The secret is out – Wisconsin is an extraordinary destination. Not only is the state incredibly beautiful, with a wide variety of geography that you don’t typically see in the otherwise flat midwest, but there is a wide variety of things to do in Wisconsin. That is especially true this summer!
Just as there are plenty of great things to do in Wisconsin, there are plenty of great places to stay in Wisconsin. It all starts with a visit to one of our unique Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, located in all the top destinations around the state. We work with the best Innkeepers in the state, each of which provides a comfortable place to call home and which provides exceptional hospitality. You’ll walk into a warm welcome, be treated to a delicious breakfast each morning of your stay, and leave having made new friends.
It’s all part of the experience at our B&B’s, and that’s what we’re rated as the best places to stay in Wisconsin. Book a room at one of our unique Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, and enjoy all the best things to do in Wisconsin with us this summer!
The Best Things to do in Wisconsin This summer
Wisconsin is a strikingly diverse state, and accordingly, there’s a wide variety of things to do in Wisconsin.
Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Wisconsin, broken out by region, so you can easily find the corresponding lodging at one of our unique Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts.
Northwest Wisconsin
Northwest Wisconsin is home to the charming Victorian town of Bayfield, which is widely known as the gateway to the stunning Apostle Islands Lakeshore. This is one of the best destinations in the state for kayaking, boating, and sailing, second only perhaps to the gorgeous Door County in Northeast Wisconsin.
Among visits to the stunning Lakeshore, visits to the charming town of Bayfield are one of the best things to do in Wisconsin. Bayfield is also home to the Big Top Chautauqua, Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island, several apple orchards popular in the fall, and great Wisconsin wineries like Pikes Creek Winery or White Winter Winery.
This area of Wisconsin is also home to stunning natural attractions, like the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the St. Croix National Scenic Waterway. Popular attractions include Willow River State Park in Hudson, spectacular cruises on the St. Croix River, and relaxing days in this gorgeous paradise. It’s a stunning part of the state for hiking, biking, birdwatching, and more, with towering bluffs, lush Northwood forests, and lovely waterways. It’s no wonder visiting here is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin.
Northeast Wisconsin
Visiting Door County in Northeast Wisconsin is arguably one of the top-rated things to do in Wisconsin – and that is especially true when Wisconsin fall colors come to town. Northeast Wisconsin is home to the popular cities of Green Bay and Sturgeon Bay, where you’ll find one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts.
Northeast Wisconsin is unsurpassed for outdoor sports like hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling, thanks to the miles of untouched forests, lakes, rivers, and impressive shorelines on Lake Michigan. It doesn’t matter what season you visit – there’s always something fun worth seeing and doing up here!
Here, you’ll again find some of the most popular things to do in Wisconsin, including visiting the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame at Lambeau Field, chasing waterfalls across Marinette County, joining in one of the many fishing competitions in the Northwoods, picking your way through numerous apple and cherry orchards, and visiting the five Wisconsin State Parks on the Door Peninsula, including Peninsula State Park.
Central Wisconsin
Central Wisconsin is river country, and it’s perfect for those who want a bit of diversity in their getaway. Though many simply drive through the area on their way north, you’d be well-served to spend some time here. Central Wisconsin is home to some of the lesser-known hidden gems of the state, like the outdoor and art-loving town of Wausau.
Wausau has several major attractions, like Wausau Whitewater Park and Rib Mountain State Park, home to the popular Granite Peak Ski Area. It’s also home to two major art museums, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, which showcases the popular Birds in Art Exhibit each fall, and the Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s a hip and trendy downtown that rivals Madison and LaCrosse – and is a place to add to your list of things to do in Wisconsin.
Central Wisconsin is also home to the popular Chain O’Lakes area near Waupaca. The crystal clear waters of this popular network of lakes are a siren call for boaters every summer. From swimming on sandbars to enjoying a leisurely pontoon ride under the hot summer sun, there’s plenty to love about this central part of Wisconsin.
East Central Wisconsin
East Central Wisconsin is for you if you want a blend of charming cities to explore and Wisconsin’s natural beauty. Visiting here is one of the most popular things to do in Wisconsin, thanks to towns like Two Rivers, Sheboygan, and Appleton.
Two Rivers is a historic fishing port that offers just the right blend of scenic Lake Michigan Beaches, plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking, and a charming lakeside town with great restaurants, shopping, and more. Just south of Two Rivers, you’ll find the famous car ferry that transports people back and forth from Manitowoc to Ludington, Michigan. In Sheboygan, enjoy lovely afternoons on the lake at the beautiful Kohler-Andrae State Park.
When you want to do some shopping, Appleton, just north of Lake Winnebago, is for you. Appleton also overlooks the Fox River, providing several kayaking and boating opportunities. It’s just one of the many cities along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago, nicknamed the Fox Cities. Apart from enjoying the lakes and waterways, there are several fantastic museums, restaurants, and more worth visiting. This diverse collection of attractions makes seeing this part of the state one of the top things to do in Wisconsin.
Southwest Wisconsin
Southwest Wisconsin, also called the Driftless Region of Wisconsin, is spectacularly beautiful. Visiting here is, without a doubt, one of our favorite things to do in Wisconsin, and it has everything to do with the rolling hills, rugged bluffs, and pristine rivers and lakes you’ll find here. Southwest Wisconsin is bordered on the west by the Mississippi River and features popular cities like LaCrosse, Sparta, and Westby.
Some of the most popular things to do in Wisconsin are found here, including biking the Elroy-Sparta Trail, visiting the Amish Farms near Westby, visiting popular state parks like Governor Dodge State Park and Wildcat Mountain State Park, and floating or canoeing down the lower Wisconsin River. You can find adventure around just about every corner in this scenic part of the state, so visiting here is one of our favorite things to do in Wisconsin.
South Central Wisconsin
Visting South Central Wisconsin, home to the Capital City of Madison, is one of the most popular things to do in Wisconsin. There are several things to do in Madison alone, not to mention the other small towns in the area like Baraboo, the Wisconsin Dells, and Spring Green.
Here, you’ll find even more of the top-rated things to do in Wisconsin, including Devils Lake State Park, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, the American Player’s Theater, House on the Rock, The Wisconsin Dells, and even more scenic trips on the lower Wisconsin River, Horicon Marsh, and so much more. This part of the state truly is an outdoor lover’s paradise, and we’d love to share every popular and hidden gem with you.
We haven’t even talked about all the great things to do in Madison yet, either. Visiting this charming college town, situated on Lakes Mendota and Monona, is one of the most popular things to do in Wisconsin, and for a good reason. Not only is it one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, but it’s a great city for foodies, beer lovers, and art lovers, who will revel in the Chazen Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and local art galleries.
Southeast Wisconsin
Finally, if you don’t already have enough ideas for the best things to do in Wisconsin, it’s time to visit the fabulous Southeastern corner of the state, where you’ll find the historic and beautiful city of Milwaukee. Milwaukee is home to some of the best Wisconsin breweries, popular museums like the #1-rated Harley Davidson Museum, and much more. Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s leading destination for the arts, showcased in various live theater and musical productions, ethnic festivals, and Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival.
But Milwaukee isn’t the only great city worth visiting in this part of Wisconsin. You’ll also find charming small towns to see here, like Eagle. There, you’ll find Old World Wisconsin, a living museum dedicated to telling the story of Wisconsin’s Pioneers. In nearby Whitewater, historic lovers and those intrigued by the unique will love hearing the town’s history, filled with stories of witches and strange occurrences.
Small town charms abound in towns like Watertown and West Bend, and nearby, outdoor enthusiasts will rejoice in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. You’ll find both the northern and southern units of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in this part of the state, which combined offer more than 350 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Why We Offer the Best Places to Stay in Wisconsin
You will need a place to stay with so many great things to do in Wisconsin. Luckily, we have a network of great Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts, which will provide a welcoming home away from home with the best hospitality you’ll ever experience. There are plenty of things that make our unique collection of Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts stand out above traditional hotels and Airbnb properties, including the following:
- Our Inns offer various accommodations, including working farms, urban homes, historic estates, lakeside retreats, and cozy cabins.
- Our Innkeepers are the original foodies and love treating their guests to delicious breakfasts – breakfast is always included in your stay!
- Breakfast is one of the many value-added amenities you’ll enjoy during your stay. Most Inns offer plenty of other touches, like free wifi, robes, welcome glasses of wine, various treats throughout your stay, and so much more.
- You’ll be staying with a true local and will have access to their personalized attention and suggestions.
If like us, you value unique accommodations and exceptional hospitality, then there’s no reason to look further for your accommodations. You won’t find anything better than our collection of Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts. It’s time to start planning how to tackle this great list of things to do in Wisconsin. Once you do, book your room at one of our Wisconsin Bed and Breakfasts!
