Summer is always that season that seems to go the quickest, but even when it seems the days fly by, there’s always plenty of time for you to plan and head out on a fun adventure. Sure, you can take your family to the same old places everyone else is heading to. Or, you can dig a little deeper and visit some of these awesome hidden gems in Wisconsin for a perfect summer day! Here are some of the best summer day trips in Wisconsin to take before it gets cold again:

1. Check out that other awesome Madison Lake.
Flickr/humbletree
You know about Monona and Mendota, but have you visited Lake Wingra? There's so much to see and do at this lake on Madison's west side. It abuts the UW Arboretum and is a totally underappreciated gem in Wisconsin
2. Visit one of the most unique beaches in the world.
TripAdviros/Kim0000000
Washington Island is at the very tip of Door County and on that island is a beach made entirely of smooth pebbles. The water is crystal clear and it's a gorgeous, remote spot. The rocks were deposited by glaciers millions of years ago and it's a crime to remove them from the beach.
3. Wander through a sunflower field that has special meaning.
Flickr/Jereme Rauckman
Near Eau Claire there are miles and miles of sunflowers planted along Highway 85 that are a lasting homage to the planter's wife, who passed away. The brilliant flowers were her favorite, and her husband wanted to do her memory proud. This is easily one of the most amazing places to see sunflowers in Wisconsin.
4. Discover one of Wisconsin's hidden water parks.
Travel Wisconsin
Did you know there is a public water park right on the Fond du Lac Fairgrounds? The water park is open seasonally.
5. Take advantage of Siskiwit Falls natural waterslide.
Siskiwit River, Bell, WI, USA
Great Lakes Paddleboards/YouTube
Way up north, just outside of Cornucopia, the Siskiwit River is shallow as it slips over smooth layers of rock, making for the perfect natural waterslide.
6. Take your family to Beaver Creek Nature Reserve.
Facebook/Beaver Creek Reserve
Beaver Creek Reserve has 400 acres with nearly nine miles of hiking trails. Bordered by the Eau Claire River and with two small streams running through, there's so much to see, do and learn. When you need a break from the sun, head into the Nature Center or Observatory.
7. Make a pit stop at Lewis Station Winery.
Facebook/Lewis Station Winery & Kitchen: Wisconsin’s First Certified Craft Winery
Just outside of Madison in quaint Lake Mills, Lewis Station Winery is housed in an old gas station. The wines are flavorful and unique and the chef is a hidden gem. Plan to go for one of their tapas nights - you won't be disappointed.

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8. Discover the billion-year-old history of Amnicon Falls.
Nick Olejniczak/Flickr
This park sits on a fault line and more than a billion years ago, earthquakes shaped a lot of what you see today. Then there were volcanos and ancient lava. You can literally see a billion years of geology built up in the layers here. When it comes to waterfalls in Wisconsin, it seldom gets cooler than this.
9. Visit Wisconsin's Newest State Park.
Straight Lake State Park, Luck, WI 54853, USA
Facebook/Ice Age Trail Alliance - Indianhead Chapter
Straight Lake State Park is adjacent to a state natural area, meaning there are nearly 4,000 acres of pristine land just waiting to be explored. It is open to foot traffic only. Boats are allowed on the many lakes and ponds, but only the boats that you can carry in yourself.
10. Sample some of the University of Wisconsin's Babcock Dairy Ice Cream.
Babcock Dairy Store, Babcock Hall, 1605 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Facebook/Babcock Dairy Store
The university has actually had their own dairy since the 1800s, but the Babcock Hall Dairy Store dates back to 1951. Not only do you get some amazing, fresh ice cream made from milk provided by cows right there on campus, but you're helping support students who do everything from milking to ice cream scooping.
11. Check out some of Wisconsin's whitest sand at Point Beach State Park.
Point Beach State Forest, 9400 County Rd O, Two Rivers, WI 54241, USA
TripAdvisor/Anthony M
Just north of Two Rivers, this state park has six miles of shoreline, is surrounded by a beautiful forest and has its own lighthouse. It's a perfect place for a day trip on a hot summer day. Point Beach State Park is one of the best state parks in Wisconsin; discover why!
12. Discover the charm of tiny Princeton, WI.
Princeton, WI 54968, USA
Facebook/Princeton WI Chamber of Commerce
Home to the state's largest flea market, this small town has so much more to offer. If you drew a triangle connecting Madison, Stevens Point, and Oshkosh, the middle would be where you'd find Princeton. Set on the Fox River and surrounded by lakes and marshes, this small town is charming and adorable. It's the perfect place for a summer day trip.
13. Camp at Wyalusing State Park for some of the best views in the state.
State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
Flickr/Mike Willis
Set up on a bluff above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, this park offers sweeping panoramic views of not only the water, but the bluffs and surrounding countryside. It's not unusual to see bald eagles. Made sure to take time down at sea level to marvel back at the bluffs behind you. Camping at Wyalusing State Park is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can do over and over!
14. Take a Door County Wine Trolley Tour.
Door County Trolley, 8030 WI-42, Egg Harbor, WI 54209, USA
Door County Trolley, Inc. / Facebook
Visit four different vineyards, meet the winemakers, sample the goods and have a nifty little designated transport along the way. Door County Wine Trolley makes for one heck of a wonderful day trip in Wisconsin!

Looking for even more Wisconsin trips? What would you add to a list of the best day trips in Wisconsin? Check out the best day trips in Wisconsin. Or, if you decide to take your time and make a road trip out of these adventures, don’t forget to use our ultimate road trip packing list so you don’t forget a thing!

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Best Day Trips in Wisconsin

Tori Jane | July 18, 2022

What are some fun, unique things to do around Wisconsin?  

Let’s be real here: people do not give Wisconsin enough credit. People accuse us of living in “flyover” country, or of being boring, but this is simply not the case. Sure, it might be if you never leave the house – but what fun is that? Some of our favorite, ultra-unique things to do in Wisconsin include:

  • Indoor adventures like our museums, Landeau Field, and of course tours of our world-famous breweries.
  • For those who prefer the great outdoors, never fear: there’s plenty for you, too! There are at least 66 state parks and recreation areas at the time of this writing, and the vast majority of them are can’t-miss delights.
  • Devil’s Lake State Park is one of those amazing destinations in Wisconsin.
  • We’re also major fans of visiting the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area.  

 

What kind of nice day trips near me are there to do?  

Well, any of those 66 state parks in Wisconsin make for an excellent start!

  • Spend the day in beautiful Door County, which is nestled between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Not only is the shoreline gorgeous: you’ll also learn lots about the area’s history.
  • It’s also nice to escape to almost any small towns in Wisconsin; many of them are charming and quiet, making for the perfect day (or more) away. Some of our favorite small towns to visit in Wisconsin include Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, and LaCrosse.  

 

Where are the best getaway spots near me?  

So where can you run off for an amazing getaway in Wisconsin? Easy: our amazing state parks are full of campsites and cabin rentals if you’re a fan of the outdoors. Enjoy the sounds of birds singing and water running as you kick back beside a river at any one of our amazing parks. There are some small towns in Wisconsin that are perfect for a getaway, like the ones mentioned in the paragraph above, but there are more, too!

  • Run away from responsibilities somewhere like Manitowoc, which is located along Lake Michigan and looks and feels just like the ocean. There’s even a lighthouse!
  • Another excellent getaway spot is Port Washington, which makes for an excellent romantic escape.  

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