There’s a lot of beauty, history, and culture to discover in Wisconsin -- and we've put together one road trip that covers it all. Start on the shore of Lake Michigan, take in some local culture and natural beauty, and end the drive at America’s greatest river. Read on to see where this special drive will take you.
Start this Wisconsin road trip on Milwaukee’s bustling waterfront. Billed as one of the top urban beaches in the nation, Bradford Beach is a cool oasis in the state’s largest city.
As you make your way west, stop to stretch your legs in this pleasant downtown. Stroll along the Fox River or check out the city’s charming shops and restaurants.
The next stop on this Wisconsin road trip is the state’s impressive Capitol. It’s a must-visit when you’re in Madison – take in the Capitol’s mosaics and marble columns.
Pay a visit to the Trollway! This postcard-perfect town is filled with whimsical carved trolls, as well as some interesting stores and great restaurants. Before leaving town, grab a pint at the Grumpy Troll.
This 5,200-acre state park in Iowa County is a perfectly tranquil rest stop. Stroll through lush forests, take in a waterfall, or relax by one of the park’s scenic lakes.
The last stop on this road trip takes us to the banks of America’s greatest river. Prairie du Chien is the oldest European settlement on the upper Mississippi and it’s an area filed with interesting historic sights. Take in the river views and plot your next Wisconsin road trip!
Once you’ve crossed Wisconsin from east to west, gas up your car. This epic drive will take you to beautiful inland beaches and orchards.
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!
Fall in Wisconsin showcases our state's gorgeous topography and countryside in such a way that that it almost compels you to get in the car and going for a drive. In fall, when the whole state comes alive in a riot of fall colors, it's especially appealing to hop in the car without a serious destination and go explore - just go where the fall foliage in Wisconsin takes you. Here are 10 fall foliage drives in Wisconsin that highlight gorgeous vistas and an array of colorful leaves.
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These are more suggestions than directions - start on these state highways, and then don't be afraid to veer off the beaten path and explore whatever looks interesting. Just make sure you remember your GPS!
I actually already told you about how this is one of the best fall drives in Wisconsin. The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive is a 115-mile-long path through 50,000 acres of the southern and northern units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. It's a gorgeous ramble through the interesting countryside and you shouldn't miss it.
You really can't go wrong meandering through the gorgeous countryside up here. Start north of the city heading east on Hwy 8 before heading south on Hwy 51. Then take 29 west of the city and veer off on any of the country roads along here. In town, drive up and around Rib Mountain for sweeping views. It's estimated this mountain is more than a billion years old, so take time to appreciate all the geology around you as well.
This state highway will take through more glacial areas and through tiny towns chock full of charm. When you get to Lake Geneva, spend some time on the paved path surrounding the lake. This is one of the best Wisconsin fall foliage scenic drives.
No matter which way you go, you'll get the full Door County experience covering the bay side and the lakeside. The bay gets protected from harsh weather and the various hardwood trees here explode in color in fall, making this one of the most scenic spots anywhere.
Take a look at this video of things to see in the fall in Door County by @DestinationDoorCounty:
This is a drive that takes you to numerous waterfalls but also through some of the prettiest fall colors you can imagine. There are "waterfall tour" signs, but if you wander along these two roads, you'll find most of the stops and plenty of trees to keep you happy. You'll think this is one of the most incredible drives to see Wisconsin's fall colors.
You'll find yourself in or near several state parks and natural areas on this drive, so definitely plan to deviate some. But Hwy 113 takes you through rolling hills, near Devil's Lake and through some tall bluffs, all dotted with color.
The Great River Road that follows the path of the Mississippi along the state's western edge is one of the best drives no matter the season but is especially gorgeous in fall. Start up at Maiden Rock and meander through the charming small towns of Pepin, Alma, Fountain City, and Trempealeau. You'll find small cities with big bluffs and spectacular views.
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Take a look at this video of the Great River Road by @Wigrr:
Start in LaCrosse and drive up to the top of Grandad's Bluff for sweeping views then head south to Prairie du Chien for great eagle watching and end up in the unique Potosi Valley for a beer.
9. Hwy 77 through Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
This is one of those drives where you shouldn't hesitate to take an unplanned turn and go exploring. You can't go wrong exploring the gorgeous Northwoods. Lakes and streams, state parks and public land protect areas that were once forested and now contain a wide variety of trees whose color will delight you in fall.
Hwy 13 follows the Bayfield peninsula out into the lake and will also take you to Brule River State Forest, where there are acres upon acres of stunning trees. This is one of the best fall drives in Wisconsin.
Have you taken any of these fall foliage drives in Wisconsin? Where do you love to explore fall colors in Wisconsin? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to share your own scenic fall drives in Wisconsin.
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Would you rather explore fall foliage on foot? Take this awesome hike that gets you up close and personal the leaves - don't forget to download AllTrails Plus and check out our ultimate hiking accessories list before you hit the trails.
