Best Places To Visit In Wisconsin

Wisconsin is home to many desirable travel locations from big cities to national parks, offering a range of sights and attractions for thrill seekers, nature lovers and families. Wisconsin is also known as the Badger State or America’s Dairyland. Many parts of Wisconsin are covered in rolling farm fields. However, America’s dairyland isn’t just known for its rich agriculture heritage, it is also home to wonderful sights! Wisconsin’s many cities showcase rich, and distinct midwest culture, and many of the sights revolve around the water  which is bordered by Lake Superior, and Lake Michigan. Check out the following best places to visit in Wisconsin, and you will fall in love with the Badger State!

Madison

Madison, the capital city of Wisconsin, a get on your feet kind of city. A good eats kind of city that offers visitors a diverse choice of things to see and do. Madison is home to a number of great museums, arts & music venues and festivals, unique local shopping, award-winning restaurants, sporting events, and so much more. It’s known for the domed Wisconsin State Capitol, one of the top Madison attractions, the majestic granite structure of Wisconsin’s Capitol building glows like a beacon, accenting the Madison skyline. Standing over 200 feet tall, the Capitol is an architectural masterpiece. And visitors can experience the beauty of the Capitol on a guided tour, which explores the entire building.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Also known as the Jewels of Lake Superior, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore  is located just off the Bayfield County shoreline, comprises a stretch of shoreline and 21 islands at the northern tip of Wisconsin, on Lake Superior. Twenty-one beautiful islands, cliffs, sea caves, old lighthouses, and 12 miles of shoreline make up the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Although Apostle Islands National Lakeshore features several points of interest located on the mainland, most people consider the islands themselves to be the most rewarding destination.  

Getting to these islands on Lake Superior requires some mode of water transportation. There are no roads or vehicle access to any of the 21 Apostle Islands within the National Lakeshore. Madeline Island is the only exception as it is not part of the National Lakeshore. Many people come to the Apostle Islands seeking the adventure of exploring the area by boat. Commercial services provide a variety of ways to see and enjoy the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. They offer opportunities to learn, explore, and experience the park through unique and specialized trips, tours, adventures and expeditions. 

Apostle Islands Cruises offers a variety of nonstop sightseeing excursions and island shuttles featuring stops at several islands. Throughout the memorable cruise, you’ll pass extraordinary natural scenery, beautiful historic Raspberry and Devils Island Lighthouses, standing rocks, extensive sea caves, and marine wildlife. The Sea caves’ beauty varies dramatically with the season. In summer the red sandstone is sandwiched between sapphire blue lake and emerald green forests that grow right up to the brink of the cliffs. 

From 100-year-old lighthouses to extensive sea cave formations, there’s endless beauty when exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Stunning Lake Superior shoreline as well as the array of natural animal habitats and old-growth remnants forests make Apostle Islands one of the most beautiful outdoor spaces to explore in Wisconsin.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is full of interesting and educational attractions to keep you busy every hour of the day. 

Visit the trendy Historic Third Ward, one of the city’s creative hubs, home to art galleries and studios in former warehouses, and performing arts venues like the Broadway Theater Center. 

Art lovers can feast their eyes on the wonderful collections at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The gallery is home to one of the country’s largest collections of paintings from native Wisconsin artists and has a substantial European art collection.

Anyone interested in motorbikes will not want to miss a tour of the Harley Davidson Museum. Home to more than 450 classic motorcycles. This fun family attraction also has excellent displays of the brand’s famous teardrop tanks, as well as exhibits telling the story of the people and places behind the machines.

Outdoor enthusiasts can hike the Lakefront Trail, go paddling with Milwaukee Kayak Company or simply enjoy Bradford Beach.  

Milwaukee also known for their religious traditions with more than 1,000 houses of worship of all denominations.

Enjoy the delicious, cheesy, gooey, salty Wisconsin cheese curd is in Milwaukee’s appetizer menu at many local bars and restaurants! And the really special – Milwaukee Frozen Custard.

Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin Dells located on the Wisconsin River, and it’s one of Wisconsin’s most popular tourist destinations. Wisconsin Dells is a blast with scenic attractions, outdoor adventures, waterpark thrills, and delicious dining. There’s something for everyone!

Original Wisconsin Ducks; A journey on an amphibious vehicle used during World War II. In 1946, the world’s first Duck tour was launched. While other Duck rides have come and gone, only Original Wisconsin Ducks has been delivering FUN and ADVENTURE on LAND and WATER, non-stop ever since! 

Visit the Original Wisconsin Ducks Page for the full video.

Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds

The Cave of the Mounds National Landmark, was found in 1939, and has since become the preeminent cave in the upper Midwest. It’s commonly referred to as the Jewelbox among caves in the Midwest. The story of the geologic formation of the Cave of the Mounds begins with the creation of the rock in which the Cave is found.  This rock dates back over 400 million years to the Ordovician Period of the earth’s geologic history.

Take a guided self-paced stroll through this geologic wonder. Your walk will guide you past a stunning array of colorful crystal formations on paved lighted walkways. These Crystals are formed as the water drops enter the air-filled cave, this calcium carbonate is precipitated into the form of speleothems. Each drop leaves calcite crystals on the cave ceiling or walls or floor. And the Cave’s constant 50-degree temperature which makes the cave feel cool in the summer and warm in the winter. By visiting the cave you could also learn about Wisconsin geology!

Lake Geneva

Lake Geneva has become a popular resort city that thrives on tourism. Whether you choose to enjoy it on land or water, you will be rewarded with an amazing experience! Water sport enthusiasts can enjoy beaches, paddle-boarding, jet-skiing, and cruise to enjoy the beauty of the lake! Back on land you can explore miles of hiking and biking trails  and tour historic Black Point Estate and Gardens. 

Experience Safari Lake Geneva from the comfort of your own vehicle! And feed the animals from your window or sunroof. You can drive through as many times as you’d like — the animals are free to roam, so every time driving through is a unique adventure.

Horse Stables in Lake Geneva, provides fun for all ages. The gentle horses and trail guides allow visitors to see the beautiful countryside of Wisconsin in a different way than simply driving through it, traveling down and up hills and through woods. 

Restaurants in Lake Geneva has the taste you love, ingredients you trust and service you savor serving up delicious menu options. 

Devil’s Lake State Park

Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s largest state park with over three million visitors each year, and it is also the most visited park in Wisconsin. Devil’s Lake State Park you can look forward to getting back to nature in the state’s oldest and most popular State Park,  you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities against the backdrop of enormous  bluffs which overlook the 360-acre lake. You can explore 29 miles of hiking trails or head into the backcountry. Other activities include visiting the Nature Center, biking, rock climbing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing.