Fish Fry Season is here 🐟

Inside: Little Gym, Winter Carnival, Betty Brinn free day, best fish fries

February 18, 2026

Before we dive in, a big thank you to The Little Gym Glendale for their partnership and sponsorship of North Shore Family Adventures. They’ve invested in building a space where kids grow physically, socially, and confidently — and they’ve invested in this community by supporting local storytelling like this newsletter.

If you’re a business looking to reach engaged North Shore and greater Milwaukee families, let’s talk. Sponsorship spots are limited each season, and this audience shows

Know the North Shore: The Little Gym

FOX6 WakeUp host Brian Kramp has spent over a decade going live from kitchens, bakeries, and festival grounds across Milwaukee — and he's built one of the best maps of the local food scene in the process. His North Shore starter pack reads like a greatest hits list: Calderone Club for pizza, Jack Pandl's for fish fry, Benji's for Hopple Popple, Kopp's for custard, and six more favorites from Shorewood to Brown Deer. Read the full Q+A.

Like coffee. Just smarter. (And funnier.)

Think of this as a mental power-up.

Morning Brew is the free daily newsletter that helps you make sense of how business news impacts your career, without putting you to sleep. Join over 4 million readers who come for the sharp writing, unexpected humor, and yes, the games… and leave feeling a little smarter about the world they live in.

Overall—Morning Brew gives your business brain the jolt it needs to stay curious, confident, and in the know.

Not convinced? It takes just 15 seconds to sign up, and you can always unsubscribe if you decide you prefer long, dull, dry business takes.

Cedarburg Winter Carnival

Historic downtown Cedarburg transforms into a full-blown winter playground for the beloved Cedarburg Winter Carnival, happening Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 21–22.

This free, two-day festival blends small-town charm with wonderfully weird traditions. Think racing decorated beds. Ice sculptors carving frozen masterpieces. Award-winning soup. A dog sled pull. Granny impersonator bingo. See the full line-up.

Fish Fries are back

Fish and chips at diner.

Ash Wednesday is today, and with it comes one of southeastern Wisconsin’s most dependable social institutions: the fish fry. Here are North Shore favorites to consider and the best fish fries in the wider area.

Cheer On Wisconsin at the Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics are hitting the home stretch in Milan–Cortina, and Wisconsin has already had a very loud moment on the world stage. Kewaskum’s Jordan Stolz is no longer “one to watch” — he’s the story. He’s already captured gold in the men’s 1000m and 500m, both in Olympic-record fashion.

Still coming up this week: men’s 1500m on Thursday, Feb. 19 (another chance to bring the family around the TV). And if you want something a little more chaotic and strategic, the men’s mass start events (semis + final) land on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Beyond Stolz, Brookfield’s Marcus Mueller (with partner Ansel Haugsjaa) had a dramatic Olympic debut in men’s doubles luge, finishing 6th after being in the mix early. And Pewaukee’s Jadin O’Brien is right in the action in two-woman bobsled, teaming with veteran Elana Meyers Taylor as that event ramps up in the final days of the Games.

Free Day at Betty Brinn (Feb. 19)

The third Thursday tradition continues at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum with free admission on Thursday, Feb. 19 (9 a.m.–7 p.m.). Advanced reservations recommended. Perfect for winter energy release, STEM play, and climbing structures that remind you children possess infinite battery life.

Deals at Pabst Theater Group

Get up to 50% off family-friendly shows at the Pabst Theater Group with the code FAMILY. See all upcoming shows with eligible discounts.

See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures

P.S. Forward this to anyone still asking, “Is it still February???”

Reply

or to participate.