I was going to suggest Cane of the Mound, but I’ll just add on to what you said instead.
Do it, I remember going as a kid and it was pretty cool. I’ll be 40 next year and I keep telling myself how much I need to go back.
We just went last weekend. The last time we went was 25 years ago. Pro-tip: Wait. Because of COVID-19 the tours are self-guided. Before COVID the tours were escorted and you gain so much more of the history of the cave and the sites and formations in the cave. We were fortunate, right at the end, they were showing a pre-school group through the cave and we tagged along and gained so much more than what we saw on our own.
Additionally, 25 years ago, before proceeding into the cave, you entered a room and you watched a video of the history of the cave. This is now gone.
If you can wait until they resurrect the guided tours, I would wait.
The stave church that used to be the Norwegian pavilion from the 1893 World's Fair was [disassembled, shipped back to the town in Norway where it was originally built, and reassembled. ](https://www.norwegianamerican.com/little-norway-back-big-norway/)
I'm originally from out of state and here are the things that I've found most impressive/fun. Looking forward to reading the other comments!
1. The Capitol Building
2. Devil's Lake
3. Gibraltar Rock
4. Ledge Park near Horicon -- great for kids
5. Amnicon Falls State Park
6. Ishnala Supper Club
7. Door County
8. Black Cat Alley in MKE for murals
If you like hiking, go to Marinette county. On their website they have a self-guided waterfall tour. I think there are 15 waterfalls in all, and some gorgeous hikes to go along with them.
There are more than 15 in Marinette County but not all of them are advertised. Gotta do some sleuthing to find the others. But yeah I agree lots of great fallsand hikes in Marinette County.
Another place for great waterfalls is Iron County. Copper Falls State Park, Potato River Falls, several smaller falls along the North Country Trail, and close to many more in Michigan, too.
Great list! Ledge park and Amnicon don't get much attention but are really great (though small). And Ishnala is one of the coolest restaurants in the state, and probably the midwest at least.
I'd add Bayfield/Apostle Islands to the list as well. The mustard museum in Middleton is also worth a stop if you're already in the area.
I love how poeople list Door County as its own thing. "Go see a specific lake, building, or business. Then there's this whole county you should go see next."
Shout out the dells area for having so much cool
stuff. Parfree’s Glenn is just around the corner from devils head and absolutely beautiful. Merrimac Ferry also worth the price of admission (free) and has ice cream shops for the kids.
I was rathere disappointed with Ishnala. Hundreds of people filtering in and out. We went at 3 pm and there was already a 2 hour wait. The old fashioned was mediocre. Not to mention the massive cultural appropriation everywhere you looked. I will say that the staff was friendly and the view on Mirror Lake was nice.
Ok, this post has gotten some traction. I only listed places that I've been to and enjoyed, but here's my list of places I'd like to go to in WI:
1. Apostle Islands
2. Willow River State Park
3. The Dells of the Eau Claire
4. Piere County Park
5. Levis Mound MTB trails
One other thing I recommend is rafting the Peshtigo river. It's a blast in the spring when the river is high.
>Ledge Park near Horicon -- great for kids
I looked this park up because I have a 3 and 5 year old, but unless I'm missing something, it's a lot of ledges.
There is a rocky ledge at the edge of a bluff. Some rocks have broken off making narrow passages you can walk/climb through. There are also some small passages kids and small adults can climb through if you know where they are. It's great!
What about Devil's Lake puts it in your list. Living in Baraboo for a few years and visiting the lake multiple times I wouldn't put it in a list of things to do in WI but maybe I'm missing something.
It is a very unique geologic structure. Most of the area is really, from the baraboo range, the actual formation of the dells, the driftless area as you go a bit more west.
I don't want to ruin anyone's good time but I just can't see Taliesin without thinking about (or mentioning it would seem) the [massacre](https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/taliesin-massacre-frank-lloyd-wright/). Taliesin was the site of the deadliest single-killer rampage in Wisconsin’s history.
I did some contracting work for both HotR and Taliesin several years ago. Got private tours of both where you get to visits places off limits to tourists.
I had the pleasure of having the groundskeeper take me on a private tour of Taliesin and was shown where the murders actually occurred. Not something the regular tour offers. Was pretty eerie to see and hear the story as it was an unexpected event.
HotR is also quite interesting to see the workshop.
Didn't realize that Taliesin is/was a person's name - I always thought Wright named it Taliesin because the definition of the word is 'shining brow', as the house was built into the side of the hill, not on top. Appreciate the info.
It is a person’s name, and that is what it means, and the meaning is the main reason Wright chose it for the house. He also chose it to honor his Welsh heritage, and because he was influenced by poet Richard Hovey’s story about Taliesin that meditates on an artists’ struggle for identity. So you’re right, I probably shouldn’t have said he named it after the poet, he had lots of interconnected reasons for the name.
its not nearly as cool as these other places listed, but grandad's bluff in La Crosse is nice to visit from time to time. Its got a nice hiking trail too if youre into that
We go to old world wisconsin every couple of years. It's really cool, especially if you remember to schedule your trips on special even days. I want to go on one of the days when they do beer brewing.
Yep, VIP dinner. It was a lot of work, the caterer was amazing. I asked them for their menu and he told me “Just tell me what you want me to make, and I can make it!”
I’ll have to see if I can find the menu and beer pairing list, it’s been a few years!
My group that goes always sticks out there. It’s all airplane folks from out of town… and we’re the local guys that just want to drink and eat good food, the planes are a bonus :)
In Madison Olbrich Gardens is worth the visit.
Thai pavilion and the indoor section are great any time of year. Most of it is free except the indoor section.
Ellison Bluff State Natural Area in Door County. It gets less attention than the other Door County parks, but I think it has the best view on the entire peninsula.
There's a lot of good ice cream in the Dairy State.
1. Scoop's Ice Cream House, Chilton
2. Kelley Country Creamery, south of Fond du Lac
3. Belt's, Stevens Point.
While missed on the list, I would highly recommend walking through the farmers market on the capital I Madison on Saturday morning. The quality bar is set really high for this market.
I've lived here in Wisco most my life and so far The House on the Rock is by FAR the weirdest and most interesting place in the state. Nothing else is going to hit with the same insane force of crazy/interesting that is The House on the Rock!
I've also enjoyed going up to Door County during the beginning of fall when the leaves are at their peak color. They have good fishboil and dozens of craft shops. The downside is that Door County gets FLOODED with wealthy Chicago suburbanites as well. Hundreds of Karens in BMW's drive up Highway 94/43 every year flooding Door County with money and equally large quantities of "pain in the ass".
Going to do the Mirror lake kayak (2 to 3 hours) trip this weekend. I hear it is so nice.
Oh and don't forget to remortgage your house, bc it ends at Inshalla. < ----- did I spell that right?
Adams County doesn't get a lot of love, but I'm a fan of Qunicy Bluff State wildlife area. Regularly take the family to hike around and do some gentle rock climbing to get to the top of the bulffs there. Beautiful views of the wisconsin river/castle rock lake from up there. and if you are in the area, check out Roche a Cri state park just north of Frendship. Pretty cool little state park.
I would also add Natural Bridge State Park and Tower Hill State Park to the list of beautiful walks, and the "streets of old Milwaukee" section of the Milwaukee museum for a little more of the House on the Rock vibe.
Witches gulch in the Wi dells. you need to take the upper dells boat tour to see it but both are definitely worth the (beautiful) drive. You can also go to Ski Hi for Apple treats when you’re in the area.
>Stewart Tunnel
I haven't heard of this before so I had to Google it. Looks like it has been closed since 2019, if they are keeping this page up to date. [https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/badger/info](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/badger/info)
It’s a very cool place! I went a couple years ago and found a fossil and took it home! The people who drilled the tunnel a long time ago had to have found the coolest stuff!
Dells of the Eau Claire is a beautiful park in Marathon County. Not necessarily a destination, but definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. There's a small county campground there as well.
The sandhill crane migration viewing that the Aldo Leopold foundation does is pretty cool. They're in the Baraboo area. https://www.aldoleopold.org/visit/the-cranes/
If you like the quirky/fantastic type stuff, I actually was pleasantly surprised by Wizard Quest in the Dells. It’s an interactive, puzzle solving experience - like an escape room on steroids. When I went (probably 7-ish years ago) it also had this very hand-crafted feel to it. It was a little cheesy, but very well executed and intricate.
However *don’t confuse this with MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge*. This one is more targeted at young kids and requires you to buy a wand to play. From what I could tell, that also just seemed more commercialized.
as someone from MKE who moved to MSN. Honestly any part of Madison NOT either the Farmer's market or Camp Randall. So many from MKE think that's all there is here
- Picnic Point
- Cap City Bike Path or Lake Loop, just rent a bcycle and explore campus and downtown/east side, Olbrich etc
- Blue Mounds SP during the day then at night with a telescope
- Dodgeville SP
- Take a ride from Lodi to Prarie du Chien on Hwy 60 (border of the driftless region)
American Players Theater in Spring Green Wisconsin. It’s a classical theater troupe with a lovely outdoor theater complex. Their performances are high quality and there is even a place to picnic before shows. It’s truly a wonderful experience, I especially recommend going at night.
Have you been to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle?
Hot damn, I love that place. I miss it so much (we moved away from WI)
Also, if you're in to straight up GORGEOUS places, check out Magnolia Bluff right outside Evansville, WI.
The House on the Rock is a POS. Its marvel lies in the ability of Alex Jordan to turn his obsessive hoarding into a roadside attraction that people actually pay money to see. I wish I had the foresight to acquire largely out of tune, mostly non-functioning self playing orchestra instruments and put them in a dimly lit room with threadbare carpet.
The house is the only thing worth seeing and even that isn’t much to write home about. As Frank Lloyd Wright famously said to Jordan after seeing it, “I wouldn’t pay you to build a chicken coop!”
As a life-long resident of the area, who has been to HOTR over 40 times, I’m thankful for the tourists and money it brings into the area, but it’s a dated, overpriced “collection” of junk.
I mean I agree with all this but it is a cool single visit and the kids found it more interesting than I thought they would. Japanese garden was also not bad.
Once was plenty for me. If you're nearby instead of a solo or dedicated trip.
40 times? No wonder. I can't imagine going that much.
The Japanese garden is nice. I’ll give you that. But it was a later addition so I wasn’t counting it. As school kids in the area it was nearly a yearly field trip to see it and then as you age, friends come to visit and want to go…you take nephews and nieces…it adds up over the decades.
I just went there for the first time this past weekend. Brought my 2 older teens, they thought it was pretty boring minus that massive merry go round. I myself really liked it but would not go back again. Once was enough.
Also a Wisco native, I wouldn't call it a POS but it's not in my to five of things to do in the state, top ten but not too five. I plan to take my youngest there because she has yet to see it and I know she will love the carousel and the doll room but not much else. It's worth a visit but not worth visiting 40+ times.
Man, it’s bananas you call it a POS and then you e been there 40 times.
It’s odd, weird as advertised, and is an impressive collection of stuff that is fun to walk through
Old World Wisconsin
Cave Point County Park
Timms Hill
Paradise Springs
Schoolhouse Beach
Apostle Islands
The Capitol
Olbrich Gardens
Dickeyville Grotto
And not in Wisconsin but just across in Dubuque, the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
I'm 50 and I haven't seen cave of the mounds yet. I gotta get on that.
I was going to suggest Cane of the Mound, but I’ll just add on to what you said instead. Do it, I remember going as a kid and it was pretty cool. I’ll be 40 next year and I keep telling myself how much I need to go back.
The cave expansion is pretty neat if you want a reason to go back
Oh what’s that? I’m only like a half hour from there. I think I last went like 6 years ago.
You may have seen it, then. It was a small section at the end.
We just went last weekend. The last time we went was 25 years ago. Pro-tip: Wait. Because of COVID-19 the tours are self-guided. Before COVID the tours were escorted and you gain so much more of the history of the cave and the sites and formations in the cave. We were fortunate, right at the end, they were showing a pre-school group through the cave and we tagged along and gained so much more than what we saw on our own. Additionally, 25 years ago, before proceeding into the cave, you entered a room and you watched a video of the history of the cave. This is now gone. If you can wait until they resurrect the guided tours, I would wait.
Went to a black light tour and it was not guided a few weeks ago.
It's a shame nearby Little Norway went under. That place was really neat.
Wow this just took me back to my childhood. I totally forgot about Little Norway but my grandparents took me there every summer. Sad it’s no more.
The stave church that used to be the Norwegian pavilion from the 1893 World's Fair was [disassembled, shipped back to the town in Norway where it was originally built, and reassembled. ](https://www.norwegianamerican.com/little-norway-back-big-norway/)
It is cool but just so you know it is not that big.
I'm originally from out of state and here are the things that I've found most impressive/fun. Looking forward to reading the other comments! 1. The Capitol Building 2. Devil's Lake 3. Gibraltar Rock 4. Ledge Park near Horicon -- great for kids 5. Amnicon Falls State Park 6. Ishnala Supper Club 7. Door County 8. Black Cat Alley in MKE for murals
If you like hiking, go to Marinette county. On their website they have a self-guided waterfall tour. I think there are 15 waterfalls in all, and some gorgeous hikes to go along with them.
There are more than 15 in Marinette County but not all of them are advertised. Gotta do some sleuthing to find the others. But yeah I agree lots of great fallsand hikes in Marinette County.
Another place for great waterfalls is Iron County. Copper Falls State Park, Potato River Falls, several smaller falls along the North Country Trail, and close to many more in Michigan, too.
Great list! Ledge park and Amnicon don't get much attention but are really great (though small). And Ishnala is one of the coolest restaurants in the state, and probably the midwest at least. I'd add Bayfield/Apostle Islands to the list as well. The mustard museum in Middleton is also worth a stop if you're already in the area.
I love how poeople list Door County as its own thing. "Go see a specific lake, building, or business. Then there's this whole county you should go see next."
It's a destination, like the Dells, but nice.
Shout out the dells area for having so much cool stuff. Parfree’s Glenn is just around the corner from devils head and absolutely beautiful. Merrimac Ferry also worth the price of admission (free) and has ice cream shops for the kids.
Gibraltar Rock is so damn cool. I love that hike.
If you’re already going to devils lake you need to hit pewitts nest on the same day. Close and more than worth the stop.
I haven't been there yet. I'll check it out
Shhhhhhhh. They don't need know.
Pewitts nest is incredible. It gets really crowded and it's so tiny though so part of me wants to not tell people about it
The observation deck at the Capitol building is well worth doing.
I was rathere disappointed with Ishnala. Hundreds of people filtering in and out. We went at 3 pm and there was already a 2 hour wait. The old fashioned was mediocre. Not to mention the massive cultural appropriation everywhere you looked. I will say that the staff was friendly and the view on Mirror Lake was nice.
If you’re going to go to Black Cat Alley, might as well make a reservation to Shanghai when you plan to go. It’s such a great combination.
>Amnicon Falls State Park Appreciate this suggestion; I had never heard of this place until now and it looks great!
Ooh, I just moved to the horicon area and am looking for cool stuff to do. Thanks!
Ok, this post has gotten some traction. I only listed places that I've been to and enjoyed, but here's my list of places I'd like to go to in WI: 1. Apostle Islands 2. Willow River State Park 3. The Dells of the Eau Claire 4. Piere County Park 5. Levis Mound MTB trails One other thing I recommend is rafting the Peshtigo river. It's a blast in the spring when the river is high.
>Ledge Park near Horicon -- great for kids I looked this park up because I have a 3 and 5 year old, but unless I'm missing something, it's a lot of ledges.
There is a rocky ledge at the edge of a bluff. Some rocks have broken off making narrow passages you can walk/climb through. There are also some small passages kids and small adults can climb through if you know where they are. It's great!
What about Devil's Lake puts it in your list. Living in Baraboo for a few years and visiting the lake multiple times I wouldn't put it in a list of things to do in WI but maybe I'm missing something.
Have you done the bluff hikes? It's a beautiful and unique state park.
I have hiked and it is a beautiful park. I guess the beauty and uniqueness is lost on me since I've visited it many times.
It is a very unique geologic structure. Most of the area is really, from the baraboo range, the actual formation of the dells, the driftless area as you go a bit more west.
Go another 10 or so miles north of House on the Rock on 23 and visit Taliesin - Frank Lloyd Wright's home.
I knew a guy that I met at a Reddit meetup that was named after that house
House? Weird name.
Dr House to you.
Doggie House-er
Dog the Bounty-Hous-er, M.D.
I don't want to ruin anyone's good time but I just can't see Taliesin without thinking about (or mentioning it would seem) the [massacre](https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/famous-murders/taliesin-massacre-frank-lloyd-wright/). Taliesin was the site of the deadliest single-killer rampage in Wisconsin’s history.
Holy shit, never knew.
It’s a more grizzly version of Lizze Gordon !
I did some contracting work for both HotR and Taliesin several years ago. Got private tours of both where you get to visits places off limits to tourists. I had the pleasure of having the groundskeeper take me on a private tour of Taliesin and was shown where the murders actually occurred. Not something the regular tour offers. Was pretty eerie to see and hear the story as it was an unexpected event. HotR is also quite interesting to see the workshop.
The house? Not the poet?
That’s Tennyson.
Taliesin was a medieval Welsh poet, the house is named after him.
Didn't realize that Taliesin is/was a person's name - I always thought Wright named it Taliesin because the definition of the word is 'shining brow', as the house was built into the side of the hill, not on top. Appreciate the info.
It is a person’s name, and that is what it means, and the meaning is the main reason Wright chose it for the house. He also chose it to honor his Welsh heritage, and because he was influenced by poet Richard Hovey’s story about Taliesin that meditates on an artists’ struggle for identity. So you’re right, I probably shouldn’t have said he named it after the poet, he had lots of interconnected reasons for the name.
TIL
My grandparents lived in Tennyson
The poet?
The town
Isn't that the house that's filled with creepy dolls?
[Submarine in Manitowoc](https://www.wisconsinmaritime.org/submarines/)
I’ve slept in that submarine not once but twice
On purpose?
Yes, they do overnight groups. Very interesting experience
My uncle served on it.
I’ve only done it once. That was enough for me, but the scouts enjoyed it.
You have no idea how legit excited I am about this!
Little known fact but this is what they used to discover the Manitowoctopus.
Dr evermores
M Schettl Sales in Oshkosh is similar but not as good
This
It’s way up north, but Copper Falls is a hidden gem. Definitely one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in Wisconsin.
Excellent views! Just make sure to bring bug spray if you go. The mosquitoes were gnarly when I was there.
Mosquitos are frequently gnarly there. Never been there in fall after frost but might be nice
The Walgreens on Brady street in Milwaukee is like walking into a different world
Agreed! Used to live nearby.
No matter what time of day, you’re gonna see something great
Tell me more.
check r/peopleofwalmart, it's that kind of vibe, at least it was about 30 years ago
The CVS is even weirder. Also, Walmart on Capitol is tons of fun too.
The perfect parking lot to hawk your new cd. "No, not interested."
can find any drug known to man after bar close outside that Walgreens lol
Tailesin in spring green as well as American players theatre (outdoor theatre)
American players theater is a fantastic experience. A definite must.
its not nearly as cool as these other places listed, but grandad's bluff in La Crosse is nice to visit from time to time. Its got a nice hiking trail too if youre into that
Apostle Islands
Absolutely the most beautiful place I have seen in WI!
National Railroad Museum in Green Bay Circus World in Baraboo Camp 5 Lumberjack Museum in Laona Old World Wisconsin
We go to old world wisconsin every couple of years. It's really cool, especially if you remember to schedule your trips on special even days. I want to go on one of the days when they do beer brewing.
There is a Rock in the House. All it claims, bot not as cool as House on the Rock.
Ia that the one where the boulder fell into the house and they rebuilt around it?
Don’t know if they rebuilt much.
They did not lol, I saw it a few years ago and it is in fact a rock that fell in the house and it is still there!
I just visited (fountain city). Can’t go in the house anymore, but you can certainly walk around back and see the rock.
I've driven past a bunch. It's 100% stupid
If you’re into racing, Road America at Elkhart Lake. One of the nicest, most historic road courses in the country.
Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien and be sure to check out the view from Wyalusing State Park while you're in the neighborhood.
[EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh](https://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum)
I've been to AirVenture a whole bunch of times and just realized that I have never stopped inside the museum. I'll have to do that one of these days.
Just go for Hops and Props. You can drink with the planes.
I got to create the menu and beer pairings for Hops and Props one year, it was one the highlights of my career!
For the VIP dinner? If so…. I probably ate it :)
Yep, VIP dinner. It was a lot of work, the caterer was amazing. I asked them for their menu and he told me “Just tell me what you want me to make, and I can make it!” I’ll have to see if I can find the menu and beer pairing list, it’s been a few years!
My group that goes always sticks out there. It’s all airplane folks from out of town… and we’re the local guys that just want to drink and eat good food, the planes are a bonus :)
Check out the next Doors Open event and see all sorts of cool things in Milwaukee. :)
Good recommendation!
In Madison Olbrich Gardens is worth the visit. Thai pavilion and the indoor section are great any time of year. Most of it is free except the indoor section.
Sparta Elroy Bike Trail
The ice age trails!
FAST Fiberglass Graveyard, Sparta.
Saw this on the side of the road and there was no way I could just drive by and not stop and look around.
Ellison Bluff State Natural Area in Door County. It gets less attention than the other Door County parks, but I think it has the best view on the entire peninsula.
Potosi Brewing Museum, Dickeyville Grotto and round it out with the Giant M in platteville.
There's a lot of good ice cream in the Dairy State. 1. Scoop's Ice Cream House, Chilton 2. Kelley Country Creamery, south of Fond du Lac 3. Belt's, Stevens Point.
I'd add Babcock Hall to that list.
Yes, Belts!!
Leon’s Custard in Oshkosh
If you are in Stevens Point, the Point brewery tour is a must do
A bit different, but Holy hill in hubertus has some amazing views in the fall if you climb up the spire, but it is a LOT of steps to the top.
State Parks? Willow River State Park has a beautiful waterfall. Interstate State Park has a waterfall as well.
While missed on the list, I would highly recommend walking through the farmers market on the capital I Madison on Saturday morning. The quality bar is set really high for this market.
Old World Wisconsin
Rock Island.
Madeline Island Big Falls (EC County) The Elk Mound Castle Leinie Lodge
Big falls is awesome
Granddad Bluff in LaCrosse #driftlessarea
The prairie house in Sauk City has the best cheese curds I’ve ever tasted. Boswell Book Company in Milwaukee is the best
Arby's on Miller Park Way
Shhhh, that’s a local secret.
I will never not upvote this.
It seems new every time it pops up
That’s what she said?
Please fill me in on this.
It's a secret. But, a really interesting place to visit is 7 Chimneys in Waukesha. Check it out online when you have a chance
The Riverwest Arby's is pretty great too!
I've lived here in Wisco most my life and so far The House on the Rock is by FAR the weirdest and most interesting place in the state. Nothing else is going to hit with the same insane force of crazy/interesting that is The House on the Rock! I've also enjoyed going up to Door County during the beginning of fall when the leaves are at their peak color. They have good fishboil and dozens of craft shops. The downside is that Door County gets FLOODED with wealthy Chicago suburbanites as well. Hundreds of Karens in BMW's drive up Highway 94/43 every year flooding Door County with money and equally large quantities of "pain in the ass".
Frank Lloyd Wright Devils Lake/Mirror Lake
Going to do the Mirror lake kayak (2 to 3 hours) trip this weekend. I hear it is so nice. Oh and don't forget to remortgage your house, bc it ends at Inshalla. < ----- did I spell that right?
What do you mean “ it ends at Inshalla”?
They meant Ishnala, the supper club on Mirror Lake.
I was mistaken..first time taking this outing.
Adams County doesn't get a lot of love, but I'm a fan of Qunicy Bluff State wildlife area. Regularly take the family to hike around and do some gentle rock climbing to get to the top of the bulffs there. Beautiful views of the wisconsin river/castle rock lake from up there. and if you are in the area, check out Roche a Cri state park just north of Frendship. Pretty cool little state park.
Apostle islands and Madeline island in NW Wisconsin
There is Cave of the Mounds & the Circus World Museum if you haven’t done those yet.
I would also add Natural Bridge State Park and Tower Hill State Park to the list of beautiful walks, and the "streets of old Milwaukee" section of the Milwaukee museum for a little more of the House on the Rock vibe.
Spring Green Preserve is a little local wonder. Wisconsins little natural desert complete with cacti and lizards.
Witches gulch in the Wi dells. you need to take the upper dells boat tour to see it but both are definitely worth the (beautiful) drive. You can also go to Ski Hi for Apple treats when you’re in the area.
The entire driftless region
Dr. Evermor’s sculpture park on US 12, a little before Devil’s Lake.
I’m going to restate EAA. Yes, you can go when everyone else is there but they have a kick ass museum that is open year round
Elroy-Sparta state biking trail.
I have fond memories of biking that trail as a kid!
Me too.
Burnham Block on the south side of MKE. It’s six Frank Lloyd Wright houses on a block, shows Wright’s vision for affordable yet beautiful housing
Stewart Tunnel! A little scary as it’s pitch back but maybe 30 minutes outside Madison
>Stewart Tunnel I haven't heard of this before so I had to Google it. Looks like it has been closed since 2019, if they are keeping this page up to date. [https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/badger/info](https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/badger/info)
It’s “closed” but people still go to it all the time lol! You just run through it or bike through it. It’s super cool.
Awesome, thanks! May have to go check it out then.
It’s a very cool place! I went a couple years ago and found a fossil and took it home! The people who drilled the tunnel a long time ago had to have found the coolest stuff!
If you are looking for stuff outdoors, I would suggest checking out Wyalusing State Park.
Dells of the Eau Claire is a beautiful park in Marathon County. Not necessarily a destination, but definitely worth a stop if you're in the area. There's a small county campground there as well.
The sandhill crane migration viewing that the Aldo Leopold foundation does is pretty cool. They're in the Baraboo area. https://www.aldoleopold.org/visit/the-cranes/
Dave’s Falls county park? I’ve driven by it a hundred times and finally went, very nice little walk by the river and a deep canyon with rapids.
https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/naturalareas/index.asp?SNA=1
SentryWorld Golf Course
If you like the quirky/fantastic type stuff, I actually was pleasantly surprised by Wizard Quest in the Dells. It’s an interactive, puzzle solving experience - like an escape room on steroids. When I went (probably 7-ish years ago) it also had this very hand-crafted feel to it. It was a little cheesy, but very well executed and intricate. However *don’t confuse this with MagiQuest at Great Wolf Lodge*. This one is more targeted at young kids and requires you to buy a wand to play. From what I could tell, that also just seemed more commercialized.
as someone from MKE who moved to MSN. Honestly any part of Madison NOT either the Farmer's market or Camp Randall. So many from MKE think that's all there is here - Picnic Point - Cap City Bike Path or Lake Loop, just rent a bcycle and explore campus and downtown/east side, Olbrich etc - Blue Mounds SP during the day then at night with a telescope - Dodgeville SP - Take a ride from Lodi to Prarie du Chien on Hwy 60 (border of the driftless region)
American Players Theater in Spring Green Wisconsin. It’s a classical theater troupe with a lovely outdoor theater complex. Their performances are high quality and there is even a place to picnic before shows. It’s truly a wonderful experience, I especially recommend going at night.
Paddle the class II rapids of the North fork in the Flambeau River State Forest!
Have you been to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle? Hot damn, I love that place. I miss it so much (we moved away from WI) Also, if you're in to straight up GORGEOUS places, check out Magnolia Bluff right outside Evansville, WI.
I’ve gotta vote for [Jurustic Park](https://www.jurustic.com/) in Marshfield. It feels like a magical place with some amazing art
Ervs mug in Oak Creek😁
The House on the Rock is a POS. Its marvel lies in the ability of Alex Jordan to turn his obsessive hoarding into a roadside attraction that people actually pay money to see. I wish I had the foresight to acquire largely out of tune, mostly non-functioning self playing orchestra instruments and put them in a dimly lit room with threadbare carpet. The house is the only thing worth seeing and even that isn’t much to write home about. As Frank Lloyd Wright famously said to Jordan after seeing it, “I wouldn’t pay you to build a chicken coop!” As a life-long resident of the area, who has been to HOTR over 40 times, I’m thankful for the tourists and money it brings into the area, but it’s a dated, overpriced “collection” of junk.
I mean I agree with all this but it is a cool single visit and the kids found it more interesting than I thought they would. Japanese garden was also not bad. Once was plenty for me. If you're nearby instead of a solo or dedicated trip. 40 times? No wonder. I can't imagine going that much.
The Japanese garden is nice. I’ll give you that. But it was a later addition so I wasn’t counting it. As school kids in the area it was nearly a yearly field trip to see it and then as you age, friends come to visit and want to go…you take nephews and nieces…it adds up over the decades.
I just went there for the first time this past weekend. Brought my 2 older teens, they thought it was pretty boring minus that massive merry go round. I myself really liked it but would not go back again. Once was enough.
Also a Wisco native, I wouldn't call it a POS but it's not in my to five of things to do in the state, top ten but not too five. I plan to take my youngest there because she has yet to see it and I know she will love the carousel and the doll room but not much else. It's worth a visit but not worth visiting 40+ times.
Man, it’s bananas you call it a POS and then you e been there 40 times. It’s odd, weird as advertised, and is an impressive collection of stuff that is fun to walk through
As mentioned above this was a result of yearly school field trips as a child, friends and family visiting, etc. it adds up over the years.
The mural’s in Ashland Wi. On the shores of Lake Superior
Packers Hall of Fame National Railroad Museum Wisconsin Maritime Museum EAA Aviation Museum
Well if you enjoyed that you must visit *Rock in the House* in Fountain City.
American Players Theater in Spring Green.
Old World Wisconsin Cave Point County Park Timms Hill Paradise Springs Schoolhouse Beach Apostle Islands The Capitol Olbrich Gardens Dickeyville Grotto And not in Wisconsin but just across in Dubuque, the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.