Discover Oshkosh: Outdoor Escapes, Riverwalk, and World-Class Hospitality

Welcome back to the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast! In today’s episode, we're chatting with Anna Murphy-Pociask, Marketing Coordinator for Discover Oshkosh, to spotlight why Oshkosh, Wisconsin, should be on your list for family vacations, couples getaways, outdoor adventures, and even conferences and conventions.  Recorded in partnership with Travel Wisconsin and Destination Madison, this conversation explores Oshkosh’s vibrant outdoor recreation—from kayaking and fishing on Lake Winnebago to hiking scenic trails and discovering Wisconsin’s largest mural along the Riverwalk. Anna also shares insider tips on the city’s food scene, local culture, year-round events like the famous AirVenture air show, and how this “small town with big city activities” welcomes visitors with genuine Midwest hospitality. Whether you’re an adventire seeker, nature lover, or foodie, tune in for an in-depth look at everything Oshkosh has to offer! DISCUSSION Introduction and Background Howard Fox introduces the Outdoor Adventure Series podcast and today's episode (00:05) Travel Wisconsin and Destination Madison’s involvement in hosting the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual conference (00:13) Introduction of Anna Murphy-Pociask as the episode’s guest and marketing coordinator for Discover Oshkosh (00:48) Experience at the Outdoor Writers Association Conference Howard's reflections on meeting journalists and storytellers (01:39) Anna's impressions of attendees and the pre-convention activities in Oshkosh (02:13) Pre-Conference Oshkosh Activities Description of fishing charter on Lake Winnebago (02:53) Experience of a Wisconsin fish fry and ending the day with a tiki cruise (03:14) Success and abundance of fish caught (03:54) Anna's Personal Story and Professional Background Born and raised in Appleton; moved to Oshkosh for university (04:56) Education in public relations and advertising at UW-Oshkosh (05:11) Journey to working at Discover Oshkosh (05:11) History and Community of Oshkosh Oshkosh B’gosh children's clothing brand origins and its local significance (06:52) General description of Oshkosh’s geography and environmental assets (07:46)Proximity to lakes and rivers (Lake Winnebago, Lake Poygan, Lake Buttermore) Abundance of waterfront properties and recreation Local culture and welcoming atmosphere Outdoor Activities and Seasonal Experiences Kayak and river trail opportunities (10:13) Hiking/biking on the Oshkosh Riverwalk and area trails (10:41) Availability and rental of e-bikes (11:24) Public art and Wisconsin’s largest mural on the Riverwalk (11:38) Oshkosh as a four-season destination (12:44) Culinary and Community Features Emphasis on Wisconsin fish fries, especially walleye (14:06) Year-round farmers market (14:31) Visitor Demographics and Major Attractions Target audiences: family-friendly tourists and adventurous spirits (15:49) Aviation enthusiasts drawn by EAA AirVenture Oshkosh | Oshkosh Air Show (16:02) Interactive Web Tour of Discover Oshkosh Overview of website sections: homepage, outdoor videos, events, and activities (17:47) Focus on sports and outdoor activities, hiking, and nature/parks (18:36) Highlighting specific trails (Weawash State Trail, Oshkosh Riverwalk, Terrell’s Island) (19:55) Menominee Park and free admission zoo (21:53) Visitor guide availability, both mailed and online (23:07) Use of QR codes and interactive maps (24:23) Blog coverage of area murals, including the largest mural (25:35) Local Food, Coffee, and Shopping Recommendations Where to take visiting friends: local coffee shops, markets, and bagel/diner spots (27:15) Breakfast at Mike’s Place or Anchor and Port (28:05) Downtown Oshkosh shopping and Riverwalk stroll (28:54) Afternoon snack at Caramel Crisp Cafe for popcorn and cookies (29:16) Dinner at new restaurant Truffle Pig (Italian cuisine and pasta wheel) (30:27) After-dinner drinks or entertainment at Beckett’s, Oshkosh Arena, or The Grand (33:06) Oshkosh’s live music scene (33:40) Community Spirit and Funky Traditions The “porch geese” as a branding and playful element (35:09) Local business Silver Star Brands and Gaggleville line (35:23) Supporting Tourism and Volunteering Small Discover Oshkosh team; reliance on local partnerships for events and volunteering (36:48) Strong sense of community pride and engagement The Case for Visiting Oshkosh Anna's closing pitch for Oshkosh: unique, everything-but-ordinary, big events in a small town (37:59) Key large-scale events, including the EAA AirVenture air show in July (38:40) Wrap-Up and Resources Reminder to check out DiscoverOshkosh.com and social channels for more information (39:45) Recap of Oshkosh’s features: water, trails, culture, food, coffee, porch geese (41:25) Details for podcast listeners: links, YouTube channel, social media, and acknowledgments (41:54) LEARN MORE To learn more about the Oshkosh, visit their website at a https://www.visitoshkosh.com/ and on these social sites: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OshkoshCVB Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/discoveroshkosh OWAA 2026 Conference Hosts Travel Wisconsin: https://www.travelwisconsin.com/ Destination Madison: https://www.visitmadison.com/ NEXT STEPS Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. KEYWORDS Anna Murphy-Pociask, Discover Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Travel Wisconsin, Destination Madison, OWAA, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview #AnnaMurphyPociask #DiscoverOshkosh #Oshkosh #TravelWisconsin #DestinationMadison #OWAA2026 #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview My Favorite Podcast Tools:   Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva