There’s a way to travel a stretch of western Wisconsin that you might not have heard of. The Celebration Belle, a Quad Cities-based riverboat, takes travelers on a three-day excursion from the far southwest corner of the state up to historic Prairie du Chien. It’s a trip like no other and it’s an incredibly scenic and timeless way to see a side of Wisconsin that few get to experience. Here’s what you can see on the Celebration Belle.
The boat is a 750-passenger paddlewheel that’s specifically designed to navigate the waters of the Mississippi River. It looks like it's from the 1800s, but it was actually built in 1986 by Patti Shipbuilding of Pensacola.
The Wisconsin excursion departs from Dubuque, which has a long history as a river town. On the first day of the cruise, the Celebration Belle will take you about 60 miles upriver to Prairie du Chien. All meals are included on the boat, and there’s also entertainment on board.
The second day of the trip is spent exploring Prairie du Chien, including Fort Crawford Museum, which chronicles the history of the fort that stood guard over the city from from 1816 until 1856.
The scenic and relaxing return trip takes you back down river. It’s about an eight-hour cruise, and it travels through some gorgeous stretches of river country.
People travel as far as 1,000 miles to take a trip on the Celebration Belle. It even once hosted the king and queen of Sweden! Learn more about the Wisconsin excursion and other Mississippi River trips here. If you can't swing a three-day cruise, upriver in La Crosse, there's another riverboat that serves passengers pizza on the water!
The Badger State has a ton of character, thanks largely to its wonderful citizens. And the ingenuity of the wonderful folks who live here is one of the reason that we have so many interesting, quirky, and even kitschy sights and landmarks to offer travelers. To honor these fascinating manmade wonders, we've put together an itinerary that will take you to half a dozen of our favorite roadside attractions in the state. The whole kitschy road trip through Wisconsin covers about 637 miles in just under 11 hours of driving time. You can follow our itinerary - or customize it however you like - in Google Maps.
There's no restaurant chain more distinctively Wisconsin than Culver's, so it's only fitting to start off this Wisconsin road trip at one of these beloved eateries - the world's largest, in fact. You'll find the gargantuan Culver's of Newville just off of Interstate 90, south of Madison, in Edgerton. This massive restaurant even has a conference space. So, have a look around, then grab a Butterburger and some custard, and let's hit the road.
Wisconsin Dells, as anyone who has visited will attest, is pretty much its own thing. Chock full of quirky attractions and tourist traps, it's clearly the kitsch capital of Wisconsin. A drive along the Lake Delton strip - from the Kalahari to Mexicali Rose - and then into the downtown Wisconsin Dells business area will show you all you need to know.
Another 90 or so minutes west of Wisconsin Dells, in Black River Falls, you'll see a very curious sight on the north side of Interstate 94 - and you'll definitely want to stop. At exit 116, there's a giant orange moose standing near a pond with other woodland creatures, like a massive deer. They're on the grounds of a motel with a restaurant inspired by the statue (or perhaps vice versa) - The Big Orange Moose. Stop in for lunch or dinner, and then wander over and size up the massive moose.
Next, our itinerary will take you to Hayward and the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. Of course, you'll want to see all that the museum has to offer, but it's a stop on this road trip because it's home to the "world's largest fiberglass muskie." At more than four stories high and half a city block long, this beast is truly impressive - you can actually walk inside this leviathan and survey your surroundings from its maw.
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By the time you reach Hayward, you'll probably be ready for a break. Fortunately, there are several excellent hotel options in and around the town, so you can relax, explore the area and hit the road refreshed.
On the next stop, you'll visit a cryptid of Wisconsin's Northwoods - the infamous Hodag. First "discovered" in 1893, the Hodag has since become intertwined with the history and cultural identity of Rhinelander. You'll find Hodags and Hodag references all over town, but a stop at the statue outside the Rhinelander Chamber/Visitor Center offers the best photo op with one of the beasts.
6. Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, Butik & Stabbur - Sister Bay
The final - and longest - stretch of this road trip will land you in Sister Bay at the iconic Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, Butik & Stabbur. This eatery has been a Door County institution for decades and is definitely a worthy stop for the food alone. The reason it's included in this particular itinerary, though, is that the restaurant's roof is covered in grass - grass kept trim by a herd of goats that hang out on the roof and graze all day. Only in Wisconsin, right?
We think this road trip is a wonderful way to explore all the quirks and wonderful surprises the Badger State has to offer. How many of the places on this kitschy road trip through Wisconsin have you visited? Are there any you would add? Let us know in the comments!
There are tons of places in the Badger State to soak up some railroad history. But one of the best has got to be the Mid-Continent Railway Museum. In addition to several static displays, the museum offers a variety of train rides - and we think they're some of the best things to do in Wisconsin in fall. With rides focusing on everything from fall foliage to beer and wine, there really is something for everyone. Take a look at the variety of train rides in Wisconsin offered at this amazing attraction.
The perfect way to do some leaf-peeping in Wisconsin, this train meanders through the rural Sauk County countryside. During the 55-minute ride, you’ll enjoy great views of the surrounding foliage from the comfort of restored vintage passenger cars. Book your tickets on one of the most colorful Wisconsin train rides on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website.
Make this year’s visit to the pumpkin patch extra special with a ride on the Pumpkin Special. The seasonal ride takes passengers straight to Quartzite Lake, where pumpkins are ready for picking. The seven-mile round trip should take about 55 minutes; however, could take longer depending on the crowd size. Book your tickets on one of the most fun train rides in Wisconsin on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website.
Get into the spirit of the season with a ride aboard Santa Express. Every minute of the 55-minute train ride is full of festive fun, which includes a visit from Santa and his elves and lots of Christmas carols. Santa Express trains operate as scheduled regardless of weather conditions. But don’t worry; you’ll be nice and cozy since all cars are kept warm using the centuries-old tradition of steam heating or coal-fired stoves, just like at the North Pole. Talk about embracing the magic of the season! Book your tickets on one of the best Wisconsin train rides on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website.
Held on select days throughout the year, this Wisconsin dinner train offers passengers the chance to enjoy a BBQ meal in an unforgettable setting. Watch beautiful scenery whiz by as you nosh on BBQ. Book your tickets on one of the most delicious Wisconsin train rides on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website.
This pizza train in Wisconsin might be the tastiest day trip in the state! The Pizza Train uses the same cars as the Elegant Dinner Train but features a menu that younger passengers will enjoy. And just to be clear, we’re talking about pizza! Book your tickets on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website.
Please note that some of these Wisconsin train tours are only offered on select dates; you can also visit the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website or the Mid-Continent Railway Museum Facebook page to learn more and see the current schedule! And if you're looking for a place to stay near the museum, check out the vacation rentals on Vrbo.
Of course, the Mid-Continent Railway Museum isn’t the only place for train-related fun in Wisconsin. Did you know about the Toy Train Barn Museum? The museum is located in tiny Argyle, Wisconsin, and is one of the most delightful day trips in Wisconsin for train enthusiasts young and old! Have you taken any of these train rides in Wisconsin? Let us know in the comments!
