Visiting underrated places in Wisconsin offers a unique and enriching experience for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations. Elkhart Lake entices with its picturesque charm and tranquil atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and watersports.
Eau Claire, a vibrant college town, captivates visitors with its burgeoning arts scene, live music, and scenic river trails. Devil’s Lake State Park showcases breathtaking natural beauty, featuring striking cliffs and clear waters, offering abundant hiking and outdoor activities.
Cedarburg’s historic allure fascinates history buffs with its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, delightful shops, and local art galleries. Lastly, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore boasts pristine wilderness, showcasing stunning sea caves, pristine beaches, and historic lighthouses, attracting nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Choosing these hidden gems in Wisconsin grants travelers a chance to escape the crowds and connect with the state’s rich history, culture, and natural wonders, creating a deeper appreciation for the diverse beauty of the region.
Devil’s Lake State Park
Over 3 million people visit Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo each year, and it’s understandable why. Over 27,000 acres of parkland offer year-round outdoor recreational opportunities for you to explore. In the summer months, options include hiking, biking, and enjoying a variety of water sports (including scuba diving), while the winter months it offers skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding.
Eau Claire
As the “Indie Capital of the Midwest,” Eau Claire boasts a thriving arts scene, regular live music events, and a bustling downtown. This college town is the ideal day vacation for friend reunions or an exciting new experience for couples, offering diverse nightlife, festivals, and coffee shop fun.
Elkhart Lake
Just over an hour’s drive from Milwaukee, the small village of Elkhart Lake is a true powerhouse when it comes to enjoying Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoors. Explore the emerald waters of the lake by pontoon boat on a Coffee Cruise or Evening Cruise, or rent water skis, wakeboards, and tubes.
Door County
Door County, located between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” With 300 miles of coastline and numerous small coastal towns and villages, the county is jam-packed with fascinating tourist attractions.
Cedarburg
Just 30 minutes from Milwaukee, the quaint town of Cedarburg is an ideal destination with its art galleries, antique stores and attractive downtown, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The famous Cedar Creek Settlement neighborhood is lined with interesting stores and eateries, and numerous events and festivals are held here throughout the year.
Chippewa Falls
Just a short drive from the Minnesota border, Chippewa Falls offers small-town charm and outdoor recreation for your weekend getaway. Explore the 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail, located entirely in Wisconsin and formed from the remnants of a glacial ice flow more than 12,000 years ago, by hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The trail ends in Chippewa Falls and passes through 30 different counties. Along this special route, you’ll pass streams, lakes, glacial ridges, beaver ponds and a variety of wildlife.
Great Wolf Lodge – Wisconsin Dells
With 16 million gallons of water to splash in and more water parks per capita than any other city, Wisconsin Dells is informally known as the water park capital of the world. One of the city’s well-known water resorts, Great Wolf Lodge, offers a fun-filled family vacation.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Visit Apostle Islands to take your weekend getaway to a whole new level. This collection of 21 islands in Lake Superior in far northern Wisconsin is home to stunning rock and sea cave formations, centuries-old lighthouses and breathtaking panoramic ocean views.