100 things to do in Wisconsin in the summer
Wisconsin has a fever, and the only prescription is more summer.
When parkas and shovels are finally put away for the season, even a 50-degree day draws vitamin D-deprived residents out to explore. From taking in the state's natural beauty to traveling back in time at a historical site, Wisconsin offers plenty of opportunities for doing just that.
Here are 100 ideas for things to do across the state to get you started.
For the outdoor adventurer
415 Washington Ave., Bayfield; (715) 779-3397
Tip: Wisconsin's only national lakeshore is best explored by kayak, providing up-close views of the islands' famous sea caves. Lake Superior's winds and waves can be rough and unpredictable, so it's best to go with a knowledgeable guide. The NPS has a list of guides approved to operate in the national lakeshore.
2. Camp on a sandbar on the lower Wisconsin River
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, Prairie du Sac to Prairie du Chien
Tip: Put in at Boscobel for a trip free from crowds, even on weekends. Rent a canoe or take a shuttle with an outfitter like Wisconsin River Outings.
3. Raft the rapids on the Peshtigo in Marinette County
Kosir's Rapid Rafts, Thornton's Rafting Resort and Campground, Wildman Adventure Resort
Tip: Plan a trip for late spring or early summer, when water levels tend to be the highest.
4. Climb to the top of Wisconsin's highest natural point
Timm's Hill County Park, W3206 County Road RR, Ogema
Tip: Views are especially grand in fall, but summer offers the opportunity to cool off in nearby Bass Lake.
5. Bike the Elroy-Sparta State Trail
Sparta Depot, 111 Milwaukee St., Sparta, or Elroy Commons, 303 Railroad St., Elroy
Tip: Don't forget a flashlight for passing through three old railroad tunnels.
6. Chase Wisconsin's tallest waterfall: Big Manitou Falls in Douglas County
Pattison State Park, 6294 S. State Road 35, Superior; (715) 399-3111
Tip: The park is also home to Little Manitou Falls, which is often less crowded than its big brother.
7. Spelunk at Cave of the Mounds
2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mounds; (608) 437-3038
Tip: A constant 50-degree temperature year-round makes the caves a great spot to explore any time of year.
8. Hike a segment of the Ice Age Trail
Throughout Wisconsin
Tip: Yellow blazes mark this national scenic trail that winds 1,200 miles through the state. Try the Gibraltar Rock segment for some of the best views in southern Wisconsin.
9. Kayak in an urban setting down the Milwaukee River
Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Place, Milwaukee; (414) 964-8505
Tip: Join the Urban Ecology Center for just $50 a year ($60 for families) and borrow (for free) from their wide selection of gear, including kayaks.
10. Stand up paddle board on Lake Mendota
Olbrich Park, 3527 Atwood Ave.
Tip: Rent a board from Rutabaga and go for a paddle near the Capitol.
11. Rock climb at Devil's Lake
Devil's Lake State Park, S5975 Park Road, Baraboo; (608) 356-8301
Tip: Apex Adventure Alliance and Devils Lake Climbing Guides are both reputable climbing companies that offer guided trips in the park.
Deland Park, 715 Broughton Drive, Sheboygan
Tip: Fall and winter are the best times to catch a wave, but summer brings warmer water temperatures for novice surfers.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest — trailheads and clusters located near Cable, Delta, Drummond, Hayward, Namakagon and Seely; (715) 798-3599
Tip: Wildlife and natural beauty abound on the secluded 15-mile Namakagon Trail.
14. Fly-fish (or paddle) the River of Presidents
Bois Brule River, Douglas County, many access points north of Highway 2; (715) 372-5678
Tip: Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Coolidge, Hoover and Eisenhower all fished this trout-filled river, which also is a favorite for canoeists and kayakers.
15. Battle Wausau's white water
Wausau Whitewater Park, 200 River Drive, Wausau; (715) 203-1279
Tip: A dam provides a constant flow of water regardless of weather, creating the state's (and one of the country's) top destination for white-water canoeing and kayaking.
16. Glide like the wind in Whitewater
Twin Oaks Airport, N463 County Highway N, Whitewater; (608) 469-5949
Tip: A tandem hang-gliding ride is enough to get a taste of this free-falling sport, but you will need to sign up for lessons if you want to fly on your own.
17. Hike to the top of La Crosse's Grandad Bluff
3020 Grandad Bluff Road, La Crosse; (608) 789-7533
Tip: The scenic overlook at the top of the bluff provides sweeping views of three states — Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa — and the Mississippi River.
18. Ride an inner tube down the Apple River
River's Edge, 1820 Raleigh Road, New Richmond; (715) 247-3305
Tip: The float takes about three hours, and there is no turning back once you start down the river to the pickup point.
For the nature lover
19. Listen to the call of the crane at the International Crane Foundation
E11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo; (608) 356-9462
Tip: This is the only place in the world you can see all 15 species of cranes in one spot. Having trouble finding the ICF? Roll down your windows — crane calls can be heard from up to a mile away.
20. Watch more than 200,000 Canada geese migrate at Horicon Marsh
N7725 Highway 28, Horicon; (920) 387-7890
Tip: Spring and fall are the best times to see birds migrating through this wetland area, but visit anytime of year to hike, bike and see wildlife.
21. Take in the view from the top of Holy Hill's scenic tower
1525 Carmel Road, Hubertus; (262) 628-4417
Tip: Be prepared to do some climbing — it's 178 steps to the top of the tower.
22. Get some perspective at Parfrey's Glen
County Highway DL, Merrimac
Tip: Floods took their toll on this gorgeous gorge a few years ago, washing away boardwalks and closing the natural area for a year. The landscape is different now, but still beautiful and worth the wet hike along the stream to the end of the gorge.
23. Do the dunes at Whitefish Dunes State Park
3275 Clark Lake Road, Sturgeon Bay; (920) 823-2400
Tip: Follow the 2.8-mile Red Trail to find the park's tallest sand dune, "Old Baldy," and great views of Lake Michigan.
24. Go wild at Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
102 E. Crex Ave., Grantsburg; (715) 463-2739
Tip: One of the state's largest wildlife areas, the 30,000-acre Crex Meadows includes a multitude of unique landscapes and endangered species, including osprey, trumpeter swans and timber wolves. Photographers (and anyone else who wants to get close to the action) can reserve blinds in the wildlife area for a small fee.
25. Pine for the pines in the Kettle Moraine State Forest
S91-W39091 Highway 59, Eagle; (262) 594-6200
Tip: Take in the towering red pines on the Scuppernong trails, which feature three loops ranging from two to five miles.
26. Climb Lapham Peak's observation tower for views from Waukesha County's highest point
Kettle Moraine State Forest-Lapham Peak Unit, W329-N846 County Highway C, Delafield; (262) 646-3025
Tip: After climbing the tower, take in a performance at SummerStage, an outdoor theater in the park.
27. Forage for your food (and medicine)
Tippecanoe Herbs, 2235 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee; (414) 585-9279
Tip: Tippecanoe hosts Herb Walks throughout the Milwaukee area in warm-weather months to teach people about edible and medicinal plants you can forage.
28. Watch the sun set over the Mississippi River at Wyalusing State Park
13081 State Park Lane, Bagley; (608) 996-2261
Tip: Pack a picnic and settle in for great views from Henneger Point Picnic Area along the Mississippi Ridge trail (1.8 miles).
29. Take in sweeping views of Lake Michigan at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Road, Bayside; (414) 352-2880
Tip: Grab a trail map from the main building for help with navigating to the observation tower.
30. Find rare Karner blue butterflies in Waupaca
Waupaca Field Station, E110 Emmons Creek Road; (715) 258-7247
Tip: Bob Welch, and his late wife, Deb, have been working for more than 20 years to preserve habitat here and across western Wisconsin for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly.
31. Observe Sandhill Wildlife Area's bison herd
1715 County Highway X, Babcock; (715) 884-2437
Tip: Drive the 14-mile Trumpeter Trail for up-close views of wetlands, wildlife and the bison.
32. Ride a Wisconsin Duck for a unique look at the Dells
1890 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells; (608) 254-8751
Tip: These amphibious vehicles are one of the best ways to see the Wisconsin River's rock formations.
RELATED: 15 things you have to do in Wisconsin Dells beyond water parks
33. Walk the land that inspired Aldo Leopold's "Sand County Almanac"
Aldo Leopold Foundation, E13701 Levee Road, Fairfield; (608) 355-0279
Tip: Guided tours of the shack are only offered on Saturdays in the summer. Self-guided tours (but no access to inside the shack) are permitted during all visiting hours, April through October.
For the history buff
34. Find a badger in Mineral Point
Pendarvis, 114 Shake Rag St., Mineral Point; (608) 987-2122
Tip: No city pays better homage to Wisconsin's mining past than Mineral Point, on the National Register of Historic Places. Follow a costumed guide through Pendarvis, a collection of restored homes from the city's first Cornish immigrants.
35. Tour Wisconsin's first state capitol building
19101 County Highway G, Belmont; (608) 987-2122
Tip: The building is only open Wednesday-Sunday, June-September; admission is free.
36. Peer out from Pottawatomie Lighthouse, Wisconsin's oldest
Rock Island State Park, 1924 Indian Point Road, Washington Island; (920) 847-2235
Tip: Be prepared for the long journey to this historic lighthouse, which includes a drive to the northern tip of the Door County peninsula and two ferry rides.
RELATED: Remote Rock Island is worth the journey north
37. Travel back in time at Old World Wisconsin
W372-S9727 Highway 67, Eagle; (262) 594-6301
Tip: Immerse yourself in Wisconsin's early 19th-century history by helping with chores, doing crafts and playing games.
38. Explore the USS Cobia, a World War II submarine
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc; (920) 684-0218
Tip: Make a reservation for a "Nook & Cranny" tour, a in-depth look inside areas of the submarine not seen on regular tours.
39. Go on the lam to discover Manitowish Waters' gangster past
Little Bohema Lodge, 142 Highway 51, Manitowish Waters; (715) 543-8800
Tip: See bullet holes in the walls and other artifacts from the1934 shootout between John Dillinger's gang and the FBI, made famous by the 2009 film "Public Enemies," then enjoy supper club fare from steaks to seafood.
40. Puzzle over Wisconsin's prehistoric past at Aztalan State Park
Highway Q, Aztalan; (920) 648-8774
Tip: Two mounds and sections of the stockades built by an American Indian population between 1100 and 1300 have been restored here, and a friends group hopes to build a permanent interpretive center soon.
41. See how American theater's "it" couple lived at Ten Chimneys
S43-W31575 Depot Road, Genesee Depot; (262) 968-4161
Tip: The former estate of actors Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne is open for tours from May to December.
42. Take a stroll through Wisconsin's last original covered bridge
Covered Bridge Park, 1700 Cedar Creek Road, Cedarburg; (262) 284-8257
Tip: Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the bridge, but bicycles are.
43. Explore the country's brewing past at the National Brewery Museum
209 S. Main St., Potosi; (608) 763-4002
Tip: After seeing brewery memorabilia in the old Potosi Brewing Company building, enjoy a Good Old Potosi, a golden ale, on the complex's beer garden.
44. Visit the home of Wisconsin's original frontier girl: Caddie Woodlawn
Caddie Woodlawn Historical Park, Highway 25, Downsville; (715) 232-8685
Tip: Read the Newbery Medal-winning book about Caddie before visiting.
45. See the work of the photographer who made the Dells famous
H.H. Bennett Studio, 215 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells; (608) 253-3523
Tip: Don't miss one of Bennett's most famous photos, "Leaping the Chasm at Standing Rock." Bennett captured this stop-action shot, the first of its kind, with a rubber band-powered shutter he invented.
46. Learn about the history of only permanently inhabited Apostle Island at the Madeline Island Museum
226 Colonel Woods Ave., La Pointe; (715) 747-2415
Tip: Madeline Island is accessible by ferry from Bayfield; the museum is open seasonally.
47. Travel part of the underground railroad at the Milton House Museum
18 S. Janesville St., Milton; (608) 868-7772
Tip: While visitors today can walk through the 6-foot tunnel linking the former cabin of Joseph Goodrich to the Milton House, runaway slaves had to crawl through the hand-dug tunnel, which was just 3 feet high at the time.
48. Walk through the backyards of stately homes around Geneva Lake
Lake Geneva, Walworth County
Tip: In a town where even sunbathing will cost you ($8 at Riviera Beach), this walk is a free treat. Crowds fill the town on summer weekends; a weekday visit is best for tranquility.
49. Learn about America's deadliest forest fire at the Peshtigo Fire Museum
400 Oconto Ave., Peshtigo; (715) 582-3244
Tip: Visit the nearby Fire Cemetery, which includes a mass grave with 300 unidentified fire victims.
50. Seek a moment of solace at Joan of Arc Chapel at Marquette University
1415 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee; (414) 288-6873
Tip: Note the temperature of the Joan of Arc stone compared to the ones surrounding it.
51. Visit Milwaukee's historic North Point Lighthouse
2650 N. Wahl Ave., Milwaukee; (414) 332-6754
Tip: Tours of the lighthouse are offered 1 to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays year-round.
52. Interpret the petroglyphs at Roche-A-Cri State Park
1767 State Highway 13, Friendship; (608) 565-2789
Tip: Climb the stairway to the top of the 300-foot mound for great views of the surrounding landscape.
53. View effigy mounds at Lizard Mound Park
2121 County Highway A, Farmington; (262) 335-4445
Tip: The park is home to one of the best collections of effigy mounds outside of Iowa.
For the hungry
54. Sip award-winning wine at Wollersheim
7876 State Road 188, Prairie du Sac; (800) 847-9463
Tip: In 2012, Wollersheim was named winery of the year at the San Diego International Wine Competition. In 2013, the winery released its first brandy, made from Wisconsin white grape wine and aged two years in Wisconsin oak barrels. There winery opened its distillery in 2015 and now produces gin, absinthe, whiskey and bourbon.
55. Find a new favorite ice cream flavor at Kelley Country Creamery
W5215 County Road B, Fond du Lac; (920) 923-1715
Tip: The creamery produces more than 200 flavors of farmstead ice cream throughout the year, including such unusual combinations as Brandy Alexander, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Blue Cheese Pear and Sweet Corn (with real corn).
56. Eat fresh-caught Lake Michigan whitefish and cherry pie at a Door County fish boil
White Gull Inn, 4225 Main St., Fish Creek; (920) 868-3517
Tip: Making reservations early on weekends is a must in the summer months.
RELATED: 15 things you have to do in Door County, including fish boils, wineries and more
57. Feast in a forest at Delta Diner
14385 County Highway H, Mason; (715) 372-6666
Tip: While out of the way, this diner isn't much of a secret anymore — be prepared to wait during prime dining hours. In 2019 the diner added the Tin Tap House & Chicken Shack, serving jerk chicken and craft beer out of repurposed shipping containers.
58. Sip an old fashioned on Mirror Lake at Ishnala
Ishnala Supper Club, S2011 Ishnala Road, Lake Delton; (608) 253-1771
Tip: Reservations aren't accepted for this supper club, which offers some of the best supper club views in the state; get there early or visit on a week day for shorter wait times, and enjoy an old fashioned on one of the decks overlooking the lake while you wait.
RELATED: Ishnala sells record number of old fashioneds, goes for Guinness World Record
59. Crown a Milwaukee custard king — Leon's or Kopp's?
Leon's, 3131 S. 27th St., (414) 383-1784; Kopp's, three Milwaukee-area locations
Tip: Leon's is a family-owned Milwaukee institution, while Kopp's gigantic burgers pair perfectly with creamy custard.
60. Create your own frothy concoction at Leinenkugel's Brewery
124 E. Elm St., Chippewa Falls; (888) 534-6437
Tip: Try Honey Bear, a combination of Honey Weiss and Berry Weiss.
61. Treat yourself to an ice cream sundae in the dessert's hometown
Two Rivers
Tip: Dig in to a 25-cent sundae during the city's annual Sundae Thursday in June.
62. Have a slice (or two) of Wisconsin's best apple pie in a bag
Elegant Farmer, 1545 Main St., Mukwonago; (262) 363-6770
Tip: That heavenly smell? It's coming from the Doughnut Shack — don't leave without buying a dozen (or two) in the fall.
63. Sample a Danish kringle in its American birthplace
Racine Kringle, 2529 Golf Ave., (262) 633-1819; O&H Danish Bakery, four locations; Bendtsen's Bakery, 3200 Washington Ave., (262) 633-0365
Tip: Three bakeries rule the Racine kringle world.
64. Pick up some curds from the state's first urban cheese factory
Clock Shadow Creamery, 138 W. Bruce St., Milwaukee; (414) 273-9711
Tip: If the curds squeak, you know they're fresh.
65. Hunt for morels in the state's Driftless Area
Grant, Iowa and Trempealeau counties; muscoda.com for festival information
Tip: There's a reason morels are expensive: They're hard to find. Sample some fried morels during Muscoda's Morel Mushroom Festival, May 14, or visit the message boards on morels.com for hunting tips.
66. Stock up on fresh produce at the country's largest producers-only farmers' market
Dane County Farmers' Market, 2 E. Main St., Madison; (608) 455-1999
Tip: Get there early (before 8 a.m.) and walk counterclockwise around the Capitol for the best selection.
67. Fill up on an all-you-can-eat lumberjack breakfast at Paul Bunyan's
411 Highway 13, Wisconsin Dells; (608) 254-8717
Tip: Fresh buttermilk doughnuts are the highlight of breakfast, which is served family-style.
RELATED: Paul Bunyan's legend looms large over the Northwoods. But was he a real person?
68.Gape at the goats on the roof of Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant
10698 N. Bay Shore Drive, Sister Bay; (800) 241-9914
Tip: The goats make their seasonal rooftop debut at the end of May and are out daily until mid-October, weather permitting. Don't forget to stop inside for the Swedish pancakes topped with lingonberries.
69. Fill up on good beer and good food at the state's oldest continually operating brewpub
Stone Cellar Brewpub, 1004 S. Olde Oneida St., Appleton; (920) 731-3322
Tip: This brewpub might be the oldest, but it's not behind the times. Stone Cellar sources many of its ingredients locally and offers vegetarian and gluten-free choices.
70. Dig into pizza in a pasture
Throughout Wisconsin
Tip: Pizza farms have popped up around Wisconsin over the past decade, offering wood-fired pizzas made with ingredients grown on site on select nights in the summer. Try the Mapleton Barn in Oconomowoc, Grassway Organics in East Troy, Stoney Acres in Athens or The Stone Barn in Nelson.
For the cultured
71. Blast into the future at Dr. Evermor's Park
S7703 U.S. Highway 12, North Freedom; (608) 219-7830
Tip: The towering metal sculptures, made from small and large-scale salvage yard materials, are the work of Tom "Dr. Evermor" Every, who worked in the salvage business before turning to art. You can't miss his most well known sculpture, the 300-ton, 50-foot-tall Forevertron, a science-fiction spacecraft that Every claims includes the decontamination chamber from Apollo 11.
72. Catch a double feature at the Hi-Way 18 Outdoor Theatre
W6423 Highway 18, Jefferson; (920) 674-6700
Tip: One ticket will get you admission to two movies; the first one starts at dusk (about 20 minutes after sunset).
73. Share a pitcher and listen to live tunes at the Terrace
Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon St., Madison; (608) 263-2600
Tip: Snap an obligatory photo in one of the Terrace's oversized sunburst chairs, and explore the rest of the state capital by bike.
74. Take a ride through history at the Harley-Davidson Museum
500 W. Canal St., Milwaukee; (414) 287-2789
Tip: Snap a selfie on a bike in the Experience Gallery, full of Harleys you can sit on.
75. For just a buck, ride Elvis Presley's favorite roller coaster, the Zippin Pippin
Bay Beach Amusement Park, 1313 Bay Beach Road, Green Bay; (920) 448-3365
Tip: Before being moved to Bay Beach in 2010, the Zippin Pippin was in Memphis, where Elvis would sometimes rent out the entire park to ride the roller coaster unimpeded.
76. Watch artists work on a Northwoods Art Tour
Throughout northern Wisconsin; (715) 385-3334
Tip: For one weekend every July and October, more than 30 Northwoods artists open their home and studios for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process.
77. Tally the wall of toilets and tubs at the Kohler Design Center
101 Upper Road, Kohler; (920) 457-3699
Tip: After seeing the apex of bathroom design, splurge on a spa treatment at the nearby Kohler Waters Spa.
78. Visit the home of world-renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright
Taliesin, 5607 County Road C, Spring Green; (608) 588-7900
Tip: The privately owned estate is accessible only via tours, which often sell out. Make reservations early to ensure a spot.
79. Celebrate American Indian culture at the Honor the Earth Pow-Wow
8575N Round Lake School Road, Hayward; (715) 634-1442
Tip: Dubbed the largest pow-wow in North America, this annual celebration is held the third weekend in July.
80. Get silly at the Circus World Museum
550 Water St., Baraboo; (608) 356-8341
Tip: Don't miss the museum's collection of restored circus wagons, the largest in the world.
81. Watch Shakespeare under the stars
American Players Theatre, 5950 Golf Course Road, Spring Green; (608) 588-2361
Tip: The APT season begins in June, with performances in an open-air theater through October.
82. Take in music and more under a tent at Big Top Chautauqua
32535 Ski Hill Road, Bayfield; (715) 373-5552
Tip: Hop on a free shuttle from Bayfield, Washburn or Ashland to see local, regional and national acts under the big top.
83. Get lost at 7 Mile Fair
2720 W. 7 Mile Road, Caledonia; (262) 835-2177
Tip: This Wisconsin flea market is like a seven-layer salad: some good, some bad, but a rite of passage for every Wisconsinite.
84. View masterpieces at the Milwaukee Art Museum
700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee; (414) 224-3200
Tip: The "wings" of the white Santiago Calatrava-designed edition open and close with the museum.
85. Discover where comedy and condiments collide at the National Mustard Museum
7477 Hubbard Ave., Middleton; (608) 831-2222
Tip: Try some wacky creations at the tasting bar, and purchase your favorites in the gift shop.
86. Explore architect Alex Jordan's massive collection of kitsch at House on the Rock
5754 State Road 23, Spring Green; (608) 935-3639
Tip: Opinions about this top Wisconsin tourist attraction vary — cool, creepy, bizarre — but boring is not one. Don't miss the world's largest carousel, complete with plastic riders and blaring carnival music.
87. See art within art at Milwaukee's Charles Allis and Villa Terrace museums
Villa Terrace, 2220 N. Terrace Ave., (414) 271-3656; Charles Allis, 1801 N. Prospect Ave., (414) 278-8295
Tip: Enjoy live music and refreshments in Villa Terrace's Mercury Courtyard on Sundays in the summer.
88. Let your creative juices flow at The Farmhouse Paint & Sip
4511 S. 6th St., Milwaukee
Tip: Check this painting bar's online calendar for a painting that piques your interest. Once there, however, you're free to paint whatever you want.
For anyone and everyone
89. Take in Milwaukee's history on a walking tour
235 E. Michigan St., Milwaukee, (414) 277-7795
Tip: Historic Milwaukee offers tours for a variety of interests, from neighborhood tours and a public art tour to tours aboard the Hop streetcar.
90. Tailgate and watch the Brewers win at American Family Field
1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee; (414) 902-4000
Tip: The general parking lot north of the stadium (Molitor Lot, off W. Blue Mound Road) is easier to get in and out of and is often tamer than the larger general lot east of the stadium.
91. Stand in the mouth of a musky
Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum, 10360 Hall of Fame Drive, Hayward; (715) 634-4440
Tip: The 4.5-story, half-block long fiberglass musky houses the museum's "Shrine to Anglers" and boasts views of Lake Hayward from its observation deck.
92. Find a slice of paradise at Milwaukee's Domes
Mitchell Park Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee; (414) 257-5611
Tip: The Desert and Tropical domes remain unchanged year-round, while the center floral dome features changing exhibits.
93. Watch pro lumberjacks hack, saw, climb and log roll their way to trophies
Lumberjack Bowl, 15642 County Highway B, Hayward; (715) 634-2484
Tip: Can't make the Lumberjack World Championships in July? The Sheers Lumberjack Show showcases the same 10 events at regular shows in Hayward and Woodruff in the summer.
94. Find the Northwoods' infamous hodag
450 W. Kemp St., Rhinelander; (715) 365-7464
Tip: There are a few mythical hodags lurking around town, but the biggest is by the Chamber of Commerce on Highway 8.
95. Drive the Great River Road
Western Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River; (800) 658-9424
Tip: The 250-mile Wisconsin segment of the national Great River Road is a National Scenic Byway and the state's only All-American Road.
96. Lambeau leap on the frozen tundra
Lambeau Field, 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay; (920) 569-7500
Tip: Tour the stadium, then visit the Packers Hall of Fame to see memorabilia from a century of Packers history, including old jerseys, a re-creation of Vince Lombardi's office and the team's Super Bowl trophies.
97. See a piece of Sputnik in Manitowoc
Rahr West Art Museum, 610 N. 8th St.; (920) 686-3090
Tip: The museum's piece is a replica, but look for a metal circle on the street outside the museum, which marks where the hunk of metal from the Russian satellite Sputnik IV crash-landed. The community celebrates this piece of history every September with Sputnikfest, a festival full of spacey diversions.
98. Roll uphill on Gravity Hill in Shullsburg
County U, Shullsburg
Tip: Two miles outside of town, stop just shy of the speed limit sign near the bottom of the first of two steep hills on County U. Put your car in neutral and be amazed.
99. Play a round on the same course the pros do: Whistling Straits
N8501 County Road LS, Sheboygan; (800) 618-5535
Tip: Playing one of America's top public courses isn't cheap, but it will set you back less than a trip to Ireland.
100. Ride a replica paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River
La Crosse Queen Cruises, 405 E. Veterans Memorial Drive, La Crosse; (608) 784-8523
Tip: In addition to daily scenic cruises, there are brunch, lunch, dinner and pizza cruises.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 100 things to do in Wisconsin in the summer
