Day Trip Ideas from Milwaukee

1. Madison

The capital of Wisconsin, Madison's most iconic feature is its spectacular domed Capitol building, which rests on a narrow strip of land between lakes Mendota and Monona, but this is far from being the only thing the city has to offer. Summertime is perfect for visiting the farmers' market in Madison , sailing on the area's beautiful lakes, and exploring the city's vast network of cycling trails, while winter brings the opportunity to cross-country ski, skate, and ice fish. No matter what the time of year, you can also visit the fascinating Wisconsin Historical Museum, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Henry Vilas Zoo.

Madison is a 1 hr 20 min trip from Milwaukee (79.4 mi) via I-94 W.

2. Appleton

Nestled on the banks of the beautiful Fox River, Appleton is a welcoming small city jam-packed with interesting attractions. Check out the original Edison lights in the 1882 Hearthstone Historic House Museum, learn about Harry Houdini at the History Museum at the Castle, or go for a walk along the trails in the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve. If you have kids, Appleton also boasts a wonderful children's museum with interactive exhibits. You can even watch a Broadway show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, which is widely recognized as one of the best centers of its kind in the Midwest.

3. Aztalan State Park

Built by an ancient culture who inhabited the area between 1000 and 1300 A.D., Aztalan State Park is the most significant archaeological site in Wisconsin. The centerpiece of the park is an ancient village composed of pyramid-shaped mounds, one of which was used for formal burials, but there are also reconstructed wooden stockades and a line of smaller rounded mounds whose function is unknown. Visitors are also welcome to canoe and fish on the river that runs through the park, and there is a picnic shelter where you can have lunch after exploring the site.

N6200 County Rd Q, Jefferson, WI 53549, Phone: 920-648-8774

4. Chicago

One of the biggest and boldest cities in the United States, Chicago is the perfect day trip destination for anyone interested in museums, architecture, and delicious dining. Architecture enthusiasts can learn about the city's most famous buildings at the Chicago Architecture Center, or marvel at the skyline from above by heading up to the observation platforms in the Skydeck Chicago, the John Hancock Center, or the iconic Willis Tower. Next, you can browse the natural history exhibits at the Field Museum, admire the artwork in the Art Institute of Chicago, or head to Millennium Park to see the enormous reflective "Cloud Gate" sculpture.

5. Door County

Occupying a picturesque peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County boasts approximately 300 miles of shoreline and 19 vibrant communities for visitors to explore. Local wineries and breweries abound, but if you don't want to spend the day sampling beverages, you can paddle along the limestone bluffs in Potawatomi State Park, hike the trails in Newport State Park, or tour the 11 historic lighthouses that dot the shoreline. The area is also home to thousands of acres of cherry orchards, and if you like sweets, you shouldn't leave the county without sampling a slice of their famous cherry pie.

6. Fond du Lac

Named for its location at the base of Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac is a scenic lakeside community known as a paradise for outdoor lovers. The lake provides endless opportunities for recreation year-round, with popular activities including windsurfing, fishing, and ice fishing in the winter, but there are plenty of things to do off the water as well. The land around the lake offers excellent hunting grounds, hiking trails, and golf courses, and in town, there's an excellent selection of art galleries, local restaurants, and eclectic boutique shops that will keep visitors entertained for as long as they choose to stay.

7. Fort Atkinson

Established in 1832, Fort Atkinson is a historic city located on the meandering Rock River. The biggest tourist attraction in town is the Fireside Dinner Theater, which combines fine dining with live theater performances, but it's worth spending the day here even if the evening show is your main reason for coming. The Hoard Historical Museum is full of exhibits about the people and events that have shaped the area's history, and there is also a replica of the fort that gave the city its name. Visitors are also encouraged to stroll along the riverwalk or spend an hour or two paddling down the river.

8. Galena, IL

Tucked away in northwest Illinois, Galena is a tiny town that tends to make visitors feel like they've taken a step back in time; more than 85 percent of the town's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is famous for being the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, the country's 18th president, and visitors who are interested in this aspect of the area's history can tour Grant's beautiful Italianate home. However, there are plenty of other things to see here as well, including the historic Turner Hall, the beautifully landscaped Galena Grant Park, and the West Street Sculpture Park.

9. Green Bay

Sitting right on Lake Michigan, Green Bay is proudly the oldest settlement in the state of Wisconsin, and it has something to offer almost everyone. Sports lovers will know it as the home of the Green Bay Packers, and if this catches your interest, it's worth stopping by the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Families might prefer to explore the hands-on exhibits at the Children's Museum of Green Bay or go on the rides at the Bay Beach Amusement Park, while history lovers should be sure to make time for the Heritage Hill State Historical Park, a unique outdoor living history museum.

10. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin

Located only an hour from Milwaukee and two and a half hours from Chicago, Elkhart Lake is a 292-acre spring-fed lake in the heart of Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest, and it is one of the deepest and oldest resort lakes in the heartland. It has been attracting visitors since 1860, and some of the old resorts famous for bathing and gambling still exist to this day, though they have been appropriately updated. The lake is very popular for sailing, and there are races every Sunday. Clear and clean, the lake is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and fishing for Bluegill, Brown, Rainbow and Brook Trout, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Northern Pike, and Smallmouth Bass. There is a public boat launch maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, as well as a small public beach. In the winter, the lake is very popular for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.