Oshkosh, Wisconsin

1. Asylum Point Lighthouse

The Asylum Point Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located on a small island in Lake Winnebago’s Asylum Bay, just a few feet away from the mainland.

Built in 1937, the tower marks the separation between North and South Asylum Bays and is one of Winnebago County’s historic landmarks.

The tower is accessed via a wooden bridge, and although it is not open for tours, the area around the tower is an excellent spot for picnics, with beautiful views of beautiful Lake Winnebago.

3300 Sherman Rd, Oshkosh, WI 54901

2. EAA - The Spirit of Aviation

The EAA - The Spirit of Aviation is dedicated to the preservation of historical and experimental aircraft.

Situated next to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, the EAA Aviation Museum is home to over 200 aircraft, ranging from antiques and classics to warplanes, as well as a variety of indoor and outdoor exhibitions and activities.

The museum features a children’s section, which has several interactive aviation-related exhibits and events, along with a “control tower” observation platform overlooking the old-time grass airstrip of Pioneer Airport behind the museum.

Visitors can enjoy a range of aircraft rides at Pioneer Airport or at the adjoining Wittman Field, which hosts the annual AirVenture Fly-In and Airshow every summer.

3000 Poberezny Rd, Oshkosh, WI 54902, Phone: 920-426-4800,

3. Military Veterans Museum and Education Center

The Military Veterans Museum and Education Center is dedicated to preserving the story of the country’s citizen soldiers and recording their military experiences.

Established in 1991 by a group of World War II veterans, the center features a variety of exhibits and displays of artifacts, artworks, books, documents, photographs, and personal items relating to military veterans and their families.

The center is also home to the John E. Kuenzl Motor Pool, which houses a collection of military vehicles and pieces of particular interest, such as a piece of the Battleship USS Arizona, a WWII Soviet-built T34-85 tank, and a “Quad 50? anti-aircraft mount.

4300 Poberezny Rd, Oshkosh, WI 54902, Phone: 920-426-8615

4. Menominee Park Zoo

Stretching 109 acres along the shores of Lake Winnebago, Menominee Park Zoo is a seasonal zoo that boasts a rotating roster of 50 endemic and exotic animals each year.

Established in 1945, the zoo features several amusement rides, paddleboats on the lake, a miniature train, and a merry-go-round.

In addition to housing a variety of animals, the zoo features a wealth of hands-on exhibits and displays for all ages, plays an essential role in several educational activities and conservation programs, and hosts many of the city's annual events and festivals.

The Menominee Park Zoo is open from the first weekend in May until last week of September.

Menominee Park Zoo, 520 Pratt Trail, Oshkosh, WI 54901, Phone: 920-236-5082

5. New Moon Cafe

The New Moon Cafe is an artsy, comfortable space that serves delicious vegetarian cuisine, local Wisconsin-made beers and desserts, and gourmet coffee against a background of live music, open mic performances, poetry, and other entertainment.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the New Moon Café menu features hearty sandwiches and wraps, freshly made salads, homemade soups, burritos, quesadillas, and decadent desserts.

The cuisine is freshly prepared with locally sourced ingredients and served with a variety of beverages, local beers and wines, and soft drinks.

401 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901, Phone: 920-232-0976,

6. Ardy & Ed's Drive-In

Established in 1948, Ardy & Ed's Drive-In is a family-friendly restaurant and old-fashioned drive-in that serves classic all-American cuisine, draft root beer, and fountain favorites.

The traditional drive-in has carhop servers on roller skates, offering a menu of hamburgers and hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, seafood baskets, and weekly specials along with milkshakes, root beer floats, and fountain sodas.

The restaurant also has a gift shop that sells souvenirs, beer glasses, clothing, and other items from the famous eatery and is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Sundays.

2413 South Main Street, Oshkosh, WI 54902-7244, Phone: 920-231-5455,