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Wisconsin

Wisconsin is cheesy and proud of it. The state pumps out 2.5 billion pounds of cheddar, Gouda and other smelly goodness – a quarter of America's hunks – from its cow-speckled farmland per year. Local license plates read 'The Dairy State' with udder dignity. Folks here even refer to themselves as 'cheeseheads' and emphasize it by wearing novelty foam rubber cheese-wedge hats for special occasions (most notably during Green Bay Packers football games).

So embrace the cheese thing, because there's a good chance you'll be here for a while. Wisconsin has a ton to offer: exploring the craggy cliffs and lighthouses of Door County, kayaking through sea caves at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, touring Green Bay's football shrine of Lambeau Field, cow chip–throwing along Hwy 12, or simply soaking up the beer, art and festivals in Milwaukee and Madison.

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Wisconsin.

  • Museum

    Harley-Davidson Museum

    Hundreds of motorcycles show the styles through the decades, including the flashy rides of Elvis and Evel Knievel. You can sit in the saddle of various…

  • Museum

    Milwaukee Art Museum

    You have to see this lakeside institution, which features a stunning winglike addition by Santiago Calatrava. It soars open and closed every day at 10am,…

  • Museum

    House on the Rock

    One of Wisconsin's busiest attractions. Alex Jordan built the structure atop a rock column in 1959 (some say as an 'up yours' to neighbor Frank Lloyd…

  • Architecture

    Taliesin

    Taliesin was the home of Frank Lloyd Wright for most of his life and is the site of his architectural school. It's now a major pilgrimage destination for…

  • State Park

    Rock Island State Park

    The entire island is parkland, with no cars or bikes allowed. There are hiking trails, a sand beach and squat, stone Pottawatomie Lighthouse, which is a 1…

  • Architecture

    Wingspread

    Wingspread is the house Frank Lloyd Wright designed for HF Johnson Jr, one of the SC Johnson company's leaders. It is the last and largest of Wright's…

  • Museum

    Chazen Museum of Art

    The university's art museum is huge and fabulous, and way beyond the norm for a campus collection. The 3rd floor holds most of the genre-spanning trove:…

  • Museum

    Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

    The two-floor Hall of Fame, located inside the atrium adjacent to Lambeau Field, is filled with Green Bay Packer memorabilia, shiny trophies and movies…

  • Gardens

    Olbrich Botanical Gardens

    Roam the 16 acres of lush outdoor gardens, including an unusual gilded Thai pavilion. The Bolz Conservatory houses rare tropical plants, free-flying birds…

  • Museum

    Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum

    Little House on the Prairie fans can make a pit stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. This is where she was born and the abode that starred in Little…

  • Factory

    Harley-Davidson Plant

    Hog-heads can get a fix at the plant where engines are built, in suburban Menomonee Falls. The factory offers several options for tours, including a…

  • Brewery

    Potosi Brewing Company

    It's your one-stop shop for food, drink, memorabilia and historical information. The thick-stone building began brewing beer in 1852. Imbibe indoors amid…

  • Brewery

    Miller Brewing Company

    Founded in 1855, the historic Miller facility preserves Milwaukee's beer legacy. Join the legions lined up for the free, hour-long tours. Though the mass…

  • Architecture

    Monona Terrace

    Frank Lloyd Wright designed this cool, white semicircular structure in 1938, though it wasn't completed until 1997. The one-hour tours explain why; tours…

  • Museum

    American Black Holocaust Museum

    This museum aims to tell the story of what it calls the 'Black Holocaust' – which includes the slave trade from Africa, slavery in the American South, the…

  • Museum

    Children's Museum of Eau Claire

    Three floors of interactive exhibits aimed squarely at younger children (and parents looking to build in some educational fun). The exhibits are arranged…

  • Park

    Cave Point County Park

    As you watch waves explode into the caves beneath the shoreline cliffs here, you're likely to agree, nature is pretty amazing. There are great photo…

  • State Park

    Newport State Park

    Newport is one of Door County's quietest parks, tucked away at the peninsula's northern fringe. It has a beautiful beach, 30 miles of hiking trails (about…

  • Zoo

    Henry Vilas Zoo

    Exhibits include a tropical rainforest, 'Arctic' passage (with seals and polar bears), primate house and special displays of animals native to the North…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Wisconsin.

  • Activities

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