10 Best Places To Visit In Wisconsin

Catherine
Contributing Writer
Updated
| 5 min read
best places to visit in wisconsin

Wisconsin is an alluring midwestern state located in one of the northern-most regions of the United States and is comprised of a coastline boasting two of the five Great Lakes: Michigan and Superior. The setting is ideal for outdoor fun like adventure sports, scenic train and paddleboat rides, an exploration of lighthouses, and more. Rich farmlands furnished with well-fed cows are scattered throughout the state so massive amounts of fresh cheese are efficiently produced. Not surprisingly, Wisconsin is known as The Dairy State and locals even proudly called themselves cheeseheads. If you’re overdue for a fabulous nature-loving escape then scroll down to see the best places to visit in Wisconsin, USA.

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1. Kenosha

best places to visit in wisconsin | kenosha
Source: instagram

Situated on lovely Lake Michigan, Kenosha exudes an easygoing vibe filled with tranquil coastlines and fun water recreation. This city provides lots of attractions from intriguing museums boasting compelling US Civil War artifacts to intriguing dinosaur fossils. In fact, archeological buffs are thrilled to learn the remains of two of the world’s oldest wooly mammoths were uncovered in Kenosha! To get a true feel for Kenosha’s lakeside vibe, visit the Southport Light Station Museum - a restored 1860s lighthouse keeper’s dwelling that features interesting local fishing and shipping exhibits. Guests are welcome to climb to the top of the lighthouse for amazing views of the area.

Kenosha

Website: Kenosha

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2. Madison

Madison
Source: Pixabay

The capital city of Wisconsin, Madison is a truly picturesque place within an appealing city layout: an urban area that is nestled between two beautiful lakes. It is this unique locale that affords Madison ongoing, delightful breezes. With its pretty domed Wisconsin State Capitol building, this former farming environment is at the hub of government and business. Madison also showcases a huge network of scenic hiking and biking trails throughout the city and lake activities are never in short supply. The inviting downtown section offers tasty restaurants, fine shopping, and more within easy walking distance.

Madison

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3. Janesville

Downtown Janesville
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Grassferry49 used under CC BY-SA 2.5

Residing in the southern portion of the state, Janesville oozes small-town tranquility surrounded by rustic beauty. Providing expansive peaceful parkland and lots of serene scenic trails, this town is the ideal woodsy hideaway for anyone who wants to explore Wisconsin’s natural terrain. Escape to Janesville’s celebrated botanical garden offering 20 acres (8.09 hectares) of colorful floral splendor. Marvel at the latest live theater performance. Relish a slower-paced lifestyle by checking out 13 historic districts and the town’s charming downtown area.

Janesville

Website: Janesville

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4. Wisconsin Dells


Showcasing marvelous glacier-carved sandstone formations, Wisconsin Dells is a must-see destination. Situated on the Wisconsin River, this city is packed with fun diversions in a glorious natural venue so needless to say it is one of the state’s biggest draws for tourists. A multitude of theme parks and entertainment complexes can be found like Noah’s Ark Water Park and the Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park - an establishment displaying an Ancient Greece atmosphere. Wisconsin Dells is also a cut above for expert camping and hiking scenic nature trail at sites such as the magnificent Mirror Lake State Park.

Wisconsin Dells

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5. Waukesha


Tucked away between the cities of Milwaukee and Madison, Waukesha is a real gem. One of the town’s main attractions is Downtown Waukesha where you can indulge in delectable eats and ice-cold beer, enjoy art shows and live music, and browse a collection of quaint shops. If a trip to the park is on your agenda then the only spot is verdant Minooka Park. This park has a massive 4-acre (1.61-hectare) swimming pond and is the place to cool off in summer. You can also fish for a variety of species like trout, bass, bluegill, and more. Hiking and a top-notch 5-mile (8.04-kilometer) mountain bike trail is also available.

Waukesha

Website: Waukesha

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6. Green Bay


Though famous for football and the home of the notable Green Bay Packers football team, there’s more to Green Bay than just this gridiron sport. Sure you can tour Lambeau Field and investigate the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame but you can also explore many other captivating attractions. If you have a fascination for trains then head over to the National Railroad Museum that boasts a fine selection of mighty locomotives, handsome passenger rail cars, and other entertaining artifacts. The Green Bay Botanical Garden will put a smile on any nature lover’s face with its vibrant array of bountiful trees and flowers.

Green Bay

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7. Lake Geneva

Gfp-wisconsin-lake-geneva-across-the-lake
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Yinan Chen used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Lake Geneva is a brilliant jewel in Wisconsin’s landscape. Whether you choose to entertain yourself on land or water, this idyllic resort community is the ultimate seaside destination replete with fun-filled activities. Lined with glamorous and historic mansions dating as far back as the 1800s, this ritzy locale draws plenty of tourists with its scenic beauty and lakeside pleasantness. Visitors can indulge in fine boutique shopping, swing a club at a first-class golf resort, enjoy an invigorating spa day, engage in exciting water sports, and more. Treat yourself to a cruise around the lake or stroll the renowned 21-mile (33.7-kilometer) Shore Path that zigzags in and out of the woods along the shoreline for an exhilarating experience.

Lake Geneva

Website: Lake Geneva

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8. La Crosse

One of our favorite fall color destinations! Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe offers picturesque views of the surrounding...

Posted by Explore La Crosse on Tuesday, 25 September 2018

Found in western Wisconsin, La Crosse lies on the mighty Mississippi River and offers a substantial range of outdoor recreation. Riverboat rides provide excellent and exciting touring opportunities and stopping at the observation deck atop Grandad Bluff affords a phenomenal view of the area. A standout on the region’s forested terrain and not to be missed is the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe: a contemporary neoclassical church showcasing gorgeous frescoes, a huge pretty mosaic, a cute cafe, and a well-appointed religious gift shop.

La Crosse

Website: La Crosse

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9. Appleton

Appletonskyline
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Tjrudebeck used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Near the lovely Lake Winnebago, Appleton displays a serene small-town feel mixed with an energetic funky vibe. When not at Lake Winnebago’s shoreline enjoying a myriad of water diversions, many locals and tourists can be found in Appleton’s premier downtown area where there’s restaurants, boutiques, coffee shops, bars, live music, and a fabulous art scene. Fans of famous escape artist Harry Houdini will want to check out The History Museum at the Castle that houses an interesting exhibit of the magician and the 1882 Hearthstone Historic House Museum features fantastic original Thomas Edison light fixtures.

Appleton

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10. Milwaukee

Milwaukee is known for its superb beer-making abilities, and it is no wonder given that the city was settled by German immigrants in the 1800s. Many of them established breweries. Aside from the high-quality brews and lively polka halls, Milwaukee offers so much more for tourists than its simple working-class roots. Visitors can explore top attractions like the awesomely constructed Milwaukee Art Museum, one of the largest museums in the country displaying 25,000 works of art! If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast then check out the cool Harley-Davidson Museum.

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Wonderful Wisconsin

Whether you’re searching for outdoor adventures, quaint cabin rentals with a hot tub, family-friendly thrills, a lively art and culture scene, or a mouthwatering foodie escapade, Wisconsin is the place to find it. You’re sure to become a well-seasoned traveler after the myriad of unforgettable experiences your trek through one of the United States’ most appealing travel destinations provides.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Catherine has written professionally for over 10 years, and a sizable amount has been travel writing. Her desire to see the world was sparked at a very young age. Growing up, there were many family...Read more

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