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The Best Weekend Getaways in Wisconsin

The Apostle Islands are located in Lake Superior and offer many outdoor adventures
The Apostle Islands are located in Lake Superior and offer many outdoor adventures | © Zoonar GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway in Wisconsin, look no further. Culture Trip has assembled a list of the most charming, entertaining and beautiful weekends away in the state. Whether you’re after peaceful nature or a buzzing cultural scene, Wisconsin can and will deliver. All you need to do is pack your suitcase.

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Cedarburg

The town of Cedarburg is filled with history and charm, the perfect combination for a relaxing weekend. With many small inns to stay in, you’ll have a hard time picking your favorite, and there are also many boutiques and restaurants to enjoy. Nearby, there are ample trails to hike through the beautiful woodland, as well as a winery and a brewing company if you want a drink or two. You can also learn about the history and culture of the area.

Milwaukee

This entry almost doesn’t need an explanation. Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s cultural hub, home to much of its infrastructure, and has many shops, museums, restaurants, bars and hotels. Additionally, it has many nature hikes and beaches that everyone will love. Here, you can do everything from enjoying an evening at the Milwaukee Theatre and visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum to watching the sunset at a lakeside beach. Milwaukee combines the buzz of city living with the peaceful hum of nature.

Apostle Islands

An excellent destination for an adventure, the Apostle Islands is a collection of 21 islands in Lake Superior and is one of Wisconsin’s most beloved spots to kick back, relax and enjoy the state’s wide-open skies. Adventuring comes easy here, with any water sport you can think of, including kayaking and scuba diving. Birdwatching and exploring the many historical lighthouses are also popular pastimes.

Door County

Known as the Cape Cod of the Midwest and home to multiple state parks, Door County is a great place to visit for a relaxing weekend getaway. Exceptionally beautiful in the fall, this county offers great fishing, hunting and hiking opportunities – and time to rest, of course. Its beaches on the peninsula are some of the most beautiful in the state, so water sports, swimming and suntanning are all on the menu. You have to see the beauty to believe it.

Madison

One of the most vibrant places in the state, Madison is an ideal weekend getaway option for a gentle city vacation. With a zoo, a contemporary art museum, plenty of murals, unique architecture and excellent coffee shops, it’s a guaranteed good time. Like the rest of the state, there are many outdoor activities in the city to enjoy, including cycling, hiking and swimming. It’s also among the friendliest cities in the US, so you might just go home with a new friend or two.

Amnicon Falls State Park

If you’ve ever wanted to swim in a waterfall, look no further than Amnicon Falls State Park for a weekend getaway. Here, there are multiple waterfalls to bathe in, all fed by crystal-clear water. Pull yourself onto a rock and pretend to be a mermaid. With plenty of trails to walk, this is a great trip for those who love to be active. Even in winter, the snow-covered paths and bridges make for an exceptionally photogenic experience. Just make sure to bring a flask of hot chocolate so that you stay warm.

About the author

Alice is always planning her next meal. She studied English at the University of Bristol before getting her Master’s in newspaper journalism from City University London. She worked on Femail at Mail Online for 18 months writing about lifestyle and food and has also worked at Metro.co.uk, The Guardian, Mumsnet and The Sun. After starting at Culture Trip as a Social Content Producer writing travel and lifestyle stories, she was promoted to the role of Food Editor and now specialises in culinary culture, trends and social issues around food. When she’s not writing, eating or travelling, she can be found cooking overly elaborate dinners, reading cookbooks in bed or playing with her cat, Orlando. Her favourite foods include fishfinger sandwiches, burnt caramel panna cotta, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and oysters.

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