Top Places to Visit in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's visitor attractions range from the Apostle Islands' sea caves to Door County's cherry orchards to Milwaukee's brewing heritage to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
22 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin — the Apostle Islands have the finest sea cave scenery on the Great Lakes. The Meyers Beach sea caves (accessible by kayak or, in winter, on foot across the frozen lake) are the most spectacular. The brownstone quarries on Basswood Island (the same stone used to build New York City brownstones) and the historic lighthouses (6 lighthouses in the park — the most in any national park unit) add historical depth. The Madeline Island Ferry connects to Wisconsin's largest Lake Superior island.

Door County
The 80-mile peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan — Door County has been called the "Cape Cod of the Midwest" for its combination of small towns, orchards, fish boils (a Door County culinary tradition — whitefish, potatoes, and onions in a cauldron, with a kerosene pour creating a dramatic fireball), art galleries, and scenic shoreline. Peninsula State Park (the most visited state park in Wisconsin), Cave Point County Park (sea caves in the dolomite cliff), and the cherry and apple orchards in full bloom (May) are the highlights.

Milwaukee
Wisconsin's largest city and a genuine destination — the Milwaukee Art Museum (designed by Santiago Calatrava, with moving "wings" that open each morning), the Harley-Davidson Museum (the world's most complete collection of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, in the company's hometown), the Milwaukee Public Market, and the Lakefront Brewery and Third Ward arts district give Milwaukee strong cultural depth.

Wisconsin Dells
The most commercially developed natural attraction in the Midwest — bizarre Cambrian sandstone formations carved by a glacial outburst flood 14,000 years ago. The "Dells" are best seen by boat tour (Upper Dells and Lower Dells boat tours) or by the Stand Rock trail. The surrounding commercial development (waterparks, go-karts, tourist kitsch) has largely overwhelmed the natural setting; the boat tours offer the best nature-focused experience.

Taliesin (Spring Green)
Frank Lloyd Wright's 37-year studio and home in the Wisconsin River valley — Taliesin (Welsh for "Shining Brow") is a sprawling complex of buildings where Wright worked from 1911 until his death in 1959. The Hillside School, the Midway Farm, and the main residence are on 600 acres of Wisconsin farmland. Tours (from 90-minute to 4-hour) take visitors through the evolving complex. The Romeo and Juliet Windmill (1897, Wright's first independent commission) is nearby.