From art, history and small-town charm to spectacular beauty, there is so much waiting for groups in Wisconsin’s Northwoods and Lake Superior area. Come for the experiences and leave with wonderful memories.
Duration: 4 Days
Available: Year-round
This Itinerary is Ideal For: All
Day 1
Start your tour in Wausau with a visit to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. This museum celebrates wildlife through art and is internationally known for its yearly Birds In Art exhibition each fall. Continue north to the Minocqua Area, which is the hub of the Northwoods. The Minocqua Area features supper clubs, shopping, cafes, ice cream stands, outfitters, real lumberjack shows, the oldest amateur ski show in the United States, museums, and gaming.
Day 2
As you travel north and west toward Lake Superior, enjoy the beauty that is the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Before exploring the lake region, stop at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center and Natural History Museum. Here, you can learn about the cultural and natural history of this vibrant area.
Head north again, to the town of Bayfield, to board the Madeline Island Ferry that will take you to the only inhabited island of the Apostle Islands. Enjoy a tour and learn about the history and the daily life of living on this island in one of the Great Lakes. Tonight, stay at Legendary Waters Resort and Casino and enjoy the sunset.
Day 3
Richard Bong Museum
Stop at the tip of Wisconsin for a nice photo opportunity before heading south to Superior. In Superior, you’ll visit the Richard Bong Veterans Historical Center. Richard Bong, a World War II pilot, is considered the “Ace of Aces” and is from the area. The Museum highlights Bong’s career along with a restored P-38 Lightning plane.
Fairlawn Mansion
Afterward, enjoy a tour of the Fairlawn Mansion, a Queen Anne Victorian home built in 1891, featuring a four-story turret complete with widow’s watch overlooking the bay. Fairlawn Mansion is a well-recognized landmark in Superior. In summer, gardens dot the expansive lawns with traditional flower varieties, such as peony, rose, hydrangea and lily. Begin your journey south to the town of Spooner and enjoy an evening dinner aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad train.
Day 4
This morning, stop at Spooner Fish Hatchery in Spooner, the largest fish hatchery in the state. It is also known as the world’s largest hatchery of muskie, producing up to 2.5 million small muskie a year. Before beginning your travels home, a stop at the 150-plus year-old Leinenkugel’s brewery is a must. The brewery is considered the 7th oldest in the U.S. and the oldest operating business in Chippewa Falls.
