Top 10 Places to Visit in Wisconsin
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#1 Madison
The capital city Madison is home to eight National Historic Landmarks. Surrounded by four lakes - Lake Mendota, Lake Monona, Lake Kegonsa and Lake Waubesa, the city is popular tourist destination for recreation activities. Summer recreation activities include hiking, biking, and sailing on the lakes. Winter activities include ice-boating, ice skating, ice hockey, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snow kiting. Downtown Madison is home to a number of nightclubs and live music venues. Places to visit and family fun things to do include Wisconsin State Capitol, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison Children's Museum, Chazen Museum of Art, and National Mustard Museum.
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#2 Milwaukee
Milwaukee, the largest city of Wisconsin is located on Lake Michigan's southwestern shore. Milwaukee Riverwalk along the Milwaukee River in downtown is prime attraction for visitors. Milwaukee is known for recreation activities on Lake Michigan including sailing, windsurfing, and kite surfing. The city hosts many festivals throughout the summer including annual Summerfest. Places to visit and family fun things to do include Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee County Zoo, Harley-Davidson Museum, Discovery World, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Lakeshore State Park.
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#3 Lake Geneva
Located southwest of Milwaukee on Geneva Lake, Lake Geneva is a popular resort city. 21 miles shore line of Geneva Lake offers view of historic homes and gardens. Riviera Beach is the most popular tourist attraction located on Wrigley Drive. Places to visit and family fun things to do include Lake Geneva Zip lines & Adventures, Grand Geneva Adventure Center, Geneva Lake Museum, and Lake Geneva Downtown. Winter activities include ice skating and sledding in Lake Geneva.
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#4 Dells of the Wisconsin River
The Dells of the Wisconsin River, also known as the Wisconsin Dells is a 5 miles gorge on the Wisconsin River. It features spectacular gorge, cliffs, tributary canyons, and rock formations. The cliffs formed 500 million years ago are over 100 feet high. The best option to see the rock formations is by kayaks and canoes into the Wisconsin River. Recreation activities in the area include hiking, fishing, hunting, and cross country skiing.
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#5 Cave of the Mounds
Located west of Madison, Cave of the Mounds is a popular tourist attraction. The natural limestone cave features varieties of formations including Soda straws, Flowstones, Curtains, Lily pads, Helictites, and Oolites. The cave is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tour offers view of colorful crystal formations on paved lighted walkways.
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#6 Wisconsin Dells
Known for Dells of the Wisconsin River, Wisconsin Dells is small city located in south central Wisconsin. Dells of the Wisconsin River is a scenic gorge featuring sandstone formations along the banks of the Wisconsin River. The city offers many family friendly and adventure attractions. Places to visit include Mt. Olympus theme park, Noah's Ark Waterpark, Timbavati Wildlife Park, Wisconsin Deer Park, The Dells, Kalahari Resorts Dells, and Wilderness Resort.
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#7 Kenosha
Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Kenosha is the 4th largest city of Wisconsin. Kenosha is a popular tourist destination with 8 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline. Popular beaches include Simmons Island Park and Beach, Alford Park and Beach , Eichelman Park and Beach, Pennoyer Park and Beach, and Southport Park and Beach. Downtown along the Lake Michigan lakefront is home to Kenosha Public Museum System that includes the main Kenosha Public Museum, Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Civil War Museum, and Kenosha Historical Center.
Photograph by Kenneth C. Zirkel, via Wikimedia Commons
#8 Waukesha
Located west of Milwaukee, Waukesha is a small historic town. It is a popular vacation destination known for adventure and family fun resorts. Waukesha County Park System has over 16 miles of cross-country ski trails. Downtown is home to number of historic districts and landmarks. Places to visit and fun things to do include Fox River Park, Minooka Park, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Springs Water Park, Pewaukee Lake, and Retzer Nature Center.
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#9 Green Bay
Located at the mouth of the Fox River, Green Bay is 3rd largest city of Wisconsin. Green Bay is popular tourist destination of Lake Michigan's west shore after Chicago and Milwaukee. Downtown Green Bay is the prime tourist attraction that features live entertainment and restaurants on the Deck. The city offers many things to do and family fun places to visit such as Bay Beach Amusement Park, Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame & Museum, National Railroad Museum, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, NEW Zoo & Adventure Park, and Green Bay Botanical Garden.
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