Welcome to Wisconsin

A vacation destination brimming with winding forest paths, waterfront cottages and more water parks than you can shake a pool noodle at may seem too good to be true. But it’s part of everyday life in Wisconsin. Bordered to the east and north by two Great Lakes, Wisconsin has over 15,000 inland lakes and produces over a quarter of the country’s cheese supply. Add spectacular fall foliage, phenomenal rivers and plenty of cultural gems, and you’ll find the Badger State has all you need for an outstanding trip.

Museums, Sports and Cheese, Oh My!

In Milwaukee, gearheads can rev their engines at the Harley-Davidson Museum, while art buffs can draw inspiration perusing the 2,500 masterpieces at the Milwaukee Art Museum. If you’re a football fan, rush to Green Bay’s Lambeau Field for a Packers game or guided stadium tour. You can also get your cheese fix in Monroe: Learn the ins and outs of cheesemaking at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center and stop by local factories for fresh cheddar, gouda and more.

Travel Wisconsin/Rachel Hershberger

Land o’ Lakes

There’s no shortage of angling thrills, thanks to the abundance of inland lakes, Great Lakes and the grand Mississippi. Lake Michigan and Superior are always popular fishing spots, but locals will tell you to cast a rod in hidden gems like Altoona Lake and Fox Lake if you want all the muskie, panfish and walleye to yourself. An astonishing amount of smallmouth bass can be caught in the Chippewa and Flambeau rivers, too. For a different kind of fun, head to Wisconsin Dells to dip your toes in the biggest collection of water parks in the world.

Travel Wisconsin/Rachel Hershberger

Archipelago Adventures and Fall Foliage

There are 21 islands for you to play in at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore off the state’s north coast on Lake Superior. Follow roughly 50 miles of hiking trails to reach lighthouses, abandoned quarries and wind-swept beaches. You can even scuba dive to shipwrecks and underwater rock formations and spot more than 240 types of migratory birds depending on the season. From September to October, get a front-row seat to enchanting fall foliage by driving through vibrant areas like Marinette County, Hayward Lakes, Bayfield Peninsula and the Upper Mississippi River Valley.