Wisconsin

Wisconsin calls itself "America's Dairyland," and it really does produce more cheese than any other U.S. state. But a vacation in Wisconsin takes you well beyond the creameries: to the shores of two Great Lakes, to the Door County peninsula, to the brewing city of Milwaukee, and deep into forests dotted with some 15,000 lakes.

Between Two Great Lakes

Wisconsin is bordered by Lake Michigan to the east and Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake on Earth by surface area, to the north. The Mississippi River forms the western boundary, lined with limestone bluffs and small towns like La Crosse. The Driftless Area fills the southwest, a region the glaciers of the Ice Age bypassed, leaving hills, creek valleys, and trout streams instead of smooth moraines. The north is forest country known as the Northwoods, with cabins, canoe routes, and a lumberjack heritage. Near Wisconsin Dells, the Wisconsin River has carved out sandstone gorges.

Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay

Milwaukee, the largest city, was strongly shaped by German immigrants, who founded breweries such as Pabst, Schlitz, and Miller in the 19th century; Miller is still brewed here today. The Milwaukee Art Museum on the lakefront, with its wing-like roof by Santiago Calatrava, opens and closes like a bird. The Harley-Davidson Museum is devoted entirely to the motorcycles that have been built in Milwaukee since 1903. In summer, the lakefront hosts Summerfest, one of the largest music festivals in the world. Madison, the state capital, sits on a narrow isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona; the Capitol is the centerpiece, and on Saturdays it is surrounded by one of the largest farmers markets in the U.S. Green Bay is the smallest city with an NFL team; the Green Bay Packers are owned by their fans, and Lambeau Field is a place of pilgrimage. Kenosha, Appleton, Oshkosh, and Eau Claire are other significant cities.

Sights in Wisconsin

Door County, the peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is the quintessential summer destination, with lighthouses, cherry orchards, and fishing villages like Ephraim and Fish Creek. The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior are known for their sea caves, which you can explore by kayak in summer and sometimes reach on foot across the ice in cold winters. Wisconsin Dells calls itself the "Waterpark Capital of the World." Near Spring Green you'll find Taliesin, the home and studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, who was born in Wisconsin; the quirky House on the Rock is nearby. Every July, Oshkosh hosts AirVenture, one of the largest fly-ins in the world.

Culture and History

The Ojibwe, Menominee, Ho-Chunk, and other peoples lived here before French fur traders arrived in the 17th century. Wisconsin became a state in 1848, and in the following decades so many Germans, Norwegians, and Poles arrived that some towns still have place names and festivals reflecting those origins. Wisconsin was also a cradle of the progressive movement: unemployment insurance and workers' protections were introduced here early on.

Food and Drink

Typical fare includes cheese curds, fresh, squeaky bits of cheese that are usually served deep-fried. On Friday evenings, locals head out for the Friday fish fry with breaded perch, coleslaw, and rye bread. Bratwurst, known here as "brats," is simmered in beer and then grilled, and butter burgers originated in the region. At a supper club, you order a brandy old fashioned with your steak, the unofficial state cocktail. Packers fans, by the way, wear hats shaped like a wedge of cheese. In New Glarus, a small brewery makes beers such as the cherry beer Wisconsin Belgian Red, which is sold only within state lines.

Best Time to Visit and Getting There

The best time to visit is summer, from June to August, when the lakes and beaches beckon, as well as September and October, with their brilliant fall colors. Winters are long and harsh, but they bring ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobile tours. Milwaukee Mitchell (MKE) is the largest airport; many travelers fly into Chicago and make the roughly 90-minute trip to Milwaukee, including on Amtrak's Hiawatha train. For Door County and the Northwoods, a rental car is the best choice.