50 Cool Things to do in Wisconsin

things to do in wisconsin

Wisconsin is a beautiful state with a great amount of activities to enjoy with your family. There are many free events throughout the year for children of all ages, and you are bound to find interesting and interactive activities to do during your family vacation to Wisconsin.

1. Lost Canyon Tour

top things to do in wisconsin

Located in the Wisconsin Dells, the Lost Canyon Tour gives visitors a unique look at the Dells. This kid-friendly activity starts by boarding a horse-drawn wagon that is manned by a driver who engages the crowd throughout the tour. https://www.lostcanyontour.com/

2. Cranberry Festival

The Cranberry Festival is held each year in Warrens, Wisconsin. This festival has a parade for the children, arts and crafts, and cranberry harvest tours. https://www.cranfest.com/

3. Harley-Davidson Museum

Biker families will enjoy visiting the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee where they will see exhibits, shop for merchandise, and experience sitting on a legendary Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

4. Door County

Located by Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County is famous for the many parks and the peaceful atmosphere.

5. Lambeau Field

Check out a Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay during football season. This is sure to be an experience your family will remember!

6. Fawn Doe Rosa

Fawn Doe Rosa is a unique deer petting zoo in St. Croix Falls. If you visit in the spring, you have a great chance of seeing many baby animals.

7. Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

Wisconsin Point Lighthouse is on Lake Superior in Superior, Wisconsin. You can do this free activity as a family on a Wisconsin vacation.

8. Manitou Falls

This is Wisconsin’s tallest waterfall and is located on the Black River north of Lake Superior. Take a day to hike around the park and take in the beauty of the falls.

9. Milwaukee Art Museum

Spend a day at the Milwaukee Art Museum where you can learn about types of artistry.

10. Min-Aqua Bats ski team

Take in a water skiing show in Minocqua! This kid-friendly event is a great way to spend a summer day in Wisconsin.

11. Air show in Oshkosh
Watch the pilots perform acrobatic tricks with their airplanes at the Oshkosh air show.

12. The Apostle Islands
The 22 islands that make up the Apostle Islands are a destination for relaxation in Wisconsin. Located in the Bayfield Peninsula in Lake Superior, visitors can take a cruise around the islands or kayak near the shore.

13. Cave of the Mounds
Tour this cave to see the wonderful rock formations and underground pools of water. After your tour, check out the gem and fossil digging for some inexpensive souvenirs to bring home.

14. National Railroad Museum
Take some time to look at the museum exhibits and hop aboard a fun train ride where your family will learn about train safety and the history of the museum.

brewery tours

15. Milwaukee Brewing Company
When in Milwaukee, make sure you take time to visit the Milwaukee Brewing Company for a tour. You will learn about the process of making beer and be able to sample the beer if you are over 21.

16. Interstate State Park
This state park is on the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Many people love to spend summer days here, jumping off the high cliffs into the clear water of the St Croix River.

17. Visit Quarry Beach
Visiting a beach in Wisconsin is a great way to spend a day, and Quarry Beach in Sheboygan is a wonderful beach. Affordable daily rates and the option to rent kayaks and paddleboards are just a few of the attractive benefits this beach offers.

18. Eat at Choo Choo Charlies
Located in Kenosha, Choo Choo Charlies is a theme restaurant that serves up great food with entertainment for the children. A model train runs on a track around the restaurant serving meals to families.

19. Wisconsin State Fair
Have a blast at the end of summer at the Wisconsin state fair. Try some new fair foods, watch a free concert, and check out the 4H livestock.

20. Explore the Milwaukee County Zoo
Take in the sights and special events at the Milwaukee County Zoo on your vacation. With a variety of animals including primates, snakes, and tigers, there is never a dull moment at the zoo.

21. Spend the day at Bay Beach Amusement Park
If your vacation brings you near Green Bay, make sure you stop at Bay Beach Amusement Park. This family attraction features rides, concessions, and entertainment along the Fox River.

22. Go on a duck boat ride
When in Wisconsin Dells, make sure you go on a duck boat ride. These boats go on land and water and are great tours of the Wisconsin Dells area.

23. Water Parks
Wisconsin Dells is known for its many waterparks. From relaxing lazy rivers to extreme water slides, your family will be thrilled to visit any water park in the Dells.

24. Bristol Renaissance Faire
During weekends in the summer months, you can go back to medieval times at the Renaissance Faire in Bristol. The fair is full of entertaining shows and food vendors.

25. Watch a Wisconsin Badgers game
Visit the University of Wisconsin and watch a college game. Basketball, football, and hockey are a few of the popular sporting events here.

26. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
16 acres of outdoor gardens and an indoor flower conservatory make up this flower destination in Milwaukee.

27. Spend a weekend camping
Relax and get back to nature at one of the many campgrounds in Wisconsin. There is a wide variety of campgrounds near lakes so you can swim or go fishing with your family.

28. Schoolhouse Beach
This beach does not have sand; rather the ground is lined with pebbles. Taking the pebbles from the crystal clear water is against the law, but you can spend hours sunbathing or having a picnic on the beach.

29. National Mustard Museum
Located in Middleton, the National Mustard Museum has thousands of exhibits about mustard and samples to try out.

30. Eat Cheese Curds
When in Wisconsin, you have to make sure to eat some Wisconsin cheese curds! Grab a bag or two and enjoy them in a local park while your children play on the swings.

31. Madison Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum in Madison is perfect for children of all ages. There are plenty of hands-on exhibits available throughout the museum to keep children entertained for hours.

32. Tommy Bartlett Show
Located in Wisconsin Dells, the Tommy Bartlett Show is fun for everyone. This waterski show has been thrilling vacationers to the Dells since 1952.

33. Shalom Wildlife Park
This wildlife park in West Bend features a petting zoo, educational exhibits, and children’s play areas. After a long day, you might want to take advantage of the golf cart rentals to cruise around the park.

34. Go Cross Country Skiing
If you visit Wisconsin in the winter, get outside and take your family cross-country skiing. This low-impact sport is a great way to get exercise and enjoy nature.

35. Whitnall Park
Whitnall Park, located in Milwaukee, offers the unique activity of sled dog rides. Make sure you call first to find out what days and times the dogs will be available for this activity.

36. Go Downhill Skiing at Granite Park
During a winter trip to Wisconsin, make sure you enjoy the outdoors by hitting the slopes at Granite Park.

37. Governor Dodge State Park
In the winter months, be sure to visit Governor Dodge State Park and try climbing the ice wall.

38. Milwaukee Public Museum Planetarium
Gaze at the night sky or catch a planetarium show at the Milwaukee Public Museum. This affordable activity is ideal for astronomy buffs.

39. Paddleboat on Veterans Lake Lagoon
This lagoon in Milwaukee is situated off Lake Michigan and is a great place to spend a day on a paddleboat enjoying the breeze. Renting paddleboats is an affordable and interactive family activity.

40. Lake Michigan
A warm summer day in Wisconsin is the perfect backdrop for trip to Lake Michigan. There are many things to do here, including playgrounds for the children and walking paths.

41. Go for a family bike ride
Rent bicycles and spend a few hours on a leisurely ride with your family. Whether in a state park or on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, you will have breathtaking views of the Wisconsin scenery.

42. Mars Cheese Castle
For a truly Wisconsin experience, stop by the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha. You will find a variety of cheese, bakery items, and cheese-related souvenirs.

43. Pose by statues in Black River Falls
Right off the interstate in Black River Falls is an area that has larger-than-life statues of a deer, a mouse with cheese, and a large moose.

44. Go Shopping at Northland Mall
Spend a day shopping at Northland Mall in Appleton. This popular shopping mall is full of great stores for the entire family.

45. Appleton Butterfly Gardens
The butterfly gardens in Appleton is a fun outdoor event where you can view thousands of butterflies as you stroll around the gardens. They also have a butterfly-shaped maze for a great family activity.

46. Check out a Farmers Market
Wander through a farmer’s market on a summer Saturday and buy some fresh produce for the week. Many farmers markets have activities and crafts for children to enjoy.

47. Visit the Paper Discovery Center
Touring the Paper Discovery Center in Appleton is a great family activity in Wisconsin. This museum features interactive exhibits and displays about the history of the paper industry.

48. Visit the Wisconsin State Capital
Take a tour of the capital building to see the architecture and history of this building in Madison.

49. Fireworks on Lake Michigan
If you happen to be in Wisconsin over Independence Day, watch some fireworks over Lake Michigan. Many towns around this great lake put on mesmerizing fireworks shows.

50. Canoe on Devil’s Lake
For a great fall activity, rent a canoe and paddle around Devil’s Lake.

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