12 Things That Will Always Make Wisconsin Natives Think of Home

I'm not sure what it says about us that much of what makes us think of home is food, but it's hard to imagine life in Wisconsin without some of these staples. Missing Wisconsin is all about nostalgia and memories—it's those certain smells, sounds, or tastes that take you back to your childhood or a specific place and time.

We don't always have a choice when we leave the Dairy State, but no matter where we are, Wisconsin will always be home. From our small towns to our delicious beer and bratwursts, here are 12 things that never fail to bring us back.

1. Fish Fry

Every spring, while people on the East Coast are boiling lobsters and those in the South are boiling crawfish, Wisconsinites are frying our fish. Nothing rings in the warmer weather quite like a Friday Fish Fry. But sometimes, we like to do them in winter, too. No matter the season, fried fish is iconic in Wisconsin and will remind us of home.

2. Festivals

No one celebrates their few months of warmth quite like we do. From Summerfest and the weekly ethnic festivals on Milwaukee's lakefront to Bayfield AppleFest and literally everywhere in between, no one throws a festival quite like Wisconsin. We all have our favorites, and being out of state on those weekends makes missing Wisconsin especially poignant.

3. The Smell of Beer

Okay, this one isn't quite as prominent anymore, but there used to be a permeating smell of yeast across the Miller Valley in Milwaukee. Near every big brewery, we catch a whiff of the grains and fermentation, and it smells like home. And drinking a can of Miller will always send us right back to our days in the Dairy State.

4. The Lakes

Here in Wisconsin, we live life on the water. Whether we're enjoying time near Lake Michigan or our favorite small lake up north, we're bound to miss all that open water if we move to drier states. Some of our favorite Wisconsin beaches include Racine North Beach, Kohler-Andrae State Park, and Simmons Island Beach.

5. Wisconsin-Made Products

It turns out that many things we see and use every day are made right here in Wisconsin. We can find bits of Wisconsin wherever we roam, and those connections are priceless. From the grates in the sidewalk to cast iron bathtubs and malted milk, there are so many things that were invented in the Dairy State.

6. Tailgating

When it comes to our sports games, we're packing up our grills, beers, and snacks to go tailgating outside the stadium. We know we're no longer in Wisconsin if we're outside the gates and no one's by their cars partying. While a few college teams have a tailgating culture, our desire to stand around and socialize is truly a Milwaukee Brewers thing.

7. Fireflies

Wisconsites who've moved away report a fondness for those evening flashers. Our waterfront creates a humid environment, which means mosquitoes are abundant, but so are glorious fireflies that light up the night. Other states might not put up with the mosquitoes the way we do—all in the name of firefly chasing.

8. Cream Puffs

Most Wisconsin natives miss two things about cream puffs: the actual pastry itself and how it represents summertime in our state. Early August means sun, fun, games, and, yes, cream puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair. Sure, other states have their own version of this delicately fried pastry with fluffy cream and powdered sugar, but no one does it like the Dairy State.

9. Polka

Ever gone to a wedding that doesn't even play the Chicken Dance? It's a jarring experience. From small bands at bars and beer gardens to rolling out the Barrel during the seventh inning stretch, Polka is a pretty big part of the background noise to life in Wisconsin. We never quite realize how much we love and appreciate it until it's gone.

10. Cheese Curds

Most people in the Midwest have discovered Wisconsin's ultimate treasure: cheese curds. We consider ourselves lucky to have access to these tiny, delicious morsels of fried cheese whenever we'd like. Of course, you can find the Wisconsin treat at national chains like Culver's, for example, but nothing's quite like getting them fresh from your local diner or at the fair. We miss them dearly.

11. Heading Up North

Most Wisconsinites have said before that going "up north" is a state of mind. Folks who've had to leave Wisconsin say they miss not only what "up north" represents, but also just the ability to travel a few hours by car and be in a totally different environment, physically and mentally. The ability to head to a cabin for a day or two to relax and unwind is something we really miss when we're gone.

12. Brats

Usinger's bratwursts are a staple around here, either plain, wrapped in a fluffy bun, or topped with tangy sauerkraut. We can find juicy brats pretty much anywhere in the U.S., but when it comes to our favorites, they're not always easy to procure. Between the smell of them grilling, the snap when you take a bite, and the unique taste, Usinger's bratwursts will always remind us of home.

This is just a short list—there are plenty of sensory memories that evoke nostalgia for Wisconsin. What are yours? Relive them all with a homecoming trip to the Dairy State, using Only In Your State's itinerary planner to guide your days.