Travel to Wisconsin – Episode 842

Hear about travel to the state of Wisconsin as the Amateur Traveler talks to Dannelle Gay from TravelingCheesehead.com about her home state.

Why should you go to Wisconsin? 

Dannelle says, “It is a great place to explore. It’s got its stunning natural beauty unique history and just a vibrant culture. From the great outdoors to lively cities, there’s literally something for everyone. If you are a foodie, this is a mecca of flavor for your palate. Just because so many different ethnicities settled here. When you tie in the farm to fork community, it is amazing. So outdoor experiences, urban attractions, whatever you’re looking for. Wisconsin has it all.”

Dannelle describes a road trip through Eau Claire, the Wisconsin Dells, Door County, Green Bay, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Madison. 

She recommends Eau Claire for its outdoor activities which the area focused on during Covid. They have the largest sculpture walk in the USA, maybe the world. You can go kayaking on the Chippewa River or hiking. Dannelle recommends a visit to a Wisconsin supper club or a farm-to-table restaurant. For an appetizer tray, get a “lazy Susan”.

The logging industry was big in Eau Claire. You can visit the logging museum and get a selfie with the Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox statues.

The Wisconsin Dells are the self-proclaimed water park capital of the world. Enjoy a waterslide and then later on take a boat ride among the geographic formations of the Dells. For something sweet to do, visit the Root Beer Museum.

If you are into lighthouses, beaches, and scenic drives then Dannelle says that Door County is the place for you. Explore Peninsula State Park and make sure you make it to a Door County Fish Boil. This is more than dinner. It is more like dinner and a show. 

Visit Title Town Park in Green Bay to get onto Lambeau Field and see the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. The team is the only publically owned NFL football team in the USA. Their fans are well-known for their “cheeseheads” hats. Stop at the Booya Shed for some Booya (a Belgian stew). Train fans should visit the National Railroad Museum. Dannelle also recommends the Green Bay Botanical Garden.

Sheboygan is known as “the Malibu of the Midwest”. It has 34 gorgeous parks and is located on Lake Michigan. Stay at the Blue Harbor Resort which is right on the lake. Get a Sheboygan brat and also try the tachos (tater tot breakfast). Kohler-Andrae State Park has two kilometers of sandy beaches. Visit the James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden and if you are traveling with kids make sure to stop at Bookworm Gardens.

See a Broadway touring company perform in Milwaukee at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. There are 11 different theaters in the Milwaukee theater district. For an unusual and sobering experience tour America’s Black Holocaust Museum. Milwaukee has long been known for its beer and you can now find craft breweries in the city. If you are traveling with kids visit the zoo and the Discovery Center.

In Madison take a free tour of the Wisconsin State Capital Building. Right across the street, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum is also free. Stop at the Old Fashioned for a brandy drink. Wisconsin loves its brandy. The Harvey House pays homage to the late great hotelier and restauranteur Fred Harvey. On Saturday mornings, they have the nation’s largest producers-only farmer’s market. Pick up some fresh squeaky cheese curds.

Tour and eat your way through Wisconsin as we travel with the Traveling Cheesehead.

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Show Notes

Traveling Cheesehead
Wisconsin
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
The Reboot Social
The Lakely
Wisconsin Logging Museum
Wisconsin Dells
Noah’s Ark WaterPark
Kalahari Resorts
Museum of Root Beer
Ishnala Supper Club
The Del-Bar
Dells Boat Tours
Peninsula State Park
Destination Door County
Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille
Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream
Green Bay, WI
Hotel Northland, Green Bay
The Creamery, Green Bay
Titletown
Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Stadium Tours
National Railroad Museum
The Booyah Shed, Green Bay
Green Bay Botanical Garden
Cedar and Sage Grill House
Visit Sheboygan
Blue Harbor Resort – Sheboygan
Seeboth Delicatessen
Kohler-Andrae State Park
James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden
John Michael Kohler Arts Center
Slys Bar and Grill
Bookworm Gardens
Lino Ristorante Italiano
Milwaukee
Marcus Performing Arts Center
Milwaukee Art Museum
America’s Black Holocaust Museum
Maders Restaurant
MobCraft Beer
Discovery World Science and Technology Museum Milwaukee
Destination Madison
Wisconsin Capitol Visits
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Terrace at Memorial Union
The Old Fashioned – Restaurant – Madison, Wisconsin
Fred Harvey (entrepreneur)
Appetite for America: Fred Harvey and the Business of Civilizing the Wild West – One Meal at a Time
The Harvey House
Saturday on the Square
Stella’s Bakery
Lake Geneva Wisconsin
Yerkes Observatory
Wyalusing State Park
Villa Louis
Pete’s Hamburger Stand
Traveling Cheesehead Books

Community

Hello Chris,

You mentioned you needed some information or testimonials about how AT helped our travels. In my quest to visit all 50 states, my husband and I planned a road trip from Coastal Texas to North Dakota. Amateur Traveler podcasts 523 and 706, as well as your articles and itineraries helped me plan a great trip. We drove through Kansas, which we had already visited. Unfortunately, Episode 828 on Nebraska came out just after our return. We did stop in Kansas at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center that we enjoyed. No stop in Dodge City as we had previously visited. A sublime drive through western Nebraska took us to the Black Hills of South Dakota where we concentrated our time.

Mount Rushmore was beautiful. Custer State Park did not disappoint in hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. Sylvan Lake and the needles highway offered a full afternoon of fun.  Lake Pactola was so beautiful and provided a respite from the heat we had hoped to escape from Texas. Several breweries and wineries were also refreshing stops. We spent a brief few hours in Deadwood for a bit of the history but are not gamblers. So needless to say we did not stay long. Spearfish Canyon made for lovely hiking and driving.

We followed your itinerary to North Dakota via Devil’s Tower National Monument, WY, and Mediciine Rocks, MT. Loved, loved this drive! But we enjoy wide open spaces and this trip did not disappoint. We spent two days in ND in Medora touring the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. I can only type WOW. Enjoyed the quaint town and the park and have spoken to everyone I know about this as a must see in the U.S. There is a small map in Medora with pins placed by people who travel to this remote town and we placed nearly the only one from the mid-Texas coast!

I don’t know if any of this rambling will help. But, thanks for the opportunity to relive the trip as I type this out. Keep up the great work! Maybe the 2024 trip will be an opportunity to meet.

Angie, patron

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