Winter Reading Kick Off đź“š

Inside: The Domes, Munching Around Milwaukee, Reading Challenge and an NA Guide

January 14, 2026

In partnership with

This week we’ve got the scoop on winter reading programs (free donuts at the Whitefish Bay kickoff!), a new Domes exhibit that'll have your kids asking "how did they build that?", and for those of you making your way through Dry January—a few NA finds from a recent night out at Scout.

Let's get into it.

Know the North Shore: Munching Around Milwaukee

Meet Charlie DeSando — Milwaukee’s “amateur YouTube chef & professional eater” and the guy behind Cooking Secrets for Men and the Munching Around Milwaukee podcast. Through his YouTube channel, he interviews chefs, restaurateurs, and local foodies like Dominic The Food Reviewer to tell the stories behind the plates. Check out our Q+A with Charlie for his origin story and his go-to picks for the North Shore, downtown, Historic Third Ward, celebration dinners and more!

Start your year with clarity

Written by Shane Parrish and reMarkable, this workbook helps you reflect without complexity or stress. It guides you through the past year with intention, so insights emerge naturally.


This isn’t about setting more goals. It’s about understanding what matters, clearly and calmly.


A simple reset for January. A thoughtful way to review your year.

Winter Reading Programs

At Whitefish Bay Library, join the kickoff party this Saturday, January 17 (10–11 AM) for free donuts, games, crafts, and a chance to sign up for Winter Reading 2026. The program runs through February 28 with paper logs for kids and teens (earning prizes as they read) and online Beanstack registration for adults (earning entries into gift card drawings for every two hours of reading). Stop by January 17 or grab materials anytime during the program. See our full guide to local winter reading programs.

Wonders in the Dome

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Explore global adventure without leaving Milwaukee. Starting this Saturday, Modern Wonders in the Dome transforms the Show Dome into a miniature world tour, where model trains glide through colorful beds of pansies and stocks, past tiny azalea trees, and onward to the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. Each one recreated as a can’t-miss stop along the route. It’s the kind of display that hits the sweet spot for kids, plant lovers, and anyone who enjoys a little “how did they even build that?” wonder.

For Parents: Dry January Guide

NA Options at Scout in Shorewood

How’s Dry (or damp) January going for you? Did you make it though the Packers game? During a parents night out at Scout in Shorewood I found some Athletic Brewing and an NA cocktail (“I Promised My Wife I Wouldn’t Drink”) among their NA offerings. Two weeks to go. We’ve got this. See our full NA Guide to Greater Milwaukee.

Bugeting Made Easy

Get your finances in order in 2026! Sign up for the Monarch Money app with this link and get 50% off membership for the first year! The app that pays for itself!

North Shore Snapshot

See you out there,
North Shore Family Adventures

P.S. Forward this guide to anyone still asking, “What should we do in 2026???”

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