7 Classic Or Quirky Things To Do In Wisconsin This Summer

It’s time to get out and explore!

I don’t know about you, but I am beyond happy that that nightmare winter is behind us. I feel like a ginormous weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I’m not going to dwell on it anymore!

It’s time to get out, get in the water, walk in the woods, pound the pavement of your favorite city, or what ever you choose to do in the upcoming summer months.

Many of you already have your summer travel plans inked on you calendars already. If you do, tell me what you have planned.

If you don’t, well then lets take a look at some things you can do.

I myself only have a couple concrete things set. Normally I tend to fly by the seat of my pants. I like planning last minute mini trips. I’m a planner when it comes to “big” travel, like overseas or cross country trips, but when the budget does not allow for these trips, I like to stay close to home and luckily Wisconsin has so many things to do and see, that it’s impossible to be bored!

I’m gonna tell you what I’ve got planned this summer into early fall and then I’m going to give you a list with links on a whole variety of things you can do in Wisconsin and vicinity this summer.

Taking Beatrice on the road

I am totally anxious to hitch up my Beatrice this summer for her first camping trips. As her maiden outing, I am planning to take her to Calumet County Park very soon. Calumet County Park is located on the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago. It’s the perfect spot for a first time camping trip. Along with that I am hoping to meet up with a couple of ladies camping groups that I am a part of. Wisconsin Lady Glampers, and the Wisconsin branch of Sisters On The Fly. This is all a new experience for me. I want to write about my camping adventures with Beatrice.

In September I am attending the Midwest Vintage Trailer Rally at Buffalo Lake Campground in Montello, Wisconsin. This event is held every year. This event is a gathering of all vintage camper enthusiasts. It has grown so large, that it now covers 2 weekends! Each Saturday they hold a swap meet and each trailer is open for the public to come check out. Since I will have my “Beatrice The Little Camper” books, I will be setting up a table to sell them.

Update:  You can read about my weekend at the Midwest Vintage Trailer Rally here

A girlfriends getaway to Beloit

In June, I am planning a little girlfriends getaway with my pal Erin. I have been wanting to visit Beloit for awhile now, and finally this summer we are making it happen. Honestly I have never been to Beloit and Erin is a native Beloitan (I know, not a word :-)) Stay tuned for blog posts about that getaway. What can be more fun that spending some time with friends.

Update:  You can read about my girlfriends getaway in Beloit here

Always a trip to Door County

I’m definitely headed to Door County at least once this summer. A little wine tasting, and a little shopping always make for a fun day. There is so much to do. It can be touristy in summer, but hey, there’s a reason for that.

For satisfying my big city thirst-Milwaukee

Spending time out in nature is all well and good, but sometimes I need my bigger city fix. If I’m not in the mood for the long travel time to Chicago, I head to Milwaukee. Milwaukee is a “mini me” version of Chicago (at least in my book). The downtown area has really come along in recent years with the beautiful RiverWalk, the Historic Third Ward, the Milwaukee Art Museum, theater, the brand new Fiserv Forum, and many other sites. I love to get in my car drive the hour south, park downtown and just walk. For something quirky, check out a Gothic Milwaukee Ghost Tour.

Check out my post about the Milwaukee Art Museum

Now here’s a list of other things to do in Wisconsin. Some quirky, some iconic.

1. A festival or two in Milwaukee-Other than Summerfest, Milwaukee is the city known for it’s festivals. Bastile Days is my favorite for obvious reasons! A replica of the Eiffel Tower, wine, a chance to practice French (HAHA), and vendors are the perfect combination for us Francophiles.
2. Did you know that Marathon County in Wisconsin is the biggest producer of ginseng in the US? That’s right! Just a drive through the Wausau area and you will see fields that are covered with a fabric. This is ginseng and the cover is used for shade. How about taking a ginseng farm tour?
3. Check out the closest Flea Market. Flea Markets can be fun. I like to go to the one in St. Germain in Vilas County if I am in the north woods. Perfect for vacationers, this Flea Market is held every Monday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Another of my favorites is in Princeton. It’s huge and usually pretty crowded full of vacationers from nearby Green Lake.
4. Do you enjoy the paranormal? Ghosts got your fancy? How about a ghost tour with Gothic Milwaukee?
5. Explore waterfalls in the waterfall capitol of Wisconsin, Marinette County.
6. Spend some time in one (or all) of the many cities that are along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I consider myself very lucky in where I live. I’m only 25 minutes from Sheboygan and Manitowoc, so I have easy access to two of my favorite places along the lakeshore. Spending time along the lake in summer offers a whole list of attractions depending on which city you visit. From Kenosha in the south all the way up to Door County and beyond, it’s the midwest version of the ocean. Plenty of awesome beaches, water sports, and fishing opportunities are aplenty. FUN FACT- Did you know that Sheboygan is the fresh water surfing capitol of the world with the surfing season running mainly in the colder months of the year?
7. Visit Heritage Hill State Park in Green Bay. If you long for a little history, step back in time with a visit to Heritage Hill. Located on 56 acres, there are 24 historical and reproduction buildings on the site.  There’s lots of things going on at “The Hill” in summer. Educational programs for children and adults, the popular Music On The Hill series, and reenactments. Just visiting means you can learn so much about early settlers to the area.

Of course there is so much more to do and see in Wisconsin in summer. I hope you will follow along with me as I share my Wisconsin travel experiences this summer! I’m proud to be a Wisconsinite and hope that you will come visit us and see what we’re all about!

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Go explore! The world is waiting!

Lori