5 Overhyped Wisconsin Places That Look Better Online Than in Real Life

People are often surprised when I tell them about how beautiful Wisconsin is. From the picturesque Door County shorelines to Madison's incredible skyline, there is so much to see and do here. The problem is that social media can sometimes trick us into setting unfair expectations for our adventures. These five locations aren't places I think you shouldn't go to, but they have often become untenable ideas of what these places can be. Please visit them, they're gorgeous, keep reality in mind, and enjoy the moments.

1. Witches Gulch - Wisconsin Dells

Witches Gulch is one of those places that will take you by surprise. If you're lucky, you'll walk through the slot canyon, enamored by brightly colored moss. If you're unlucky or just visiting at a busy time, you'll be walking like salmon in a stream along the walkway. Don't let the photos fool you; unless you time them really well, you're unlikely to get no one else in the shot like the image seen above. You can't visit the gulch on its own because it's on private land. The only way to see it is by taking a specific boat tour.

2. Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo

Devil's Lake is one of Wisconsin's most beloved state parks. It is also heavily crowded. You could visit the less frequented parts of the park, like the Uplands Trail, but the Devil's Doorway is one of the most iconic parts of the park—which is why it's always so gosh darn crowded. There are plenty of incredible vistas throughout Devil's Lake. Just know that you may be there with lots of other tourists trying to get the exact same picture.

3. Cave of the Mounds - Blue Mounds

To be fair to Cave of the Mounds, there are a lot of areas in the cave where people can't walk. So picture-perfect scenes like the one above aren't impossible to see. Yet, the trouble with museum-style cave tours is that there are often a lot of other people in some smallish walkways. That makes locations like this less fun for anyone chasing that picture-perfect moment.

4. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore - Bayfield

Two words: sea caves. The sea caves are among the most photographed features of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. That almost means that lots of other folks are often there kayaking or canoeing through them or around them. If you try to visit during the bustling tourist season, don't expect to see empty views all around you—despite what you may see online.

5. Memorial Union Terrace - Madison

I can hear the ire of fellow Madisonians or former Madisonians like myself over this one, but hear me out. Memorial Union Terrace along Lake Mendota's shoreline is a blast. Sitting out in the colorful terrace chairs in the warm summer sun or mulling over life, walking along the water as the autumn chill bites the air, is heavenly. Even so, unless the photos online show an overcrowded spot during the warm months, folks might not know what they're walking into. Don't expect to find a lot of empty tables or chairs, no matter what the dreamy photoscapes might tell you. Prepare to sit on the concrete with that beer if you show up on a weekend in the summer. It's not that bad, though, I promise.

Want to see for yourself if these spots are overhyped or maybe find a few of your own? Be sure to use the Only In Your State Online Travel Planner to get you started!