tuckerdc

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.)

kp

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.

StephCar

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!

tuckerdc

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

trippinkpj

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.

StephCar

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???

sobolik

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)

isabellasu

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!

kp

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!

mdwest

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

breadmanwi

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.

breadmanwi

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.

kennc

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.

angethereader

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.