you in your car buying and service needs! If you have questions, please contact us at 715-852-1000 or stop in at 2909 Lorch Avenue to see us in person.

Sources:

Vincent, John M. “Buying vs. Leasing.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, 2 Feb. 2018, cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/buying-vs-leasing.

Lease Market Report. Edmunds, 2017, pp. 2–2, Lease Market Report.