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
What to do and see in Wisconsin, United States: The Best Things to do
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. Lambeau Field
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,423 reviews
Welcome to Lambeau Field, the crown jewel of the National Football League! After undergoing a dramatic facelift in 2003, Lambeau Field has been transformed into to a year-round tourist destination with a host of new amenities and attractions. The Lambeau Field Atrium is home to the Packers Pro Shop, Packers Hall of Fame, Curly's Pub, and other Atrium dining, event, entertainment and retail options.
Reviewed By HappyTimeHollis - Norman Gardens, Australia
I spent two days at Lambeau Field. The first day was a Saturday, where I visited the Packers Hall of Fame, had a stadium tour with Packer's legend Leroy Butler and went to the Packers Pro Shop. Shout out to the lovely ladies behind the desk who loaded me up with a bunch of free promo gear to take back to my friends here in Australia and taught me how to deal with the freezing cold. The hall of fame was two stories of the history of not only the Green Bay Packers, but of football itself. Exhibits showing the evolution of player protection, important games of Packers history and the Packers Hall of Fame display room (full of bronzed footballs, each with the details of important figures in Packers history) were highlights. After this I took a pre-booked alumni tour. Whilst originally a little hesitant because of the price (about AUD$100), this turned out to be the most amazing part of the day. Leroy Butler - four time Pro-Bowl cornerback and inventor of the Lambeau Leap - took us into the owner's box, through the tunnels and out next to the field itself (which unfortunately we weren't able to go onto due to the game happening the next day) to take photos with us all behind the end zone. Finishing off the evening, I went downstairs into the Packers Pro Shop. Literally any product you could think of was available with a green G logo on it, although the prices were exorbitant. The staff were absolutely lovely and helpful though. To top off my brilliant day, as I stood alone in the carpark in dark, freezing weather facing a 20 minute wait for my Uber, I saw this large man running towards me screaming "Hey Australia! Let's take some more selfies!!!" It was none other than Leroy Butler, who waited with me in the freezing cold, peppering me with questions about Australia. Leroy - if you see this, the offer is still there to show you Australia if you ever come over. My second day was Sunday game day, Packers vs the visiting Atlanta Falcons. For fifteen years of fandom I had dreamed of seeing an NFL game live, and finally I was about to see my beloved Packers at home. First of all, although the line-up was huge, the security staff managed to keep things moving incredibly fast - no small feat considering attendance was over 78,000 people! Concessions were typically expensive, but in freezing temperatures being able to buy hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps in it was one of the best things I could imagine. One of the most surprising things about Lambeau is that no matter where your seats are, you are guaranteed a great view of the field. It truly is a marvel of engineering. Thankfully I was in the lower section, about 15 rows back from the field on the 30 yard line, but everyone around me was wild and having a lot of fun, encouraging me to get involved as we beat the Falcons. I even got to see Aaron Rodgers break an NFL record (completed passes without an interception)! A tip for people from warmer climates - dress in layers. No, more layers than that. Before wind chill it was -10 degrees Celsius (wind chill taking it down past -20C) in the middle of the day. Maybe it's because I'm from tropical Australia, but I wore four layers of clothing plus mittens and a beanie and still was shivering cold. Heating pads are also essential purchases. All in all, Lambeau was somehow even better than I dreamed it would be. I will be back again some day.
2. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,636 reviews
One of Madison's most popular attractions, this oasis of green includes a sunken garden, perennial garden, rose garden, rock garden, herb garden, wildflower garden and a tropical conservatory.
Reviewed By Valedia - McHenry, United States
Some friends and I try to meet up somewhere every fall. This year I read about and picked this spot as Madison is a halfway point for all. I was absolutely amazed at this gem - free parking, free access to the outdoor areas and only $2.00 to explore the indoor conservatory. The volunteers greeted us when we walked into the conservatory, and one went so far as to walk us around and point out all the different areas so that we wouldn't miss any of it. There is a gift shop that is stocked with seeds, bulbs, cards that can be planted, clothing and much, much more. The conservatory has lush plants, trees, ferns, a koi pond and other water features. After exploring inside we went out and walked all of the different paths and areas that were very well maintained, and a true sensory treat! Photography is a hobby of mine, and I came home with almost 60 pictures and could easily have taken more. We are looking forward to meeting up again in other seasons. If you are in the Madison area, do yourself a favor and take the time to enjoy this wonderful place!
3. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 155 reviews
A cluster of 21 islands dotting the waters of Lake Superior; great for hiking, boating and camping.
Reviewed By MikeH305 - Phoenix, United States
The best way to see this is by boat. If you have your own great but if not then take a cruise and spend a little time and money. You will see a lot of beautiful area and probably wildlife as well.
4. Henry Vilas Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,659 reviews
Truly a wild place to hang out, this free zoo, located inside Vilas Park, features animals from around the world including African lions, South American alpacas and tortoises from the Galapagos Islands.
Reviewed By conniem912 - Warrington, United States
We went here with our son and our 2 year old granddaughter. They had been here before but it was our first time. It was a very nicely maintained zoo in a lovely park. It is fairly small which was perfect for the granddaughter- we could walk around and look at everything without her getting too tired or overwhelmed. It has a varied selection of animals, a merry-go-round and a train ride, a Children's Zoo with a VERY active group of goats which our granddaughter loved, a playground, gift shop and restaurants. You're also allowed to bring your own food and eat at one of the picnic tables. It is very popular with the locals so we got there shortly after it opened to avoid the crowds later in the day. Glad we went and looking forward to returning.
5. Wisconsin State Capitol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,006 reviews
The majestic Roman Renaissance-style State Capitol has the only granite dome in the U.S. and inside has over 40 different types of stone from around the world as well as murals and handmade furniture. The observation deck, open in the summer, offers views of the city and surrounding lakes. Capitol Square plays host to state events throughout the year including Farmers Markets and Folk Festivals.
Reviewed By CaboLynn - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This is a beautiful building and has so much to see. You can take a tour or wander around on your own. The people at the information desk are very helpful. There is an observation deck that goes all the way around the building allowing you a 360-degree view, seeing both lakes and down State St. On Saturday mornings the capitol square is the site of one of the best farmers markets in the entire U.S.
6. Geneva Lake Shore Path
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 741 reviews
This lovely 21-mile walking path, around Geneva Lake, takes pedestrians by impressive homes and quiet lakeside neighborhoods. A two-mile swath on the West End offers a manageable stroll, lovely views, and passes landmarks such as the Abbey Resort and Fontana Spa and popular local eateries like Chuck's.
Reviewed By Steamboat50 - Waukesha, United States
Walking around the entire lake has been on my bucket list for quite some time. Last weekend my girlfriend and I decided to do the walk. It was a beautiful September day, about 70 degrees. We started and 8:45am and finished the walk at 4:30. I was a little nervous as I was hearing anything from 22-28 miles around the lake from different people. Well I am happy to say that it is exactly 21.4 miles. At least that is what I got on my watch. We did it in 7 1/2 hours but we only took two bathroom stops and I will say we walked at a decent pace. The furthest I had ever walked prior to this was nine miles so I was a bit leery that I could even finish this. I am happy to say that it was a very enjoyable walk. It is mainly all flat with a few house steps in between. You are walking right by the water the majority of the walk. At one stretch you went on the road for a very short time. The views are incredible and my friend talked the entire time so the time went by fairly quick. I was afraid to stop for lunch and relax a bit but now that I know what it is like, I would probably stop for a nice lunch next times. There are supposed to be five bathrooms around the lake and we only came across three and used two of them. Make sure to have a good pair of walking shoes on or hiking boots. A good pair of socks is a good idea as well. Dress according to the weather and bring a small backpack with granola bars, fruit and water. Then again if you stop for lunch, you probably would not need that. I enjoyed it so much I am doing it again this weekend. It is a great challenge and an accomplishment to be proud of.
7. Wisconsin Deer Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,393 reviews
Reviewed By KarenD563 - Johnsburg, United States
It's a park like setting where you walk along the designated path and are able to feed the deer with wasa crackers that you can purchase. They will come right up to you and are very friendly. We did notice one deer that seemed to not want anything to eat even when offered - it looked tired and maybe ill - we mentioned this to the staff as we were concerned for its welfare. There are other animals too, like moose, elk and others that you can observe in their enclosures.
8. Harley-Davidson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,050 reviews
Harley-Davidson motorcycles bring heart-thumping adventure, life-changing freedom and a bit of rebellion into the lives of people around the world. But whether you were born to be wild - or mild - makes no difference at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Much more than a nostalgia trip for motorcycle enthusiasts, the Museum offers a glimpse of American history and culture like you've never seen before - through the successes and trials of an iconic American company. Interactive, eye-catching exhibits present an unparalleled collection of legendary stories of our nation's last century. Located on 20 acres in downtown Milwaukee, the Museum offers free parking, Motor Bary & Restaurant, Cafe Racer, The Shop, park-like outdoor spaces, special event rentals, guided tours for group of 15 or more, and Steel Toe Tours of the Powertrain Operations, home of the big-twin engine.
Reviewed By lindabT8006KR
Even if you are not mechanically inclined, or know anything about motors, this museum is worth a couple hours of your time. The audio option is worth the money. Between the audio and the exhibits, the history of the motorcycle's development and how it fits into American history is told in full detail and includes stories and little known facts that keep you involved. Individualization of a person's Harley by customization is a consistent thread through the hundreds of bikes displayed. It was amazing to see what a rider can do to a bike!
9. Witches Gulch
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 539 reviews
Reviewed By HpnotiqCrunk - Wisconsin Dells, United States
Witches Gulch was an included stop on both the Upper Dells tour and Jet boat tour we participated in. The path and walkway are great and only narrowed a bit towards the end of the trail towards a small concession stand (which was great to breakup the tours) and included a bathroom area. Pictures in the gulch were awesome and our family loved how windy the paths got at times, it made you feel like you were almost by yourself in the gulch.
10. Noah's Ark Water Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,815 reviews
Located on 70 sprawling acres in the heart of Wisconsin Dells, the Waterpark Capital of the World, Noah's Ark is recognized as both the Largest Water Park in America, and one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin Dells with kids. Noah's Ark isn't just big on thrills, we're also committed to providing the safest, cleanest, and most unforgettable waterpark experience for the entire family. In fact, we've received the Top Award for Aquatic Safety every year since 1995! From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, we are open for an entire summer of fun under the sun. Make your plans to visit us soon, buy your tickets, and reserve your cabana.
Reviewed By MLLove2000
We visited Noah’s Ark on Monday, July 16, 2018. We had a great day. Bear in mind as you read this review that we are four senior citizens from SC. Unlike many of you, whose biggest concerns are the biggest slides or best children’s area – our biggest concern is shade and we were worried about finding four seats in the shade. So, before we arrived we went online and reserved a cabana in the Kahuna Wave Pool area. We were just guessing about location, but as it turned out, we had chosen a great spot. While we were at it, we bought a parking pass as well. (Cabana = $119.00 + $8 tax and Parking = $15 + $1 tax + $3 processing fee). We were glad we had bought the Cabana in advance as they sold out quickly after the park opened. By the way, when we reserved it online it was for a cabana in that location – not for a specific cabana. The park opens at 10 and we arrived at 9:15. We drove in through the “Express Entrance” through the Flamingo Motel parking lot and parked very close to the entrance, under a nice shade tree, in the Hippo parking area – the farthest from the express entrance. Having the parking pass was nice but would not have been necessary at that time of day as there was no line to get in to the lot. There were about 5 cars in the lot when we arrived, so we had our pick of places. They opened the ticket counter a few minutes before the park opened, so we were able to buy our tickets. We had bought the 2 for 1 Splash pass and Noah’s Ark offer was for one adult admission ($39.00 – which would have been $19.50 each) but when we told them we were seniors we got the senior admission price of $24.99. They gave us the deal on that, which meant we only paid $12.50 each for a full day at the waterpark – amazing! By the time the park opened, there were maybe 50-75 people in line and when it did open, the youngsters ran for the big rides while the parents headed for cabana rentals. We were there in time to take our pick and we chose Cabana #1, which turned out to be the perfect one. We were given a nice reusable Noah’s Ark bag with two striped towels in it, and we paid $5 each deposit on two locker keys. The cabana lockers are separate from the others and were close to our cabana. (Other lockers use a code, not a key.) While we were settling in, our attendant, Sasha, came by. Sadly, that’s the only time we saw her, except for when we tracked her down later in the day and requested our complimentary bottles of water (6 of them). Had she been attentive, we would have ordered more food and drink and left her a nice tip. But we did fine on our own. The cabana had a table with 4 chairs and 2 chaise lounges. We dragged over two more chaises and put those in the shade in front of the cabana. Sasha had said “It’s yours for the day, you can arrange it as you like.” So we did. It also had great canvas sides that were closed to block out sun but could be opened as the sun shifted. Later in the day we had all three sides open for a great breeze and a great view of the lazy river. Having made our nest in the cabana, one of us was set for the day. Two of us went exploring…. First, let me say, there are a lot of very cool looking water slides and rides. Second, I agree with other posters – the park is huge with hills and you can walk yourself to death. At one point I walked fairly briskly (not running but not ambling) from our cabana at one end of the park to the 4D movie at the other and I think it took about 20 minutes. Speaking of 4D movie, we loved it! It was so cute! However, it is very poorly located, up a hill too steep for many people and so out of the way that others don’t think to look for it. The two of us were the only ones in the theater during our showing. Other rides and attractions we enjoyed were Congo Bongo (if the lines look equal, take the left one – it loads before the right one), Kowabunga, and Flash Flood. We rode the Stingray, but “enjoyed” is not exactly the verb I’d use – more like “survived”. One of us stood in line for 15 min for Raja before deciding it would take too long. Wise choice. Later in the day we saw the guys who had been in line ahead of him and they had waited an hour and a half. Ouch! Of course, our favorites were the lazy rivers and wave pools. We preferred Kahuna and Adventure River to the Wave and Endless River. The Adventure River is lovely with lots of trees. It took a few minutes to get a tube, but we enjoyed much of the day floating along. Let’s talk food. We were thrilled to find a Dole Whip hut, but a little bummed that they didn’t have orange. “Settled” for a pineapple float – a very nice way to settle. For lunch we got food from Kahuna Café which was okay and reasonably priced. However, had we known we’d be parking in the shade and so close to the entrance, we would have packed a picnic and gone to the car to eat it. Can’t bring in food but you can bring in a bottle of water per person. We stayed until almost closing time (7pm). There are showers, restrooms, and changing rooms close by. We hated to say goodbye to Cabana #1 and the beautiful Noah’s Ark Water Park!
