Things to Do in Wisconsin

Cave of the Mounds is a National Natural Landmark in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The natural limestone cave was discovered in 1939, but its formation began much earlier, approximately 488 million years ago.

The Chicago Academy of Sciences considers the cave to be of significance to the Midwest, and thanks to its wonderful beauty, it is known by many as the ‘jewel box’. Beyond its stalactites, stalagmites, and columns, the Cave of the Mounds also has other interesting formations such as thin soda straws, lily pads, and angled helictites. The cave is accessible on a walking tour that visitors of all ages can handle easily.

Address: 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds, WI 53517, Phone: 608-437-3038

The Historic Third Ward is a nationally-listed Historic District designated in 1984 to preserve some of Milwaukee's most historic attractions, including the nationally-renowned Milwaukee Public Market and the lovely Third Ward Riverwalk. The district, which spans 10 square blocks just south of the city's downtown district, is home to more than 70 historic buildings and serves as one of the city's most prominent creative hubs, known for its extensive collection of art galleries and studios, theaters, boutiques, and creative culinary options.

Visitors can ride the electric Hop streetcar system throughout the district and explore a plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment possibilities, ranging from high-end indie boutiques and art stores to clever cafes, low-key brewpubs, and a myriad of international cuisine offerings. Other attractions include the lovely Henry W. Maier Festival Park, which hosts a variety of concerts and public special events throughout the year.

Address: 525 East Chicago Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202, Phone: 414-273 - 1173

The Taliesin building was famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Wisconsin home and drafting studio. Wright designed the building himself in the tradition of the Prairie School, which emulated the natural landscape of the Midwestern plains.

The building was completed in 1911, but it needed to be reconstructed later in the decade after a disgruntled employee set fire to one of the wings.

Subsequently, Wright used the home as a place to store his large collection of Asian art. Today, visitors can come to Taliesin to learn about the life and times of Frank Lloyd Wright. The grounds have a visitor center and restaurant, and guided group tours are offered.

Address: 5607 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588, Phone: 608-588-7900

Bookworm Gardens is a seasonal garden with plenty of literature-inspired fun for the little ones. Located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the gardens cover an area of 35 acres and have references to over 60 famous children’s books within their colorful, engaging displays.

Bookworm Gardens is a wireless zone that celebrates nature, reading, art, and music. Children learn about the flowers and crops of the region and can also read together in one of the many reading nooks scattered throughout the space. There are also a number of interactive activities, such as areas for making music, worm-digging in the worm bin, and alphabet letter searches.

Address: Bookworm Gardens, 1415 Campus Dr., Sheboygan, WI 53081, Phone: 920-287-7895

Harley-Davidson motorcycles are an American classic, and what better place to enjoy them than in a museum devoted entirely to this iconic brand. The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has over 450 motorcycles and artifacts from the company that makes them.

In addition to the bikes themselves, the museum has exhibits about racing competitions, the design and customization of these motorcycles, and the history of the legendary H-D line. The museum building itself is an architectural gem, taking up 20 acres along the Milwaukee riverfront with great views of the city skyline. Special group and youth tours are available by request.

Address: 400 West Canal Street, Milwaukee, WI 53201, Phone: 877-436-8738

The EAA AirVenture Museum is a facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, dedicated to the innovative technologies that have taken humanity into the air. EAA stands for Experimental Aircraft Association, and this group showcases the history of manpowered flight with a number of interactive displays at this museum.

The exhibits here include 200 different historical aircraft, the child-friendly KidVenture gallery, a flight simulator, and a collection of airplanes in which guests can take short rides. In addition, the museum has an entire hangar devoted to aviation during World War II, adding some history into the mix. It also has a gift shop and concessions and is special-needs accessible.

Address: EAA AirVenture Museum, 3000 Poberezny Road, Oshkosh, WI 54902, Phone: 920-426-4818

A Lake Geneva attraction not to be missed, Tristan Crist’s hour-long show is filled with the magic and joy of up-close illusions in a cozy, comfortable setting. Crist combines classic tricks, such as cutting his assistant in half, with new mirages he creates each year.

The show is made that much more interesting by a big screen that shows the magic up close, so everyone in the audience has the chance to be truly amazed by Crist’s sleights of hand. The show was created specifically to give the feel of a Las Vegas show in a more intimate, small-town setting. The theater has only 51 seats, so every single audience member is close to the action.

Address: Tristan Crist Magic Theatre, 100 N Edwards Blvd, Lake Geneva, WI 53147, Phone: 262-248-0505

It’s hard to spend even an hour in Wisconsin without seeing some kind of Green Bay Packers paraphernalia. The football team and its legendary cheese head are almost synonymous with the state itself. Fortunately, to learn more about the history and growth of this great American football team, one needs only travel to the team’s home turf, Lambeau Field, as this is also the site of the two-story, 15,000-square-foot Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.

The museum is highly interactive, with a number of video and audio displays, including recordings of famous Packers describing how they felt during landmark games in their careers. It also contains many one-of-a-kind artifacts, such as the team’s 13 championship trophies and a true-to-life replica of famous coach Vince Lombardi’s office.

Address: Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame, 1265 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54304, Phone: 920-569-7512

Green Bay Botanical Garden is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Since its establishment in 1996, the gardens have continuously grown and expanded and now cover 47 acres of diverse plant and flower species intertwined with fountains and stone paths.

The gardens are divided into areas dedicated to different plants, including the Four Seasons Garden, which houses plants that thrive in the winter like lilacs, crabapples, and magnolias; the Scandinavian-style Kaftan Lusthaus; and the traditional Vanderperren English Cottage Garden. Each winter, the garden is covered with over 200,000 holiday lights as part of the annual WPS Garden of Lights.

Address: Green Bay Botanical Garden, 2600 Larsen Road, Green Bay, WI 54303, Phone: 920-490-9457