…Have you ever been to Wisconsin?
I don’t know about you, but I believe there are two types of Americans in our beautiful country. The first category of people is the ones who were born in a certain state and don’t want to go anywhere else. They might try other cities, but they are loyal to their favorite state.
The second category of people are the ones who were born and raised in a specific state, but they are curious to know more and to do more. There are many reasons why people decide to pack their bags and move to a different zone, such as weather, job offers, landscapes, families, and so many other things.
I am one of the people from the second category. I was born in Nevada, but I was always curious to know more and to find my place somewhere in my country.
This is how I ended up living in Wisconsin for a few years. The first city I lived in was Green Bay and I liked it because it gave me the chance to save some money to buy the house of my dreams wherever I wanted.
However, given the fact that there are not that many entertainment places in Green Bay, I was very tempted to visit the neighboring cities and towns and I got to try a lot of great things!
I want to share a bit of my journey with you, so here are 10 cool things I discovered in Wisconsin! I highly recommend you check ’em out!
1. Apostle Island Sea Caves
Where: La Pointe, Wisconsin
If you are a fan of nature and the blue seas, you will absolutely love this location! These 22 small islands are spread around Lake Superior and they represent some of the most stunning sea caves in the whole world. I found them to be even more gorgeous in the wintertime when they turn into impressive temples of ice.
If you are not that big of a fan of Wisconsin’s cold winter months, you can take advantage of the summer and schedule a boat trip to see these beauties. However, you have to be careful, because many of these caves are dangerous to enter.
Other than that, make sure to check out the National Park Service to see if the weather is cold enough for you to embark on a two-mile trip from the sandy beach to these ice temples.
…Don’t forget to snap a picture, because the view is breathtaking!
2. House on the Rock
Where: Spring Green, Wisconsin
One of my favorite locations in this entire state is the House on the Rock in Spring Green! Somewhere in the 1940s, a brave man named Alex Jordan discovered a 60-foot chimney of rock in this stunning state. The idea of building a house came to his mind, so he decided to go for it!
He built the house on a sandstone formation that has the name of Deer Shelter Rock. The purpose of the construction was to serve as the perfect place for a weekend getaway.
Even though he never wanted to turn his house into a tourist attraction, people were curious to see this architectural wonder, so they kept coming and coming.
Seeing that people were crazy about this building that had 14 rooms, he started to ask for a 50-cent donation. And I can say that everything was worth it!
If you decide to visit the House on the Rock, you will be amazed by the complex exhibits, several buildings, and garden displays. An interesting fact about this popular architectural wonder in the state of Wisconsin is the fact that it’s going to take you several hours to complete the whole tour, even if you are a fast-walker.
I am sure that the impressive number of lights, carousel animals, and mannequin angels that are hanging from the ceiling is going to leave you saying “wow” the entire time!
3. Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron
Where: North Freedom, Wisconsin
The next beautiful thing which I was impressed to see in Wisconsin is Dr. Evermor’s Forevertron. This is the biggest iron sculpture in the world and it was created by Tom Every or Dr. Evermor, as he liked to be called.
Even though the only thing you can do is to admire this magnificent sculpture that might look like a mini roller coaster from certain angles, I am 100% positive that the pictures you might be taking will turn out absolutely great!
…Want to know a fun fact? This artwork is made of industrial scrap and it contains a decontamination chamber from one of NASA’s projects:… Appolo!
4. Shaker’s Cigar Bar
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
…If you’ve ever dreamed of smoking a cigar in one of the most beautiful and vintage bars that ever existed, this is your chance!
If you ever go to Milwaukee, make sure to visit Shaker’s Cigar Bar and you will hear all the ghost stories you want while smoking a cigar and drinking a glass of whiskey on the rocks.
It is believed that this bar was once a speakeasy operated by Al Capone, one of America’s most famous gangsters between 1920 and 1930. There are tons of reasons why people, including me, are interested in this bar, such as unresolved crimes, murderers, paranormal activity, prostitution, and so many other things.
…Make sure to book a tour, because the stories and the grounds of the bar will surely create shivers down your spine!
5. Holy Hill
Where: Erin, Wisconsin
Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians from Wisconsin is a Roman Catholic altar devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main attraction of this beautiful place is a small basilica.
If you want to discover this amazing place that is believed to have magic and healing powers, you can find it near Hubertus, in the town of Erin. Every year, roughly 300,000 visitors travel to see the Holy Hill.
According to the pilgrims, there are many miracles that have happened around this place. If you go to the side chapel or in the back of the principal church house, you will see several canes and crutches left by people who claim they have been magically cured of their diseases.
The Holy Hill is part of the National Register of Historic Places and is listed as one of the 85 minor basilicas in our country.
On the other hand, you don’t have to be a religious person to enjoy traveling to this place. If you think of yourself as an adventurer, you can bike on these snakey roads. I promise you that the view at the top of the hill will leave you speechless!
6. National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I don’t know if you’ve noticed by now, but Milwaukee is a great city that will surely know what to show its visitors! From the ghost stories that you can hear at the Shaker’s Cigar Bar, it is time to go a little further and discover the world’s only museum enthusiastic about bobbleheads.
If you are passionate about pop-culture icons, famous people, politicians, and cartoon characters, this is the place for you! You can find all of them, and then some more because you have the possibility to create your own bobblehead!
…Would you like to have a bobblehead with your own face on it?
7. International Clown Hall of Fame
Where: Baraboo, Wisconsin
There are a lot of people around the world who absolutely despise clowns! I’m not going to lie, I’m not a big fan either! I find them scary and ugly, and not entertaining at all!
However, that didn’t stop me from visiting the International Clown Hall of Fame in Baraboo. My curiosity got the better of me, and I just HAD to check it out. This one-room gallery has been around since 1987 and it started to function in Delevan, Wisconsin. After a while, the museum moved to Milwaukee, but it didn’t last for long.
The place was saved by Greg DeSanto, the actual curator, who is a former circus performer and professional clown. He moved to Baraboo and wanted to show the world displays of clowns of both the past and the present.
The whole thing began as a way to recognize the talent and the contribution of the performers to the tradition of clowning. If you decide to visit this interesting place, you will see a lot of great exhibits, such as posters, costumes, paintings, portraits, and even clowning paraphernalia.
…Put a colorful outfit on and visit the International Clown Hall of Fame! Don’t forget your camera at home!
8. Doug Padilla’s Art Studio
Where: Pepin, Wisconsin
If you love art just as much as I do, you are more than likely going to enjoy visiting Doug Padilla’s Art Studio. You will be shocked by the large variety of eclectic artworks, such as paintings and collages.
Approximately every surface of that space is covered with different types of art, including kitschy religious iconography, culturally-intended canvas, and mixed media that is multi-layered.
…Would you like to see something like this?
9. Mars Cheese Castle
Where: Kenosha, Wisconsin
I love cheese…and so does Wisconsin! I am crazy about cheese curds, mac&cheese, cheese puffs, and… everything that contains this delicious golden food! As you can imagine, I couldn’t help myself but visit the Mars Cheese Castle, a place dedicated to one of my favorite foods!
It was opened for the very first time in 1947, as a gas station, but it burned to the ground completely 10 years later. It was rebuilt and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel once stated that the Mars Cheese Castle was “Wisconsin’s most visible cheese interchange”. That was because the place served as the biggest and oldest cheese administrator of 1-94 and Wisconsin Highway 142.
The place was named after the initial owner, Mario Ventura Sr. However, if you look at the logo, you can see that the place has a small touch of outer space into its castle concept.
10. Lake Michigan Triangle
Where: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
The last thing that impressed me when I lived in Wisconsin is the Lake Michigan Triangle. Even though it’s not as popular as Bermuda, it is believed that this beautiful water is actually the cause of several paranormal mysteries.
The first strange enigma happened in 1891 when a schooner named Thomas Hume decided to pick up lumber from the lake. After a few hours, a strong wind emerged and the whole boat with its seven sailors disappeared.
There were many extensive searches trying to find Thomas Hume, but none of them succeeded. Legends or not, I made sure I didn’t sail around that mysterious part of the lake!
TAKEAWAY
Whether you live in Wisconsin or you’re considering visiting it, these are the 10 places that drew my attention! I very much recommend checking them out, because all of them are incredible!
Have you ever visited any of these tourist attractions? Share your thoughts and let me know YOUR favorite Wisconsin sights!
If you think that there are more than 10 great things to visit in Wisconsin, please let us know by including your own ideas in the comments section down below!
If you want more tips and tricks about traveling, make sure to check this article out, because you will find plenty of good information: 11 Most Amazing Cenotes in Mexico You Should Visit in This Lifetime!
