Discover Wisconsin: Scenic Byways, Nature and Culture

The interplay of rivers, coastline, forests and culture shapes Wisconsin as a travel destination. This is especially evident on the Scenic Byways: Some follow a major river, while others offer views of one of the Great Lakes or pass through the Driftless Region. There are also hiking trails at different scales and museums that focus on architecture, aviation, motorcycles and circus history. When planning your hotel stay, you can first decide whether your trip will be centered more on a driving route, nature experiences, culture or a mix of these.

Scenic Byways with Distinctive Characters

The Wisconsin Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi for 250 miles and passes through more than 30 Wisconsin river towns. The Door County Coastal National Scenic Byway has a different character: The 70-mile route can be explored by car, motorcycle or road bike. It offers panoramic views of Lake Michigan, historic lighthouses, artisan wineries and Peninsula State Park. This puts a long route along the Mississippi alongside a shorter route that can be traveled using several specified modes of transportation.

The other routes also differ considerably in length and landscape. The Lower Wisconsin River Scenic Byway runs for 100 miles through the cliffs, valleys and streams of the Driftless Region. The Lake Superior National Scenic Byway is a 70-mile road with access to sandy beaches, cliffside hiking trails, the Apostle Islands and museums. Farther north, the 145-mile Nicolet-Wolf River Scenic Byway runs through Wisconsin; along the route, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers opportunities for hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. These examples combine different landscapes with routes of varying lengths, without forming a single unified itinerary.

Explore Trails and Landscapes

The Wisconsin State Park System offers more than 2,700 miles of hiking trails. In addition, Wisconsin has 44 public State Trails with more than 1,700 miles of land-based trails, as well as the Lake Michigan State Water Trail. The Ice Age Trail is a National Scenic Trail located entirely within Wisconsin. Stretching for more than 1,000 miles, it follows the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin. Primarily intended for hiking and backpacking, it runs away from paved roads, clearly setting it apart from the road routes of the Scenic Byways.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has more than 50 miles of maintained trails. One specific example is the six-mile Lakeshore Trail: It runs along red sandstone cliffs and through forests above Lake Superior to a reservable wilderness campsite. Visitors who prefer to explore trails by following a particular route rather than considering the entire trail network will find a clearly described trail here, complete with scenery and a destination.

Architecture, Museums and History

Taliesin was Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, studio and school on an 800-acre estate in Wisconsin. The building covers 37,000 square feet and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. The combination of these functions makes Taliesin a distinctive cultural attraction: Architecture stands alongside the site’s working and educational functions.

The Harley-Davidson Museum is the world’s only H-D museum and is located in the city where the company began. Across two floors, it presents more than 120 years of motorcycle history—with motorcycles, rare memorabilia, interactive exhibits and immersive storytelling. One-hour tours are led by specially trained museum guides. The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay offers a different kind of collection: It has more than 70 historic rail vehicles for visitors to explore on self-guided walks or guided group tours.

Circus World covers 64 acres and includes the world’s largest collection of restored historic circus wagons. Seven buildings there also have National Historic Landmark status. In Oshkosh, the EAA Aviation Museum focuses on aviation and has more than 200 historic aircraft. Its KidVenture Gallery offers 16 hands-on interactive stations. During the summer season, visitors can see historic aircraft in flight up close from Pioneer Airport. Plan for these seasonal flight experiences and check the dates before your trip.

Lighthouse history also has specific dates: Sand Island Light was built in 1881 and was the first lighthouse in the group to be automated, in 1921. Details like these add another aspect of Wisconsin’s past to the museums and collections.

Culinary Experiences

In Wisconsin, food is also connected with local activities. These include classes with a master cheesemaker, tours of cranberry bogs and hands-on harvesting experiences. Visitors can tour farms, sample fresh locally made food and visit shops featuring aged cheese. The supper club experience offers a different atmosphere, with a subdued setting, a friendly environment, homemade menus and Old Fashioneds.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Rock, Dane, Milwaukee, Columbia, Monroe, Brown, Marathon, Walworth, Ozaukee, Eau Claire, Waukesha, Winnebago, Taylor, Washington, La Crosse, Outagamie, Dunn County, Shawano County, Portage County, Waushara County, Sauk County, Fond Du Lac County, Racine County, Kenosha County, St. Croix County, Marinette County, Langlade, Oneida County, Chippewa County, Jefferson County, Vilas County, Sheboygan County, Crawford County, Barron County, Sawyer County, Jackson County, Rusk County, Lincoln County, Bayfield County, Grant County, Manitowoc County, Door County, Dodge County, Clark County, Waupaca County, Lafayette County, Iowa County, Calumet County, Oconto County, Wood County, Vernon County, Iron County, Polk, Burnett, Pierce, Juneau County, Douglas County, Trempealeau County, Ashland County, Kewaunee County, Green County, Washburn County, Richland County, Price County, Marquette County, Crandon.

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