Explore all of mother nature’s bounty on this outdoor-focused Wisconsin adventure
Fun cruises, gorgeous gardens and waterfalls make Wisconsin an enticing destination.
Duration: 4 Days
Available: Year-round
Ideal For: All ages
Day 1 & 2: Wisconsin’s Eau Claire & Chippewa Falls offer outdoor adventures
Visit Eau Claire – or as the French settlers named it, the land of “clear water” – a music lovers’ destination with performances, festivals and local clubs. Foodies will enjoy a wide variety of dining experiences in this small town with big-city flair.
Experience natural beauty and local charm in Chippewa Falls. Tour the beautifully restored Victorian-era home of a lumber baron, one of the finest examples of High Victorian Italianate architecture in Wisconsin. Stop at one or more breweries, distilleries and wineries.
Learn about Lake Superior’s cultural and natural history at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland. Step back in time and listen to spirited songs of voyageurs singing as they paddle their fur laden; peek inside an 18th century fur trade post; feel the pulsating rumbler of an explosion in a deep shaft iron mine. The unique displays stage an overview of human cultures interacting with the land and natural resource of the Northern Great Lake region. Take in the view of Lake Superior and the Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge from the tower at the Center.
Days 3 & 4: Madeline Island & Hurley in Wisconsin
Hurley Upson Falls
While visiting the Northwoods and Lake Superior take a trip on the Madeline Island Ferry, which operates between the picturesque ports of Bayfield and La Pointe. This 25-minute trip offers stunning views of the lake and several of the 22 Apostle Islands. Take a walking tour, a self-guided driving tour or a tour with a knowledgeable step-on guide to learn about the 300 years of colorful island history. Relax at a lakefront restaurant and enjoy shopping and browsing at this one-of-a-kind destination.
Head east to Hurley – nature’s superior playground with more than 30 cascading waterfalls. Learn the history of this mining town at a historic museum. Take in the downtown miners mural. Hike, ski and dine for the complete “up north” experience.
As you head out of the Northwoods region stop in Minocqua known as “The Island City” and also home to the Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center. Board the safari tram and enjoy a narrated journey through the sprawling grounds and woods.
Tour Option #2
Day 1 & 2: More outdoor adventures in Wisconsin’s Green Bay & Door County
Door County
Then it’s over to Green Bay Botanical Gardens for a blooming good time. This community-supported, non-profit destination connects people with plants in an environment that engages, inspires and refreshes all who visit.
Head north from there to Door County– one of the top 10 destinations in the U.S. and known by many as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” Go for a scenic boat tour of Door County’s shoreline, learn about the area’s maritime history, take a cooking class, enjoy a traditional Door County fish boil and savor the cherry pies and local winery offerings.
Ephraim Historical Foundation celebrates the Norwegian and Moravian roots in this quaint Door County village. Take a guided tour to see five museums and learn the rich heritage of this waterfront community.
Travel to the tip of the Door Peninsula for a ride on the Washington Island Ferry. This motorcoach friendly ferry takes you a world away. Board the Cherry Train to tour the island. Visit a lavender farm, shop and bistro.
Celebrate the holidays with your group as you drive over a mile route through a forested park and experience a festive light show choreographed to holiday music. Making Spirits Bright in Sheboygan is open from late November to the end of December each year in Evergreen Park.
Day 3: Cedarburg & Milwaukee in Wisconsin
China Lights Festival at
Boerner Botanical Gardens
Continue south to the General Store Museum in historic Cedarburg. Take a walk into the past at a 150-year-old gray frame building in downtown Cedarburg – home to the Visitor Center and a fascinating little museum crammed full of relics from the past. You’ll find yourself in an old-fashioned general store that sold everything from hardware to groceries to candy. Delight in the soda fountain, a barrel with checkers for anyone to play and a display of advertising art from the early 1900s to the 1950s. It’s a trip down memory lane.
Finish your tour at Boerner Botanical Garden just south of Milwaukee. The seasons come to life with thousands of plants in 12 formal gardens. Enjoy the view while you stop for a light lunch. Explore a rose, peony and daylily garden and stroll under blossoming crabapple trees. In autumn book your tickets to the China Lights Festival at Boerner Botanical Garden. With more than 40 larger-than-life lantern displays set up along paths that extend nearly a mile, be sure to wear your walking shoes. Many area restaurants offer dinner and a show for this truly special evening.
Creating memorable group experiences since 1944, Lamers Bus Lines helps you explore Wisconsin. From motorcoaches to school buses to trolleys, Lamers is the passenger professional.
For more travel ideas, download our current issue of Leisure Travel Guide.
