Greetings:

This summer Hubby, Wife, and Daughters 17yo and 13 yo will travel from Minneapolis, MN (we are there for a volleyball tourney) on our way to Macinac Island, MI. We will travel all the way through Wisconsin on 94 East then in Wausau we will take 51 North. On this route, what can you suggest we stop and see in Wisconsin? We are willing to stray from this route just a bit within reason. We hope this route will take us to places that will give us a taste and sense of your great state. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

Bmswan,
You may want to double-check your route. I94 doesn't go to Wausau.

How much time are you giving yourself for this drive, and what kind of things would interest you?

The route you described is actually 94 East to 29 East to Wausau, then north on 51. Hwy 29 heads east around Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls - if you stay on 94 you would never get to Wausau as mdwest already mentioned.

Having said that, the drive from Minneapolis to Wausau on that route is mainly open farm fields. It certainly gives you a taste of what Wisconsin is like but it's not very interesting or scenic. I'd opt for a route that first goes north on I-35, then east on Hwy 8 at Forest Lake (Minnesota). Hwy 8 goes east all the way to the Upper Peninsula and intersects with Hwy 51 just north of Tomahawk...it takes about 20-25 minutes longer but is a bit more scenic. You could stop at either Interstate State Park on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border.

Dunno your route, but Madison is nice. Coolest state capitol in the country.

The Circus Museum in Baraboo, WI is interesting. It is located just south of the Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin Dells would be fun for the kids. It's the water park capital of the world.

Have another option for you --- why not head north to the Apostle Islands -- Bayfield - Madeline Island --the history of the area goes back to the 1600's -- great museum on the island - this was the home to fur trading, lumber and fishing in the early days of the West. visit some of the islands and the lighthouses - maybe do some cliff jumping in the State Park on Madeline - you would find it more quaint and less hectic than Mackinaw Island -- then go south to Highway 2 and take that over to Mackinaw Island.

Yes, Circus Museum and Madison as mentioned. Wisconsin has so many nice lakes. Lake Geneva has been a favorite and maybe you'd like activities at the YMCA Camp (which brings back fond memories) www.lgyc.org

And I would mention Wisconsin Dells with boat rides as fun. We spent a week in Door County which features artists and theater in the summer.

Your earlier post stated going through Michigan to get back to Chicago.

It was exactly the same post except you mentioned MICHIGAN. Now it's WISCONSIN.

What's up???

Not sure what you're reading AAFF. Their earlier post is going from Mackinac Island to Chicago. This post is going from Minneapolis to Mackinac Island. Not exactly the same...