If you like milk, cheese and beer, Wisconsin is the place to be. This state, in the American Midwest, has been a leader in cheese and beer production for many years. The state proudly bears the name “America’s Dairyland” together with Minnesota, but Wisconsin has more to offer than just cheese and milk! With emerging cities such as Madison and Milwaukee, the city is becoming increasingly well known among (domestic) tourists. Whether you like nature or culture, Wisconsin has it all. Read on to learn more about the state’s top attractions.
History
Before the Europeans colonized present-day Wisconsin, it was populated by various Indian peoples. Until the 18th century, the area was in French hands, which it lost to the English. Wisconsin territory originally included an area that was added to Michigan in 1835 and is now known as the Upper Peninsula.
Geography
According to growtheology, Wisconsin is located in East America on two of the Great Lakes: Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The western border is largely by the St. Croix River and the Mississippi. The Wisconsin, which flows into the Mississippi, flows through the state. Wisconsin also has many lakes, of which Lake Winnebago is the largest. The state is fairly flat, the highest point is the top of Timms Hill (595m). The largest city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee. Other cities include the state capital Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, Racine, Appleton, Oshkosh and Eau Claire. Wisconsin is an agricultural state and is the largest cheese producer in the United States. Discover Wisconsin on The Great Lakes self-drive tour .
4 Must See Destinations in Wisconsin
1.Milwaukee
Wisconsin’s largest city is Milwaukee. This city, with nearly 600,000 inhabitants, is about an hour and a half from Chicago. Because of her relative obscurity among Dutch tourists, she is often overlooked, and that’s a shame! The city is beginning to gain more and more tourist fame among Americans. It is a pleasant city, which is mainly known for its museums, breweries and many festivals. We recommend, for example, Miller Brewing Company; the largest beer brewery in the city. After a tour of the brewery you can taste a number of beers yourself. Also an absolute must-visit when you are in Milwaukee: a visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum. After all, Milwaukee is the home city of this world-famous motorcycle brand. In this museum you can learn more about the history of the brand and see some of the oldest motorcycles ever made. Beer and motorcycles, how American do you want it?
2.Wisconsin Dells
For those visiting Wisconsin Dells, bringing a swimsuit is essential. This town, about a two-hour drive from Milwaukee, is also known as “the water park capital of the world®”! In this small town you will find more than ten water parks: that is more than 200 slides in total. So there is undoubtedly something for you and your family in The Dells, as the town is also popularly known. It’s all about family fun here. With theme parks, arcades, theaters and zoos, there is always something to do here, whether the weather is nice or bad. And the adults? They can recover in one of the spas or vineyards. Something for everyone in this nice place!
3. Madison
You should not miss a visit to the capital of Wisconsin. Just for the beautiful administration building, which is reminiscent of the Capitol in Washington DC. The building is open to the public: you can join a free guided tour or walk around on your own. But the cozy atmosphere in the city is also due to the large number of students. The University of Wisconsin has its home base here. Be sure to take a tour of the beautiful campus. Be sure to explore one of the five lakes in the city. Join a boat trip or rent a pedal boat. Kids can have fun at the Madison Children’s Museum or Henry Vilas Zoo.
4. GreenBay
In the north of the state, on the bay, is the city of Green Bay. This city owes its popularity mainly to its American football team, the Green Bay Packers. Of all the teams in the NFL, Green Bay is the smallest city to have a team at the national level. Attending a match is definitely an experience. In Lambeau Field – the home stadium – there is room for no less than 80,000 “cheeseheads”. Are you there in the summer? The training days are open to the public in August. Everything in this town revolves around the football team. At the stadium you will find Packers Hall of Fame, but from Neville Museum you can also walk Packers Heritage Trail. Is American Football not your thing? No problem! The city also has a number of fun museums, including The Art Garage and National Railroad Museum. In the latter you can find the largest locomotive,
What to do in Wisconsin
1. Walking in the woods
In addition to all the nice cities, Wisconsin also has beautiful nature reserves. There are more than twenty state parks, so there is bound to be something you like. By far the largest park is Devil’s Lake State Park, which is located in the center of the state. You can not only walk and cycle here, but on the lake in the park you can also go canoeing or kayaking. Stay sleeping? There are a number of camping pitches. You can’t make a reservation for this, so it’s best to come early. Another beautiful park: Copper Falls State Park. This park, located in the north of the state, is known for – how could it be otherwise – its waterfalls. You should certainly not forget your camera during your visit to this park, because the surroundings provide photogenic pictures wherever you look.
2. Cultural tours
Tours and guided tours are also a fun way to learn more about a city’s culture. “Iconic Milwaukee Tour” is a popular way to get to know the city and its culture. During the tour, which can be done by bus, stops are made at well-known and lesser-known places of the city. Definitely bring your camera as there are plenty of opportunities to take pictures. A fun and educational way to get to know the city! Does this sound a bit boring? You can also join a “Milwaukee Brewery Tour” that takes you to all of the city’s breweries. Tasting is of course included! Please note, the minimum age to participate is 21+.
3. Historical Tours
Many Wisconsin cities offer “history tours.” These tours pass the historical sites of the city. An ideal way to see the city and learn something about it at the same time. In Wisconsin Dells you can join an ‘open trolley’ (an old city bus) tour, which takes you past all the unique spots of the town. In Milwaukee you can view all the historic buildings of the city on foot, accompanied by a guide, and learn more about the history and architecture (Historic Milwaukee Tour).
4. State Parks
In addition to all the nice cities, Wisconsin also has beautiful nature reserves. There are more than twenty state parks, so there is bound to be something you like. By far the largest park is Devil’s Lake State Park, which is located in the center of the state. You can not only walk and cycle here, but on the lake in the park you can also go canoeing or kayaking. Stay sleeping? There are a number of camping pitches. You can’t make a reservation for this, so it’s best to come early. Another beautiful park: Copper Falls State Park. This park, located in the north of the state, is known for – how could it be otherwise – its waterfalls. You should certainly not forget your camera during your visit to this park, because the surroundings provide photogenic pictures wherever you look.
5. Winter sports
All of Wisconsin’s hills and mountains make for the perfect conditions for a winter sports vacation. After all, Wisconsin ranks third among all US states for a winter vacation; the state has more than twenty ski resorts. So there is bound to be something that appeals to you! Many of these resorts are a (relatively) short drive from cities like Milwaukee and Chicago. In Wisconsin, the ski season often starts in early November (in the north) and runs through mid-March. In the heart of Wisconsin is Granite’s Peak; one of the most popular areas. The slopes are no less than 20 kilometers.
Wisconsin FAQs
What can you do in Wisconsin?
n Wisconsin has something for everyone: there are a number of – still fairly undiscovered – cities, but nature is also close by. So you will undoubtedly have fun, whether you are a city or nature person!
How many days do you need in Wisconsin?
While this of course completely depends on your own budget and time frame, the state basically only has a few highlights. So you can certainly have seen this in a week. However, keep in mind that the city is huge, so the distances between different places can be great.
What are the top rated hotels in Wisconsin?
We can book almost any hotel in Wisconsin. To make it easy, we have already made a selection for you. If your favorite hotel is not listed, let us know!
