The museum has a range of permanent and traveling exhibits, such as the interactive exhibit known as Little Clint: The Story of a Baby Dinosaur, which follows the journey of a juvenile T. rex from birth to fossilization, excavation, the lab, and finally the museum. Address: 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Dedicated football fans who want to tackle even more Packers lore will score big by taking a guided tour of Lambeau Field. [See more of Milwaukee: Things to Do | Hotels | Photos ]. Fantastic beach. Just north of Discovery World is the architecturally impressive Milwaukee Art Museum, a modern masterpiece designed by Santiago Calatrava. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Known as Brew City and home to the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, no trip to Milwaukee is complete without tasting its beer heritage. This charming little hideaway about 30 minutes west of Sheboygan is often overlooked but shouldn't be. Motorcycle enthusiasts will be in hog heaven when they enter this modern steel-and-glass museum. Located near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, 7 miles north of the border and about 50 miles southeast of Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is popular for weekend getaways, with visitors describing it. No complaints! This is a great place to appreciate and wander in nature with friends or little ones. We went on a weekday and there were no crowds. The only sounds? The holiday season offers a Snowflake Jazz Concert, Christmas Ballroom Dance, and the Gallery of Trees, during which professionally decorated trees are auctioned off to raise funds for the Centers youth programming. Credit: St. Charles Riverboat Cruises. I took my daughter and 2 granddaughters there in early August. There are no online pictures of individual sites so making reservations is a bit of a gamble, although most sites had at least some shade and a decent amount of space per site. RNoggin Brewing Co. has a tap room where visitors can taste their brews as well as tuck into fare provided by food trucks during events. Wisconsin Hot Rod Radio sponsored a summer hot rod cruise in July. Facebook/Chippewa Falls Main Street There's so much to do in this small town in Wisconsin on the Chippewa River. About the Area: Great Central Location! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Why Wisconsin Supper Clubs Just Keep Getting Better With Age. Wind rustling through the trees. You could spend an entire weekend quietly hiking or biking along the country roads, but Elkhart Lake also has a racier side. Other special events throughout the year include a pumpkin patch train ride in the fall and a Polar Express train ride in November and December. No trip to Madison is complete without visiting the beautiful, white-domed Wisconsin State Capitol building. Shops and restaurants in century-old buildings have long attracted visitors to this town of 3,500. Departing from Kenosha Harbor May through September, the tall ship Red Witch can be enjoyed on public tours of the lake during the day and evening and on sunset trips and also offers private charters for special occasions. Plenty of parking. A vintage electric streetcar system connects the towns attractions and entertainment. It's one of the most scenic roads in the Midwest, flanked by 400-foot-high sandstone bluffs and historic little river towns. Time your visit to witness the spectacle of the building's wings (large movable sunscreens) opening and closing at 10 a.m., noon or closing time. The Osthoff Resort is the grande dame of Elkhart Lake with fine dining, a French cooking school and an award-winning spa. Wisconsin (WI) 15 Best Flea Markets in Wisconsin: MadCity Bazaar Elkhorn Antique Flea Market 7 Mile Fair Crazy Frank's Flea Market Adams Flea Market Jackson Flea Market Dodge County Fair Flea Market Pea Pickin' Flea Market! Want to escape the indoor attractions for a natural one? Maybe that's why quiet types flock here-bird-watchers, hikers and history buffs eager to explore Parke County and its covered bridges. These romantic getaways near Chicago are less than five hours away and perfect for your next weekend getaway. Soak up some rays on the beautiful beach or take an architecture cruise. Pontoon boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent. These hallowed halls house a permanent collection of hundreds of bikes, including the first motorcycles built and Elvis Presley's custom bike. Kenoshas historic streetcars are one of the citys top attractions and provide a 2-mile scenic loop tour of the town, which includes two historic districts, the downtown business district, the HarborPark development, and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Gateway Classic Cars of Milwaukee is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 35 miles south of Milwaukee. The towns waterside parkland features beautifully manicured landscapes and blends perfectly with towns historic downtown area, which is home to charming shops, casual cafs and eateries, an outdoor market, and art galleries. Rent your own boat and water ski on Elkhart Lake or hit the nearby Kettle Moraine State Park trails. Our 2nd floor room, with a view of the lake, was spacious and clean. Come for the summer activities or the annual Groundhog Day Festival in early February. Save. Eye candy. Ruth and her sister, Margaret, were both school teachers in Racine, and used the property as a wildlife sanctuary, a place to picnic and camp. Wander the paths and trails at Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the University of Wisconsin Arboretum; admire the art at Chazen Museum of Art or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; take a leisurely cruise around Lake Mendota or Menona; and be sure to work up an appetite-Madison's 600-plus restaurants offer something for every taste. Grand Rapids' ArtPrize extravaganza every other fall is part art walk, part city tour and and entirely vacation-worthy. Past shows have included Linda Tumps ceramics, Pat Kroths mixed media fiber installation called Nest and the wood carvings of Joe Mrazek. Sing-along Shakespeare? Nature lovers and culture enthusiasts will also find plenty to keep them busy in Door County's charming villages. Become a Cheesehead by exploring all that Wisconsin has to offer. Meet Five Midwest Cake Creators (and Try Their Recipes). Biking and hiking Whitefish Dunes State Park and Potawatomi State Park are some of the top outdoor activities in Door County. Activists and incoming college students appreciate that Madison, about 80 miles east of Milwaukee, has been the scene of many a protest, whether against the Vietnam War or in favor of marijuana legalization. 7. The galleries show the work of students in area schools, as well as work completed at the Centers summer camps and afterschool programs. The Southport Light Station Museum is a beautifully restored lighthouse and keeper's residence that is now a museum featuring local fishing and shipping exhibits. The resort's hill is decidedly not the Rocky Mountains, but there are three chair lifts, two carpet lifts, 20 runs and a terrain park. Unique Midwest Light Displays to See This Winter. The museum boasts a variety of exhibits, displays, and a movie on the Civil War as well as hosts several educational programs, classes, and workshops throughout the year. the garden is beautiful in spring. Get a taste for this classic culinary tradition at Little Bohemia Lodge in the nearby town of Manitowish Waters. Walk the Lake Geneva Shore Path. Read on to explore the top things to do in Wisconsin. But towns like Goshen, Middlebury and Elkhart also are modern communities. Illinois' third-largest city spent years watching travelers whiz by on Interstate-90 on their way east to Chicago. I-94 from the Illinois state line to Route 50 is for the most part finished! These include the original Pike River School, established in 1847, its second incarnation, which was built in 1906, and the original Somers Town Hall, built in 1859. RNoggin Brewing Co. is open Wednesday through Sunday at various times throughout the year. Now, thanks to a revitalized downtown, an emerging foodie scene, new cultural attractions and beautiful public gardens, word is getting out: You'd be crazy not to stop. No soap. The oldest park in the system, Petrifying Springs Park is a 360-acre park with a network of wooded trails, an 18-hole golf course, playgrounds and ball fields for children, and picnic areas for families. Located a short distance from our home, the Illinois Beach Resort is a gem. The home officially became part of the Kemper Center campus one year later in 1990. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. Classes include a Wildflower Walk Series, which takes place in May and September and is hosted by Hawthorn Hollows Restoration Ecologist. Located just off Interstate-94 on the East Frontage Road at 6521-120th Avenue, the brewery produces four barrels of beer per week on average and focuses on delivering a delicious, drinkable beer for both locals and visitors. Biking is one of the top things to do in Door County because there are plenty of opportunities for both road biking and trail biking. For more fun, be sure to visit Six Flags Great America. One natural feature that makes Eau Claire truly special is that it's at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. There are frequently cash prizes offered for winning works of art. The two rivers provide plenty of outdoor opportunities, from fishing and swimming to kayaking and tubing. 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806, Phone: 715-685-9983. Franks Diner is an historic landmark and lunch car diner that has been serving authentic all-American fare for lunch for more than 80 years. Discover charm, history, and the great outdoors in Chippewa Falls. Listen for wildlife. Kohler Walkway through the dunes in Kohler-Andrae State Park The city of Kohler is best known for the Kohler Design Center and the premier golf courses in the community. Address: 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304. The campground itself is decent depending on what you are looking for. Two bedrooms, a living room and bathroom for servants are located in the west wing of the house. Fish the riverand let the others head to Galena. Oshkosh Airshow. Visitors point to Le Chateau Bed and Breakfast as the best lodging in Wisconsin Rapids. Prospectus may be found on the Anderson Centers website. The 250,000 square foot campus is home to the Durkee Mansion, an historic house museum, Kids Space, a classroom space and artist in residence home, and the Kemper Hall Convention Center, an event venue and office space. The flagship of Kenosha County Parks and known as Pets: to locals, Petrifying Springs Park is the oldest in the system and offers a wide range of enjoyment for people of all ages throughout the year. Hike the bluffs. It is home to Road America, a racetrack hosting NASCAR races, vintage car events and specialized driving schools. Neighborhood children are invited to trick or treat, and coffee and donuts are provided. A red-brick two-story Colonial home was built as a residence in the 1950s. Waterford Unique Antique Market Antigo Wisconsin Flea Market The Princeton Flea Market Shawano Flea Market Wilmot Flea Market See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Vehicles recently sold from Kenosha include a 1926 Ford Model T Coupe, considered the 20th centurys most influential car, and a 1934 3-window Ford Coupe, rebuilt as an iconic hot-rod with black pearl exterior, air-conditioning, power steering and a 3-speed automatic transmission. Whats Nearby: Kenosha, Wisconsin is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, just over 30 miles south of Milwaukee. Visitors will also discover a robust farm-to-table movement in this fertile section of America's heartland. But there's plenty to see at other times of the year, too, including the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park,Frank Lloyd Wright's Meyer May House and the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. The closest thing to that in the Midwest is the Door County fish boil, a one-of-a-kind culinary spectacle. If you want to feel like you're actually sleeping in an art museum, book a room at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel, which is located in the heart of downtown. Starting in downtown Eau Claire's Phoenix Park, the trail runs along the Chippewa River through prairies, sandstone bluffs and wetlands. By providing financing and global shipping, and by offering 16 showrooms across the United States, Gateway Classic Cars has succeeded in making the classic car buying and selling experience easier and more accessible for all parties. Gateway Classic Cars is a national classic automobile museum that specializes in selling classic, collectible, and exotic cars for private sellers, collectors, and estates. Illinois borders Wisconsin to the north, Michigan via a water boundary in Lake Michigan to the northeast, Indiana to the east, and Kentucky to southeast. The Kenosha Kingfish are a minor league baseball team that plays in the collegiate summer baseball league known as the Northwoods League. The location takes pride in being like a museum, but you can take the cars home with you, as one guest is quoted as saying. Chocolate Shop. We will definitely be back and will recommend the Illinois Beach Resort to our friends. Great River Road Head west and drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, with its bluff-top views, river sights, charming B&Bs and sprawling vineyards. Highly recommend. The Badger State's charming small towns, thriving farm-to-table movement and rich brewing heritage guarantee quality vacations for all types of travelers. Inside the three-story courthouse, a museum highlights the area's historical treasures. How far you drive is up to you each town has its own personality. America's Dairyland is well worth the trip for weekend getaways or week-long vacations. At 27 miles, the Lake Geneva Shore Path is a must-do activity in this area. Special events include an annual summer Twilight Jazz series. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times. Summer excitement reaches its peak at the end of June with Summerfest, a massive and affordable music festival. RNoggin Brewing Co. is a small family-owned brewery that produces hand-crafted beer in a fun, friendly casual atmosphere. Follow these steps (and allow plenty of time) to get your child a passport. For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. Backcountry roads that run throughout the peninsula are popular. Taliesin is his Prairie-style, minimalist masterpiece, a must-see for architecture and design enthusiasts. Though it's home to the Fighting Irish, it's not all football in South Bend. Related: 8 Midwest Flea Markets to Add to Your Must-Visit List. By no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the downright best day trips in Wisconsin: 1. Wisconsin is the nation's largest producer of cranberries. Knowledgeable sales staff are on hand to share their expertise with prospective customers, interested visitors, or automobile aficionados, and shipping assistance is available to US and international buyers. Wisconsin's landscape has five major geographic regions. The beautifully restored electric streetcars are also known as electric trolleys and stop at the McCarthy Transit Center, 8th Avenue, 54th Street, and the METRA train station, allowing visitors to hop on and off at will to explore the city. If you enjoy a martini with a view, consider the Blu lounge at the historic Pfister Hotel, offering panoramic views, cocktails and more from the 23rd floor. Spot birds, hear frogs, hike and bike, see wildflowers and unwind among the 19,000 acres at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. Besides the authentic cuisine, guests will appreciate that meals come with a side of history. The communities of the North Shore seem farther from the bustle of downtown, thanks to abundant green spaces, including the Chicago Botanic Garden. The view of Lake Michigan is incredible and if you like to walk the beach or collect rocks it's a great spot. 12. Exhibit galleries also house rotating works of art by locally known artists and famous masters. Nearby Kettle Moraine State Forest also offers outdoor rec of another type with trails for biking, hiking and running. There is hiking, camping, biking, cross country skiing in the winter, fishing, The NorthPoint Marina is five miles north in Winthrop Harbor, IL, which has slips for 1500 boats and an excellent restaurant called The Tropics.There is something for everyone to do at Illinois Beach State Park, so bring your family! A warm-weather visit calls for a stay at The Abbey Resort, the only lodging directly on the shores of Lake Geneva. Wisconsinites are lovingly referred to as Cheeseheads. Free tours of the building are given daily. Grab a cheesy bite of nostalgia at Papa Del's Pizza or enjoy more upscale fare at Miga; take time to admire the works at Krannert Art Museum and Spurlock Museum; go for a stroll at the University of Illinois arboretum or Allerton Park and Retreat Center. 1. Sun, sand and.. race cars? Electric only at camp sites with water spigots scattered around the park and one dump station. Brighten Your Front Door with This Colorful Easter Egg Wreath, These DIY Orange Beeswax Candles Will Make Your Home Smell Amazing, Ring in the New Year with This Glam Star Garland, An Eye-Catching Oval Treat Box You Can Make, Make a Colorful Paper Raffia Wreath to Welcome Fall, DIY Pistachio Wheat Stalks for Fall Decorating. The pool was clean and water temperature perfect. Taliesin Preservation manages the grounds and offers six touring options of the estate, along with other arts and cultural programming and special events like a farm dinner series, biking tour and Winter Festival tours. Classes include puppet making, cartooning, drawing and painting, crafting and the fiber arts as well as sculpting. With more than 300 hands-on science and arts exhibits, the center has something for children of all ages. They have a hotel with a decent restaurant, and a campground. 3. Distance from Chicago: 150 miles north, 2.5-hour drive. An annual Trunk or Treat event is a Halloween themed Cars and Coffee in October. Open mid-June through October, the Jerry Smith Produce Country Store sells a range of homegrown produce and pick-your-own produce (depending on the season). It's one of a handful of U.S. towns to earn a Platinum designation from The League of American Bicyclists as a bicycle-friendly community, so purchasing a $15 24-hour bike-share pass is a great way to explore the city. Most people come here for quiet weekends of swimming, sunning, boating and water-skiing in the crystal-clear lake, but the legendary Road America course is popular with amateur racers and their fans. Art, music and food festivals fill the calendar, and the compact downtown has just as diverse offerings. Related: See our getaway guide to Lake Geneva. The Art of the Car show takes place each August, while October hosts Oktoberfest. Today, the building is the home and office of Hawthorn Hollows director. If you're up for more exploration, also visit neighboring Matthiessen State Park, where 5 miles of trails carve into the mile-long canyon, passing rocks, waterfalls and beautiful, sometimes dizzying, vantage points. Snack on crackers and sip wine at Lewis Station Winery, and don't miss the old-fashioned James J. 6603 3rd Ave, Kenosha, WI 53143, Phone: 262-653-0481 Fun day trip ideas: South Carolina, Oregon, Texas 2. Visitors recommend Door County Trolley's lighthouse tour, describing it as entertaining and informative. 880 Green Bay Road, Kenosha, WI 53144, Phone: 262-552-8196, Courtesy of Bruce Shippee - Fotolia.com, Courtesy of Africa Studio - Fotolia.com, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum, Jerry Smith Produce & Pumpkin Farm, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Things to Do in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Kemper Center, Things to Do in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Kenosha HarborMarket, Things to Do in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Kenosha History Center, Kenosha Kingfish Minor League Baseball, Kenosha, Wisconsin, Things to Do in Kenosha, Wisconsin: Kenosha Public Museum, Petrifying Springs Park and Biergarten, Kenosha, Wisconsin. We had a delicious breakfast outside on the restaurant patio the next morning and then swam in the pool for another 3 hours. In 1988, Friends of Hawthorne Hollow was established to provide financial support to maintain the gardens and facilities through memberships and donations. Architecture buffs will delight in the Frank Lloyd Wright Visitor Center and Taliesin, an 800-acre estate set amidst rolling hills overlooking the Wisconsin River. It's one of the top things to do in this peninsula. Megan Johnson and Sharael KolbergMarch 3, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansMarch 1, 2023, Holly Johnson and Erin EvansFeb. Worth a drive through, wonderful landscaping and grounds, A good place to relax and enjoin nature. 2. Wander the paths and trails at Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the University of Wisconsin Arboretum; admire the art at Chazen Museum of Art or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; take a leisurely cruise around Lake Mendota or Menona; and be sure to work up an appetite-Madison's 600-plus restaurants offer something for every taste. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The most accessible section of this shore extends from the Indiana line 175 miles north to Ludington. 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140, Phone: 262-654-5770, Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Milwaukee, Things to Do in Norfolk, Cumming. (Courtesy of Let's Minocqua Visitors Bureau + Chamber of Commerce). The small town of Oshkosh on Lake Winnebago, northwest of Milwaukee, is famous for two things: the popular line of kids' clothing and its place on the world's airshow circuit. This sleeper hit of a weeknight dinner comes from Food Network star Molly Yeh's cookbook Home is Where the Eggs Areand is basically a vehicle for Parmesan and garlic toast. 6521 120th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142, Phone: 262-960-1298, Near me on a budget: Arlington, Park City, Places to Visit in USA, Brattleboro VT, Maine lighthouses, St. Paul, Wyoming vacations, Des Moines, Tallest roller coasters, Train Museums near me, Romantic Getaways St Augustine FL. Opt for the longer, more expensive options if you want to see the press box, locker rooms and more. 28, 2023, Holly Johnson and Ann HensonFeb. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. 724 54th St. Kenosha, WI 53140, Phone: 262-653-4287, Top rated last minute places for couples: CT, IL, CA, MD, VT, VA, Atlanta, From Chicago, MD beaches. The Anderson Arts Center is a non-profit organization supported through donations, gift shop sales, and rental income via letting the house and gardens for private events. Some of the more unique cars on the property include a 1967 Morris Minor 1000 from Britain, a Clenet Convertible from 1980, built by Clenet Coachworks in Santa Barbara, and a rare, 1990 Suzuki Alto Works RS/R, believed to be the only such micro car in the United States. Generations of Midwesterners have enjoyed weekend getaways to the crystal-clear waters of this town, about 60 miles north of Milwaukee. What's more, the University of Wisconsin Madison Memorial Union on the shores of Lake Mendota is a favorite for students and locals; grab a brat and brew and enjoy the view. The region also helped shape the childhood of our 40th president, whose boyhood home opens its doors to visitors. Wisconsin / Illinois border (approximate round-trip mileage from Milwaukee: 100 miles) If you need a staycation with the family, but have only a day or two to spare, a quick jaunt down I-94 to the . Five bedrooms include a master bedroom of over 400 square feet. Starting in June, and running through mid-August, the Illinois Shakespeare Festival in Bloomington-Normal reveals its ode to the Bard. around there are lot of mansions. Housed in an historic 9,000-square-foot French Tudor mansion, the center features six significant local and regional art exhibits every year as well as performances, educational workshops, symposiums, lectures, and special events. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva Grand Geneva Resort and Spa 1. Three historic buildings were moved to the property in 1967. The Anderson Arts Center in Kenosha, Wisconsin is housed in a 9,000 square foot estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. Another fun venue is the Rick Wilcox Magic Theater, which guests praise for funny bits and impressive illusions. Absolutely delicious cakes. Little Bohemia Lodge was the site of a 1934 shootout between John Dillinger and the FBI. History: Ruth Teuscher bought the first 40 acres of the Hawthorn Hollow property in 1935. Located on Lake Michigan, the largest lake in the United States, Milwaukee is easy to explore; everything seems to be only a 5-minute drive away. 1404 13th Street, Monroe, Wisconsin 53566, Phone: 608-328-5550 What to do near my location, inexpensive, private adults only getaways: Carmel, WA, UT, MN, Chicago, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, Kirkland, Taos, SoCal Camping, West Palm Beach, LA Beaches, Things to Do in Moab 11.