10 Best Places to Visit in Wisconsin

Many people refer to Wisconsin as the Cheese State or the Dairy State, but there is more to the area than Dairy production. Wisconsin is home to many desirable travel locations from big cities to national parks, offering a range of sights and attractions for thrill seekers, nature lovers and families.

Travelers can find amusement and relaxation year-round in Wisconsin though tourists should be prepared for any type of weather if they want to have the best possible vacation. Travelers should never judge what to wear based on how the locals dress as Wisconsinites tend to have thick blood and an enviable tolerance for cold weather. An overview of the best places to visit in Wisconsin:

10. Pattison State Park

Pattison State Park is home to Big Manitou Falls, a 165-foot (50 meter) high waterfall, the tallest in the state. Native Americans were said to have believed to hears the Great Spirit’s voice from the falls. The park also has Little Manitou Falls, which is 31-feet (9 meter) high. The state park is located around 13 miles south of Superior in Douglas County. There are many campsites as well as a few nearby motels.

9. Cave of the Mounds

The Cave of the Mounds is a caver’s delight located 20 minutes west of Madison. It is one of the most cherished caves in the Midwest, featuring guided tours year-round. People often refer to the Cave of the Mounds as the “jewel box” of the Midwest’s caves. It is known for its many formations and sheer beauty. Visitors can also enjoy a lunch in the picnic area, go hiking, visit the Butterfly Gardens or check out the Fossil Dig.

8. Lake Minocqua

Lake Minocqua is a large lake in Oneida County. Tourists can find many vacation rentals around the lake and access the water from parks and public boating landings. The destination is most popular in the winter for snowmobiling and in the summer for waterskiing and boating. Fish found in Lake Minocqua include Walleye, Musky, Panfish, Largemouth and smallmouth bass and Northern Pike.

7. Geneva Lake Shore Path

The Geneva Lake Walking Path is a 21-mile (34 km) mix of concrete, limestone and dirt originally created by Native Americans a century ago. Serious walkers can complete the path in eights hours, but most people require 10 to 14. Some travelers may prefer the lake’s South Side because it allows access to Big Foot Beach State Park, but this side is not as developed as the North Side, which is home to many old mansions. Visitors desiring a shorter walk can travel a portion of the path.

A 6.5-mile (10 km) section takes people through downtown Lake Geneva and Williams Bay. People choosing this option can drive into Williams Bay and leave their car if they can arrange for a ride back, or tourists can opt for the more unique option and arrange to be picked up by a water taxi from the Lake Geneva Cruise Line.

6. Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells is known as “The Waterpark Capital of the World” and offers a range of attractions and accommodations to meet every waterpark lover’s needs. An explosion of indoor water parks has turned the Dells from a summer hot spot to a year-round destination. There are over 21 water parks, water-skiing thrill shows and super-minigolf courses. The Dells has two visitor centers that can best assist tourists plan their vacation.

5. Madison

Madison is the state capital of Wisconsin and home to around 500,000 people. The city is one of only two in North America that is located on an isthmus (the other is Seattle). Madison is home to fine dining, theater, and a thriving night life, as well as five lakes and plenty of bike-friendly areas.

Many college students reside in Madison because the city is home to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison has the feel of a college town combined with the benefits of a metropolitan area, yet a short drive out of the city gives travelers access to the countryside.

4. Door County

Situated on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Michigan, Door County is a great place to visit in Wisconsin for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts. The county is home to picturesque lighthouses and small 19th- century villages in addition to 300 miles of shoreline. Visitors can enjoy outdoor theater, live music and stunning views everywhere they look.

For travelers who want to get away from it all, remote islands are accessible by boat. People looking for glamour and luxury can enjoy fine dining and opulent resorts. Quaint bed and breakfasts, cabins and historic inns offer a variety of other accommodations. Many travelers head to Door County in the spring for the cherry blossoms, but there is plenty to do any season.

3. Apostle Islands

Apostle Islands draws in hikers, water sport enthusiasts and campers. The islands are home to Meyers Beach, Bayfield Headquarters, the Little Sand Bay Visitor Center and fishery, and the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Visitors should be aware that the only way to the islands is by water.

Many people choose to access the islands by kayak but there is a ferry can take cars to Madeline Island. Stockton Island is home to one of the greatest concentrations of black bears in North America, though bears may be found on just about any of the Apostle Islands.

2. Milwaukee

Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s biggest city with nearly 600,000 residents. It is located on Lake Michigan’s southwestern shore and is known for its brewing traditions. Milwaukee boasts many attractions to appeal to tourists such as Pier Wisconsin, the Milwaukee Riverwalk and Miller Park.

Visitors who would rather take a walk on the wild side can see the Harley-Davidson Museum or the Milwaukee County Zoo. Tourists can break up their time in the city by visiting the Kettle Moraine State Forest, an enormous park that is home to the thousand-mile Ice Age Trail.

1. Bayfield

For a small town experience that is rich with history, tourists should visit Bayfield. Home to only a few hundred people, Bayfield is the main gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Bed and breakfasts and speciality shops are plentiful in the town located almost at the most northern section of the state on the shores of Lake Superior.

There are two museums, Bayfield Maritime Museum and Bayfield Heritage Museum, and a few art galleries, but the town’s biggest attraction is the yearly Apple Fest in October. Many people also visit for Race Week, which is held around the 4th of July.

Map of Wisconsin