Having fun doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, you can have a wildly good time without spending a dime…all it takes is a visit to Henry Vilas Zoo. One of only a few free zoos in North America, a visit is a real treat. But don’t assume its admission-free status means it’s lacking. In addition to hundreds of animals, the zoo boasts amazing tours, opportunities for animal encounters, and the chance to dine with polar bears. Take a look:
Open year-round and always free to visit, Henry Vilas Zoo is located in Vilas Park in Madison.
Visiting the zoo is completely free – no admission and no parking fees. However, you do have to pay for extras, like rides on the carousel and train, which are $2 each.
Dining at the zoo will cost you, too, but you probably won’t mind since the on-site eatery, Glacier Grille, serves up tasty grub with close-up views of polar bears! Pretty unique, it’s the only indoor restaurant in the US to look onto a polar bear exhibit.
Behind-the-scenes tours, which are perfect for those who want a closer look at how the animals are cared for, are also available for a cost. Each tour focuses on a specific animal or species. Depending on the tour, prices range from $25 - $80.
Henry Vilas Zoo is open daily, from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., year-round. For more information, call (608) 266–4732. You can also visit the Henry Vilas Zoo website or Facebook page.
Did you know about this zoo? Ever visited? If so, what’d you think? Know of another amazing admission-free attraction? Tell us in the comments section.
The Remote Destination in Wisconsin Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View
Discover the beauty of the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin, featuring the Apostle Islands, Meyers Beach, and the Lakeshore Trail. Plan your visit today!
Although there are certainly many wild and scenic places in Wisconsin, most places in the state are within a couple hours of a good-sized town or city. That said, you'll still plenty of spots that certainly feel remote - especially when there's little else that's on the way to your final destination. On such place is the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula in far northern Wisconsin. If you're coming from the state's largest metropolitan areas - Milwaukee and Madison - the drive can definitely take a while. But when you see what's waiting for you, I'm pretty sure you'll agree that it was worth it.
To get to the spot I'm thinking of, you'll need to point your car northward and drive - from wherever you are in Wisconsin. If you can't drive any farther north, you're pretty much there. You'll definitely want to make a stop in the tiny town of Cornucopia on the Lake Superior shore. It's the northernmost village in Wisconsin and home to the charming Ehlers Store. Just northeast of town, you'll enter Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, where you'll find Meyers Beach and the trail head for the Lakeshore Trail.
Head out on this moderately-challenging, 4.3-mile out and back trail to stretch your legs after the long drive and to enjoy some of the most dramatic views in all of Wisconsin. This two-mile stretch of forested, sandstone cliffs towers above the lake and a hike affords views of the dramatic shoreline, riddled with its famous sea caves, and several of the Apostle Islands. There may not be better vistas - or a prettier hike - in all of the Badger State.
You've made the trip, so why not stay a while and really enjoy the views you've traveled all this way to see. This charming Airbnb cabin, for example, is an affordable option located northeast of Cornucopia and just minutes from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Meyers Beach Sea Caves, and the Lakeshore Trail. With two bedrooms and a bathroom, up to four guests will enjoy Lupine Landing's secluded, wooded property and views of the Lake Superior shoreline through the cabin's floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as several outdoor spaces.
There are few spots in Wisconsin that offer a bigger payoff for a long drive than this stretch of the Bayfield Peninsula. (The tip of Door County is definitely another contender.) Check out the official National Park Service webpage for the Apostle Islands to get more information about this gorgeous part of the Badger State. And you may want to download AllTrails Plus to have maps of the park's trails at your fingertips - even if you don't have cell service, which can definitely be spotty in this area. If you get over to Bayfield on the other side of the peninsula, set aside some time to take the ferry over to Madeline Island and grab a drink at Tom's Burned Down Cafe, one of the coolest bars in Wisconsin.
Have you visited the northern tip of the Bayfield Peninsula? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us about your favorite scenic places in Wisconsin.
There's nothing better than welcoming autumn, especially with all the things to do in Wisconsin in fall. Whether you're a fan of Halloween, a pumpkin spice enthusiast, or more of a casual admirer of this crisp, colorful season, it's tough to deny the delights of a cozy family outing during the fall months. If you're hoping to fill your calendar with fun things to do, there are loads of fall day trips in Wisconsin - but few compare to the simple magic of a train ride. Luckily for fall fans of all ages, there are plenty of pumpkin trains and fall train rides in Wisconsin just waiting to be appreciated. Plan to hitch a ride on one of these pumpkin trains for an awesome Wisconsin autumn experience.
Looking for "Halloween train rides near me?" When you embark on a fall journey with the Mid-Content Railway, you'll have two seasonal options: the Pumpkin Special or the Autumn Color Weekend. If you opt for the Pumpkin Special, get ready for an hour-long journey that includes a stop for pumpkin-selecting at Quartzite Lake. The Autumn Color Weekend has limited dates but highlights some of the prettiest sights in the region. Find out more at the Mid-Continent Railway website.
These folks have a 15-gauge light railway that runs throughout weekends in October. This is a decidedly family-friendly outing, as kids aged 12 and under will receive a free pumpkin or gourd to take home with the cost of admission. Talk about a fall blast!
There are plenty of photo ops along the way when you ride with Riverside and Great Northern, so don't forget your camera to snap some memories on this pumpkin train.
You and your kids will love traveling along this fun "Little Railroad" route, which covers 35 acres. This dedicated railroad company prides itself on embracing the magic of Halloween and autumn as a whole, which only adds to the magic.
This vintage amusement park, which draws in countless visitors during the warmer months, offers an awesome fall experience before they shut down for the remainder of the season.
During weekends in October, visitors of all ages can hop aboard the pumpkin train and fall even more in love with autumn. For riders two and up, any pumpkin that can be carried is included in the admission price.
To add a little extra fun to this outing, check out the concession stand at Little Amerricka. Nothing rounds out a pumpkin train ride like a cup of hot cocoa or a few snacks.
Don't let the name fool you - while the Minnesota Transportation Museum operates sites in Minnesota, it also has a location in Osceola that offers a pumpkin train ride adventure. Get ready for some real family fun.
You'll board the Pumpkin Express train in Osceola, then enjoy a 25-minute jaunt to the Dresser Depot. Upon stepping off the train, take time to explore everything from a small flea market to delicious treats to hayrides. We can't imagine a better way to appreciate the delights of October.
History buffs will appreciate the chance to explore the Dresser Depot itself, which dates back to 1884. Of course, don't forget to pick out a pumpkin while you're here - they're available for kids aged 15 and under. This is such a great Halloween train ride to take this fall.
This place is an awesome stop no matter the time of year, but it's especially fun during the fall when its Great Pumpkin Train makes an appearance. This is so much more than a train ride: it's a full-day experience.
There will be indoor live entertainment, crafts, and games for children of all ages, plus the train ride and a pumpkin to take home. Kids can even go trick-or-treating on the grounds of the museum for added sweetness.
If that weren't enough, the event will continue regardless of the weather. Rain or shine, you'll have the chance to appreciate seasonal fun at the National Railroad Museum with one of its pumpkin train rides in Wisconsin.
Take a look at this video of a previous year's Pumpkin Train by @nbc26news:
Now that you've read about some of the best fall train rides in Wisconsin, you might be ready to start planning your fall adventure. Have you ridden any of these exciting trains during previous autumn outings? Did we leave any off our list? Share your experiences with us by leaving a Facebook comment or recommend additional fall day trips or pumpkin train rides in Wisconsin by completing our official nomination form.
