Wisconsin Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Milwaukee featuring flowers
Wisconsin’s residents are proud of the state’s many charms, which include its cheese industry, scenic lakes, sports teams and architecturally innovative cities.

Discover the myriad appeals of Wisconsin, a state that combines stunning lake scenery with cultured, stylish cities. Marvel at eye-catching architecture and charming museums before escaping into the canyons, forests and rivers in Wisconsin’s numerous state parks.

Learn about the earliest history of Wisconsin at museums and historic sites dedicated to the state’s Native American population. Attractions such as the Forest County Potawatomi Museum and the Oneida Nation Museum help to preserve cultures and traditions that have existed here for thousands of years.

Take plenty of time to appreciate the numerous cultural attractions in Milwaukee. Wisconsin’s largest city hosts the Harley-Davidson Museum, several breweries and Discovery World, a family-friendly science museum. Don’t miss the Milwaukee Art Museum, a gorgeous modernist building designed by Santiago Calatrava. In the capital city, Madison, marvel at the State Capitol, one of the largest in the US, and browse the collections at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Both Madison and Milwaukee feature architecture designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, including Madison’s eye-catching Monona Terrace. The famous architect designed his own home in Taliesin East, which features a museum dedicated to his work.

Relax in tranquil Door County, which offers five state parks and trendy towns with art galleries and intimate music venues. Head south of the peninsula to Green Bay, where you can experience Wisconsin’s love of sports at Lambeau Field, home of the Packers football team. While here, visit the engaging National Railroad Museum, which charts the history of the railroad in America.

Plunge down the rides of multiple water parks in Wisconsin Dells, where you can also enjoy riverboat tours into the canyons and woods of the surrounding region.

Seek adventure in the natural beauty of Wisconsin. Land O’ Lakes has year-round activities including frozen-lake fishing, downhill skiing and kayaking. Paddle around the cliffs and islands of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which follows the shorelines of Lake Superior.

General Mitchell International Airport, near Milwaukee, is a convenient point of entry into the state. Winter in Wisconsin brings snow sports, fall comes with colorful foliage but summer and spring offer warm days and lively festivals in the cities.

Popular cities in Wisconsin

Milwaukee Art Museum featuring modern architecture and art
Milwaukee
Known for Theatres, Live music and Art
Wisconsin’s major city is acclaimed for its rich history of brewing beer, a modern lakefront skyline and an eclectic festival scene.

Reasons to visit

  • Milwaukee Public Market
  • Harley-Davidson Museum
  • Milwaukee County Zoo
Madison showing street scenes and a city
Madison
Known for Budget, Sports and Universities
Wisconsin’s capital and second-largest city offers spectacular natural and architectural beauty and many ways to enjoy watersports.

Reasons to visit

  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
  • Capitol Square
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells
Known for Waterparks, Entertainment and Rivers
This Midwestern city is all about family-friendly fun. It has more than 20 water parks, as well as theme parks, themed hotels and exciting river cruises.

Reasons to visit

  • Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park
  • Top Secret
Green Bay featuring a garden and heritage architecture
Green Bay
Known for Dining, Family-friendly and Shopping
“Titletown U.S.A” is known for its sports culture and fabulous outdoor attractions, such as the huge wildlife sanctuary within its city limits.

Reasons to visit

  • Lambeau Field
  • Green Bay Botanical Garden
La Crosse showing a city and street scenes
La Crosse
Known for Rivers, Shopping and Bars
This southwest Wisconsin city offers gorgeous hilltop views, year-round outdoor pursuits and an important religious site.

Reasons to visit

  • Grandad Bluff Park
Appleton
Appleton
Known for Dining, Shopping and Family-friendly
This attractive city on the banks of Fox River is Wisconsin’s popular destination for performing arts, thrilling sports and Harry Houdini history.

Reasons to visit

  • Hearthstone Historic House Museum