LilBlueEyes310

Hello,

My husband and I will be taking a road trip from the Chicago area where we live to the East Central Wisconsin area, spanning from the Dells, to Appleton, to Green Bay, to Door County and any place in between that peaks our interest.

We will be traveling up through Milwaukee and Oshkosh. We won't spend a lot of time in the Milwaukee area since I grew up there and there isn't much we haven't already seen.

Does anybody have any suggestions of things to do in any of these areas or even other areas not mentioned above that would be worth our while visiting?

We are not museum type people, but we enjoy mother nature, sports and transportation (ie. planes (museums are ok for planes), auto racing & trains). We would like to go to a Packers pre-season football game, but there are not playing the week we will be traveling (the 1st week in August). We might catch a race at Slinger Speedway on our way up north.

Is anybody familiar with the Oshkosh area, isn't there a plane museum or something similar there?

Any input would be greatly appreciated... Thank you in advanced!

jette

There is indeed a "plane museum" in Oshkosh. Only the biggest exerimental aircraft museum in the world known as EAA. Sometime in early August is the annual fly-in and there are hundreds of thousands of visitors and every imaginable type of flying apparatus known to man. Its a terrible time for the non-aviators in the area as hotels are completely booked every year but if you're really interested, perhaps you could catch one of the shows or just walk the grounds.

chaz2316

The EAA show is the weekend of August 2. WONDERFUL show if you're interested in airplanes. Not a good time to be in Oshkosh if you're not.

If you want to avoid the crowds go up north either east (my choice) or west of Hwy 41, and come back down through Oshkosh after the show.

chaz2316

If you're interested in racing check out Road America in Elkhart Lake. They're highlight of the season is a CART race Aug. 1 - 3. Other races on their website.

A world class event (but it's not making your hotel situation any better)

wantsomesun

If you grew up in WI, you might already know about the House on the Rock, if your kids have not seen it go for the day. I have been a few times and am always amazed. I understand that the building is still going on, because there are still parts of the collection not on display.

There is also a cafe so you can get some lunch.

Have a great trip.

nicolette

If you like charming towns and little hype, check out New Glarus, just south of Madison. Swiss town with authentic shops, restaurants etc. Have fun, WI is a well kept secret

juinmi

Cave of the Mounds was pretty cool: http://www.caveofthemounds.com/

SaraLou

The Packers practice is usually outside and open to the public (to watch from outside the fence) at the end of July and beg. of August for about 3 weeks. Lots of people go to watch and kids from the area show up outside the stadium exits for a chance to loan a player their bicycle to ride over to the practice field. It is a tradition that goes back many years. They also usually have NFL Experience set up there and of course the Packers Hall of Fame is there too. You can check packers.com for more info closer to the time you'll be in the area. Keep in mind that on the days they have a game planning practice it is closed to the public.

LilBlueEyes310

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions. I've printed out this forum to get more information on the places suggested and start making a game plan of our trip. Thanks again...

I'm always open to more suggestions too.

Krista

My husband and I (no kids)enjoyed the Cirucs World Museum in Baraboo (close to Dells). Fascinating place. Outdoor site with multiple bldgs. National Historic Landmark. Shows in the summer.

Visit http://www.circusworldmuseum.com

Paul

Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin East, Spring Green, Wisconsin. Great motel: Spring Valley Inn. All just west of Madison - another great city to visit.

Spring Green Website:
http://www.springgreen.com/

Happy Trails,
Paul

Bonn

If you're looking for outdoors, head for any of the Wisconsin State Parks. My personal favorite with kids is Devil's Lake (near Baraboo). Great swimming, awesome hiking on the bluffs.

KimD66

High Cliff State Park is gorgeous. Good hiking, biking, swimming, etc. You can camp there, too. That is in Sherwood / VERY near Appleton/Menasha/Kaukauna area.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/...fic/highcliff/

The Grignon Home is a step back in time. That is located in Kaukauna.

http://www.foxvalleyhistory.org/mansion.html

They also mention the Houdini Museum (Harry Houdini is reputed to have been born in Appleton - depends who you ask). That is a fun little tour in Appleton.

WIR (Wisconsin International Raceway) has races every Thursday night. They are in Kaukauna, too (no, I am not from Kaukauna!). Very popular short track racing. A lot of fun to go there. They have 1 of only 3 Drag racing strips in the state, too.
http://www.wirracing.com/



Menomonie Park in Oshkosh has a small (and I mean small) free zoo and a nice playground and swimming.
http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/zoo/

Appleton/Fox Cities is loaded with things to do.
http://www.foxcities.org/

Have a blast!

LilBlueEyes310

Great suggestions! Sounds like we'll have a pretty busy weekend. Thank you to all of you who posted, everything is very helpful. Again, I'm always open to more suggestions... Keep 'em comin'

kp

EAA is July 29 - Aug. 4th this year. Traffic along Hwy. 41 can get very backed up over EAA weekend. And many hotels/motels from Appleton to Fond du Lac are booked a year in advance. It is a wonderful experience--and one I enjoy every year from my back yard. Do a search for EAA airventure for more information.
High Cliff State Park is very nice--but Oshkosh/Neenah/Menasha etc. are located on the west shore of Winnebago and the park is on the east shore.
You might want to check into a stop at Horicon Marsh. The "condition" of the marsh will be determined by how much rain we get this summer.

KimD66

Lake Winnebago is NOT Lake Michigan The distance is minimal. Sherwood/High Cliff State Park is 28 miles from Oshkosh and 11 from Appleton.