As the heart of “America’s Dairyland,” Wisconsin often goes unnoticed by travelers looking for memorable vacations. Rich in German and Scandinavian history, unexpected natural beauty, and pure Americana charm, this underappreciated Midwestern state’s unusual attractions are guaranteed to make an impression.
This list features a mash-up of Wisconsin spots as satisfying as the squeakiness of a fresh cheese curd. Sit back, grab a brewski, and prepare to be amazed by everything Wisconsin has to offer besides The Dells.
9 Mitchell Park Domes
Located in Milwaukee, the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, also called The Domes, reflects the city’s status as the most diverse in the state. Plants from around the world populate three visually stunning domes, inviting visitors to travel to the edges of the earth in one location. Escape to a warmer climate in the desert dome, featuring flora from three different continents. Or venture through the tropical dome, where guests can explore over a thousand different species of plants from global rainforests. Stop to smell the roses in the flower dome, which features rotating attractions throughout the year.
8 Devil’s Lake State Park
Millions of visitors head to Devil’s Lake State Park in Baraboo every year. Less than 15 miles from Wisconsin Dells, this natural playground offers a variety of activities. It’s not uncommon for hikers to pass by rock climbers scaling bluffs that overlook Devil’s Lake, which is filled with a variety of fish for angling enthusiasts. In the summer, the water is a perfect escape from the heat. In the winter, park-goers enjoy snow-shoeing, sledding, and ice fishing. Come just for the day for a brief getaway, or rough it a while longer in this beautiful place by snagging one of over 400 available campsites.
7 Mars Cheese Castle
The best charcuterie boards are built on cheese, and there is no shortage of dairy at this royal Wisconsin location. Open for almost 75 years, The Mars Cheese Castle is an iconic quick stop that should be on everyone’s Wisconsin bucket list. There’s more than just cheese in this palace, which offers a large variety of fresh baked goods, meats, and craft beers. Visitors can purchase items on-the-go, or take a seat at the restaurant and bar to enjoy a satisfying Wisconsin-style meal.
6 Fast Fiberglass Mold Graveyard
Fiberglass Animals, Shapes, and Trademarks (FAST) has specialized in building the giant sculptures that speckle the lots of restaurants and gas stations across the country. In Sparta, Wisconsin, the molds from past jobs are laid to rest in a large field that’s open to the public. Guests delight in the peculiar sights of everything from elephants and sharks to demons and trains. Take a picture with a scaled-down Mount Rushmore, or search for the molds of well-known statues like the Cat in the Hat and Big Boy.
5 Cave of the Mounds
Just an hour and a half outside Milwaukee lurks a damp and eerie limestone cave. This gem, located in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, has been sparking wonder for decades. The rock found inside Cave of the Mounds dates back over 400 million years! Branches of mineral formations called speleothems dangle from the ceilings, glimmering in the warmly lit tunnels of this geological wonder. After exploring the cave, visitors can hike through gardens of perennial wildflowers, restored woodlands, and prairies.
4 Washington Island Stavkirke
It's undeniable that churches tell remarkable tales of their location's history. Enjoy a ferry ride to this unique Scandinavian church located in Washington Island, Wisconsin. The Stavkirke’s medieval look was inspired by sketches from 1150 AD of a similar structure in Norway. This unique stone and wood church is open for Sunday services or just visits. After enjoying the scent of fresh wood permeating the church’s interior, visitors can breathe in the sweet smell of lavender at the Midwest’s largest lavender farm.
3 The House on the Rock
Atop a pinnacle rock in small-town Spring Green sits a structure filled with unquestionably bizarre amusements called The House on the Rock. With over 3,000 windows, the visually stunning Infinity Room has been a popular spot for pictures over the years. Exhibits include The Organ Room, a series of winding staircases circling some of the largest organs ever built, and The Doll Carousel Room, where handmade dolls dressed to the nines ride two extravagant carousels. House on the Rock is a sensory overload in the best way possible, featuring countless indoor and outdoor exhibits designed to please.
2 Harley-Davidson Museum
As American as apple pie, the Harley-Davidson museum in Milwaukee boasts hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. A traveler doesn’t need to be a motorcycle enthusiast to get revved up by the history found inside the facility. The museum features exhibits that show visitors everything needed to create a classic bike, and tours include trips back in time with decades’ worth of historical archives. As expected, hundreds of motorcycles from over the years are on display for examination from tire to tire. Enjoy casual American fare at the Motor Bar and Restaurant located inside the museum, or explore the endless culinary choices available in Milwaukee.
1 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
This Lake Superior shore at the tippy top of Wisconsin is the perfect place to unplug from it all. Sandstone cliffs covered in trees jut out over gorgeous waters of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Visitors can take a boat tour of the nine historic lighthouses that pepper the shores or rent a kayak to explore on their own. The area is rife with wildlife, including birds, black bears, and red foxes. There are plenty of hiking opportunities for those looking to explore on foot, and the unpolluted night sky offers views of the stars that are sure to take a gazer’s breath away.