13. Another outstanding presentation is the Wisconsin Story exhibit, which tells the story of Native Americans through time from the coming of Europeans to Wisconsin and a display of a Potawatomi village in four seasons. Fish the riverand let the others head to Galena. 5621 6th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140, Phone: 262-220-7782, Romantic weekend getaways near me: 4th of July, New England, Arizona with Kids, Virginia with Kids, Albany vacation ideas, Honeymoon Ideas, Key West. Pontoon boats, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are also available to rent. Starting at the Wisconsin-Illinois border, it weaves its way to Lake Superior's shore, avoiding pavement wherever possible. The venue, which is the twelfth of sixteen Gateway Classic Cars locations, opened in 2016. A Scandinavian tradition, fish boils are a way of cooking fish in a large cooking pot over an open fire. The Anderson Arts Center also has a gift shop that sells a variety of items, such as handcrafted jewelry, ceramics, furniture, artwork, and more, and hosts the Twilight Jazz Free Outdoor Concert series on the lawn outside the center on select Tuesday evenings from June through August. Known as Brew City and home to the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team, no trip to Milwaukee is complete without tasting its beer heritage. The Mississippi River forms a natural border with Missouri and Iowa in the west. Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva Grand Geneva Resort and Spa Want improv Shakespeare? The Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary and Arboretum is dedicated to cultivating an appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of the regions local and natural heritage through a variety of environmental education and sanctuary preservation programs. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. The beautifully restored electric streetcars are also known as electric trolleys and stop at the McCarthy Transit Center, 8th Avenue, 54th Street, and the METRA train station, allowing visitors to hop on and off at will to explore the city. The home was donated to Kenosha County in 1977 to become part of the Kemper Center campus. Visitors can enjoy a variety of fun activities such as music and art classes, ballroom dance classes, kids summer art camp, and special holiday events. A 12-acre arboretum is lined on the southern boundary with Ruth Teuschers original lilac collection. 400 54th Street Kenosha, WI 53140, Phone: 312-469-0233, Where to go near me: Glenwood Springs, Bellingham, Seafood, Coffee Shops, Things to Do in Solvang, San Diego day trips. They have a hotel with a decent restaurant, and a campground. Lake Geneva Shore Path. Midwest Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. The museum boasts a variety of exhibits, displays, and a movie on the Civil War as well as hosts several educational programs, classes, and workshops throughout the year. Address: 5754 State Road 23, Spring Green, WI 53588. Kenoshas historic streetcars are one of the citys top attractions and provide a 2-mile scenic loop tour of the town, which includes two historic districts, the downtown business district, the HarborPark development, and the Lake Michigan shoreline. Situated on the grounds of 17.5-acre Kenosha County Park overlooking Lake Michigan, the Kemper Center is a unique complex with a conference center, the Civil War-era Durkeen Mansion, a beautiful historic chapel, and the fine arts Anderson Arts Center. Lots of rocks, so best to take beach shoes. Spring Green's internationally respected American Players Theatre entices theater lovers with outdoor summer stagings of Shakespeare and other classics. Visitors love getting to see the Super Bowl trophies. The historic town square (famously featured in Groundhog Day) is adorable, with great home decor shops and a cozy bookstore. Illinois is a landlocked state in the east north-central US, a region also known as the Midwestern United States. Some visitors describe it as a Midwestern jewel and incredible journey, while others find it overstimulating and claustrophobic. A red-brick two-story Colonial home was built as a residence in the 1950s. Otherwise known as the Jambeau trail, the path has been in existence since before the United States was established, used by Indian tribes walking from what is today Green Bay to Chicago. Enter through the musky's tail and make your way up to the observation platform in the fish's open jaw. When the food is almost ready, the Boil Master alerts diners that the "boil-over" is about to begin. An annual Trunk or Treat event is a Halloween themed Cars and Coffee in October. When the weather is warm enough, travelers can camp at the area's state park to save some time and be best prepared to catch a sunrise over Lake Michigan. Learn all about the machine that came to symbolize the freedom of America and the open road at the Harley-Davidson Museum. By no means an exhaustive list, here are some of the downright best day trips in Wisconsin: 1. What's more, the University of Wisconsin Madison Memorial Union on the shores of Lake Mendota is a favorite for students and locals; grab a brat and brew and enjoy the view. Located near the Wisconsin-Illinois border, 7 miles north of the border and about 50 miles southeast of Milwaukee, Lake Geneva is popular for weekend getaways, with visitors describing it as the "Newport of the Midwest" for its opulent lakefront mansions. The small town of Oshkosh on Lake Winnebago, northwest of Milwaukee, is famous for two things: the popular line of kids' clothing and its place on the world's airshow circuit. Older park but very clean and well maintained campground. Summer is high season, with a multitude of neighborhood festivals, outdoor concerts and ethnic celebrations, like German Fest in July, honoring the city's largest immigrant group. We asked for a refrigerator and microwave, however they were out of microwaves. Two bedrooms, a living room and bathroom for servants are located in the west wing of the house. A great weekend destination for both shoppers and history buffs, Cedarburg has a Main Street that's on the National Register of Historic Places and dozens of limestone buildings housing more than 70 boutiques, chocolate shops and restaurants. Biking and hiking Whitefish Dunes State Park and Potawatomi State Park are some of the top outdoor activities in Door County. Other special events throughout the year include a pumpkin patch train ride in the fall and a Polar Express train ride in November and December. These hallowed halls house a permanent collection of hundreds of bikes, including the first motorcycles built and Elvis Presley's custom bike. Wisconsin has lots of trails and adventure parks for any off-roading enthusiast. Located on the Riverfront Museum Park campus, the Discovery Center Museum is one of the top family attractions in Illinois. The Buzz Caf is a casual, cozy caf on 6th Avenue in Kenosha that serves breakfast, lunch, and house-roasted coffee along with a wide range of artisan craft beer and easy-drinking wines. Circling the entire lake would take all day, but you can pick a section and go for a jog or a stroll. Towns like New Buffalo, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Holland, Saugatuck and Grand Haven provide pristine beaches, great shopping, lakeside restaurants and front-row view of sunsets over Lake Michigan. The Buzz Caf is open Monday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. Address: 5607 County Road C, Spring Green, WI 53588. Bloomington-Normal, Illinois: 130 miles southwest of Chicago, Rockford, Illinois: 90 miles west of Chicago, Fox River Valley, Illinois: 60 miles west of Chicago, Champaign-Urbana: 140 miles south of Chicago, South Bend, Indiana: 95 miles east of Chicago, Turkey Run Inn, Indiana: 150 miles south of Chicago, Lake Mills, Wisconsin: 125 miles northwest of Chicago, Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie: 60 miles southwest of Chicago, Woodstock, Illinois: 60 miles northwest of Chicago, Indiana Dunes: 54 miles southeast of Chicago, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: 80 miles northwest of Chicago, Michigan's southwest shore: 70 to 150 miles east of Chicago, Galena, Illinois: 163 miles west of Chicago, Mount Morris, Illinois: 100 miles northwest of Chicago, Cedarburg, Wisconsin: 113 miles north of Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin: 147 miles northwest of Chicago, Amish Country, Indiana: 110 miles east of Chicago, Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: 100 miles southwest of Chicago, Zion, Illinois: 50 miles north of Chicago, Grand Rapids, Michigan: 175 miles northeast of Chicago, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin: 150 miles north of Chicago, Glencoe, Illinois: 15 miles north of Chicago, Apple River Canyon State Park, Illinois: 146 miles west of Chicago, Beloit, Wisconsin: 96 miles northwest of Chicago. Other draws to the area: Bloomington's restored 1800s buildings house farm-to-table restaurants, shops and live-music venues. Wander the paths and trails at Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the University of Wisconsin Arboretum; admire the art at Chazen Museum of Art or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; take a leisurely cruise around Lake Mendota or Menona; and be sure to work up an appetite-Madison's 600-plus restaurants offer something for every taste. We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times. We will definitely be back and will recommend the Illinois Beach Resort to our friends. Kayaking the Lake Michigan lakefront, where you can explore the caves and coves and view the shore scenery that can only be seen from the water, is another favorite outdoor activity. Related: Top Things to Do in the Fox River Valley. For August, the water was a bit cold, but still able to swim. Squirrels chattering. Related: Get Our Bloomington-Norma Trip Guide. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market welcomes shoppers May through October every Saturday morning. Being a peninsula in the Great Lakes, the area's 11 lighthouses play a big part in Door County's history. It is home to Road America, a racetrack hosting NASCAR races, vintage car events and specialized driving schools. 7817 Sheridan Road Kenosha, WI 53143, Phone: 262-653-0900, Free things to do, beaches near me: UT, WV. You are reading "18 Best Things to Do in Kenosha, Wisconsin " Back to Top. 22, 2023, Up to 60% Off + Exclusive 5% Guaranteed Priceline Coupon, Up to 50% Off Travel Plans with Top Expedia Promo Code, Discount Travel Plans with 50% Off on Hotels.com bookings, 50% Discount on Getaways with Barcel Resort & Hotels, Booking.com Promo Code Up to 50% Off + Extra 10% Off. These romantic getaways near Chicago are less than five hours away and perfect for your next weekend getaway. One natural feature that makes Eau Claire truly special is that it's at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers. Brooks babbling. Many of the classic cars on the lot have been customized into Hot Rod vehicles and updated with modern conveniences such as power steering and windows, air-conditioning, and automatic transmissions. The tranquil Anderson Japanese Gardensis just one of the draws to the area. Buses, trains and very few automobilescheck out these out-of-the-ordinary holiday lights displays. Home to the Cranberry Blossom Festival every June, you can explore the history of the tart berry year-round at the Cranberry Discovery Center in the neighboring town of Warrens. Nature lovers and culture enthusiasts will also find plenty to keep them busy in Door County's charming villages. Head over to Mirror Lake State Park for a scenic hike along a tranquil lake surrounded by sandstone bluffs. (Note: Some tours and excursions may be affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Come for the summer activities or the annual Groundhog Day Festival in early February. Learn about these and other interesting places to visit with our list of the top attractions in Wisconsin. Visitors praise the mostly local teenagers who participate for mastering some incredible tricks and keeping a beloved tradition alive. The campground itself is decent depending on what you are looking for. Every day, hundreds of drivers speed past the turnoff on US-20 for Apple River Canyon State Park, bound for getaways in Galena. Look for fossils. Sun, sand and.. race cars? Tamales are a project, but many handseven tiny onesmake lighter work. Green Bay is the smallest city housing an NFL team, and the Green Bay Packers are the only publicly owned major professional sports team in the U.S. Cheeseheads are a dedicated bunch, but you don't have to own a green and gold jersey to appreciate the memorabilia and exhibits at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. The Southport Light Station Museum is a beautifully restored lighthouse and keeper's residence that is now a museum featuring local fishing and shipping exhibits. Maybe that's why quiet types flock here-bird-watchers, hikers and history buffs eager to explore Parke County and its covered bridges. 1. The Dinosaur Discovery Museum is also home to the Carthage Institute of Paleontology, a gift shop, and a variety of complimentary educational programs for adults and families. 1. Guests delight in the art exhibits on display throughout the hotel and applaud the in-room vintage record players. Wisconsin Dells is home to the most indoor and outdoor water parks in the world more than 20 different parks. Guided group tours of the sanctuary are available for schools, groups, and nature clubs for a nominal fee. Just north of Discovery World is the architecturally impressive Milwaukee Art Museum, a modern masterpiece designed by Santiago Calatrava. RNoggin Brewing Co. has a tap room where visitors can taste their brews as well as tuck into fare provided by food trucks during events. And the fifth is a James Beard finalist chef. The company expects sales of over $60 million in 2018. Visitors will also discover a robust farm-to-table movement in this fertile section of America's heartland. A 12-Stop Road Trip of Frank Lloyd Wright's Most Surprising Designs. Wildlife viewing at Hawthorn Hollow is focused primarily on bird watching. New Englanders have their clambakes. Owls hooting. Spend the night in rooms or cabins (and enjoy a hearty meal) at Starved Rock Lodge, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Established in 2006 and housed in a renovated 1908 Beaux-Arts historic landmark building, the museum is the only museum that focuses on the evolution of birds from non-avian dinosaurs and features the largest skeletal cast collection of theropods (meat-eating) dinosaurs in the country. The region also helped shape the childhood of our 40th president, whose boyhood home opens its doors to visitors. Pure Americana is served up in central Wisconsin's Minocqua; the town offers everything from the fudge and ice cream shops to the popular screen-door cottages families love to rent. Events at Hawthorne Hollow draw over 10,000 visitors annually. World's Largest Fish - Hayward The largest building in the town of Hayward is a giant fiberglass musky, a part of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward. Managed by the Kenosha County Historical Society, the Kenosha History Center is one of two buildings on the site, the first of which focuses on Kenosha County history, and the second the Southport Light Station Museum is a restored lightkeeper's home and lighthouse. Cars and Coffee Event: Visitors are invited to show off their own cars in the showrooms parking lot, enjoy a cup of coffee and browse the showroom floor to see the newest classic, exotic and collectible arrivals. Make sure to visit to Grosse Point Lighthouse during sunset in Evanston and take a walk along the Green Bay Trail between Winnetka and Highland Park. The closest thing to that in the Midwest is the Door County fish boil, a one-of-a-kind culinary spectacle. Address: 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304. After a day on the slopes, skiers like to warm up with a hot toddy around the outdoor fire pit at the resort's Embers Terrace. Below $100k - Low $100s. Milwaukee's also home to a very different kind of museum. Follow these steps (and allow plenty of time) to get your child a passport. Famous for The EphraimPottery Studio and Gallery, Lake Mills also offers plenty of outdoor recreation on Rock Lake, the Zeloski Marsh and the Glacial Drumlin Bike Trail, as well as a cozy Arts and Crafts style B&B. If you have littler ones, stroll across the street to the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. We then went to the pool and swam for another hour. Inspiration flows on both sides of the Grand River, particularly near downtown. But in downstate Illinois, that takes on a fresh new form. If you want to feel like you're actually sleeping in an art museum, book a room at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel, which is located in the heart of downtown. The Kenosha History Center has a gift shop that sells a variety of souvenirs, items, and related gifts. Address: 400 W. Park Ave., Minocqua, WI 54548. Located on Lake Michigan, the largest lake in the United States, Milwaukee is easy to explore; everything seems to be only a 5-minute drive away. Classes include puppet making, cartooning, drawing and painting, crafting and the fiber arts as well as sculpting. But the showers did have great water pressure and the water was hot. We had a wonderful time playing at the beach all day enjoying the beautiful weather and crystal clear water. The Anderson Arts Center is a non-profit organization supported through donations, gift shop sales, and rental income via letting the house and gardens for private events. I took my daughter and 2 granddaughters there in early August. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Kenosha HarborMarket is an open-air, bustling European-style mixed market that hosts over 150 vendors each week during the outdoor season. And if you're in Madison on a Saturday morning between April and November, mosey over to the Capitol building to shop. Address: 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The dances feature a cash bar and dessert buffet. Great River Road Head west and drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi, with its bluff-top views, river sights, charming B&Bs and sprawling vineyards. Grand Rapids' ArtPrize extravaganza every other fall is part art walk, part city tour and and entirely vacation-worthy. Now, thanks to a revitalized downtown, an emerging foodie scene, new cultural attractions and beautiful public gardens, word is getting out: You'd be crazy not to stop. Today, the building is the home and office of Hawthorn Hollows director. For many Midwesterners, holiday feasting kicks off with a relish tray. With its rolling terrain, state parks and preserves traversed by the mighty Rick and Mississippi rivers, plus biking and hiking trails crisscrossing the area, the Blackhawk Waterways region of northwest Illinois promises outdoor recreation bliss. Sing-along Shakespeare? And the small town of Wisconsin Rapids, 100 miles northwest of Madison, is the cranberry capital. They can visit any of the area's more than one hundred art galleries and studios, sample the region's famous cherries and cheese, and explore Door County's eight wineries. Or just a performance of his classics? There is hiking, camping, biking, cross country skiing in the winter, fishing, The NorthPoint Marina is five miles north in Winthrop Harbor, IL, which has slips for 1500 boats and an excellent restaurant called The Tropics.There is something for everyone to do at Illinois Beach State Park, so bring your family! Additional attractions include the Southport Light Station Museum, a light keepers home from the 1860s, the Dinosaur Discovery Museum, Civil War Museum, and the Kenosha Public Museum, which displays fine art, decorative arts, and artifacts of natural history. A Spring Green restaurant well worth visiting for architecture buffs is Last Leaf Public House. The nature preserve is a prime destination for migratory birds passing through Wisconsin, as well as a robust population of year-round residents. America's Action Territory Family Fun Park 76 The laid . If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. But take time to hike, cruise the river or ski the slopes, sip local wines, taste beer and do some shopping. These escapesincluding Amish Country, Indiana; Galena, Illinois; and Lake Geneva, Wisconsinare within a one- to three-hour drive and offer a variety of activities that will recharge your life. Here are some options for things to do along the way. Related: Get Our Trip Guide to Apple River. Wander the paths and trails at Olbrich Botanical Gardens or the University of Wisconsin Arboretum; admire the art at Chazen Museum of Art or the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art; take a leisurely cruise around Lake Mendota or Menona; and be sure to work up an appetite-Madison's 600-plus restaurants offer something for every taste. Become a Cheesehead by exploring all that Wisconsin has to offer. The Dane County Farmers' Market is the country's largest producer-only farmers market, a great way to take yourself on a food tour of the finest Wisconsin farmers have to offer. The Main, East and Upper Galleries are reserved for the work of regional artists. With more than 200 breweries, there are brewery tours for every palette, from micro to macro and fruit beers to pale ales. Most visitors loll on the beach or cruise the lake during summer, but you can also experience the warmth of its winter in January and February during the annual Winterfest. If traveling to the self-proclaimed "Waterpark Capital of the World" with kids, stay at one of the top resorts for easy access to amenities. Follow the River Roadside Attractions The roadside attractions along Route 66 were designed to attract travelers to local towns and businesses. 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140, Phone: 262-654-5770, Places to visit near me: Things to Do in Milwaukee, Things to Do in Norfolk, Cumming. No complaints! Wisconsin (WI) 15 Best Flea Markets in Wisconsin: MadCity Bazaar Elkhorn Antique Flea Market 7 Mile Fair Crazy Frank's Flea Market Adams Flea Market Jackson Flea Market Dodge County Fair Flea Market Pea Pickin' Flea Market! With more than 300 miles of shoreline to enjoy, visitors have long flocked to Wisconsin's peninsula, known as Door County, for weekend getaways. Visitors point to the Palace Theater as a great night out, applauding the talent and production value of the concerts, comedy shows, plays for children and Broadway-style productions. Pets are allowed in the campground, but not on the beach. At Wisconsin supper clubs, the steak is served rare and the traditions are well done. The entire road traverses 3,000 miles through 10 states, and our 250-mile stretch takes you through 33 historic Wisconsin towns. It's no exaggeration to claim Wisconsin offers something for every type of traveler world-class art for culture enthusiasts, metropolitan food tours for foodies, numerous waterparks for families and relaxing scenery for outdoors lovers, including rolling hills, lush farmland, forests and lakes. The exhibit included quilts, tapestries, and birds constructed of fiber. About the Area: Great Central Location! Another go-to stop is the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Bike the Scenic Backroads. 6521 120th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142, Phone: 262-960-1298, Near me on a budget: Arlington, Park City, Places to Visit in USA, Brattleboro VT, Maine lighthouses, St. Paul, Wyoming vacations, Des Moines, Tallest roller coasters, Train Museums near me, Romantic Getaways St Augustine FL. The Heritage Workshop Series teaches local gardeners everything from harvesting heritage seeds, to building garden paths, to quilting and candle making. But towns like Goshen, Middlebury and Elkhart also are modern communities.