Wisconsin Travel Forum

Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Tue February 17, 2009 09:58 PM UTC

Hi Guys,

I'm going to be travelling around Lake Michigan this summer and i was wondering if there was any real must-sees towns or places you thought i should check out when in Wisconsin?

I'm a 26yr old English guy who'll have his own car, i'm open to all suggestions really as i should have a week to spend in the state. I've heard Door County is meant to be really nice but any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

SoloChris

9 replies

[Reply]

Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Tue February 17, 2009 10:17 PM UTC

Did a circumnavigation of Lake Michigan a few years ago (http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/a5072/#TL) and enjoyed the coastal drive - Door Peninsular was good. Can't comment on rest of state...until next visit. Hope you get to see more than just WI. de p.

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pedroswift

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 03:56 AM UTC

I like Milwaukee a lot, there's a lot to do there and like many midwestern towns it comes alive in the summer. Should you happen to be traveling around July 4th, there's a huge music festival called Summerfest.

If you are a fan of architecture, there are a couple of Frank Lloyd Wright designed buildings in WI, the two I've heard the most about are Taliesin and the Johnson Wax Building

http://www.wrightinwisconsin.org/

If you are into planes, there's a big airshow in Osh Kosh July 27-Aug 2
http://www.wrightinwisconsin.org/

You might also have a look at Madison, it's a nice college town although I don't know how much goes on during the summer. And I enjoyed Devil's Lake State Park. I've never seen the Circus parade but my husband remembers it from when he was a kid

http://circusworld.wisconsinhistory.org/

On the really touristy side there's the Wisconsin Dells

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Dabs

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 07:59 AM UTC

Thanks a lot for your help Dabs. You've certainly given me some food for thought.

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SoloChris

[Reply]

Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 03:13 PM UTC

A trip that I have wanted to do for a long time but havent got around to yet ~
taking the Badger Ferry across Lake Michigan. ( with car) I have provided a link below.
The western coast of Michigan has SO MANY lovely little towns, Saugatuck,
South Haven, Traverse City, Charlevoix and dont forget Mackinac. Just a drive
across the bridge is worth the trip!
We are camping at Kohler Andrae State Park just north of Milwaukee this summer,
it is a beautiful State Park on Lake Michigan. They have a teepee you can rent out if you're not too late ~ wouldnt that be an All American experience?!

The link has destination suggestions ~ have fun!

http://www.ssbadger.com/portalhome.aspx

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lindasued

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 03:17 PM UTC

The bridge to Mackinac Island scared me to death when I was a kid, I used to have nightmares about our car plunging over the side ;-) Perhaps it's time I conquered my fear and made a return visit ha ha

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Dabs

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 05:38 PM UTC

I've added a link to Mackinac Island, you can only get
to it by ferry. Only bikes and horses on the Island, it
is really unique! Have some taffy. :)
The Mmackinac Bridge connects Upper and Lower Peninsula of MI.

Definitely make this a stop!

http://www.mackinacisland.org/

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lindasued

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Wed February 18, 2009 09:10 PM UTC

There are two ferrys taking cars and passengers across lake Michigan. The badger runs from Manitowac WI to Ludington MI. The ride is 4 hours long and reservations are required.
Mackinaw island is a unique experience at every level. It is a state historical park although it has private residences. Its accessed by boat or plane or snowmobile in the winter after the ice bridge is built. It is about 6 miles off the coast of the lower peninsula of Michigan but is a far trip from anywhere in Wisconsin.
As another poster stated, the Mackinaw Bridge links the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan. It is 5 miles long and peaks at 250' above the water at the centerline. It is longer than the infamous golden gate bridge and does not allow for pedestrians except on labor day when they shut down one side for walkers. In high winds, it can sway 35' from left to right and move up and down 12'. The trip across is scary for many first timers and the bridge authority will drive your car across for you if needed.

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JOECOOL131

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Sun March 8, 2009 09:56 PM UTC

I assume you are planning on sticking close to the lake. You can take the boring I-43 all the up or get off and take the back roads. There is a top notch maritime museum in Manitowoc. They have a WWI era American submarine there. If you are into such things, when in Chicago, stop at the Science and Industry Museum and check out the U-boat and then the USS Cobia in Manitowoc. Oh yeah, Sputnik IV crashed in Manitowoc. There is a marker, I suppose. Just north of Manitowoc is Two Rivers. The locals pronounce it "t'rivers" with one syllable. It is a nice area.

I have never seen a pretty woman in Sheboygan. I am not saying there isn't any. I just haven't seen any. Check out the Wall of Urinals at the Kohler Company showroom in Kohler.

Door County is nice. It is not my favorite part of the state, (touristy, but since you are a tourist, it probably won't matter) but there is plenty to see there. Get some jelly at Bea's Home Products in Gill's Rock.

Peshtigo and Marinette are interesting enough for a stop. Now you are into Michigan. Somebody else will have to post about this part.

There are hundreds of taverns along the way. Too bad you can't stop in all of them. The patrons will put you on to the best stops in the area.

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GinBuck

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Re: Must-see towns in Wisconsin
Posted: Sun March 29, 2009 04:38 PM UTC

No pretty women in Sheboygan! I guess that's because I don't live there anymore, haha.

Hmm, I am from there, so it's a hard question to answer. I guess it depends what you like also. Manitowoc's museum is nice, and the sub tour is pretty cool. The Milwaukee Art museum is one of the country's best. In Sheboygan I like the John Micheal Kohler Art's center and the Kohler toilet museum. I really want to go to a Frank Lloyd house, but have been to the nearby House on the Rock. Door county is pretty and quaint. Green Bay is all about (American) football. Wisconsin Dells is a nice area with some of the best water parks. Lake Geneva is resort area for wealthy people.

This summer I am considering doing the Lake Circle tour, so I am also looking for interesting places to stop on the way.

I have some travel pages about Wisconsin, check them out.

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