First explored by the French, colonized primarily by German, Scandinavian and Swiss pioneers and later a territory of Britain, the ‘Badger State’ of Wisconsin is located near the center of the North American continent.
Explore: Baraboo • Green Bay • Madison • Milwaukee • Spring Green
Bordering two of the five Great Lakes, with its capital city Madison and its largest city Milwaukee, Wisconsin is best known historically for its farming, mining and lumber industries.
With tourism emerging as an important source of income for the state in the 20th century, service industries have become increasing well structured. Due to its landscape, it has grown into a popular destination for those seeking outdoor recreation. Varied in geographical features, the state is divided into five distinct regions with everything from glacial lakes to massive forests and rich farmland.
Thousands of visitors arrive annually to enjoy the comfortable villages, seasonal cherry picking and the unique and extremely popular fish boils—a Great Lakes culinary tradition. During the summer months, recreation interests are concentrated on the water, with sailing, windsurfing and canoeing at the forefront. Winter activities include skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing and snowshoeing, and Door County is one of the state’s most beautiful tourist spots at which to enjoy these outdoor pursuits.
Named after the naturally dangerous strait between Door Peninsula and Washington Island, the ‘Door to the Way to Death’ has grown less infamous for its ship wrecks and more famous for its varied and particular attractions. Throughout the summer months, visitors arrive at Door County to enjoy the five state parks: Newport, Peninsula, Potawatomi, Rock Island and Whitefish Dunes, known as the ‘five jewels in the crown’. Here numerous lighthouses built in the 1800s and listed as National Historic Places are more than worth a look.
Bed and breakfasts and resorts are available for lodging and Door County restaurants offer a popular meal of local whitefish cooked in a cast iron kettle over a wood fire with onions and potatoes, called fish boil. Served with vegetables and melted butter, the fish boil is usually followed by traditional, homemade cherry pie. If you’ve come here on a diet, forget it.