The Best Sight In The World Is Actually A Road Sign That Says Welcome To Wisconsin
While some say that you can’t go home, when you see that big sign by the border, you might think otherwise. For generations, Wisconsin has greeted visitors with 23 large wooden signs that say, “Wisconsin Welcomes You.” The rustic signs are made from wood, with a log frame holding a large cutout of the state. The frame also highlights the state’s economic strengths: recreation, industry, and agriculture. But for many of us, they are just a symbol that we are finally back where we belong.
The signs are a product of Wisconsin. The 11-foot-wide signs are made by Madison’s Brunsell Lumber and Millwork, a company that’s been around since 1938.
When you arrive from the south and enter Beloit, the sign will remind you that you’ve finally left the tollway. Wisconsin has long resisted calls to install tolls on the highways. While some complain about the state’s taxes, you can drive in Wisconsin unencumbered by any toll plaza.
If you arrive from the west and crossing the border from Minnesota, you’ll be leaving the “Land of 10,000 Lakes.” Here’s a little secret: Wisconsin has a lot more than that. Try 15,000 lakes! Wisconsin is a state where you’re never far from water and the chance to go fishing, swimming, or boating.
In far northern Wisconsin, the sign will welcome you as you enter Superior. This is one of the most beautiful areas of the state – it’s the gateway to Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, and endless wild forests.
In Marinette, a welcome sign will remind you that you’ve left Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You won’t have to go far from the sign to find something beautiful. Marinette County is home to 15 gorgeous waterfalls!
Thousands of visitors travel to Wisconsin from Chicago each year, passing the Kenosha sign. The visitors bring a lot of tourism dollars into the state, and give locals plenty of fodder for “Illinois driver” jokes.
Many of Wisconsin’s welcome signs are located near travel plazas – see locations and amenities for all the state rest stops on the DOT’s website. If you need some inspiration for an iconic Wisconsin road trip, here’s a fun route that will take you on the cheese trail!
Address: Wisconsin, USA
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