Top Things to do in Wisconsin
Top Hotels in Wisconsin
- 1. Drury Plaza Hotel Milwaukee Downtown
- 2. Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown
- 3. Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva
- 4. Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
- 5. Hampton Inn & Suites Madison / Downtown
- 6. Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club
- 7. Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay
- 8. Radisson Hotel La Crosse
- 9. Hyatt Regency Milwaukee
- 10. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, La Crosse, WI
The 10 Best Architectural Buildings in Wisconsin, United States
When you think “adventure travel” you probably think of far-flung places like Belize and Alaska—not Wisconsin. But if you’re an outdoor adventurer, you’ll find plenty of places to explore in Wisconsin. A vacation in Wisconsin can put you close to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which has excellent biking trails. Or choose Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands—kayakers will love exploring Lake Superior’s many caves and shipwrecks.
Packers fans don’t wear those cheese-wedge hats for nothing! Foodies will love tasting as many of Wisconsin’s artisanal cheeses as possible. Either drive from cheesemaker to cheesemaker, or choose a Wisconsin vacation in a town with a good farmers’ market—then the cheesemakers bring their wares to you. And what goes better with artisanal cheese than craft beer? In Milwaukee, visit the Lakefront and Sprecher Breweries for tours and tastings.
Wisconsin Dells is a classic family vacation destination. A vacation in Wisconsin Dells will put you close to all the excitement—you’ll have to tear the kids away from the theme parks, wave pools and water parks in Wisconsin Dells!
Lake Geneva boasts clean beaches, golf, and a small-town feel that definitely appeals to city dwellers—it’s a popular getaway for residents of Chicago.
Restaurants in Wisconsin
1. Taliesin Preservation
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,617 reviews
Taliesin, the home, studio and estate of Frank Lloyd Wright, is located in the hilly Driftless Region of southwestern Wisconsin near Spring Green. It is the name of Wright’s house as well as the 800-acre estate that includes buildings from all decades of Wright’s career. Its many wings and terraces reach out around the ridge of the hill, embracing the site and standing as “brow.” Taliesin was the residence of Wright and the valley was his inspiration and life-long laboratory for architectural designs and innovation. Taliesin represents the most complete embodiment of Wright’s philosophy of Organic Architecture. The Taliesin residence is the heart of a series of buildings that Wright designed for himself and his family members on the estate. Other buildings include: Romeo & Juliet Windmill (1896), Hillside Home School (1903), Tan-y-Deri (1908), Hillside Drafting Studio (1932), Midway Barn (1949), Hillside Theater (1952), and the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center (1967).
Reviewed By Paff4o - Chicago, United States
Welcome to Taliesin Preservation! This is one of the best places to visit and learn about the life of Frank Lloyd Wright, both personal and professional. It is located about 30 minutes West of Madison, WI, and 2.5 hours from Chicago, IL. There are a variety of tours offered at Taliesin. We went on the Taliesin House 2-hour tour. The tour guide, Linda, was very engaging and knowledgeable about Frank Lloyd Wright’s professional achievements and intricacies in his personal life. By walking from one room to another, it was amazing to “touch” and feel the environment the great architect had lived in. There was so much curiosity around every corner. The architectural element simplicity had blended beautifully with the surrounding nature view as well as the artifacts inside and carefully designed interior. Time went by so quickly. Come and visit the Taliesin Preservation. Learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright’s accomplishments and have a full day of relaxation. Enjoy your visit at Taliesin Preservation!
2. SC Johnson Headquarters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 316 reviews
Whether you’re a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, a unique aircraft enthusiast or simply love our household products, you’re always welcome to visit SC Johnson.We welcome visitors and offer free public tours that provide different views of the company's inspired architecture, including: •The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Administration Building •The award-winning Foster + Partners-designed Fortaleza Hall •The SC Johnson Gallery: At Home with Frank Lloyd Wright •Film showings of the Academy Award-winning documentary To Be Alive! and the acclaimed Carnauba: A Son’s Memoir at The Golden Rondelle Theater. All tours also include a visit to The Lily Pad, our gift shop.
Reviewed By TorontoCity - Toronto, Canada
Absolutely great tour, very good docents, and incredible property. But the 1.5 hour (free) tour was just too short. No time to investigate the amazing museum at the end or even visit the gift shop. That seemed odd. Would have loved to have taken photos of the interior, not sure what that’s about but I would recommend this tour to anyone with even the slightest interest in Frank Lloyd Wright, history or architecture. My exterior photos were a hit with all my friends.
3. Basilica of St. Josaphat
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 845 reviews
Enter the Basilica of St. Josaphat through the Visitor Center, Monday-Saturday, 9:00am to 4:00pm for visits and tours; free tour after Sunday 10:00am Mass. The Visitor Center is in the Pope John Paul II Pavilion at S. 7th Street and West Lincoln Ave. Enter from the street side or parking lot. Located in Milwaukee’s historic Lincoln Village, the Basilica is a ministry of the Conventual Franciscans and has a captivating story of faith, historical significance, and unmatched architectural and artistic beauty. Polish immigrants built the Basilica over 115 years ago using salvaged materials from the razed U.S. Post Office and Custom House federal building in Chicago. Its 250 foot high copper dome is the icon of the diverse neighborhood the Basilica serves today. The Basilica hosts community events, performances of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and others. The St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation, a 501(c)(3) works with the Franciscans to preserve and restore the Basilica. All are welcome!
Reviewed By scottofhawaii - Honolulu, United States
...at least for me. First of all, the place is psycho-beautiful with amazing gilded architecture colored in powerful Catholic art, iconography, whatever... I sure did miss seeing world-class places like this this past year. In this typical, kind of beat-up American city, the basilica is a palace with its deep awe-inspiring imagery and objects. It's both a gift and scar left behind in the wake of an obscene history the church created across the world. It's also a confusing dichotomy that both perplexes and seduces me at the same time. I'm like both in a daze and state of intimacy when I'm in a place like this. Anyway secondly, there was this guy who said he was a priest that started talking to me. I guess he was a priest, but he didn't have one of those collars on. He was just sitting in one the benches (pew?) in the main hall (nave?). He started talking to me and blurting out his life story: Vietnam vet, priest for over 40 years, cancer and chemo, even end of life issues. At first it all seemed so over the top and inappropriate, but I don't know. I wound-up asking him if the church is going to guide/see him through his final years. I told him the VA is going to be the people who do that for me. I guess that makes the VA my religion now. I also took a shot at him about the priest/abuse thing saying his team has really "taken it on the chin" about that stuff. He quickly tried to deflect and play the victim card a little. Anyway, I guess I'm meeting new people again. Couldn't do that while wigging-out about catching COVID like I did for the past year in Pittsburgh.
4. Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 405 reviews
Guided tours of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed building feature the history of the most controversial design of one of the world's greatest architects. Tour highlights include dramatic open spaces, curvilinear forms, breathtaking views, and a picture exhibit of noted photographer Pedro Guerrero. Weather permitting, guests can also visit the rooftop. Tours run daily at 1pm and cost $3 for adults and $2 for students. Free events during the spring and summer months include Concerts on the Rooftop, Dane Dances and Tunes at Monona Terrace concerts series, T'ai Chi, Lakeside Kids children's program, architectural Wright Lecture series, as well as numerous other programs for all ages. We also offer outreach programs for students. The Gift Shop, located on level 4 inside Monona Terrace, has a unique selection of Wright-inspired gifts, Wisconsin souvenirs, and specialty Items. Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 11 am to 3 pm.
Reviewed By U2879HGthomass - Reedsburg, United States
The conference center is very nice and has an indoor walk way to the Hilton - Monona Terrace. The building has had very few updates or upgrades and it needs them
5. Brewers Hill
6. Kneeland-Walker House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
7. Wingspread
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 168 reviews
Reviewed By TryppAdams - Minneapolis, United States
It may not be the most dramatic FLW Structure but what I loved is that they let you sit on some of the furniture, and after a short intro highlighting some of the great though leadership that has come out of Wingspread (like NPR) and a short video providing more history of the building, you are free to walk about the building at your leisure and enjoy the property at your speed. Whether it be the Juliette balcony, the bed Eleanor Roosevelt was know to curl up on or the grand living room with all its fireplaces. The stories of its creation, struggles and adventures of the family living in it allow you to imagine the property as it must have been. Plus, it is free to visit, you just need to schedule an appointment!
8. Seth Peterson Cottage
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 29 reviews
Reviewed By EvaS783 - Phoenix, United States
For fans of Frank Lloyd Wright's, this cottage is a must-see. We happened to be arriving in the area, to visit Taliesin, on the Sunday when the cottage had its open house in May (it was Mother's Day how delightful). The cottage is only open for tours one Sunday a month, and is also much in demand as it can be rented out by the night through the organization that has meticulously restored it. Our wonderful tour guide gave us insight into the cottage, and Seth Peterson, as well as telling us about the restoration and the incredible organization that is making sure that the public gets to see this gem in the woods. Speaking of being in the woods -- even with our GPS we found it difficult to find the cottage as we saw no signs pointing us in the right direction. It was worth taking the winding roads to this very private and lovely site.
