10 Wisconsin Summer Vacation Destinations Away from the Crowd

1. Baraboo Fun for the whole family! Learn about the fifteen species of cranes at the International Crane Foundation and the history of trains at Mid-Continent Railway Museum. Ride an elephant and feed camels at Circus World. Let your imaginations run wild at Dr. Evermor's Art Park, located south of Baraboo across from the Badger Ordnance Plant. Back in Baraboo, refuel after climbing the bluffs at Devil's Lake State Park by indulging in a gourmet burrito topped with cumin sauce at the Little Village Cafe. 2. Cassville/Prairie du Chien The Mississippi River and two state parks (Nelson Dewey and Wyalusing) offer a wide variety of recreational choices, including boating, hiking, and eagle watching. Visit the Stonefield and Villa Louis State Historic Sites to learn about early European settlers to Wisconsin. Other points of interest: Kickapoo Indian Caverns, St. John Mine, the Cassville Ferry, and Fort Crawford Museum. 3. Cedarburg/Port Washington For shoppers and antique collectors, historic downtown Cedarburg offers many opportunities to indulge. For the family, there's Cedar Creek Settlement, Pioneer Village, and the Family Farm. Picnic at Covered Bridge Park, featuring Wisconsin's last remaining historical covered bridge. Nearby Port Washington, located on Lake Michigan, has the charm of a New England fishing village. Visit the Lighthouse Museum and Pier Street. 4. Chippewa Falls Rolling hills in the heart of central Wisconsin provide a beautiful backdrop. Take a tour of Leinenkugel's Brewery or the Cook-Rutledge Museum. For kids, visit the Irvine Park zoo or nearby Fort Bon Secours to see historical reenactments of the French fur trade era. For outdoor enthusiasts, bike on the Old Abe State Bike Trail or hike in Lake Wissota State Park. 5. Dodgeville/Mineral Point/Spring Green In Mineral Point, visit Pendarvis Historic Site to see how the early Cornish lead miners lived. Shop on historic High Street, and stop in at the Red Rooster Cafe for a pastie. Outside of Dodgeville, visit Folklore Village, then spend the rest of the day swimming and hiking at Governor Dodge State Park. Just down the road, visit the one-of-a-kind House on the Rock. Near Spring Green, see Shakespeare performed outdoors at American Player's Theatre and tour Taliesin, the estate and architectural school built by Frank Lloyd Wright. 6. Green Bay Green Bay is home to more than Lambeau Field and the Packer Hall of Fame. Did you know it's the oldest settlement in Wisconsin, founded in 1669? Visit Heritage Hill State Park, site of four historical recreations of early life in Wisconsin, and the Oneida Nation Museum. Bay Beach Amusement Park appeals to children of all ages, and the low price can't be beat