PORT WASHINGTON

Port Washington, with its touch of New England charm, is nestled on the Wisconsin shore of Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee.  With its Art Deco lighthouse and picturesque harbor, it is as charming as any coastal village. Downtown is adjacent to the harbor and features the largest collection of pre-Civil War buildings in the state. Walking tours take visitors through the historic district, past lighthouses and memorials and into specialty shops such as an old-fashioned meat market and fish smokehouse. Enjoy lakefront festivals, spend a day sport fishing or bike the 30-mile Interurban Trail. Along the lakeshore, Harrington Beach State Park offers a mile of pristine beach along Lake Michigan. At this 715-acre state park you can camp, sunbathe, picnic, hike, bird watch, fish or practice astronomy.

For more information, log on to visitportwashington.com

OCONOMOWOC

 The resort community of Oconomowoc (incorporated as city in 1875) sits in the heart of Wisconsin's lake country. Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake are within the city's limit, with Oconomowoc Lake nearby. A walking tour leads to many of the city's restored mansions, a fieldstone train depot. Ole Evinrude, an Oconomowoc resident who invented the outboard boat motor in 1907, is the focus of an exhibit of early boat motors. Another Oconomowoc claim to fame is its setting for the 1939 premier showing of the movie, “The Wizard of Oz.”

 The only thing brighter than the Oconomowoc area's past is its future!

Boat Races on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc

Named after the Potowatomi word for "where the waters meet" you will find two lakes in the heart of Oconomowoc that are separated only by a narrow strip of land. Fowler Lake and Lac La Belle not only offer natural beauty that can be admired from the shoreline whether fishing, relaxing on a park bench or while on a walk along the isthmus that separates them, but it  can also be enjoyed from the water.

For more information about the Oconomowoc area, visit City of Oconomowoc, WI

NEW GLARUS

 Settled in 1845 by Swiss immigrants, this picturesque community is a thriving showcase of Swiss heritage, architecture, customs and cuisine. New Glarus residents observe Swiss traditions throughout the year. Expect to hear plenty of yodeling and alphorns in a village famous as "America's Little Switzerland". Notable annual events include the Wilhelm Tell Festival over Labor Day weekend and Oktoberfest in the fall. "Barn quilt" tours are another popular pastime as well as hiking and biking the Sugar River State Trail. The scenic hills will beckon you, and the rich Swiss culture will make you want to stay. Experience international travel without ever pulling out your passport.

Scenic view of New Glarus, Wisconsin. Home of Schiller's Wilhelm Tell Drama annually on Labor Day weekend

For more information, visit swisstown.com

BARABOO

 Baraboo, 13 miles to the south of Wisconsin Dells, attracts visitors with Circus World Museum. The city was the hometown of the "Ringling Brothers". Their famous circus wintered  there at the turn of the century. Just outside Baraboo, Devil's Lake State Park is a geologic gem. Created by the glaciers, the park's spring-fed lake is surrounded on three sides by 500-foot-high bluffs. Beautiful Devil's Lake was named Minnewaukan by the Indians, meaning Evil Spirit. The unusual echos in the area created a mistrust of the lake and the Indians feared to camp here. The Lake, a mile and a quarter long is simingly dwarfed by sheer cliffs standing as sentinels around it.

Beach scene at Devil's Lake, Wisconsin State Park (1040 acres) near Baraboo, Wis.

Many great Universities maintain summer Geology camps here, where students study the myriad rock formations in their unusual and beautiful, natural laboratory. With the excellent sand beaches, giant bluffs and fascinating natural rocky formations, swimming, hiking and climbing are enjoyed here.  

For more information visit baraboo.com

LAKE GENEVA

  America's Little Switzerland

The City of Lake Geneva is located in southeastern Wisconsin, 10 miles north of the Illinois state line. Lake Geneva has been a resort community since just after the Civil War, when wealthy Chicago families began building summer homes there. Today, guests view the mansions aboard sightseeing cruises or along the famous 21-mile Shore Path surrounding the lake. Downtown Lake Geneva presents a lovely collection of chic boutiques, al fresco dining, chocolatiers, a cooking school, an artisan brewery and more. The Lake Geneva area is filled with golf resorts, spectacular spas, charming B&Bs, boutique shopping and fine dining experiences.

 

YERKES OBSERVATORY
Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

 

 Williams Bay on the west shore of Lake Geneva is a recreational center with an excellent beach. Nearby is the famous Yerkes Observatory. Built in 1897 and home to the world’s largest refracting telescope, Yerkes’ iconic dome can be seen high above the treetops. The observatory is open to the public on Saturday afternoon, June thru Labor Day, Balance of year, 10-12 on Saturday morning.

 

For more information about Lake Geneva, visit #MYLAKEGENEVA

APPLETON

 Appleton is the largest city in an urban area known as the Fox Cities - 18 communities along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. Appleton was hometown of Harry Houdini and is the location of the world's first home lighted by a central hydroelectric station, now the elegant Hearthstone Historic House Museum. The Building for Kids is one of the largest children's museums in the Midwest. In July and August the center's Butterfly House features hundreds of live Wisconsin butterflies. A bustling economy, low crime rate and bountiful recreational opportunities make Appleton a great place to live and visit.

 

West College Avenue
With many fine stores for your shopping pleasure.
View taken from the top of the Zuelke Bldg.
 

 

For more information about Appleton, visit The Fox Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau

FOND DU LAC

The city of Fond du Lac is situated on the southern shores of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin's largest inland lake. The name Fond du Lac is a French term that translates loosely into "the foot of lake." The first light of dawn hits the water's surface and welcomes anglers to Lake Winnebago. A bike ride through past idyllic barns and over rolling hills ends with a story-filled lunch at an outdoor café. An evening stroll through downtown reveals art galleries, shops and classic Wisconsin supper clubs. With its convenient location at the base of Lake Winnebago and surrounded by Kettle Moraine State Forest and the Horicon Marsh, Fond Du Lac welcomes outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, any time of the year.

 

LAKESIDE PARK LIGHTHOUSE HARBOR [1960]

 

 For more information, visit Fond du Lac Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

 

GREEN BAY

 Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest community, settled by the French as a fur-trading center. Today the city is most famous for its namesake Green Bay Packers, whose legendary past can be viewed at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field. Yet, the city's appeal rests on a blend of many more elements that combine small town charm with big city excitement. South of town, the history of the Oneida Nation is displayed at the Oneida Nation Museum. Green Bay is famous for football, but it’s all the hidden treasures that make Greater Green Bay a special place to visit.

 

Boating On The Fox River 

 

 

 Quality of life, family-friendly values, a strong business community and a distinct Midwestern personality all make Green Bay a great place to call home... and a great place to visit.

 

 

For more information, visit greenbay.com

KENOSHA

Located on Lake Michigan, Kenosha's crown jewel is its lakefront HarbourPark. The parkland setting along the waterfront blends beautifully with the adjacent historic downtown featuring shops, galleries, an outdoor market and eateries all linked by a vintage electric streetcar system. The city's lakefront  museum campus includes the Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Kenosha History Center and the Civil War Museum, which examines the connection between the home front and the battlefront during the nation's bloodiest conflict. Outlet shopping, family festival, charter fishing and four historic districts round out the area's diverse attractions. The waters off the Kenosha shore have been listed as the highest catch area for big game fish in Lake Michigan over any other Wisconsin area.

 

SIMMONS BEACH MARINA [1973]
This beautiful boat marina is one of many recreational facilities available. It offers easy access to the many  boating events in Lake Michigan.

 For more information, log on to visitkenosha.com

JANESVILLE

Wisconsin's Great Outside

Nestled on the banks of the Rock River, Janesville is truly "Wisconsin's Park Place". It is all about the outdoors - over 60 improved parks and 30 miles of paved, off-road trails including the southern-most segment of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail with scenic views of the Rock River. Outdoor attraction include the 20-acre Rotary Botanical Garden. Approximately 20 percent of Wisconsin's buildings listed on National Register of Historic Places are found in Janesville, including the Lincoln-Tallman House - Wisconsin's only private residence where Abraham Lincoln slept. Five miles to the northeast, visit the Milton House Museum. This 1844 stagecoach inn was once a station on the Underground Railroad.

 

SOUTH MAIN STREET
Janesville, Wisconsin 53545
Looking North from Court House

 

 

Downtown Janesville is a vibrant part of the Janesville community where commerce, culture, entertainment and history intersect. Nestled around the Rock River and on a backdrop of beautiful historic architecture, the amenities in downtown Janesville provide fun opportunities for everyone. Downtown Janesville is home to the Janesville Performing Arts Center, the outdoor Marvin W. Roth Community Pavilion, Hedberg Public Library, the Janesville Senior Center, an endless array of dining options, and many other attractions.

 

For more information, visit janesvillecvb.com

WISCONSIN DELLS

Wisconsin Dells is situated in Wisconsin's Heartland, in the middle of the southern half of the state. It's about 115 miles north west of Milwaukee and about 50 miles north of Madison. "The Waterpark Capital of the World" boasts America's largest outdoor waterpark and largest outdoor/indoor combination, not to mention to the state's largest indoor waterpark. Water comes into play in other ways, such as sightseeing tours on the Wisconsin River aboard the world's largest fleet of "Ducks". Kayaking, canoeing, boating, parasailing, skiing and fishing will keep visitors busy from sunrise to sunset. Wisconsin Dells has earned its reputation as a world-class vacation destination.

The Dells are located on Interstate 90-94 in  the Central Wisconsin. The scenic wonderland, the Mid-West's foremost vacationland, has been visited by millions since 1856 and is noted for its scenic boat trips and Indian pageantry.

 

For more information, visit wisdells.com

 

STEVENS POINT

At the heart of the Wisconsin River Valley is Stevens Point, a riverside city that blends industry, academia, history and natural beauty. The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point is one of the community’s treasures. The 400-acre campus includes Schmeeckle Reserve, set aside to protect natural communities of central Wisconsin. The city is the home of the SentryWorld Sports Center, a world-class and racquet-sports facility. Founded in 1857, the Stevens Point Brewery is a must-stop for a tour and tasting. If you’ve never been to the Stevens Point Area, you’ll be amazed by what you find.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - STEVENS POINT, WIS.
honors its outstanding teachers and administrators of by-gone years in names on its residence halls.
These homes for students memorialize the late  THERON B. PRAY, JOHN SIMS, E.T. SMITH and MAY ROACH.

 

For more information, visit stevenspointarea.com

 

LA CROSSE

Classic steam paddle wheelers still ply the Mississippi's waters at La Crosse. The city's Main Street ends at Grandad Bluff, which offers a stunning view of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Enjoy unique shops, museums, galleries and restaurants in the city's historic downtown. Designated Bike Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists.
Home to breathtaking landscapes, historic monuments and legendary parks, the La Crosse Region boasts a plethora of outstanding sights.

1960s, La Crosse, Wisconsin, "All-America City," gateway to scenic Hiawatha Valley on the Great River Road.

 

For more information about La Crosse, visit explorelacrosse.com

HAYWARD

A former lumbering town, Hayward keeps its past alive with the Lumberjack World Championships each summer. Fishing enthusiasts know it better as the home of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. The area is also known as the "Golf Capital of Wisconsin" with 18 courses within an hour's drive. People come to the Hayward Lakes to enjoy fishing and swimming, and to stroll the small town streets, stopping to buy a piece of freshly made fudge or a pair of moccasins.

1962

For more information, visit haywardlakes.com

PLATTEVILLE

The area around Platteville was one of the first to be settled by Europeans, who were drawn there by rich lead deposits. The lead miners gave Wisconsin its nickname, the "Badger State". Platteville's early mining heritage is showcased in two museums: the Mining Museum and the Rollo Jamison Museum with more than 20,000 items from the late 1800's. Founded in 1866 as the first teacher preparatory institution in the state of Wisconsin, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville has a legacy of academic excellence that has helped thousands of students find their direct path to success.

The Pioneer Tower, University of Wisconsin, 1960

Nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin, Platteville is a safe and vibrant, growing community with much to offer. The largest community in Southwest Wisconsin, Platteville offers outstanding recreational opportunities, entertainment, and vibrant businesses.

For more information, visit platteville.com

 

WAUSAU

Wausau positions itself as the best place in Wisconsin to play in the snow. The Nine Mile Forest is a premiere cross-country skiing facility with 33km of groomed trails including lighted trails for nighttime skiing. Sylvan Hill is home to the longest tubing hill in the state with six runs and two tow-lines. Complementing the city's Northwoods feel is a whitewater kayak course, a thriving arts community and the River District. Surrounded by woods, lakes, and hills, the Wausau area offers the combination of big city amenities with the look and feel of the great North-woods and small town hospitality.

POWER PLANT, DAM, WISCONSIN RIVER DOWNTOWN WAUSAU

 

For more information, log on to VisitWausau

DOOR COUNTY

Named one of the "Top 10 Vacation Destinations in North America", Door County enchants more than two million visitors each year with its blend and of charm and elegance. With more state parks (5), lighthouses (10) and miles of shoreline (300) than any other county on the Great Lakes, the 70-mile-long peninsula combines pristine scenery and outdoor recreation with an acclaimed arts community and top-notch accommodations. Strong along the scenic shores, tour a historic lighthouse, take in one of the colorful weekend festivals, and by all means enjoy a fish boil. Take a scenic ferry to Washington Island to see the lavender fields that inspire Island Lavender Company and Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm.

 

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Stop thinking about all the things you have to do, and start thinking about things you want to do. Delicious cuisines, a unique art scene, welcoming accommodation, and breathtaking views await you in Door County.

 

For more information about Wisconsin's Door County Peninsula, visit Destination Door County

OSHKOSH

The city that never stops eventing

With more than 1,000 events annually, there is always something happening in Oshkosh, Wisconsin's Event City. More than 500,000 spectators from 60 countries come to Oshkosh each year to take part in the world's largest aviation event, EAA AirVenture. Oshkosh is also home to the premier country music and camping festival in the nation, Country USA. Located on the western shore of Lake Winnebago, Oshkosh has an abundance of waterways and also offers world-class museums, art galleries, theater and musical productions and unique dining and shopping venues.

For more information, log on to visitoshkosh.com

EAU CLAIRE

Located at the junction of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers, the city of Eau Claire was one of the state's busiest lumber towns in the 1800s. Local museums explore the area's heritage, which includes ties to the Woodland Indian culture. Bike trails offer breathtaking views to both walkers and cyclist in summer and snowmobilers in winter. Eau Claire is an ideal base for day trips to surrounding communities (Augusta includes an Amish settlement of more than 150 families).

For more information, log on to visiteauclaire.com

MANITOWOC

Known as Wisconsin's "Maritime Capital", Manitowoc celebrates its past and its present as a ship-building center with fascinating attractions. The largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes is here, with displays of everything from wooden sailing ships to a World War II-era submarine. The city is also the homeport of the largest carferry on the Great Lakes carrying cars and passengers from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan and back. The downtown includes a classic candy store with an antique soda fountain.

For more information, visit manitovoc.info