Wisconsin has some driving routes that are absolutely gorgeous. There are roads that will take you deep into cheese country, past red dairy barns and herds of Holstein cattle. Other drives will take you into vast wild forests and over timeless covered bridges. But for sheer beauty and dramatic sweeping views, it’s hard to beat the drives in eastern Wisconsin along the Lake Michigan shorelines. One driving route along the lakeshore is one of the best road trips you can take in America. Just look for signs marking Highway 42. Gas up your car – here’s what’s waiting for you ahead on this scenic road trip in Wisconsin.

While many Wisconsin drivers might think of Highway 42 as the pathway into the beautiful Door County, this gorgeous route is a little further south, right along the Lake Michigan shoreline. If you’re heading to Door County from Milwaukee or Chicago, you can take this route north – it will take a little longer but it’s worth it!
Google / Tug Ludington
This stretch of Highway 42 passes through four Wisconsin lakefront cities – it will take you through Manitowoc, Two Rivers, Kewaunee, and Algoma. The highway parallels the lake. In some places it’s right next to the lakeshore and you’re never more than a short side trip away from a beach or lake vista.
Google / Rogers Street Fishing Village
Along Highway 42 you’ll pass a wonderful mix of natural and manmade attractions. For example, you’ll pass five lighthouses on the drive, including Manitowoc’s North Breakwater Light. It’s a great place to stretch your legs or take a photo.
Google / Dan Williams

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There are some interesting museums along the route, including the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. It’s home to an actual World War II submarine, similar to the ones that were built here to support the war effort.
Google / Wisconsin Maritime Museum
If you love a great beach, Highway 42 will help you find one. In Two Rivers, Neshotah Beach is 50 acres of sand that feels like heaven on a warm summer day.
Google / Neshota Poark
While this is a driving trip, you’ll want to spend some time on foot – the highway will take you near some iconic hiking spots. The beautiful Mariners Trail is a paved path that runs between Manitowoc and Two Rivers. It’s just steps from the highway!
Google / Attila Komjathy

Wisconsin Highway 42 is a state highway that travels through a big stretch of eastern Wisconsin – it runs a total of 138 miles, so if you want to extend your trip you can drive all the way to Northport in Door County. Learn more about the route in this Wisconsin Department of Tourism-sponsored website. Once you’ve taken in the beauty of Highway 42, here are some more scenic Wisconsin drives that you’ll want to take.

Looking for packing inspo? Check out our Road Trip Essentials Packing List before you hit the road!

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The Best Attractions in Wisconsin

William Suphan | December 05, 2022

What are the most bizarre roadside attractions in Wisconsin?

These are the most bizarre roadside attractions in Wisconsin:

  • World’s Largest Grandfather Clock. Located in Kewaunee, this clock is 38 feet tall and can be found next to the Ahnapee State Trail.
  • World’s Largest Soup Kettle. This kettle is seven feet across and three feet deep and represents a local tradition from the 1920s when locals gathered for communal soup.
  • World’s Largest Six Pack. Filled with 688,200 gallons of beer, these massive cans sit outside City Brewery in La Crosse.
  • World’s Largest Badger. This badger in Birnamwood was the mascot of the Badger County gas station during the 1970s and 1980s. 

Learn more about these and several more of the most bizarre roadside attractions in Wisconsin. 

What are some hidden gem attractions in Wisconsin?

These are some hidden gem attractions in Wisconsin:

  • The House on the Rock. Located in Spring Green, this is a house filled with strange attractions with several themed rooms.
  • Grandad Bluff. This overlook in La Crosse affords beautiful views of the pretty neighborhoods below.
  • Pewt’s Nest Gorge. This natural area in Baraboo is a 30 to 40-foot gorge with lovely waterfalls and rock formations.
  • Duck Inn Supper Club. This Delavan restaurant was once a speakeasy during Prohibition and now serves delicious steak and seafood.

Find out more about these and other hidden gem attractions in Wisconsin. 

What are the most beautiful natural attractions in Wisconsin?

The most beautiful natural attractions in Wisconsin include:

  • Amnicon Falls State Park. Located in South Range, the lava formations were formed about a billion years ago.
  • Castle Mound. This rock formation in the Black River Forest looms 180 feet tall over the surrounding lush woods.
  • Nell Lake. This Winchester lake is known for having some of the most intensely blue waters in Wisconsin.
  • Timms Hill. This is the highest point of elevation in Wisconsin at 1,951 feet and has stunning views of the forests in Ogema.

Discover more of the most beautiful natural attractions in Wisconsin. 

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Wisconsin 42, WI-42, Two Rivers, WI, USA