America’s Dairyland is known for its great cheese and beer. But there’s more to the Midwestern state of Wisconsin than meets the eye. This lovely place borders two of the Great Lakes and offers many hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.
From picturesque Lake Elkhart to the impressive Apostle Islands, here are some of the most stunning places in the Badger State.
1. Lake Pepin region
I’ll start with my favorite place in Wisconsin, the lovely Lake Pepin region. Lake Pepin is a natural reservoir located in the Upper Mississippi River Valley; it is the widest natural part of the river and part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.
I know this area well because I grew up an hour from the lake shore and my family has a lake house there. This is without a doubt my favorite place in the world and is a bit off the beaten tourist track despite being just over an hour from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metropolitan area. Lake Pepin is a fascinating place: water skiing was invented there, and on its lovely shores there are charming, historic riverside towns that you can visit at any time of the year.
Road trip enthusiasts will love the winding road along State Highway 35, sometimes called the Great River Road. It even has a link wine trailso wine lovers can explore the American wine region of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.
Foodies should also make time for this area, as the green bluffs are home to several world-class restaurants. One such notable restaurant can be found in Bay City, which lies on the northern shore of Lake Pepin. This diminutive town of 500 inhabitants is home to Chef’s Cottagewhere the James Beard Award-nominated chef serves tasty dishes whose taste changes depending on the season.
There is another restaurant in the town of Pepin that you must visit: Harbor View Cafe. Please note that this place is open seasonally and does not accept reservations, so be prepared to wait on nice chairs outside the building. Harbor View is where I have my birthday dinner every year; try halibut with black butter and caper sauce or delicious garlic roasted chicken.
For lovers of agritourism, we recommend Burger Night at Common Farms in Mondovi, just a little inland from the river. This lovely farm serves up unreal, 100% grass-fed beef patties and Wisconsin beer in its charming valley. There’s usually live music, too, as well as activities to keep both kids and adults entertained.
Other area attractions include fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming, biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. No matter the season, there is always something for the energetic visitor on Wisconsin’s western coast.
2. Viroqua
Wiroqua is a hidden gem of southern Wisconsin. Located just 45 minutes from the bustling riverfront town of La Crosse and less than 2 hours from the state capital of Madison, this area is home to the most organic farms in the state. More than 200 organic farms call Vernon County home.
This place is a paradise for foodies and there is a great restaurant called Driftless Cafe. The James Beard Award-nominated chef calls this place home. Try the awesome Wisconsin Mac & Cheese Sandwich, homemade pasta or delicious pizza and be sure to wash it all down with Spotted Cow, New Glarus’ renowned cream ale that’s only available in Wisconsin.
Due to the high concentration of farms, the Viroqua area is a popular destination for agritourism. Visitors should consider visiting the town’s farmers market, taking a farm tour, or Vernon Vineyards.
Vernon County also has 11 round barns, more than any other county in the country. These buildings provide a picturesque background for driving through the lovely green pastures of this area.
Viroqua blooms in the warmer months, so it’s worth seeking out the freshest produce there then.
3. The peaceful side of Door County
Door County attracts tourists (it is the seventh most visited place). county in Wisconsin) and one of the most lovely places in the entire state. But visitors can discover lesser-known gems even in this heavily trafficked part of the state.
Just head to the lake side on the peninsula, or the east side, which locals call the peaceful side. The bustling west side (on Green Bay) is home to larger towns with more hotels and restaurants; the east side is much sleepier.
Visitors can experience nature in Whitefish Dunes State Park, Ridges SanctuaryOr Cave Point County Park; eat a classic steak at Donny’s Floating Shack; and absorb Blue Oxkitschy bar. Another favorite spot in the east is the Scandinavian-inspired wooden church at Bjorklundensummer house Shakespeare Door performances.
Little town Jacksonport would be a good base for anyone wanting to enjoy the beauty of the Door County lakefront. Keep in mind that Baileys Harbor is the busiest town on this not-so-busy coastline, so it may not be the best place for a peaceful Door County getaway.
Door County can be visited all year round, but is busiest between Memorial Day and Labor Day. To experience the quietest moments, visit during the long winter. Door County is approximately a 5-hour drive from Minneapolis and 2 hours from Milwaukee.
4. Apostle Islands
Picturesque Apostle Islands in Lake Superior certainly deserve your attention.
Although part of the mainland near the islands is open year-round, a truly unique experience that can only be had in winter is hiking to ice caves. These caves are only accessible in certain years when the ice is hefty enough to walk on. Midwesterners have probably heard of these ice caves, but they remain largely unknown to people from other places. If possible, visit the Apostle Islands in the winter for the chance to take an ice cave tour.
The shores of Lake Superior are lovely even in the warmer months. In summer, during the peak tourist season in the Apostle Islands, you can visit the caves by kayak or boat.
The region is less than 2 hours from Duluth, Minnesota and less than 4 hours from the Twin Cities.
5. House on the Rock
Located just an hour west of Madison, House on the Rock in Spring Green is a quirky home built on chimney rock. Exploring the home and grounds can take hours, as there are entire gardens and warehouses of objects collected by its eccentric founder, Alex Jordan. He originally designed the home as a weekend retreat, but word quickly spread about his strange private residence and all that was within it.
The most impressive part of the structure is arguably the Infinity Room, a long, narrow space suspended above the valley from which visitors can look down on the valley floor 156 feet below.
Among the above-mentioned collections, it is worth paying attention to the world’s largest carousel and over 200 ship models.
House on the Rock is open seasonally (closed in January, February and early March) and is one of Wisconsin’s most lovely and unique attractions.
6. Elkhart Lake
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in the Midwest and spent a lot of time at lake resorts in the area. But I had never heard of Elkhart Lake until I went there on a press trip in the fall. I didn’t know what I was missing – this lovely hidden gem deserves much more than a quick glance.
Elkhart Lake is not only conveniently located just an hour from Milwaukee, but it is not a saturated destination like other popular destinations in the area. It has a historic racetrack Dear America, a lovely local food scene and of course that lovely blue lake. Due to its sandy bottom and glacial roots, this lake, the fourth deepest in Wisconsin, is a stunning turquoise color most days. It is surrounded by the nice, dense Kettle Moraine National Forest and its lands scenic drive.
Eat something delicious Lake Street Cafetaste local brews from 10am to 6pm Gear selectorand enjoy all water sports and recreational activities the area has to offer. Some of my favorites include kayaking, swimming, and hiking in the nearby Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Those looking to pamper themselves should consider a trip to the historic Osthoff Recreation Centerwhere a luxurious spa and cooking school await you.
There is so much to see and do in Wisconsin that is off the beaten path and truly scenic. This is just a sampling of what the state has to offer in terms of hidden beauty.
Can’t get enough of Wisconsin? Check out the state capital and some of the state’s weird and wacky festivals.
