Must DO/See in Wisconsin
 

We are heading to Wisconsin in June. We are in our late 60s, so hiking is out. We are interested in historical and natural points of interest.

What must we do and/or see in Wisconsin other than the Dells and Milwaukee?

Thanks,

Wil

I understand the Door County area is very nice.

In addition to Milwaulee, Wisconsin Dells, and Door County, choose from:

Apostle Islands sightseeing cruises
Hearthstone Historic House Museum, Appleton
Circus World Museum, Baraboo
International Crane Foundation, Baraboo
Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds
Little Norway, Blue Mounds
Stonefield Historic Site, Cassville
Governor Dewey Homesite, Cassville
Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, Coon Valley
Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, Chippewa Falls
Old World Wisconsin, Eagle
Galloway Bouse & Village, Fond du Lac
National RR Museum, Green Bay
Packers Hall of Fame & Lambeau Field, Green Bay
Wade House, Greenbush
Lincoln-Tallman Restorations, Janesville
Lake Geneva cruises
Lumberjack Special RR & Tour, Laona
Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison
Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison
Rahr-West Art Museum, Manitowoc
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc
Milton House Museum, Milton
Pendarvis, Mineral Point
Swiss Historical Village, New Glarus
Chalet of the Golden Fleece, New Glarus
EAA Airventure Museum, Oshkosh
Mining Museum, Platteville
Villa Louis, Prarie du Chien
Norman Rockwell Museum, Reedsburg
Larson's Famous Clydesdales, Ripon
Museum of Woodcarving, Shell Lake
Taliesen, Spring Green
House of the Rock, Spring Green
Cranberry Museum, Warrens
Octagon House, Watertown
Woodson Art Museum, Wausau

Wil,

Please post more about how much time you'll have to visit.

I would suggest Madison for the Saturday morning farmers' market and the amazing capital building. You might also hit a Concerts on the Square performance.

Then, you could head west to Spring Green and see Frank LLoyd Wright's Talesin and outdoor Shakespeare performed at the American Players Theater. The House on the Rock is also a one-of-a-kind type of place.

I know you said that hiking is out. However, if a little bit of walking is possible, I'd recommend Old World Wisconsin as a true living history museum and Devils Lake for a great day outside.

Have fun,

Kevin

Thanks for the suggestions.

We plan to spend about a week, with two or three days in Door County.

We have been in Milwaukee and the Dells before, so we plan to visit the other areas of Wisconsin.

In addition, we will spend another week in the upper Michigan.

Wil

Madison is a really nice town.
Devil's Lake is nice too.

Wil,

A day at Lake Geneva might be nice if you'd like to get out on a boat.

Kevin

Abram, one little correction to your excellent list: the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp is at Carson Park in Eau Claire, not in Chippewa Falls.

Madison would be my choice.

Where are you going in northern Michigan? I live in west Michigan (Grand Rapids) so I can recommend lots of places to visit here if you're interested.

I agree Madison is a great town. Very good college feel to the town.

If your into Frank Lloyd Wright - check out the convention center.

Well for our family it was the Air Museum in Oshkosh, and the Laura Ingalls Wilder site in Pepin. We also enjoyed the Door Peninsula and Stevens Point.

Aren't these questions funny, since our two MUST SEE sites probably don't interest many other people....

Another vote for Door County. You can't go wrong, IMO it is the gem of WI.

Someone suggested the EAA Airventure Museum in my hometown, Oshkosh! Hoooray! If you can make it to the EAA Air Adventure fly-in in July, whether you are an airplane enthusiast or not it is really something to see. Thousands of planes gather for air shows, competitions, etc. Quite an event!

http://www.airventure.org/

Thanks everyone for your input.

HI,
If you are here on a Saturday, head to the Capitol Square in Madison and take in the Farmers market. The setting and all of the vendors make this a very special event...go early to avoid the crowds. Depending on your time, a trip to the Miss.River at Prairie duChien is a nice drive plus a stop at Villa Louis Historic Site, combined with a visit to Wyalusing State Park to get a view of the Miss. River from the top of the bluff will take your breath away.
Have a good trip!

Racine Downtown and Lake front which is better than Milwukee's.
An interesting Museum a few blocks away.
One of 3 I think remaining historic Kewpee hamburger places. http://www.kewpee.com/
Portors very expensive furniture near by http://www.portersofracine.com/
Interesting beach and beach house on the other side of the river if something is going on.
Do a web search on racine I think it is worth a stop.

Hello there!

I am a Wisconsinite! I can tell you that Madison is a great city that you may want to check out. I agree with the earlier post about going to the farmer's market at the capital. It is a neat experience. You can walk down State Street after you go to the market too. I went to school at UW-Madison. On campus, there is the Memorial Union. People usually go there and just enjoy the view of the lake and have a sandwich or a drink.

Lake Geneva is another very neat place to visit. They have boutique-lined streets and it's very pretty and touristy there.

Bring mosquito repellant!

I have lived in WI for 6 years now. The best place that we have visited is the Apostle Islands up north on Lake Superior. You drive to Bayfield and then take a ferry across to the biggest island - Madeline Island. It is very peaceful and relaxing. We took my mother who is 78 and she enjoyed it very much, but then we love the great lakes. I guess it just depends on what your interests are. We have been up to Madeline Island 3 times in our 6 years here. Have never done more than drive through Madison - but then we don't really like city life. Good luck - June is a great time of year to visit.

If you're a NASCAR fan, 2003 Champion Matt Kenseth has a free museum in his hometown of Cambridge, Wis., which is 20 east of Madison on US 12 & 18. Call 1-866-878-1717 for hours and info. And if you're not a race fan, Cambridge is a pretty little town with some nice shops.

Can anyone give me some information about Manitowoc and the Maritime museum? Also, how long will it take to drive from Manitowoc to Machinaw City? Any suggestions on places to stop along the way?

As a Wisconsin native, I think of Madison as a must-see, especially in the summer. If you only have one or two days there, go on a Saturday. You can visit the farmer's market around the Capital and then walk down State Street toward UW campus. Stop at Memorial Union and sit down at the Terrace.
Other points of interest I'd recommend: Devil's Lake, Spring Green (Frank Lloyd Wright's House on a Rock), Door County, Milwaukee.
Hope you have a great trip.
- Kelly