Wisconsin is also known as the “Badger State” and gets this nickname not because of the badgers that exist throughout in the state, but from the nickname of the 19th century miners who’d cut into the hills to find lead and then sleep in their caves.
This north-central state, which has produced famous names such as the guitarist Les Paul, magician Harry Houdini, architect Frank Lloyd Wright, artist Georgia O’ Keefe and actor Orson Wells, is renowned for geographical features such as the Wisconsin River. If ever you happen to be visiting the Badger State, here are some attractions you should check out.
Devil’s Lake State Park
This state park in Baraboo is the most popular one in Wisconsin and encompasses more than 10,000 acres, part of more than 27,000 acres of public recreational land in Sauk County. You can enjoy views of a 360-acre lake from 500 feet bluffs or enjoy one of the many trails around the lake (there are nearly 30 miles of hiking trails). The East Bluff is worth visiting to check out the Balanced Rock and Devil’s Doorway rock formations.
The park also offers lakeshore picnic areas, swimming beaches, paddling and year-round naturalist programs, and it’s also possible to camp either in an RV or tent but it’s a good idea to book first.
Lambeau Field
Lambeau Field is the home of the NFL team the Green Bay Packers and has a capacity of more than 81,000. It’s the second largest stadium in the NFL and offers stadium tours, so why not take one and look around? The stadium tours are held in the Lambeau Field Atrium. While in the atrium, you can also visit the Packers Hall of Fame, enjoy refreshments at the 1919 Kitchen & Tap or pick up souvenirs at the Packers Pro Shop.
Or better still, instead of taking a stadium tour, why not buy a ticket for a game and see the famous team in live action? You can also engage with the sport even more and bet on the point spreads.
Harley Davidson Museum
Wisconsin’s Harley Davidson Museum is the only Harley Davidson Museum in the world. Here you can learn about the history and culture of the world’s most iconic motorcycle brand and see an unequalled collection of Harley Davidson motorcycles and memorabilia on two floors of exhibits. Permanent exhibits include the Harley Davidson Journey, which tells the story of Harley Davidson; the Engine Room, which displays a “family tree” of Harley Davidsons, from the early iterations through to the modern-day Milwaukee Eight; Clubs and Competition, a gallery devoted to Harley Davidsons in the grassroots competitive arena; and the Tank Wall, which displays iconic Harley Davidson tanks.
Dr Evermore’s Sculpture Park
Dr Evermore’s Sculpture Park is a charming park in Baraboo which features a collection of mechanical creatures built from salvaged factory parts, all by self-taught artist Tom Every, known more commonly by the name of his alter ego “Dr Evermore.” When Dr Evermore was a child, his family collected a lot of scrap for the war effort, an activity which influenced a lot of his work.
“The Forevertron” is the centerpiece structure of the park and includes pieces removed officially from the Henry Ford Museum, elements from NASA’s Apollo program and from 1920s power houses. Every describes the structure as a “soul transformation device.” Several satellite structures surround it. He calls these the “Birds of Band Orchestra,” and this consists of 70 individual sculptures.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is situated at the northern tip of the state’s Bayfield Peninsula and was established as a park in 1970. The park features 21 beautiful islands and a scenic 12 mile shoreline along Lake Superior. As well as being home to the Ojibwe people, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Park offers sea caves, sandy beaches and the largest set of lighthouses in the National Park System (NPS). In the park, you can go camping, kayaking or sailing or boating.
House on the Rock
The House on the Rock has been an interesting work in progress for more than 60 years. It’s the fruit of one man’s dream to build a retreat as inspiring as the view from the rock the house would be built upon. Since the original conception, the House of the Rock has developed to contain curious displays and exhibits organized into three possible tours: the Highlight Experience, the Original House Experience and the Ultimate Experience.
Wisconsin is a beautiful state, packed with amazing things to see and do. Other attractions you might like to experience while visiting Wisconsin include seeing the Milwaukee Art Museum, which, as well as pieces by Georgia O’ Keefe, features work by Monet, Picasso, Degas and Warhol; and the national landmark, the Cave of the Mounds, a mesmerizing limestone cave open the entire year for tours and where you can also take hiking tours in the area around the cave.
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