Wisconsin between Nature, Scenic Byways, and Culture
Accommodation in Wisconsin
Wisconsin combines landscapes, routes, cultural destinations, water experiences, and regional cuisine.
Nature and trails on different scales
The Ice Age Trail lies entirely in Wisconsin and runs for more than 1,000 miles along the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin. It is primarily a hiking and backpacking trail away from paved roads. The 44 public State Trails comprise more than 1,700 miles of land-based trails in total. They are complemented by the Lake Michigan State Water Trail.
The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is also part of the history of this trail landscape: in 1965, it became the country's first rail-trail. U.S. Bicycle Routes 30 and 230 connect Milwaukee with Minnesota and run for more than 170 miles over Wisconsin State Trails.
Scenic Byways for road trips and landscape experiences
Wisconsin's Scenic Byways include the Wisconsin Great River Road. The National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi for 250 miles and passes through more than 30 river towns in Wisconsin. The Door County Coastal National Scenic Byway is 70 miles long and can be explored by car, motorcycle, or road bike. Along this route are panoramic views of Lake Michigan, historic lighthouses, artisanal wineries, and Peninsula State Park.
The Lower Wisconsin River Scenic Byway runs for 100 miles through cliff landscapes, valleys, and streams in Wisconsin's Driftless Region. Farther north, the 145-mile Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway runs through northern Wisconsin. Along the route, there are opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The Lake Superior National Scenic Byway is a 70-mile road providing access to sandy beaches, cliffside hiking trails, the Apostle Islands, and museums.
Water, islands, and distinctive landscapes
Nicolet Beach in Peninsula State Park offers a swimming area as well as rentals of kayaks and other watercraft. Horseshoe Island is the only island that belongs to Peninsula State Park. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers more than 50 miles of maintained trails. The Lakeshore Trail runs for six miles along red sandstone cliffs and through forests above Lake Superior to a reservable wilderness campground.
Horicon Marsh covers more than 33,000 acres and is recognized as a wetland of international importance.
Architecture, industrial history, and lighthouses
Cultural and historical destinations in Wisconsin include Taliesin, the Harley-Davidson Museum, historic lighthouses, and evidence of the state's industrial history. Taliesin is Frank Lloyd Wright's 37,000-square-foot home, studio, and school on an 800-acre estate in Wisconsin. In 2019, Taliesin was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Harley-Davidson Museum presents more than 120 years of motorcycle history across two floors, with motorcycles, rare memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and immersive storytelling. It is the world's only H-D museum and is located in the city where the company began. One-hour tours are led by specially trained museum guides.
Sand Island Light was built in 1881 and was the first light in the group to be automated, in 1921. The permanent tower of Devils Island Light was completed in the fall of 1898 and entered service in 1901, shortly after the lens arrived. During World War II, the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company built 28 submarines for the United States Navy.
Museums with different ways to visit
The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay has more than 70 historic railway vehicles. Visitors can explore historic trains on self-guided tours or guided group tours. The EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh houses a collection of more than 200 historic aircraft. The KidVenture Gallery includes 16 interactive stations for hands-on participation. During the summer season, visitors can experience historic aircraft in flight at close range from Pioneer Airport.
The House on the Rock opened to the public in 1960. Cave of the Mounds offers guided cave tours during which the rooms are explained from a scientific and historical perspective. Circus World covers 64 acres and includes the world's largest collection of restored historic circus wagons, as well as seven buildings designated as National Historic Landmarks.
Regional references
Additional regional references: Marathon and Douglas County.
Regional cuisine and agricultural experiences
Culinary and agricultural experiences in Wisconsin include farm visits, fresh locally produced food, shops offering aged cheese, classes with a master cheesemaker, as well as visits to cranberry bogs and hands-on harvesting experiences. A supper club experience combines a relaxed atmosphere, friendly surroundings, homemade menus, and Old Fashioneds.
For the overarching travel overview: USA.
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