From our islands to our bluffs, our rolling farmland to our 15,000 lakes, Wisconsin is brimming with tourism treasures. Although not meant to be exhaustive, consider the following bucket list your kick-start to exploring the very best of America's Dreamland:
- Take a drive down Highway 42 in Door County
- Catch a muskie on the world's largest chain of freshwater lakes in Vilas County
- Hop on a bike and ride along the Elroy-Sparta Trail
- Sample deep-fried treats (and a creampuff or two!) at the Wisconsin State Fair
- Kayak the Apostle Island Sea Caves in Ashland and Bayfield counties (and return in the winter for a view of the ice caves)
- Take a hot air balloon ride over Lake Geneva during the fall
- Cheer on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field
- Hike your way through Devil's Lake State Park
- Explore Big Manitou Falls - Wisconsin's tallest waterfall - in Superior
- Visit all 12 Wisconsin Historic Sites
- Spend a day exploring southwest Wisconsin via the Great River Road
- Take in a show at Summerfest in Milwaukee
- Enjoy a beer and a Lake Mendota sunset at the Memorial Union Terrace
- Watch the airplanes overhead at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh
- Spend a weekend exploring Wisconsin's northwoods via ATV
- Sample Limburger cheese at Green County Cheese Days
- Attend a Native American pow-wow
- Take a motorcycle ride through the Mindoro Cut in La Crosse County
- Climb to the top of Wisconsin's highest natural point at Timm's Hill in Price County
- Embark on a road-trip and discover Wisconsin's strangest roadside attractions
- Traverse the Driftless Area via the Great River Road
- Check out the unique galleries and exhibits at the Milwaukee Art Museum
- Go on a shipwreck tour off the Lake Michigan coastline near Manitowoc
- Head to downtown Madison for a tour of the Wisconsin State Capitol
- Delve into the world of Frank Lloyd Wright at the Taliesin in Spring Green
- Zoom down some extreme waterslides at Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells
- Set sail on Lake Superior
- Trek the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
- Go spelunking at Cave of the Mounds in Blue Mounds
- Take a Cranberry Marsh Tour in central Wisconsin
- Explore Door County's spooky side on a haunted trolley tour of the area
You really can’t go wrong when it comes to exploring our beautiful state—and that’s something I think some folks (especially those of us who work and live here) may take for granted. Now make your own bucket list for the summer...and share your ideas with me below!
Mariah Haberman is one of the hosts of the nation’s longest-running tourism TV show, Discover Wisconsin. She hails from Evansville, where she was brought up in a family of seven in a small farmhouse outside of town. Some of her favorite memories include Lake Michigan fishing trips with her Dad, showing sheep at the Rock County Fair and buzzing around the farm on an ATV with her little brother. Watch Discover Wisconsin Saturdays at 10 a.m. on FSN Wisconsin’s outdoor block.
What a list! What does it say about a person who has lived here for 55 years and hasn't done ONE of those items? Re-think the list.
I'd say you need to get into a car &start traveling. Been to at least 1/2 these places, etc. If you have to choose less than 1/2 go to diwn the Great River Road Period, from Hudson south. There were many on that list that were there or started there. First tour the Hollows & Coolees of the driftless area...you don't need a bike to go thru the "Cut", cars fit too...plus a covered bridge right there lots of places.... Norsekedalan Amish farms, Gays Mills apple orchards. We go almost yearly over there, Fall is best! We're over 75 and love the exploring, tho I'm not to mobile any more. Go it's great,
Something that would be interesting,I believe,is the logging contest at Hayward, WI. I believe it is held in July every year. I saw it when I was a young girl, many years ago but I never forgot it.
Absolutely! It's such great fun.
One I'd have to add is visiting Holy Hill in Fall and climbing up the tower for the view.
Making out on a blanket in Madison arboretum (dare you to include this ine).
Kayak down the Kinni in February and experience the ice caves formed by the natural springs cascading down 300 foot cliffs! Sweet...
What about Grand dad's Bluff in La Crosse? Authentic Kringle in Racine? (Not the Johnny-come-latelies from who knows where.)
Oh for sure! Great adds 🙂
You're forgot one place ... the worlds fastest road racing circuits is situated in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin - that of ROAD AMERICA. People visit from all over the world. You don't realize what a treasure you have in this state.
Love Cheese Fest in Shullsburg. And for some great history lessons of Wisconsin tour the actual mine there, Shakerag St. in Mineral Point, Bloody Lake Rundevue in Whitford, battle reinactments at Boscobel. I'm sure you can Google dates for these events.
I think I have covered most of these exciting designations in my epic poem "Songs of Wisconsin" along with a few more! Love Wisconsin!
Ride the waves in the capital of midwest surfing Sheboygan
What about, "Visit Husar's House of Fine Diamonds?!"
View the fall colors from the Rib Mountain ski hill lift. It's a beautiful site, but arrive early and prepare to stand in the long lines.
what about the house on the rock?
What about the Corn N Tater Festival in Grand Marsh Wisconsin
What about Corn n Tater Festival in Grand Marsh, Wisconsin