Great Family Vacations in Wisconsin If You’re on a Budget

Wisconsin Family Vacation
Wisconsin Family Vacation | © Gideon Tsang / Flickr
Jacklyn Grambush

The state of Wisconsin is a wonder to explore, whether alone or with some company. Also, the state is ranked #15 in the U.S. when it comes to affordability, making the opportunity to travel around the area that much more doable. So for those heading out on the road with family in the Badger State, here are some ideas on how to keep everyone entertained without a blow to the wallet.

Southern Wisconsin

Ice Age Trail camping: starting at $12 per night

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Destinations Unlocked:

Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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One of 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S., the Ice Age Trail is a 1,000-plus-mile (1,609-plus-kilometer) footpath entirely in the state of Wisconsin. Stretching from Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls to Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay, the trail follows what was carved out over 12,000 years ago by a continental glacier. Camping is available starting at $12 per night, and the trail is excellent for both hiking and snowshoeing. For those interested only in day hikes, check out the Ice Age Trail Alliance website for recommendations.

Ice Age Trail

Camp outside Racine: starting at $28 per night
Racine is a great opportunity to experience the best of both worlds. You can camp just 15–20 minutes away in Sanders or Cliffside Parks for $28 per night, and enjoy Wisconsin’s fifth-largest city by population during the day. Racine offers wonderful beaches along the coast of Lake Michigan. Near North Beach is Kids’ Cove, an excellent playground to enjoy. You can also check out the Racine Zoo, Racine Art Museum, or head to Pier29 Water Sport Rentals!

Camp in the Southern Hills: starting at $24 per night

Nestled between Madison and the Mississippi, the Southern Hills is a rare spot in the state of Wisconsin untainted by continental glaciers. Wisconsin Riverside Resort offers nightly tent camping prices starting at $24 and nightly cabin camping prices starting at $85. Lake Joy Campground and Tower Hill State Park both offer camping starting at $25 and $24 per night, respectively. All three of these locations are no more than approximately an hour from some of the top sites in the area, including the Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark, Sugar River State Trail, Orchard Lawn, Cheese Country Trail (open to hikers and ATVs), and the Pendarvis State Historic Site.

Cave of the Mounds

Central Wisconsin

Camp in Door County: starting at $30 per night

The peninsula that is Door County is dotted with campgrounds from tip to tail, most of them starting around $30 per night. It’s no wonder since the county is home to five state parks and 250 miles (402 kilometers) of shoreline. A few particular points of interest include the Door County Maritime Museum and Washington Island (only a ferry ride away). Alternatively, consider living in the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin at Door County’s northernmost tip at Rock Island State Park. In return for providing tours and light maintenance, your week-long stay in the lighthouse is free!

The Wisconsin Dells: starting around $30 per night

Also filled with campgrounds, the Wisconsin Dells is known—other than for its dells—for its indoor and outdoor water parks. Camping options start around $30 per night. Resorts, such as Baker’s Sunset Bay Resort, often offer accommodation and water park packages. For example, their Have Gas, Will Travel package includes a $50 gas card, a $50 gift certificate to Bobber’s Restaurant, four tickets to Kalahari Indoor Waterpark (between $34 and $45 value each), four tickets to Kalahari Outdoor Themepark (value of $15 for children and $35 for adults), and two nights at the resort. The value of the package sans resort lodging tallies up to between $296 and $420. The rates for the entire package, including the resort lodging, start at $388.

Wisconsin Dells

Explore Green Bay: starting at $32 per night

Green Bay is a fun city to check out with the National Railroad Museum, Lambeau Field, the Green Bay Botanical Garden, and the Bay Beach Amusement Park, which includes a little over 20 rides with an old-timey feel. Admission and parking are free, and tickets (one or two of which are required per ride) cost 25 cents. Lodging options include camping no more than a half hour from the city at Apple Creek Campground, or you can stay in the city proper at a place such as Bay Motel for $49 to $81 per night depending on the number of guests.

Northern Wisconsin

Camping in Minocqua: starting at $20 per night

As a hot spot for water sports, Minocqua is a family vacation staple. Quite literally on Minocqua Lake, nearby camping is available starting at $20 per night at places such as Patrica Lake Campground. Other than water activities, the area has many trails, such as the Bearskin State Trail, for biking, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing, providing entertainment year-round. A few attractions not to miss are the Wildwood Wildlife Park (where kids can pet and feed some of the animals), the Northwoods Children’s Museum, and Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows.

Minocqua

Camping at Amnicon Falls State Park: starting at $16 per night

This destination is the place to go if you’re looking for a little river fun paired with the relaxing sounds of waterfalls. Amnicon State Park offers camping starting at $16 per night, plus $8 per night, per car. Swimming and fishing are both allowed. Approximately 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) of trails make for good hiking, and a playground will entertain the kids. This picturesque adventure can simultaneously be engaging and soothing, so kick back while the kids splash around.

Camping in Bayfield: starting at $15 per night

The Bayfield area is well known as a vacation spot. Within the technical city limits, the population is less than 500, yet thousands flood the area during the summer. The scenic area is very popular for cycling, and the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior beckon from the shore. Accessible by ferry, kayak, or other water transportation, the archipelago provides hiking trails, lighthouses, and sea caves to explore—not to mention the views!

Apostle Islands
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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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