Wisconsin is my home state. Maybe that makes me biased, but I do believe that this state can offer a lot for travelers. While it may not get the influx of tourists that other states get (particularly those along the coasts), there’s still plenty to discover. From the shores of the Great Lakes (and our thousands of other lakes throughout the state), to the forests, to the cities, there’s something for everyone. And despite living here for my entire life, I’m still finding new and great places to explore.
So let’s give you some inspiration and start planning your trip.
Eastern Wisconsin & Lake Michigan
I’ve called Lake Michigan home for nearly my entire life. I’ve lived in a few different cities, but I’ve never been more than 10 miles from the shores of Lake Michigan (except when I studied abroad). This lake is the second largest of the Great Lakes and it stretches down the entire eastern edge of Wisconsin. This is where you’ll find some of the best beaches in the state.
Door County
We can’t talk about tourist in Wisconsin without talking about Door County. Have you ever looked at a map of Wisconsin and noticed that peninsula on the eastern side jutting out into Lake Michigan? That’s Door County and it’s a hub for tourist activity. Whether you want to hike at one of its state parks, do some wine tasting, or just enjoy the seemingly endless shorelines, you won’t be bored.
Wisconsin Dells
Commonly referred to as the “Water Park Capital of the World”, Wisconsin Dells is another tourism hub for the state. Located about an hour north of the state capital of Madison, you’ll find water parks and amusement parks. But that’s not all, there’s also some great hiking and its the birthplace of the Ringling Brother’s Circus. There’s a little bit of everything.
Northern Wisconsin
Ask any Wisconsinite about their summer plans and they’ll probably tell you that they’re going “up north”. The northern part of the state, also known as The Northwoods, is the final tourism hub I want to mention. This is my favorite part of the state because of how much natural beauty you can find up here. From waterfalls to forests to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, there an abundance of outdoor activities to be found.
When to Visit Wisconsin
When people think of Wisconsin weather, they likely think of snow and cold. That’s not an unreasonable assumption as winters here can be cold, snowy, and brutal. Though the severity of winter will vary across the state. In general, if you’re looking for winter activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing, winter will be a great time to visit.
Summers are the opposite. It’s the warmest weather, but with that heat also comes humidity. For those looking to get out on one of the many lakes, summer is by far the best time. It’s also when you’ll find all of the festivals and big events.
During the fall months, the changing leaves make everything in Wisconsin a gorgeous color. Temperatures are cooler which can be both good and bad, depending on what you’re looking for. Fall is by far my favorite season in Wisconsin.
Spring is also an option, but the weather is very hit and miss. You might get lucky and have warm and dry weather, or you might get snow in the first week of May. I’ve seen both and have given up trying to predict what spring in Wisconsin will actually look like.
Nearby
Wisconsin is in the heart of the Midwest United States. To the southwest, you’ll find Iowa. Directly south is Illinois and directly north is Michigan.