Wisconsin Department of Tourism - visitors information with maps, places to eat, accommodations, activities, what to see, calendar of events and more.

Zoos

International Crane Foundation
PO Box 447
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
Phone: (608) 356-9462
The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to conserve cranes and the wetland and grasslands communities on which they depend. ICF is dedicated to providing experience, knowledge, and inspiration to involve people in resolving threats to these ecosystems.

North Eastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo
4418 Reforestation Rd
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313
Phone: (920) 434-7841
The NEW ZOO and Brown County Reforestation Camp serves as a 1560-acre recreational area. The miles of trails, picnic areas, trout ponds, and animal exhibits provide fun and enjoyment for the whole family. Visit the observation tower to see a good portion of the animal exhibits and lush habitat. Nestled among the pines are playground areas, grills, volleyball courts and a ball diamond. The camp's miles of hiking, biking, and nature trails will delight the outdoor enthusiast. Winter is great fun for snow-shoe's and cross-country skiers combing miles of unbroken forest. Horse-drawn wagon rides are available most weekends in the summer & for special events in the winter.

Henry Vilas Zoo
702 S Randall Ave
Madison, Wisconsin 53715
Phone: (608) 266-4732
Visitors can picnic under our Zoo Tent or at picnic tables throughout the zoo grounds. The zoo concession stands serve hot dogs, bratwursts, barbecues, ice cream, beverages, and many other treats. Strollers, wagons and wheel chairs are for rent at concessions, and there are no stairs, just rolling pathways that make the zoo wheelchair accessible and trouble-free!

Milwaukee County Zoological Gardens
10001 West Blue Mound Rd
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
Phone: (414) 771-3040 / (414) 771-3040
The Milwaukee County Zoo is considered among the finest Zoos in the country. It is located on 200 wooded acres and is home to approximately 2500 animals, representing 300 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates.

Racine Zoological Gardens
2131 N Main St
Racine, Wisconsin 53402
Phone: (262) 636-9189
Covering 32 acres, the Zoo is home to over 250 animals representing 76 species. Here you will find lions, wolves, rhinos, orangutans, kangaroos and more, living in exhibit spaces designed to imitate natural surroundings.

National Parks

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 779-3398
The national lakeshore includes 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland Lake Superior shoreline, featuring pristine stretches of sand beach, spectacular sea caves, remnant old-growth forests, resident bald eagles and black bears, and the largest collection of lighthouses anywhere in the National Park System.

North Country National Scenic Trail
Madison, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 441-5610
Threading its way across our landscape, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) links outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, historic, and cultural areas in seven of our northern States--New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 441-5610
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail travels through the edges of the glacier that passed into Wisconsin.

Saint Croix Scenic Riverway
St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Phone: (715) 483-3284
The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway consists of the Namekagon and St. Croix Rivers providing 252 miles of recreational opportunities. The Riverway is a unique area with a diversity of habitat, which provides many opportunities for viewing wildlife. A variety of recreational activities can be enjoyed in this picturesque setting. The upper stretches are ideal for canoeists, the rivers are shallow and narrow with some rapids. The lower stretches broaden and widen and can be used by boats.

Museums

Houdini Historical Center
330 East College Avenue
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
Phone: (920) 733-8445
The Houdini Historical Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to gathering, interpretation, and dissemination of information and artifacts related to the life and career of Harry Houdini. Featuring the Sidney H. Radner collection of Houdini memorabilia, the Center's long-term exhibit, Houdini!, includes Houdini's own posters, lock picks, handcuffs, and straitjackets -- and the actual milk can used in one of Houdini's most daring escapes!

Circus World Museum
426 Water Street (State Highway 113)
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 356-0800
Collects, preserves, and interprets archival material and artifacts relating to the history of the American circus.

Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame
855 Lombardi Ave.
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54307
Phone: (888) 4GB PACK / (888) 442-7225
Journey to the humble beginnings of this fan-owned franchise. Follow the Packers to their first championships; read the biographies of some of the inductees; view the exhibits; have fun with football trivia.

Children's Museum of La Crosse
207 5th Avenue South
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601
Phone: (608)784-2652
The Gertude Salzer Gordon Children's Museum provides affordable and educational activities for children ages 12 and under and their adult companions. Three floors of exhibits allow visitors to enjoy exciting, interactive adventures that stimulate wonder, exploration, and imagination about the world around them. Imagine...tiny hands changing the course of a river... a family learning together how a human heart works -- from inside a giant model...a six-year old experimenting with light and shadows...a toddler learning through play...a team of firefighters, some with pacifiers. The possibilities are endless: there is no limit to a child's imagination!

Betty Brinn Children's Museum
929 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
Phone: (414) 390-KIDS
The purpose of the Betty Brinn Children's Museum is to enrich the lives of all children and their families through hands-on learning experiences in a uniquely child-oriented environment.

International Clown Hall of Fame
Grand Avenue Mall
161 W. Wisconsin Ave, Suite LL700
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: (414) 319-0848
The International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, Inc. is dedicated to the preservation and advancement of clown art. Represented by professional and amateur clown associations, it pays tribute to outstanding clown performers, operates a living museum of clowning with resident clown performers, conducts special events and maintains a national archive of clown artifacts and history.

Mitchell Gallery of Flight
5300 S. Howell Ave.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53207
Phone: (414) 747-4503
Locates, acquires, preserves and displays artifacts, memorabilia, photographs and artwork representing the contributions of aviation pioneers from Milwaukee County and Wisconsin.

American UFO and Sci-Fi Museum
740 Eddy
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965
Phone: (608) 253-5055
Like 2 museums in 1! You will see breathtaking tributes to your favorite science fiction films and exciting exhibits highlighting UFO sightings, contacts, and abductions! Plus, visit the Galactic Gift Shop ™ for incredible alien merchandise!

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Big Chief Kart and Coasters
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Visit the Big Chief in Wisconsin Dells and experience all of our rides! Now featuring 18 Go-Kart tracks and 3 rollercoasters! Race your way with the gods on our breathtaking high speed rides!

Riverview Park & WaterWorld - Old River Adventure Golf
Highway 12 near the boat docks
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
Phone: (608) 254-2608
Riverview Park & Waterworld offers action-packed entertainment, including the largest U-Drive'Em and Amusement Park, combined with Grand Prix racing, go carts and Mini-Indy cars, Riverview Park & Waterworld features 5 Rapids Inner Tube Ride, waterslides, a wave pool and numerous other pools exclusively for children's activities! On top of the mini racetracks and water rides, the park features amusements rides including a Tilt-A-Whirl, Gravitron, Scrambler, Ferris Wheel and a Galaxi Rollercoaster.

Noah's Ark Water Park
1410 Wisconsin Dells Parkway
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965
Phone: (608)254-6351
70 acres of water activities including 2 wavepools, 2 lazy rivers and 34 waterslides.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Wisconsin, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Harrington Beach State Park, Wisconsin - Offers campsites, concessions, seasonal naturalist programs, shoreline, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, biking trails, off- road biking trails, snowmobile trails, cross- country ski trails. Located on Cty D, 1 mile E of I-43, 7 miles N of Port Washington, Belgium, Ozaukee County.

Kohler-Andrae State Park, Wisconsin - Offers wooded campsites, sandy beaches, picnic area, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, shoreline, canoeing, boating, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, horseback trails, snowmobile trails and cross-country ski trails. Located on Cty KK, 2 miles E of I-43, 3 miles S of Sheboygan, Sheboygan County.

Point Beach State Forest, Wisconsin - Offers beaches, surfing, campsites, picnic area, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, shoreline, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, off- road biking trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on Cty O, E of SR 42, 6 miles NE of Two Rivers, Manitowoc County.

Whitefish Dunes State Park, Wisconsin - Offers scenic rugged shoreline with huge sand dunes, picnic area, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, lookout tower, shoreline, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, off-road biking trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on Clark Lake Rd, 8 miles E of SR 42, 10 miles NE of Sturgeon Bay, Door County.

Newport State Park, Wisconsin - Offers beautiful forests, camping, picnic area, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, shoreline, canoeing, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, off- road bicycle trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on Newport Dr, 2-1/2 miles SE of SR 42, 5 miles E of Ellison Bay, Door County.

Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin - To get to this park you must take a ferry; no vehicles are allowed. Offers camping, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, vistas, shoreline, canoeing, boating, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails. Located by passenger ferry off the NE corner Ashland, Wisconsin.

Peninsula State Park, Wisconsin - Offers nice beaches, 1860s lighthouse, golfing, theater performances, campsites, picnic area, nature center, seasonal naturalist programs, lookout tower, vistas, shoreline with marked beach area, canoeing, boating, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, biking trails, off- road biking trails, snowmobile trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on SR 42 just north of Fish Creek, Door County.

Potawatomi State Park, Wisconsin - Offers and observation tower that on a clear day you can see up to 20 miles across Green Bay, campsites, picnic areas, seasonal naturalist programs, shoreline, canoeing, boating, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, off- road biking trails, snowmobile trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on Park Rd, 2 miles N of SR 57, 2 miles NW of Sturgeon Bay, Door County.

Big Bay State Park, Wisconsin - Offers beautiful bluffs, lake caves, Lake Superior shoreline, boardwalk, campsites, picnic area, seasonal naturalist programs, vistas, canoeing, boating, fishing, nature trails, hiking trails, snowmobile trails and cross- country ski trails. Located on Hagen Rd, E of Cty H, Madeline Island, Bayfield County.

Lake Superior - Boating, fishing, swimming, camping and other recreational activities. Madeline Island provides Big Bay State Park for camping and other recreational activities. Located off the northern side of Wisconsin.

Green Bay & Lake Michigan - Boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, water sports and camping. Located on the eastern side of Wisconsin.

Lake Winnebago - Boating, fishing, swimming and camping. Located just east of Oshkosh.

Lake Poygan & Lake Butte des Morts - Boating, fishing and water recreational activities. Located northwest of Oshkosh off U.S. 41 and Wisconsin State Route 116.

Pentenwell Flowage & Castle Rock Flowage - Boating, fishing, picnicking, swimming and camping. Located just off I 94 at the Wisconsin State Route 80 exit.

Mendota Lake & Monona Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming, shopping and other recreational activities. These two lakes are located on both sides of downtown Madison.

Zoos, National Parks, Amusements Park listed above and during summer months some of the Winter Park links below will show you summer activities that are available at the parks.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Christie Mountain Ski Area
W13755 CTH O
Bruce, Wisconsin 54819
Phone: (715) 868-7800
15 lighted runs, including 4 black diamonds; One double chairlift; one t-bar; two rope tows; 350 feet vertical drop; Longest run 4,000 feet; 500 sets of quality rental equipment, size 2 to 15; shaped skis also available; Snowboards and snowblades include boots; National Ski Patrol; PSIA Ski School; AASI Snowboard School; Snowtubing park with handle tow.

Trollhaugen Ski Area
Dresser, Wisconsin
Phone: (800) 826-7166 / (715) 755-2955
Skiing, snowboarding, and kids programs.

Alpine Valley Resort
East Troy, Wisconsin, 53120
Phone: (800) 227-9395
Winter: Alpine Valley Resort offers it's skiers full service facilities that are second to none. Enjoy 12 slopes, that range from beginner to expert mogul runs with 388 vertical feet of skiing enjoyment.......the largest in Southern Wisconsin. Summer: 27 holes of golf, 124 hotel rooms, 4 suites, dining room, cocktail lounge, indoor & outdoor swimming pools and whirlpools are all waiting for you.

Sunburst Ski Area
8355 Prospect Drive
Kewaskum, Wisconsin 53040
Phone: (262) 626-8404
Skiing, snowboarding and tubing.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa
7036 Grand Geneva Way at Highways 50 East and 12
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147
Phone: (800) 558-3417 / (262) 248-8811
Everything that you can think of doing for family fun can be done around the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. Year round activities from skiing in the winter to biking in the summer. Check out their web site for detailed information.

Mount La Crosse Ski Area
PO Box 9
La Crosse, Wisconsin 54602
Phone: (608) 788-0044 / (800) 426-3665
Skiing, snowboarding and night skiing on scenic runs.

Devils Head Resort
S-6330 Bluff Rd.
Merrimac, Wisconsin 53561
Phone: (800) 338-4579
Winter: Devil's Head has 28 ski trails, 10 chair lifts, four rope tows and one magic carpet lift, with four new trails and another lift in the making. More than 150 snow boards and 2,000 sets of skis are available for rent, including 100 sets of new Elan Parabolic skis. With over 350 snow-making guns, Devil's Head can produce a blizzard of powdery white snow. Once we've created the perfect snow conditions, we keep them that way, grooming the trails twice a day!
For the beginning skier, we have experienced instructors and special rental packages. Summer: Biking, hiking, pools, tennis, swimming, fishing, hiking, camping and rock climbing.

Whitecap Mountain Resort
Highway 77/County Road E
Montreal, Wisconsin 54550
Phone: (800) 933-SNOW / (715) 561-2776
Winter offers skiing and snowboarding on beautiful scenic mountain runs with great views, while summer offers hiking, swimming, mountain biking, fishing, horseback riding and golf.

Ski Nordic Mountain
Mt Morris, Wisconsin
Phone: (800) 253-7266

Tyrol Basin Family Ski & Snowboard Area
3487 Bohn Road
Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin 53572

Cascade Mountain Ski & Snowboard Area
W10441 Cascade Mountain Road
Portage, Wisconsin 53901
Phone: (800) 992-2SKI
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, night skiing and kids programs.

Little Switzerland
Interstate Hwy. 41
Slinger, Wisconsin
Phone: (262) 644-5020
Skiing, snowboarding, ski schools, night skiing and great terrains.

Granite Peak
P.O. Box 5010
Wausau, Wisconsin 54402
Phone: (715) 849-5959 / (715) 845-2846
Skiing and snowboarding on terrain for every level of skier from beginner to expert.

Wilmot Mountain
Wilmot, Wisconsin 53192
Phone: (262) 862-2301
Skiing and snowboarding for the whole family young and old. Biking when the snow disappears.

Zoos, National Parks, Amusement parks and Summer vacation hot spots listed above.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Wisconsin, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages

(specials are updated weekly)
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