R V trip in Wisconsin
 

Hi There,

We are planning a 15 day trip to Chicago and Wisconsin in June. Landing in Chicago and staying 2 nights in a hotel to see the city before picking up an RV and heading up to Milwaukee for an overnight stay, onto Door County for a couple of nights as it seems to be a very popular and beautiful place. Then through Oshkosh and a few days in the Dells before taking our RV back and another 2 nights in a hotel in Chicago before heading home to Wales in the UK.

We are 2 girls travelling with no children, we have done a little research on places of interest but we dont want to spend too long driving every day.

We like beaches, and harbours, theatres and shopping. We like the look of the Dells as we enjoy waterparks and attractions but can also use that as a base to see some of the other lovely parts of Wisconsin.

My questions are :-

1) Is our itinary workable and not too ambitious?
2) Should we re evaluate our route to take in better places of interest?
3)Is there anywhere that is a must-see that we ought to take into account?

Thank you for taking the time to read my thread and I look forward to receiving your responses.

When you are driving north from Milwaukee to Door County you might want to stop at a little town just north of Milwaukee called Cedarburg. They have an old mill that now houses some gallery space, antiques, etc. Browse for a while and then head north to Kohler. There are some interesting shops called The Shops at Woodlake and eat lunch at a great little restaurant called Cucina (it is part of the American Club). There is a nice beach on Lake Michigan just to the east of Kohler in Sheboygan.Soak up a few rays and then you can complete your drive to Door county and arrive by sunset. You'll want to head for the west side of the peninsula to enjoy the sunset across the bay. We appreciate the western side for all of the activity, shopping and people, but always prefer the quiet side (on Lake Michigan) for lodging and less crowded spaces. Judging from the crowds, most would disagree with me.

Oshkosh is not anything special in my opinion. Just another small city and one of several clustered in the immediate area. Personally I'd spend the extra day in Door County.

Door County is one of my favorite places and the Dells is one of my least favorite, but then I don't like water parks. That being said, I think that one of the most beautiful areas of Wisconsin is the drive along the Mississippi River Road south of La Crosse to Prairie du Chien. When you are in the Dells, La Crosse is only about 1 1/2 hours farther west.

Head back across the state to Madison. Check out the university campus perched right on Lake Mendota and stroll down State Street. Most people find it good people watching and it has some unique shops.Chicago is an easy drive from Madison.

Hope this is somewhat helpful.

Why are you planning to travel through Oshkosh? Oshkosh has some great tourist attractions--but shopping, beaches, and harbors aren't among them.

Kazza1,

I agree with EVERYTHING mdwest said! Unless you really like planes, and want to visit the EAA museum in Oshkosh, there is really nothing to do there. The drive she suggested through La Crosse is gorgeous, any time of the year. Everyone in my neck of the woods (Packer Territory) heads to Door County when they want to vacation in Wisconsin. You might also want to go further north and check out Eagle River. Gorgeous. Tons of places for RVs, too.
~Chilepepper

If you 2 girls are planning to take more RV vacations, consider joining rvingwomen.com. Good Q&A board and networking forum.

Kazza
Please Realize that this is a personal opinion but of all the places we've been, the Dells have been our least favorite. I find it very tacky and mildly trashy. Door County on the other hand is upscale and clean and fun and Chicago is one of my favorite cities.

I love the Wisconsin Dells. But then I love tacky tourist things. The lake/river there is beautiful, and if you want an adventure, take a ride on the Jet Boats. It's a blast! You will soaked to the bone head to toe, so dress accordingly. I think the company we used was http://www.dellsjetboats.com. We also enjoyed the Riverside and Great Northern Railway (http://www.dells.com/display.php?id=402), which is a scale miniature steam railway.

Since you like theaters, you'll enjoy the Al Ringling Theater in Baraboo. There are tours. But it's also an active movie and production theater. http://www.alringling.com/ Baraboo also has the Ringling Brothers Circus museum.

Hope you have a great trip! Sounds like a lot of fun.

If the traffic is good and depending where you are in Chicago, it will take about 2 1/2 hours to drive to Milwaukee. If you are making that drive on a weekend, the Renaissance Fair located right off the interstate on the Wisconsin/Illinois border is really fun.

Less than an hour north of Milwaukee is Cedarburg. Like mdwest posted, I too enjoy Cedar-burg and Kohler. While by the Kohler/Sheyboygan area you should check out Terry Andrae State Park. Point Beach is also close at Two Rivers. Both parks have beautiful sandy beaches on Lake Michigan. There is a really cute old candy shop in Manitowoc that we like, also serves sandwiches and a nice cup of coffee or malt. www.beerntsens.com Country Crafts Barn in Plymouth is also a nice place for lunch or to shop for home crafted items. www.countrycraftsbarn.com/

By Cedarburg is Shalom Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a very small family run nature preserve that contains buffalo, deer, elk and some smaller native wild animals. The owner gives 2 hour long wagon rides through the preserve and stops along the way to give information about the animals and Indian lore. It is kind of cool. There are Indian Burial Mounds and hiking trails near by. I think it is only open weekends.

Oshkosh has the EAA museum if you are interested in airplanes. There is also a very nice public museum and an art museum. There is a nice outlet mall for shopping but unless you are visiting friends or really into airplanes you could probably skip Oshkosh.

Wisconsin Dells has become very touristy, but it has some beautiful scenery. My favorite things are the boat rides and the Lost Canyon Tour wagon ride. Devil's Lake State Park is beautiful. Easy walking trails.

Rather than heading back to Chicago on the interstate you could drive south from the Dells through Dodgeville area. The House on the Rock is unbelievable. Although my favorite part is still the house itself, the museum contains hundreds of... for the lack of a better word... Things. There are automated music machines, collections of dolls, collections of just about everything. www.thehouseontherock.com/html/attraction.htm

Not sure where you are from in the UK, but by Dodgeville is Mount Horeb, a very quaint town that was settled by miners from Cornwall . I enjoy the recreated village Pendarvis- .www.wisconsinhistory.org/pendarvis/ -

If you are interested in cave tours, Cave of the Mounds is kind of fun. Blue Mound State Park is also near by.

If you choose to go back from the Dells area on the interstate you may want to stop in Madison. Nice shopping, theaters, museums.

Is there anything in particular you want buy? I know every yarn, fabric and needlework store in the state if you are interested in any of those things!

If you are planning to stay at any of the state parks you need to get your reservations in very soon. They fill up quickly.

To answer your questions:
1) Definitely not too ambitious of an itinerary. If anything I think it's not ambitious enough.

2) Yes, please re-evaluate your route.

3) Yes, as I'll explain below.

I'm a bit stunned that no one has mentioned a rather large lake that you should be visiting (it's called Lake Superior). You should all be flogged for that (with the possible exception of starrsville, because she's a Southerner and can be excused). :)

Seriously, in 15 days you can easily make a large circular tour through Wisconsin, with time for little side trips in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the North Shore of Minnesota. Don't restrict yourself to the southeast/southcentral part of WI.

I'd suggest a general plan of driving up the east side of WI (west shore of Lake Michigan), then head over to Lake Superior (dipping into the UP if you find something of interest), spend a few days driving along Lake Superior (maybe as far north in Minnesota as Grand Marais). From there, head south to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and continue south following the Mississippi River to La Crosse or Prairie du Chien, at which point you can make your way to WI Dells and back to Chicago.

Wisconsin is only about a 6 hour drive from top to bottom (Superior to Beloit) so when looking at a map you should keep that in mind. Granted, getting off the interstate will slow you down a bit, but you still have ample time to do far more than you've planned.

The Dells are a bit trashy and tacky, but they can be fun and entertaining and there is beautiful scenery in the area.

I live in Milwaukee, relatives in Door county and a Cabin 1 hour north of the Dells. AND dated a girl from Wales 24 years ago! Cardiff
Your itinerary is NOT too ambitious you can drive Door County to Chicago with ease or from anyplace on your route. But beware of Chicago traffic it is famous.
"like beaches, and harbors, theatres and shopping." HMMMMM let me see
I would stop off at Racine for a driving break. the harbor is very pretty they put a lot of money into it, catch a burger at one of the last remaining Kewpee restaurants ( http://www.kewpee.com/pictures.php ) and take in the museum (all within a few blocks of each other) then another 45 minute drive to Milwaukee via Hwy 32 for some of the old "Chicago road" flavor.
I might then catch a theater NON-opera show at the Skylight Opera theater in the Historic Third Ward. If the hotel is downtown take the Riverwalk to the theater. Or walk it during the afternoon before the show. 1 hour would do. Arrive early for the pre show talk. A main actor in South Pacific gave my girls a thrill with the close personal chat. Best seats are about 10-15 rows back in the middle but anywhere is good except maybe the first 2-3 rows. This would be enough of a plate full for an afternoon and evening. Do a web search on the Historic Third ward, River Walk and the Skylight. (everything I mention should be on the web)
Then I would probably drive to Door County via Hwy 43 (freeway along the Lake). With all due respect to the “stuff” along the way I would not stop. But if you want to, then Manitowoc harbor would be a nice break and try to catch a flavor for the trout and salmon sport fishing (door county also)
This is Green Bay Packer football country. I guess there are Green Bay packer fans all over the world. Right now the world waits to see if number 4 Brett favre, perhaps the best quarterback to ever play the game is going to retire or come back for another year. I would stop in green bay and see the Packer Hall of Fame and “Packer stuff” It is located at the entrance to Door County. It is a football mecca/shrine of sorts. National football announcers say that everyone should visit Lambeau field at least once in their lifetime. I’ve been a few times.
Door county? I think it is overrated. It is a lot of scenic vistas like experience. But a lot of tourists go there so there is a lot of infrastructure to support your stay. I have family in Sturgeon Bay and would recommend a stay there. I think all of the charm of Door County can be had there. But people like the door for reasons I don’t see and just scratch my head over.
There are basically 2 climates in Wisconsin resulting in different flora and fauna. Chicago to door County with reveal one as will Wisconsin dells on south. To see the other one I would head straight west from Green Bay to Wausau (easier roads) The so called tension zone where these 2 environments mingle runs on a line from roughly the Dells to green Bay. Going to Wausau then south to the Dells would let you get in the thick of the Predominately pine forested region. I would maybe even spend a night somewhere between Door County and the Dells if you could find an attraction in this Wausau direction pine forest region.
Once you approach from the north to within one hour of the dells to will get into Aldo Leopold country (A Sand County Almanac is a book written by him) The best thing about the Dells is the Dells so take a “Duck Boat” tour if you do nothing else. If you are physically up to it rent a canoe for exploring the cracks and crevices.
There is one more geographical area that is quite charming and well worth a trip through. Leaving the Dells I would head straight west to the Mississippi River, through the Coulee or driftless Region then go south along the Mississippi to the Wisconsin river and Follow it back to Madison, then to Beloit and then Chicago. The Coulee Region is the most attractive region in the whole state any time of year. The ice age glaciers did not grind this region flat and it is more rugged. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coulee_Region
Have fun in my State and I’d love to take my family to the UK sometime.

Racine? Oshkosh?

While Sturgeon Bay is technically part of Door County, many people don't think it has the beauty or charm of points farther north. While it may be worth a stop, it is too big and doesn't have the same character as the thumb of Door County. If Sturgeon Bay is all the farther you go, you'll be disappointed.

Goodness, has no one been to northern Wisconsin other than me?

Getting as far north as Wausau (which is more central than north) doesn't give you much of a taste of what the northern part of the state is like. Despite what people in the southern part of the state may think, you are not "up North" once you get past WI Dells.

Agree with the above poster. We stayed in Sturgeon while in Door County and wished we would have stayed in either Fish Creek or Egg Harbor.

It would be nice to hear from Kazza1 to learn what she thinks of the ideas already posted.
She stated that she enjoys waterparks--and there isn't anywhere better than the Dells for that activity.
It would be interesting to know why they would like to stop in Oshkosh--perhaps there are friends they plan to visit.
Kaaza1--please give us more information so we can provide more ideas.
Wisconsin has much to offer--

Hey Guys thanks for the replys so useful, and Wilbur and Mdwest thanks for the detailed and informative posts.

Okay well kp to answer your questions, we havent done any research on Oshkosh, we just thought it a good way to get over to the Dells, but a few of the posts have given better and more interesting routes, and we are not really into airplanes!.

As for the Dells, we thought it a good idea to take in the area as it does seem beautiful and we dont want to be driving long distances every day so thought it be okay to go to a waterpark for some fun on the lazy river, get some blood rushing on the water chutes, and get some sun on our backs in the process!! We certainly like boat rides, and we love sport so a must see is Green Bay and the Packer Hall of Fame, although we havent been to a football game in the US we have been to many baseball games, our favourite was seeng the Red Sox in Boston. (we are huge soccer fans over here!!)

Sobolik - We are from Cardiff in South Wales!!

Hey - The Weasel sorry if we offended you by not mentioning that great big blue lake, and would certainly love to go that far north, for the record we have 11 days hire of our RV so I guess we could manage it?

We did intend going up to fish creek and Egg Harbour as that seems really popular - but to be honest it does seem such a great fun and beautiful state we now want to go every where that has been mentioned.

Just one thing Wilbur mentions not using the interstate to come back from the Dells to Chicogo - how long is that trip? (without stopping!)

So fellow foderites thanks again for all your valued knowledge and time reading about my plans - keep the info coming and im sure excited about my trip.

Yes--Wisconsin has so much to offer and you've been given some very good advice. Not sure where you plan to park the RV each night. You will need to reserve camping sites in advance
There are many private camp sites but the Wisconsin park system also campgrounds--they are taking reservations NOW. www.dnr.state.wi.us
From the choices on the left side select "where you live" and then "parks and campground directory"
This site also has plenty of info. about the activities each state park and campground offers.
Do you still plan to vacation late May- early June? Weather at that time can still be cool and rainy. I've taught camp (Kettle Moraine State Park Northern Unit) during that time and we usually end up only having 2-3 days warm enough for swimming within a 2 week period.

If you do get as far south as Prairie du Chien there is a 2 hour boat ride on the weekends that gives you some of the history and a nice view of wildlife that is often hard to see from the road. http://www.mississippiexplorer.com/

If you enjoy the area along the Mississippi River (which I'm confident you will) you may want to camp at Wyalusing State Park just to the south. It is where the Mississippi River meets the Wisconsin River. There is a magnificent look-out area high on a bluff above the confluence. It is gorgeous.

This area is more rural with no big cities. If you prefer more action then after the Dells you may prefer to head northwest to the area near Minneapolis and St. Paul. There is a a lot to do there and a really nice river town called Stillwater just over the Wisconsin border. Lots of boat rides and even train rides along the river there.


I agree with Wilbur that The House on the Rock (Near Dodgeville) is worth the time. Some say it is tacky, but I never hear anyone say it's boring. They offer different tours now and you'll want to see the house itself, but then make sure you get on the tour that has the large antique carousel (not for riding, just for viewing) and the automated music rooms. It is quite unusual and I think it is a lot of fun.

If its too cold for outdoor waterparks when you are visiting the Dells some of the resorts, such as the Kalahari, do sell a day passes.
An indoor waterpark can't compare with the outdoor ones--but they're better than nothing.
Tacky but not boring is the perfect description of House on the Rock!

I am not really sure how long it would take to drive from the Dells to Chicago if you avoid Interstate 90/94. I was kind of thinking you might drive south on Highway 12 to Baraboo, check out the Ringling Theater and then go south and west to Spring Green, Dodgeville, Mineral Point ( all have been mentioned in past posts) and maybe then head east to Monroe to see how cheese is made. From Monroe you can go east to Beloit and then catch I 90 to Chicago. This would all be two lane driving until you get to Beloit. I'm not really sure how long it would take to drive. Maybe someone else could comment. I would guess maybe 3-4 hours if you didn't stop. But that area of Wisconsin is so beautiful with rolling hills- you will want to stop!
I really like the "tacky but not boring" comments about the House on the Rock. I have been there several times, always like to play the musical instruments, but we made the mistake of going for the Christmas Event- Thousands of Santa's everywhere- just thrown in every display totally unrelated to anything. Very Tacky.

From Door County taking Highway 41 south to Oshkosh and then Highway 21 west to Interstate 39/51 going south to the Dells exit on Highway 23, probably would be the most direct way to get there. You may want to stop for a break in Wautoma, it has some cute shops, nice places to have lunch or an ice cream. Can't remember the name but one of my favorite places for lunch is a large garden store/ greenhouse/antique store/cafe/ kitchen shop. It is located on the corner of Highways 21 and 22, you will notice it right away because flowering baskets and urns are everywhere. The parking lot is also large so it will be easy for you to park.

Hi Kazza1! What a 'brilliant' trip you have lined up for yourselves! Here are a few more thoughts:

"Tacky but interesting" isn't the best description of House on the Rock & museum. It should be "VERY tacky..." Well, ok, it's just NOT my cup of tea.

I think you're right to aim for Door County - it's reputation as one of the most pleasing tourist draws in the Midwest is well-earned. It also has the longest coastline of any county in the US, so stopping at other beaches on the way up is pretty redundant in my opinion. Sturgeon Bay is a small town that has its own character, but is really in no way reflective of the rest of Door County.

You were well-advised to make your reservation - and soon- to stay in Peninsula State Park (Fish Creek/Door County). It's a beautiful park with a great biking (and hiking)trails, an interesting lighthouse to tour, beach and bluff views, and fabulous sunsets.

Fish Creek also offers Peninsula Players theater, an outdoor (sheltered) experience with another lovely bluff setting. If you're a nature lover, you'll want to visit some of Door County's other state parks, including Whitefish Dunes, for its lovely expanse of white sand beach; Newport State Park (backpack camping only and a variety of hiking trails; and Rock Island State Park (accessible only by a short boat ride - no vehicles). Oh - be sure to pick up some Off! or other mosquito repellent.

Something that isn't often noted about Door County is that it has a real pride-of-place....it's just so darned pretty in the summertime, where every house and shop in every town, it seems, shows off carefully tended blooms. The main highways (there are only two main roads) will take you through a string of "shoppe"-heavy towns, but the county's real treats can be found down quieter roads and lanes...so be sure to get off the beaten track and explore.

Also, your June timing is wise. You won't be in the thick of the tourist season yet in DC; that is really July-August.

The comment about taking six hours to drive the state north-to-south had to be referring to doing it non-stop on the interstate. The drive from Chicago to Door County will definitely take you five hours, and that is without other than petrol/pit stops.

You'll be spending plenty of time by one of the Great Lakes (L. Michigan) in your Door County visit, but L. Superior is much larger and does offer its own character. You probably should give consideration to the earlier poster's suggestion about exploring that region.

I also second the applause for the Mississippi River scenery. The drive from Chicago to DC is a pretty one, once you are north of Milwaukee - and reflective of our flat Midwestern farmland. The western half of Wisconsin becomes much more hilly and rolling and offers a different kind of scenic beauty. (You mentioned 'theater' as one of your interests. There's a highly regarded Shakespeare company that performs in the summertime in Spring Green.)

Have fun with your planning!


(B/t/w...one of our all-time favorite travel memories is the time we spent in Wales, driving about. Spouse's grandfather emigrated from Llandundno.)

Peninsula Players or the theatre in Spring Green are both excellent suggestions. We've been to Spring Green a couple times and have never been disappointed.
You might want to check into getting tickets in advance since both groups are very popular.

Hey mdwest and others--easy on the Oskhosh comments. I am a proud resident! :)

But, even so, I have to agree with the posters. In terms of tourist attractions, aside from the EAA and a strip outlet mall we are pretty lame. I see you have omitted it based on advice, and I just thought I would add that you probably made a good decision.

Love Door County and agree with others Fish Creek and Egg Harbor are really nice and my personal favorites. You can't go wrong with a visit there, IMO.

As for Dells, yep, totally cheesy, but something to be seen and pretty fun for tourists. We are heading there for my sons birthday for our annual waterpark fix next month. I don't recall seeing a lot of waterparks in the UK when I was there last summer...so it might be something different for you coming from Wales.

I second a stop in Madison. It is a really cute, hip and fun city, if you can squeeze it in.

Have fun!

Back again - with a true highlight that DH reminded me I'd overlooked.

Since you say you are interested in theater, I heartily recommend a slight detour to the west from Milwaukee (maybe an hour) for a visit to Ten Chimneys, the home of Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne (who, as you may know, was English-born). It is a beautiful country home that has been lovingly and accurately restored to the way it was when the Lunts hosted Noel Coward, Katharine Hepburn, Helen Hayes and many other luminaries. The tour is about three hours, I believe and not inexpensive - but so very, very worth it!

www.tenchimneys.org

Another theater experience while you are in Door County will be the American Folklore Theatre, presented in an outdoor amphitheater in Peninsula Park - very Wisconsin and homespun original musicals.

www.folkloretheatre.com

We stayed in Cedarburg, WI for 2 nights in the 90's. Great place! My brother had his 5th wheel trailer up in the Wisconsin Dells for a couple of months a few years ago, and really enjoyed it.

Hey thanks to all the posters...I am actually learning a lot about my home state and uncovering lots of future gems to visit. Maybe the grass is NOT always greener in another state/country???

The speed limit on the freeway is 65, too many drive it at 75. I drive it at 68 and it takes me 2 1/2 hours for the Dells to the Milwaukee Racine county line. 1 stop at a wayside is usually made. Driving a motor home I would suggest that the speed might even be slowerish than 65 but maybe not. I would allow 1 1/2 hours from leaving Chicago land to Milwaukee. (You could be stuck in Chicago traffic for an hour or two so don't count on otherwise such as when catching a plane) I would allow 1 1/2 hours between Milwaukee to Madison. 2 1/2 hours Milwaukee to Greenbay. Another 45 min to one hour to get to wherever in Door County. And allow 3-5 hours Door County to the dells (various routes, weather, distractions can make a wide time difference)

Going farther north and west in Wisconsin would give you a much more scenic trip. Bayfield is lovely and then an hour drive over to Duluth in Minnesota and up the North Shore of Lake Superior...just beautiful!

Perhaps someone can suggest a somewhere for a good fish boil.
Kazza1--Door County is well known for preparing fish this way. Your trip wouldn't be complete without this meal--if you like fish!

I've got the fish boil information! Try the Square Rigger Lodge in Jacksonport. Many say it is the best in Door County.

A couple of things that have not been mentioned. Get a Wisconsin atlas & gazetteer from Delorme (www.delorme.com)we have one for every state we have traveled in. They show every backroad and are invaluable for non Interstate travel.
You can also park your RV overnite at most WalMarts and Kmarts.
I also would second (maybe third or fourth) the idea that you should go up north. I would suggest that you travel from Door County north on Highway 141 to Highway 8. A trip west on HWY. 8 is a really nice drive. If you are near Weyerhauser at dinner time check out the Blue Hills Inn absolutely beautiful and wonderful food plus you will see hundreds of hummingbirds(email me if you would like directions [email protected]). I would take HWY. 8 al the way to the other side of the state at St. Croix Falls from there I would go south on HWY. 35, the Great River Road, to Prairie du Chein. Wyalusing, where the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers join, is south of there off of HWY. 35. From there pick a route back toward Chicago. Toward Madison (GO BADGERS) or Monroe and on east. Above all have fun and enjoy our wonderful state and its people.

One more thing the trip I suggest is only a two or three day leisurely drive. Take the time for side trips. Check out Eagle River, Hayward, Rice Lake, Chetek, LaCrosse, etc. Even the Twin Cities are not that far into Minnesota. Chanhassen theatre outside of the Twin Cities is nice. Also I don't think anyone mentioned two dinner theatres one is The Fireside @ Fort Atkinson the other is The Armory @ Janesville.

I would try and stop in Milwaukee for a day or so. The newSantiago Calatrava-designed Quadracci Pavilion - Milwaukee Art Museum is fantastic. Also, in June, I think it's the second weekend, is the Milwaukee Lakefront Festival o fthe Arts.
If Rv'ong by the Dells, check ou tDevils Lake state park.

If you do decide to visit Lake Superior - Bayfield is one of my favorite places, and Duluth is unique too.

Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands and the ferry takes 20 minutes to take you over to Madeline Island, the only island cars are allowed on.

Duluth has lots to do. Also Pattison state park where copper used to be mined is just south of there, and Amincon falls is another beautiful park.

Wyalusing state park is on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi and it looks down and across at Iowa.

Seriously, let me know when you're going to be in my city (Milwaukee) we can take you around.