Is Always Growing
With 78 acres of orchards and farm growing apples, peaches and pears, Apple Holler serves as the perfect venue for your event. Gather your group for guaranteed good times and memories to last a lifetime.
Your Group’s Ag-venture Includes:
· Orchard and Farm Tours
· Tractor-Drawn Hayrides
· Pollination Exhibit
· Butterfly Garden
· Horse-Drawn Tours/Winter Sleigh Rides
· Golden Goat Bridge: Feed the Mini Goats
Farm to Table Dining Available
The Red Barn Restaurant serves delicious down-home cookin’, touched by the magic of apples.
Country Store
Finish your day with a stop at our Farm Store, Bakery & Gift Shop. Bring home our delicious homemade bakery, Wisconsin wines, apple butter, apple cider, high-top apple pies, handmade caramel apples, jams, jellies, gifts and other delicious specialties. Cap off your visit with a stop at our Beer and Cider Tasting Bar.
Apple Holler’s Ag-venture is for the Kid in All of Us
To book your group’s Ag-venture today, call 262-884-7100.
September 23, 2022 marked the 200th anniversary of the 1822 Treaty, which established the land base for Oneida, on what was then the Michigan territory, in Wisconsin. About a year later, some Oneida families from the east began to travel from New York and settle in the newly established territory. To acknowledge this significant event, we honor all those who came before us and all those who helped us become what we are today. Furthermore, we recognize the contributions from the Menominee, Ho-Chunk, Stockbridge-Munsee, and Brothertown Nations.
Oneida has many unique features to experience, including a historic village, featuring a replica longhouse, the traditional dwelling that Oneida people lived in hundreds of years ago. Adjacent to the longhouse are authentic log homes and a war memorial wall that pays homage to all those who serve. The tour continues through the countryside to the visit the 185 year old Episcopal Church, the Oneida Museum and a stop at the Buffalo Overlook. Book
920.496.5647
Welcome to Wisconsin!
With 2023 having arrived and optimism abounding, Wisconsin is excited to invite you to visit our lovely state and enjoy our many amazing attractions and activities.
The Dairy State continues to welcome groups with great anticipation and smiles. This year’s tour planner reflects that as we provide you with a new, fresh vision of everything our state has to offer you and your travelers.
The stories and itineraries included in this year’s planner feature new, tried-and-true and allaround FUN destinations and attractions for your next tour to Wisconsin. Travelers will enjoy the beauty of any outdoor activity, be it on land or in the water. They will experience history, attractions and culture when exploring our communities. Tour groups can also pay a visit to a multitude of museums that tell the story of not only Wisconsin but characteristics of the American Spirit including ingenuity, entertainment and creativity. Groups can also enjoy an abundance of delicious food, from freshly made cheese to squeaky cheese curds to incredible desserts like the Wisconsin Kringle.
Are you looking for some great festivals to visit this year? We spotlight some of the best fests in the Midwest, showing group leaders how they can spice up their itineraries by taking travelers to time-honored events and mesmerizing holiday light extravaganzas. Those seeking mouth-watering food will love our story in which we visit both urban areas and idyllic country settings. Those looking to visit Europe without breaking the bank will appreciate Wisconsin’s many museums, historical attractions and special events.
If you’re looking for even more itinerary ideas for Wisconsin and the Midwest, join us March 19-21 for the annual Circle Wisconsin Midwest Marketplace at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Meet with more than 100 destinations, attractions, theaters and more from not only Wisconsin but the surrounding Midwestern states (Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and the Dakotas). It’s an industry event you don’t want to miss. Go to www.midwestmarketplace.org for more information and to register.
Wisconsin is an ideal destination for groups looking for scenic and fun outdoor adventures, an abundance of interesting attractions to explore, tasty culinary trips, unique and delightful theater experiences, but above all friendly and smiling Wisconsinites looking forward to welcoming you to our beautiful state.
See you on the bus!
Wendy Dobrzynski Executive Director wendy@circlewisconsin.com
Matthew Bosen
President, Circle Wisconsin Board matt@visitbeloit.com
Hotels by Region
Contact information on Circle Wisconsin lodging members can be found in this planner’s regional listing sections and also on www.circlewisconsin.com
Legendary Waters Resort & Casino Red Cliff
Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel Wabeno
Northwoods and Lake Superior Mississippi River Valley and Beyond
Hyatt Regency Green Bay Green Bay
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center Green Bay Green Bay
Tundra Lodge Resort & Conference Center Green Bay
Door County’s Rowleys Bay Resort & Restaurant Ellison Bay
Candlewood Suites
Milwaukee Airport Oak Creek
Comfort Suites Milwaukee Airport Oak Creek
Fairfield Inn & Suites Milwaukee Airport Oak Creek
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Milwaukee Airport Milwaukee
Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva Lake Geneva
AmericInn Lodge & Suites Wisconsin Dells
Chula Vista Resort Wisconsin Dells
Baymont Inn & Suites Madison West Madison
Chalet Landhaus New Glarus
Comfort Suites Madison West Madison
Wisconsin Heartland
Eastern Shores
Sun Prairie
South Central Crossroads
Cascade Development Sun Prairie
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Fort Atkinson Fort Atkinson
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Madison
North Central Group Madison
Comfort Inn Fond du Lac Fond du Lac
Comfort Suites Appleton Appleton
Holiday Inn Appleton Appleton
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Oshkosh Oshkosh
Fairfield Inn & Suites Sheboygan Sheboygan
The Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Conference Center Oshkosh
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Fond du Lac
Radisson Fond du Lac Fond du Lac
Europe in Wisconsin
Museums, historical attractions, restaurants and special events recognize ethnic groups who came from the Old World to settle in America
Pride of heritage runs deep and wide in Wisconsin, where the largest and smallest of communities demonstrate ongoing devotion to their European roots.
Ninety percent of the state’s population is of northern European descent. Many of the beloved foods, traditions and ways of life that immigrants brought to Wisconsin during the mid-1800s continue as reminders of cultural identity today.
The official state pastry, kringle, is a flakey oval with fruit or nut filling. Wisconsinites love the labor-intensive treat from Denmark because Racine bakers made it their specialty generations ago. The Lake Michigan city also is home to Wells Brothers, in the same modest neighborhood since 1921 and arguably the oldest Italian restaurant in the state.
Most prevalent, statewide, is German ancestry. About 40 percent in Wisconsin say they are of German descent. That means authentic German meals, beer and events are easy to find.
One of the Midwest’s largest and longest-running Oktoberfest celebrations began in La Crosse in 1961. Staged for four days at two fest grounds in late September and early October, Oktoberfest USA features carnival rides, wiener dog races and two parades. The Milwaukee area abounds with Oktoberfests, but the big one is in Glendale on September weekends and the first weekend in October in Heidelberg Park at the Bavarian Bierhaus.
German food? Schnitzel, rouladen, sauerbraten and sausages are on the menu at Dorf Haus in unincorporated Roxbury, 25 miles northwest of Madison’s lively Essen Haus, where oompah music and polka dancing are business as usual on Friday and Saturday nights.
A mural depicts the Rhine riverbank’s Lorelei Rock at Lorelei Inn in Green Bay, where German beer was on tap years before becoming fashionable. At OB’s Brau Haus, Appleton, imported German ingredients are used to brew beer locally. Al and Al’s Steinhaus, Sheboygan, began as a corner neighborhood tavern that grew to add German-specialty dining decades ago.
The 1902 Mader’s, in downtown Milwaukee, is the city’s oldest restaurant. Mader’s serves beer by the glass boot and repeatedly ranks among the city’s best destinations for ethnic dining. Old World reminders – ornate woodwork, stained glass, sense-of-place paintings and murals – are abundant at Kegel’s Inn in suburban West Allis, a longtime restaurant and beer hall with seasonal outdoor beer garden.
Traditional German-influenced architecture can be found throughout Milwaukee. Downtown’s magnificent 1894-1896 Milwaukee City Hall building, a prime example, is the only American city hall constructed in the German Renaissance Revival style and with its 393-foot clock tower is an iconic part of the city’s skyline. The massive municipal building was shown in the opening credits of the TV series “Laverne & Shirley,” which was set in Milwaukee.
As winter nears, the annual International Holiday Folk Fest draws thousands to State Fair Park, West Allis, for an indoor celebration of nations that includes much of Europe. Children and adults dance onstage in attire traditional to their native land. Students are rewarded for visiting booths that teach international culture and history. Shoppers buy Polish pottery to Ukrainian Easter eggs, nibble on French crepes, Czech dumplings, Italian cannoli.
The European Village and Streets of Old Milwaukee exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum capture the history of the European people that settled and populated Milwaukee in its early days. Furnishing the re-created homes and shops at the European Village are folk art, costumes, musical instruments and other artifacts that represent 33 cultures, including Austrian, Belgian, Croatian, Irish, Polish, Ukrainian, Welsh, Hungarian, Portuguese, Latvian, Lithuanian, the list goes on.
Another Milwaukee gem is the Grohmann Museum, touted as having the “most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work.” Most of the 1,700-plus paintings, sculptures and works on paper are European (from 1580 on), with most of the paintings by Dutch and German artists. The art is arranged by work themes, such as medical, mining, farming and metal processing. The Grohmann Museum is on the campus of MSOE University.
Several historical sites in Wisconsin pay homage to European roots, too. At Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center (the name means “Norwegian Valley”), 20 miles southeast of La Crosse, museum galleries and preserved buildings reveal how long-ago immigrants lived and worked. Groups can enjoy a catered Norwegian meal and hike the miles of trails through wooded bluffs.
Pendarvis preserves the relics and buildings of Cornish lead miners in Mineral Point, a small community whose historic district was Wisconsin’s first on the National Register of Historic Places. On the 600-acre Old World Wisconsin campus, near Eagle, are 60 historic structures that were relocated, restored and staffed with living history interpreters; many buildings were the work of Danish, Finnish, German, Norwegian and Polish immigrants.
A melting pot of nationalities is engrained into the Door County peninsula’s identity. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, Butik and Stabbur is a favorite stop for travelers to Sister Bay – especially since goats graze on the sod-topped roof during much of the year. On the menu: thin pancakes topped with lingonberries, grilled sandwiches served on limpa bread, pickled herring, Swedish meatballs.
Ephraim was settled by the Norwegian Moravian faith community, and volunteers lead guided history tours that explain how the past is a part of present-day life. Signs of Icelandic history are evident in architecture and museums on Washington Island; a short ferry ride away is Rock Island State Park, whose Boat House library is richly furnished with elaborate, hand-carved furniture made by Icelandic and Scandinavian ancestors.
Elsewhere in Wisconsin are hamlets that make up for their small population with a huge respect for their motherland. One nickname for Hurley, in the far north, is “Little Finland,” and this is where the National Finnish American Festival Cultural Center is a keeper of heritage.
Stoughton, in Dane County south of Madison, hosts a midMay, multi-day Syttende Mai festival in honor of Norwegian independence. What else? A local bakery makes lefse all year, fiddlers perform with Norway’s national instrument (the Hardanger) and Livsreise thrives as a Norwegian heritage center that tells the story of Norwegian immigration to Wisconsin from 1825-1910. High schoolers perform in a Norwegian dance troupe, the Edvard Grieg men’s chorus is nearly one century old, and a state rosemaling association arranges classes, exhibits and sales.
Also south of Madison is New Glarus, home to the Swiss Center of North America, which tells and preserves stories of Swiss immigration
Go With the Pros
By partnering with Wisconsin tour, motorcoach and/or receptive operators, group tour planners will find just the professional expertise they need.
BADGER BUS, established in 1920, has a full range of coaches and vans for charter. In addition, the company will customize a trip to meet your group’s needs.
C&M PRESENTS specializes in Green Bay, Door County and the region, offering a number of day and multi-day trips in northeastern Wisconsin and beyond. Tours can include a Fox River cruise, Door County adventures, winery hopping in the Niagara Escarpment grape-growing region and a variety of attractions throughout the greater Green Bay area.
in the U.S. and Canada. The Swiss Historical Village & Museum chronicles Swiss pioneer life in 14 artifact-filled buildings, including a settler’s cabin, school, blacksmith shop, bee house and church. New Glarus, a town of only 2,266 residents, is large enough to turn festivals into something special because of a vjodlerklub (choir of yodelers) and meters-long alphorns (used to call home cattle, long ago). Other annual offerings include Heidi and Wilhelm Tell festivals (in June and September, respectively). Noticeable all year: alpine chalet architecture, walnut and almond horns at New Glarus Bakery, rich fondues and rosti potatoes at Chalet Landhaus. Belgium, population 2,421 and in Ozaukee County, is home to the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, a combination museum, genealogy center and headquarters for cultural programs/ assistance. Luxembourg’s grand duke and prime minister have visited. The motherland trusts only this facility in the U.S. to assist with dual-citizenship requests, and about 3,000 families were assisted from 2009 through 2022. One family surname is honored during Luxembourg Fest Week in August, which turns the event into somewhat of an international reunion.
Regardless of community size or the part of Wisconsin visited, much remains to recognize history and homelands that are far beyond the state’s borders.
DAIRY STATE TOURS, a receptive tour operator, can arrange fun-on-the-farm experiences, architectural tours featuring Wisconsin’s own Frank Lloyd Wright, Great River Road tours and more. Themed itineraries might focus on Wisconsin specialty foods, ethnic traditions, shopping or holiday festivities. Grand tours of Wisconsin and regional forays can be arranged as well.
HAPPY TIMES TOURS, with more than 25 years of tour experience, can arrange anything from a half-day Laverne & Shirley-themed tour of Milwaukee to Apostle Islands trips. The company does custom tour planning for groups with various interests and budgets.
LAMERS BUS LINES has been providing groups of all sizes with trustworthy service for 78 years. This well respected tour and transportation company maintains a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches, mini coaches and trolley buses. It offers custom tour planning as well.
MILWAUKEE FOOD & CITY TOURS, an award-winning tour company, offers unique and flavorful experiences throughout Milwaukee and SE Wisconsin. Explore historic neighborhoods, iconic breweries and dining establishments, sampling taste treats along the way.
Best Fests in the Midwest
Savvy group leaders can spice up their Wisconsin itineraries by taking their travelers to time-honored annual events and mesmerizing holiday light extravaganzas
Christmas, a season of holiday cheer, may be the most festive time of the year, but every month on Wisconsin’s calendar brims with festivals and special events that bring out community spirit. These happy happenings spotlight local heritage, culture, food, musical talent and artistic achievements. Most of all, they are just fun.
For its summer-long slew of big-time festivals, Milwaukee is nicknamed the “City of Festivals.” The best-known parties take place at Henry Maier Festival Park, a 75-acre expanse of landscaped grounds and walkways fronting Lake Michigan where nationally known celebrations represent Milwaukee’s diverse ethnic make-up. August’s four-day Milwaukee Irish Fest, with 100 acts across 16 stages including plenty of Celtic and Irish music, claims to be the largest celebration of Irish culture in the world, Ireland notwithstanding. July’s three-day German Fest, featuring beer, brats, sauerkraut, dumplings, smoked pork chops and the entertaining dachshund races, puts on one of the largest German heritage fetes in North America. The lakefront park is also home to early June’s Polish Fest, the biggest such event in the U.S., and Mexican Fiesta in late August. At other Milwaukee locations, French culture sparks Bastille Days in mid-July, while Festa Italiana is a September favorite.
The Wisconsin State Fair, which runs for 11 days in August in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, presents the best produce, livestock and baked goods the Dairy State has to offer, along with pig races, carnival games and rides, 30 stages with free entertainment, and a main stage featuring national touring acts. Fairgoers feast on foot-long corn dogs, deep-fried cheese curds, corn-on-the-cob dripping with butter and the decadent Original Cream Puff, a fair staple since 1924.
Food is always a big lure of any fair or festival, but some fests focus on a signature Wisconsin taste treat. To kick off summer in Madison, the World’s Largest Brat Fest takes place on Memorial Day weekend, with sales of 4 million bratwursts benefitting local charities. Crowds enjoy carnival rides, midway games, music and fireworks.
Just before harvest time on the last full weekend in September 2023, the Warrens Cranberry Festival will observe its 50th year in
the “Cranberry Capital of Wisconsin.” There will be parades, arts and crafts, a farmer’s market, flea market, 100 food stalls, dozens of contests and walking tours of a cranberry marsh. Vendors serve specialties like cranberry smoothies, cranberry funnel cakes, pancakes with cranberry syrup and deep-fried cranberries on a stick. Wisconsin leads the nation in cranberry production, and the tart berry is the official state fruit.
In downtown Wisconsin Dells, mid-September’s Wo-Zha-Wa Days Fall Festival is one of the state’s largest festivals. (Its name means “fun time” in Ho-Chunk.) Celebrating the end of summer and beginning of autumn, the three-day extravaganza features an arts and crafts fair, antiques flea market, live entertainment, a street carnival and a Sunday parade.
Cedarburg Wine & Harvest Festival, also in mid-September, brings merrymakers to downtown Cedarburg for wine from Cedar Creek Winery, Miller Coors beer products and foods like cranberry turkey wraps, apple bratwurst and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Highlights include a juried art show, classic car show, grapestomping contest, the Wisconsin Giant Pumpkin Growers Weighoff and the wildly popular Giant Pumpkin Charity Regatta with boats carved from 600-pound pumpkins.
Held in the Mississippi River town of Prairie du Chien, the 46th annual Prairie Villa Rendezvous (June 15-18, 2023) is the largest buckskinners and fur trade reenactment in the Midwest. This year’s crowd-pleaser will observe the 350th anniversary of a momentous journey, as Prairie du Chien is one of the main stops on the currentday voyage retracing the 1673 Mississippi River expedition by French explorers Father Jacques Marquette and fur trader Louis Joliet. Rendezvous activities will include bow and black-powder shoots, a primitive cooking contest, and demonstrations of pottery making, weaving, blacksmithing and bead making.
Also in Prairie du Chien, the Victorian mansion complex Villa Louis, once home to a premier Standardbred-training facility, showcases the competitive sport of traditional carriage driving on the weekend after Labor Day. The Villa Louis Carriage Classic features driving in arena and obstacle classes.
For the Door County Lighthouse Festival, you have a choice of spring and fall weekends (mid-June or late September). Focusing on the Door Peninsula’s maritime heritage, boat excursions visit the 11 historic lighthouses, some of which are otherwise inaccessible.
Every summer, Baraboo’s Big Top Parade & Circus Celebration honors the town’s circus heritage. The old-fashioned parade (June 24, 2023) stars ornately carved wagons and exotic animals from Circus World, the nation’s leading circus-themed attraction. Other weekend festivities include big-top shows at Circus World and events at Al. Ringling Theatre in downtown Baraboo.
Some of Wisconsin’s festivals are downright quirky. Take Sputnikfest in Manitowoc, for instance. On the weekend after Labor Day each year, the town’s Rahr-West Art Museum celebrates the September day in 1962 when a 20-pound piece of the Russian spaceship Sputnik IV landed on the street in front of the museum. Revelers come for the food, entertainment, sci-fi trivia contest, and Space Debris and Alien Pet costume contests.
Another offbeat festival is the US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship in August at the Wisconsin Logging Museum in Eau Claire. Guest carvers from around the world put on a show as they compete to make works of art from wood.
SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER
During the holiday season from Thanksgiving through December, give your tours some extra sparkle by tapping into one of Wisconsin’s many Christmas light shows. These nighttime spectacles can be enjoyed on foot or inside a warm vehicle, or perhaps via trolley or horse-drawn carriage. Some shows are freeadmission, but cash or food pantry donations are appreciated.
For the 12th year in 2023, the nightly Making Spirits Bright display of electric artistry will transform the winding roads of Sheboygan’s Evergreen Park into a winter wonderland. Choreographed to holiday music, twinkling outlines in the lightfestooned woodlands may range from a gingerbread house to the Eiffel Tower. On Friday and Saturday nights at the Quarryview Center, across from the park, visitors can board the trolley for their tour and will find concessions, entertainment and Santa Claus.
In La Crosse, Rotary Lights at Riverside Park, looking to its 29th year in 2023, offers musical entertainment, ice skating, free s’mores and a live Nativity production. Guests can walk or drive through the fantasyland of 3 million lights, and, on select nights,
Showtime in Wisconsin
take a hayride or carriage ride.
Green Bay Botanical Garden stages WPS Garden of Lights, a nature-inspired spectacular that includes an icicle forest, glistening flowers and a 60-foot-long, walk-through caterpillar. The Holiday Light Show at Rotary Botanical Gardens has brightened the season in Janesville for 27 years. At Wildwood Park & Zoo in Marshfield, Rotary Winter Wonderland offers walking and driving routes, with horse-drawn wagons providing an option.
Glowing with 750,000 lights adorning more than 120 trees, Celebration of Lights is a 22-year Oshkosh holiday tradition. The 1.2-mile drive through Menomonee Park is enhanced by colorful reflections from Lake Winnebago. Paine Art Center and Gardens, occupying a historic estate in Oshkosh, enchants groups with self-guided and guided tours through mansion rooms elaborately decorated with scenes from The Nutcracker fairytale, not to mention 70 Christmas trees. Marking its 17th year in 2023, Nutcracker in the Castle will run from mid-November to early January.
Groups also enjoy sparkling interactive displays in three downtown parks comprising the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival from mid-November to New Year’s Day.
Not only are Wisconsin’s parks decked out for Christmas, but so are its historic homes. For example, Milwaukee’s Pabst Mansion, the 1892 home of beer baron Frederick Pabst, gets all gussied up for the holidays, adding festive decorations to accent its Gilded Age splendor. From late November to early January, self-guided tours are offered daily, while special evening tours from Thursday to Saturday include live holiday music and drinks for purchase like spiced wine and hot pecan whiskey cider.
LIVE PERFORMANCE VENUES PROVIDE CROWD-PLEASING OPTIONS
Whether your group is looking for a Broadway musical, serious play or just a lot of laughs, Wisconsin stages deliver.
For decades, The Fireside Dinner Theatre in Fort Atkinson has been a favorite with motorcoach groups. The 2023 playbill features The Music Man, Grumpy Old Men: The Musical, Legends in Concert – Direct from London, Mary Poppins and Scrooge the Musical Dinner with a show is also on the docket at Rosewood in Delavan, a community in the Lake Geneva area. Lunch, brunch and dinner packages (with choice of plated or buffet menus) include a themed cabaret show by Mark and Gretchen Hladish.
Dancing Horses Theatre, also in Delavan, presents dazzling spectacles of equestrian artistry in a 300-seat indoor arena. Horses in a variety of breeds perform with exacting precision alongside their trainers. Lunch and dinner packages are available.
The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Milwaukee is home to the Milwaukee Ballet Company and Florentine Opera Company. It also hosts touring Broadway shows,
with this year’s line-up including Six: The Musical, Disney’s Frozen, Hadestown and Tootsie.
During summer in Door County, Northern Sky Theater presents original musicals beneath the stars and towering pines at Peninsula State Park’s amphitheater and indoors at the Gould Theater. Door County’s Peninsula Players Theatre begins its 88th season this June. In a pretty garden setting, the renowned artistic company performs Broadwayquality comedies, musicals and dramas in a fully covered theater.
Groups in Green Bay will laugh their heads off at one of the alloriginal musicals created by Let Me Be Frank Productions. Fusing elements of Saturday Night Live sketches and pop concerts, the hilarious shows take place in downtown’s historic Meyer Theatre.
Your group can book a show put on by Kids from Wisconsin Each year, the organization auditions and selects 36 of the state’s most talented young adults (22 dancer/vocalists with a 14-piece show band) to perform Broadway-caliber shows in cities large and small across Wisconsin.
Tastes
Biting into a crisp, juicy apple fresh from the tree.
Sipping wine on a patio with sweeping vineyard views. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at the beer-making process and then quaffing a pint in the taproom.
These are all special Wisconsin experiences that your travelers will remember long after their tour. The state’s orchards, wineries, distilleries and breweries add appetizing exclamation points to any itinerary. Most of these tasty destinations have places where your group can eat and drink, and all have gift shops filled with Wisconsin-made foods and beverages to take home. In some cases, enterprising proprietors operate two businesses at the same location—perhaps they run a combination winery and distillery or orchard-cum-winery—thus giving groups a chance to double their pleasure.
Apple Holler, a 78-acre family farm and year-round tourist attraction in Sturtevant, offers tractor-drawn tours through its apple, peach and pear orchards, with opportunities for apple picking and feeding goats at the Golden Goat Bridge. In the Red Barn Restaurant, groups can feast on a country meal topped off with hot apple pie and ice cream. Treats in the Farm Store & Bakery include apple cider donuts, caramel apples, apple-pie bread and apple turnovers. Fall brings out the pumpkin pickers.
The Lake Winnebago Region around Fond du Lac abounds with family-friendly farms that are especially popular around pumpkin time in September and October. At Heritage Orchard, overlooking the east shore of Lake Winnebago, folks keep busy selecting apples and pumpkins, hiking the trails, sipping apple cider, and indulging in cider donuts, apple pie and other apple treats. Visitors to LaClare Family Creamery in Malone enjoy watching the goats on the
In both urban areas and idyllic country settings, groups can sample the state’s culinary scene by visiting makers and growers with a passion for food and drinkBaraboo Bluff Winery
26-foot-tall climbing silo, posing with the goats, sampling goat milk cheeses and seeing the cheesemakers at work.
In central Wisconsin, following the Cranberry Highway’s 50 miles from Wisconsin Rapids to Warren and Pittsville to Nekoosa is best experienced during harvest season in late September and October when the cranberry bogs are blazing red. Groups learn about the state fruit at the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center in Warrens. Wisconsin is the nation’s top cranberry producer.
Also in central Wisconsin, Visit Wausau can help arrange a tour of a ginseng farm. There are more than 1,000 ginseng producers in Marathon County, the Ginseng Capital of the World. More than 95 percent of the ginseng root exported from the United States comes from the area.
Located by Lake Superior in far northern Wisconsin, Bayfield County enjoys a unique microclimate that allows fruits and berries to flourish. Surrounded by berry farms and orchards of the Fruit Loop, Bayfield is known as the Berry Capital of Wisconsin. During the summer months, you can find fresh strawberries, sweet and tart cherries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. The area’s 10 apple orchards are popular fall destinations.
Any of the Eau Claire area’s dozen apple orchards will make a satisfying fall outing. One favorite is Ferguson’s Orchards, a center of agri-entertainment with apple picking, a pumpkin patch, corn mazes, haunted houses, wagon rides and petting zoos. The Glass Orchard is a combination apple orchard and glass studio with glassblowing demonstrations and hands-on sessions that can be arranged for your group.
More fall festivity awaits at Shihata’s Orchard, a third-generation family operation set among the bluffs of the Mississippi River in Prairie du Chien. It features the area’s largest pumpkin patch, its only u-pick apple opportunities and plenty of family fun from mid-August to late fall. Customized small-group visits include a wagon ride, tour of the packing house, goodies and time to explore the Apple House retail shop. A half hour to the northeast, on a hill known as Orchard
Ridge, five orchards flank Highway 171 in the Kickapoo River Valley community of Gays Mills, known as the Apple Capital of Wisconsin. Several Wisconsin orchards have gotten into the beverage business. On the grounds of Brightonwoods Orchard in Burlington, west of Racine, ÆppelTreow Winery & Distillery welcomes groups for tours and tastings of its apple and pear wines, hard ciders, dessert wines, brandies and sorghum whiskey. The estate grows more than 150 varieties of apples, plus grapes; its name is an Old English word meaning “apple true.”
In Door County, which once grew 95 percent of the nation’s cherry crop, your group can tour the orchards and vineyards at family-owned Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery & Market. They can taste cherry, apple and other wines and ciders made from fruits grown on the 100-acre estate in Fish Creek, and even compete in a cherry-pit spitting contest. Lautenbach’s top-selling product is the honeycrisp apple wine. (The winery is in the restored dairy barn.) Bakery items include cherry donuts, muffins and strudel.
Occupying an 1800s schoolhouse in the Door County town of Carlsville, Door Peninsula Winery, Wisconsin’s largest winery, makes 70 wines from grapes, apples, cherries and other fruits. Most popular are the Blackberry Merlot and Cherry Mimosa, an “applewine” combining cherry wine and sparkling apple cider. Sister company Door County Distillery, in the same building, produces apple and cherry brandies, cherry rum, cherry vodka and awardwinning gins, along with other spirits, including mead made from Wisconsin wildflower honey. Drinks can be enjoyed in lounges and the outdoor patio. Wine tastings at the bar are free, while spirit samples are $2. Group tours shed light on the products, processes and company history. The Door County Wine Trail between Lake Michigan and Green Bay counts eight wineries.
Greater Green Bay abounds with breweries and wineries. Parallel 44 Vineyard & Winery in Kewaunee, east of Green Bay, invites wine lovers to tour the vineyard and production area while sampling wine along the way. Von Stiehl Winery in Algoma, 38 minutes east
of Green Bay, is Wisconsin’s oldest licensed winery and maintains historic aging cellars in a limestone building dating back to 1868. Some of the 40-plus wine varietals are made from cherries and grapes grown in Door County. Von Stiehl’s Cherry Bounce blends cherry brandy and cherry wine.
Beer fans in Green Bay satisfy their thirst and their palates at places like Badger State Brewing Company, Copper State Brewing Company, Titletown Brewing Company, Noble Roots Brewing Company and Stillmank Beer Company. The latter is best known for Wisco Disco, a hoppy amber ale with a touch of lactose, a perfect complement to Wisconsin cheese.
In Baraboo, 20 minutes from Wisconsin Dells, wine enthusiasts flock to Baraboo Bluff Winery, Balanced Rock Winery and Broken Bottle Winery. Wisconsin Dells Trolley Tours arranges group excursions to area wineries and breweries.
Bailey’s Run Vineyard & Winery, nestled in the rolling hills of New Glarus, commands one of the most scenic views of any winery in Wisconsin. It makes 30 different kinds of wine, serves Neapolitan brick-oven pizza, flatbreads and other food, and features live music, both indoors and outdoors, on weekends year-round.
For sipping and savoring in the Mississippi River Valley, the Coulee Region Craft Beverage Trail meanders north, south and west of La Crosse. It includes four breweries, 10 wineries and a distillery (La Crosse Distilling Co.). Some of the wineries are located in the federally designated Upper Mississippi River Valley American Viticulture Area (AVA).
Outside of Elkhorn, the seat of southern Wisconsin’s Walworth County, Laura and Ben Johnson’s Duesterbeck Brewing Company occupies a 150-year-old family farm. Inside a new barn that replicates the original one, the taproom serves small-batch beers like Duesterbeck’s Crop Duester cream ale, Duesterbeck’s Pig Farmer pale ale and Duesterbeck’s Roosterbeck amber ale. Or try Duesterbeck’s Nutty Bill’s, a peanut butter porter, or The Old Girl’s Sticky Buns, a dark stout packed with cinnamon, maple and vanilla. The limited food menu
includes pizza and soft hot pretzels. Weeknights feature trivia and bingo, while live music is on tap every weekend.
In nearby Lake Geneva, Topsy Turvy Brewery has recently taken up residence in a circa 1910 former church, offering a front patio and beer garden out back for enjoying brews named after a Wisconsin invention or bit of history. Geneva Lake Distilling & Studio Winery, also in Lake Geneva, makes a variety of red and white wine, plus gin, bourbon, moonshine, rum, whiskey and vodka. Adorning its tasting room are paintings by co-owner Kathy Johnson, who also designs the bottles’ award-winning labels.
Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee offers one of the most entertaining brewery tours in the country. Filled with facts and lore sprinkled with plenty of jokes, the 45-minute experience includes two 16-ounce pours and a souvenir pint glass. Lakefront’s spacious Beer Hall restaurant has 18 taps dispensing beers like the Hazy Rabbit IPA, Bumble Bear brown ale and Riverwest Stein amber lager; the root beer is made with pure maple syrup. On the menu are salads, sandwiches, sausage flights, Bavarian-style soft pretzels and beer-battered cheese curds. Lakefront was the first brewery in the nation to be certified organic and the first to produce glutenfree beer. (Milwaukee once had more than 80 breweries, earning it the nickname “Beer City.”) At Sprecher Brewing Company in nearby Glendale, tour participants get four beer samples and unlimited craft soda, including Sprecher’s nationally famous root beer.
Capital Brewery in Middleton has been turning out some of Wisconsin’s best-known beers since 1984. Guests can relax over a Wisconsin Amber, its biggest seller, in the Bier Stube, Grain Room or outdoor Bier Garten. Capital’s tour program, halted for a while, starts up again in spring of 2023.
Stevens Point Brewery, at the same location where it started in 1857, invites visitors to tour the historic facility and sample its famous Point beers in the Hospitality Room. The beer garden has outdoor games, and the gift shop sells not only beer but the company’s Point gourmet sodas, Tea Runner hard iced teas and Ciderboys hard ciders.
Eastern Shores
Wisconsin’s Great Northeast: A Treasure Chest of History and Culture
Sample the region’s industrial past, maritime lore and dairy farming heritage on this four-day swing that visits cities like Manitowoc, Green Bay, Appleton, Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Milwaukee. Delve into fine art, encounter Native American culture and catch the spirit of one of pro football’s most fabled franchises.
DAY 1
MANITOWOC
Board the SS Badger in Ludington, Michigan for your journey across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc , Wisconsin. Relax aboard this historic steamship car ferry, enjoy a game of Badger Bingo, watch a movie or just enjoy the morning strolling the deck. After crossing one of the Great Lakes, head over to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum . Discover engaging experiences, exhibits and learning opportunities as you explore the museum. Head outside to tour the USS Cobia, which served in the Pacific in WWII. The Cobia serves as an international memorial to submariners.
Just down the road you’ll visit the world’s largest collection of type at the Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum . The rich history of American printing, from newspapers, advertisements and posters, will take you back in time, and you will see how wood type is influencing modern designers and printers.
The Rahr-West Art Museum is housed in a Queen Anne-style mansion built in the 1890s. Enjoy the wonderful blend of fine exhibits including works from Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
DAY 2
GREEN BAY
Begin your day at the hallowed grounds of the Green Bay Packers , Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame . The HOF is a tribute to the greatest story in sports as told through enhanced interactive exhibits and a trove of artifacts. Your group can also take in a stadium tour, which includes heading down to the field level through the Players tunnel, just as the team has done throughout the history of the Packers.
The Oneida Nation offers reservation tours featuring the buffalo overlook, historical exhibits and hands-on experiences. Also visit one of America’s largest, oldest rail museums, the National Railroad Museum . It features the Dwight D. Eisenhower Locomotive & Command Cars, Union Pacific “Big Boy,” The Pullman Porters: From Service to Civil Rights and a variety of other exhibits. From trains to the automobile, cruise down memory lane with extraordinary views and stories of 100+ pristine collector vehicles spanning 110+ years at The Automobile Gallery
End the day with a stroll or tram ride through Heritage Hill , a 56-acre living history state park, beautifully nestled on the banks of the Fox River with 26 historic buildings encapsulating northeastern Wisconsin’s history from the 1600s to the early 1900s.
DAY 3
BRILLION, APPLETON
This morning, head to Brillion to visit the highly interactive AriensCo Museum , which tells the story of the country’s journey from horse-and-plow to horsepower. Unique galleries transport you to an 1890s factory, 1930s farm and groovy 1960s backyard. Step inside Wisconsin’s largest snow globe for a unique photo opportunity.
Arrive in Appleton for a laid-back cruise on the Fox River, with light narration focusing on history, the environment, area geology, beautiful scenery and lovely riverfront homes. Located in the historic Sawyer home, a beautiful English Tudor Revival residence, the Oshkosh Public Museum is home to the Apostles Clock. Over 100 years old, the eight-foot-tall clock continues to toll out each hour with a brilliant display of lights, music and master clockworks.
DAY 4
Start in Green Lake and enjoy a leisurely entertaining and informative cruise on the deepest inland lake in Wisconsin. The Wade House in Greenbush showcases the horse-powered world before planes, automobiles and railroads. Explore the golden era of the carriage through the stagecoach hotel and Wisconsin's largest collection of carriages and wagons. Your group will enjoy a self-guided tour at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc to view the expansive exhibit space and a trip to a local dairy farm. During your time at the center, your group will gain a deeper understanding of Wisconsin agriculture, food processing and sustainable farming.
The final stop of the day is the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, a unique museum promoting the understanding and appreciation of the work of self-taught and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss checking out the restrooms!
DAY 5
SHEBOYGAN, MILWAUKEE
Before leaving Sheboygan, you’ll want to stop at the new Art Preserve , the world’s first museum to focus entirely on work from art environments. See bone towers built in a kitchen, concrete sculptures constructed in a yard on the shore of Lake Michigan and elaborate fiber hangings woven in a New York City loft. These works exemplify the wide-ranging and complex artist-built environments contained at the Art Preserve.
Before departing Wisconsin, get some fresh air and take a stroll or tram ride through the Milwaukee County Zoo. Take in the Sea Lion Show, experience a 4D Gorilla Trek through the forests of Rwanda or have an up-close encounter with a variety of furry, feathered and finned animals.
Eastern Shores
Southeastern Wisconsin Offers
An Overload of Itinerary Gold
From the Gilded Age mansions of Lake Geneva to the big-city pleasures of Milwaukee, the region brims with group-friendly opportunities for every interest. Learn about auto manufacturing history, get immersed in motorcycle culture and connect with nature at America’s largest freshwater cattail marsh.
What do Carl Sagan and Edwin Hubble have to do with Wisconsin? They both studied at Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay, home to the world’s largest refracting telescope. Take a tour of the observatory and learn about the discoveries made by some of the top minds in astronomy. The architecture and the story of the building add another layer to the tour.
Cruise Geneva Lake with Lake Geneva Cruise Line ; themed excursions include the famous Mailboat Cruise, an ice cream social cruise and the Black Point Estate tour. Step back in time at Black Point Estate , one of the oldest homes on the lake. Built as a retreat in 1888 for Chicago beer baron Conrad Seipp, the home remains a place to relax, refresh and explore. Just like the Victorian VIPs who established the estate, you’ll arrive in style and enjoy stunning Geneva Lake views on your cruise to this magnificent mansion, considered one of the finest examples of period architecture and furnishings in the Midwest. Reflect on simpler times aboard the East Troy Electric Railroad . The historic rail cars travel 10 miles through beautiful Southeast Wisconsin; one option is a dinner excursion.
MILWAUKEE
Head to Milwaukee, where you’ll experience the stories, history and architecture of a city recently recognized as “National Geographic Travel Best of the Best for 2023.” Stop at North Point Lighthouse and Museum in historic Lake Park to enjoy the exhibits and perhaps climb the 74-foot tower for a breathtaking view. Just down the road, the Jewish Museum Milwaukee spotlights the history of Milwaukee’s Jewish community. Permanent exhibits explore themes of immigration, intolerance, diversity, respect and freedom. Highlights include a wall-size tapestry by Marc Chagall, the Settlement Cookbook and an exhibit on Israeli leader Golda Meir (who grew up in Milwaukee).
A Milwaukee stay wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Harley-Davidson Museum . With an unrivaled collection of over 300 motorcycles and related memorabilia on display, you’ll get an in-depth look into the lifestyle of the motorcycle community. The gallery of motorcycles spans from 1903 to the present, including a motorcycle owned by Elvis Presley, Serial #1 and more. Before leaving, be sure to hop on a Harley-Davidson in the Experience Gallery.
CEDARBURG, HARTFORD
Today we’ll head north to the lovely Main Street town of Cedarburg and visit the Wisconsin Museum of Quilt and Fiber Arts. Here you’ll learn about and appreciate the artistic, cultural, historic and social importance of quilts and fiber arts. Continue to Horicon Marsh and the Explorium. Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States and home to over 300 kinds of birds, including egrets, cranes and the American pelican, plus mammals, fish, reptiles and plants. Explorium exhibits highlight the history and conservation of the marsh. Then it’s on to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford. The largest auto museum in the state, it features an ever-changing display of classic and vintage autos and artifacts, plus the largest assembled group of Hartford-built Kissel luxury automobiles. Over 100+ vehicles on exhibit include Studebakers, Kaisers, Nashes and other U.S.-made cars.
RACINE
Travel south to Racine for a stop at one of the authentic Danish bakeries to learn about the official pastry of Wisconsin, kringle. This delicious treat comes in a variety of flavors and you’ll have a hard time deciding which is your favorite. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Racine Zoo is home to some of the world’s most remarkable and endangered wildlife. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the grounds while enjoying the animal encounters. The zoo offers interactive education programs and special events throughout the year.
WISCONSIN
SHEBOYGAN
Eastern Shores Region Members
DOOR PENINSULA WINERY
Sturgeon Bay
Wisconsin's largest winery is open year-round and features over 50 wines and ciders. Large retail area for Door County gifts, wine accessories, homemade fudge and specialty food products.
ROB PETERSON 920-743-7431 marketing@dcwine.com www.dcwine.com
DESTINATION DOOR COUNTY
Sturgeon Bay
Few destinations in the Midwest provide a combination of natural beauty, history and small-town charm like Door County. Over a dozen quaint villages contain museums, galleries and shops.
LAURA BRADLEY 920-818-1137 laurab@doorcounty.com www.doorcounty.com
ROWLEYS BAY RESORT
Ellison Bay
Largest full-service resort in northern Door County. Lake Michigan waterfront, two queen beds in each room, flat-screen TVs, complimentary room policy, Rowleys Bay Restaurant and fullservice waterfront pub.
JEWEL PETERSON OURADNIK 800-999-2466 groups@rowleysbayresort.com www.rowleysbayresort.com
NORTHERN SKY THEATER Fish Creek
Original musicals under the stars! Must-see theater outdoors under the stars at Peninsula State Park Amphitheater or indoors at the intimate, state-of-the-art Gould Theater. Pure Door County fun!
BECKY DELISLE 920-854-6117 becky@northernskytheater.com www.northernskytheater.com
PENINSULA PLAYERS
THEATRE
Fish Creek
Door County’s professional theatrical treasure, presenting Broadway-quality comedies, dramas and musicals for 88 seasons. Be immersed in an unforgettable theatrical experience.
AUDRA BAAKARI BOYLE 920-868-3287 audra@peninsulaplayers.com www.peninsulaplayers.com
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green
Bay
The 15,000-square-foot Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame is conveniently located on the main floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium. A tribute to the greatest story in sports, the HOF educates and inspires visitors.
JACOB SERVAIS 920-569-7145 servaisj@packers.com www.packershofandtours.com
GREEN BAY BOTANICAL GARDEN
Green Bay
At Green Bay Botanical Garden, escape from your everyday and venture through lush gardens that capture the radiance of Midwest flora amid stunning architecture.
SAMANTHA LORGE 920-490-9457 slorge@gbbg.org www.gbbg.org
HERITAGE HILL STATE HISTORICAL PARK
Allouez
Experience 56 acres of living history at Heritage Hill State Historical Park. The park features 26 historic buildings encapsulating Northeastern Wisconsin’s history from the 1600s –early 1900s. Open year-round.
CLAIRE GWALTNEY 920-448-5150 x201 claire@heritagehillgb.org www.heritagehillgb.org
NATIONAL RAILROAD
MUSEUM
Green
Bay
Experience the history, culture and technology of American railroading. Walk though Gen. Eisenhower's WWII command train. Marvel at the size of the Big Boy, one of the world's largest steam locomotives.
JUSTIN LAMBRECHT 920-437-7623 jlambrecht@nationalrrmuseum.org www.nationalrrmuseum.org
ONEIDA NATION OF WISCONSIN
Green Bay
Immerse yourself in the culture and history of the Oneida Nation. Experience what life was like for the Oneidas living in traditional longhouses in New York to the original log homes.
LEAH STROOBANTS 920-496-5647 lstrooba@oneidanation.org www.exploreoneida.com/tour
THE AUTOMOBILE GALLERY & EVENT CENTER
Green Bay
Cruise down memory lane with extraordinary views and stories of 100+ pristine collector vehicles spanning 110+ years. You can find a car for every memory whether it be a 1957 Ford Thunderbird or the 2020 Ford GT!
MEGHAN LEHMANN 920-437-9024 inquires@theautomobilegallery.org www.theautomobilegallery.org
C&M PRESENTS
Green
Bay
We offer concierge-style service and unique tour opportunities throughout Wisconsin. The VIP service and added touches we include make your guests’ experience memorable and fun!
SUSAN BROBERG 920-471-7951 info@candmpresents.com www.candmpresents.com
DISCOVER
GREEN BAY Green Bay
Looking for something new and exciting? Be part of the action. Go behind the scenes. Amp up your group visit by trying a Green Bay Signature Experience. See history and performing arts from a whole new perspective.
JULIE GERCZAK
920-770-1470 julie@greenbay.com www.greenbay.com
HYATT REGENCY GREEN BAY Green Bay
Hyatt Regency Green Bay is an all-suite property conveniently located in downtown Green Bay along the Fox River Train. Experience comfortable luxury and Midwest hospitality in Wisconsin's oldest city.
TRACY HILLESHEIM
920-321-5059 tracy.hillesheim@hyatt.com www.greenbay.regency.hyatt.com
RADISSON HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER— GREEN BAY
Green Bay
Create a new story by planning a journey to Green Bay! We are located on the Oneida Native American reservation and connected to Oneida Casino.
AMANDA LAFAVE 20-405-6405 amanda.lafave@rhccgb.com www.radissonhotelsamericas.com
TUNDRA LODGE Green Bay
The Tundra Lodge is always looking for ways to add value to your experience. Featuring accommodations just a short stroll from legendary Lambeau Field, Tundra Lodge has the ideal package to meet your needs.
JASON HAGER
920-491-5760 jhager@greenbayhospitality.com www.tundralodge.com
LET ME BE FRANK PRODUCTIONS
Green
Bay
For 23 years LMBF’s has written over 135 different comedy musicals with over 400,000 people in attendance. You will be wowed by the voices and laugh at the comedy. Original musical theater at its best.
FRANK HERMANS 920-371-4070 frank@letmebefranks.com www.letmebefranks.com
ARIENSCO MUSEUM
Brillion
The museum feature interactive exhibits and vintage equipment revealing how our machines shaped the American landscape. Take a walk through 14,000 square feet of exhibition space to see a full-scale replica of Henry Ariens’ garage.
BREE BOETTNER 920-756-5125 bboettner@ariensco.com www.arienscomuseum.com
HORICON MARSH Horicon
Truly experience Horicon Marsh by exploring the interactive Explorium exhibit, five miles of winding trails & boardwalk and the Flyway Gift Shop. The Education & Visitor Center offers breathtaking views.
ELIZABETH HERZMANN 920-387-7893 elizabeth.herzmann@wisconsin.gov www.horiconmarsh.com
LACLARE CREAMERY
Malone
Tour. Eat. Shop. Learn about goats and view our cheesemakers at work. Enjoy our cheese tasting experience and grab a bite to eat in the café. Head outside to view 700+ goats and our 26-ft high goat silo. Garden Center opens in spring.
JESSI SCHOOFS
jessischoofs@laclarefarms.com www.laclarefamilycreamery.com
OSHKOSH/FOND DU LAC/APPLETON DMO OSHKOSH/FOND DU LAC/APPLETON DMO
OSHKOSH PUBLIC MUSEUM
Oshkosh
Offering long-term and traveling exhibitions, a robust calendar of programs and presentations that promote further understanding and appreciation of local history and culture.
KATE STEL 920-236-5763 kstel@ci.oshkosh.wi.us www.oshkoshmuseum.org
PAINE ART CENTER & GARDENS
Oshkosh
The Paine features a historic 1920s mansion with ornate interiors, an exceptional Barbizon art collection, breathtaking architecture, and 3+ acres of flourishing botanical gardens.
NATHAN LITTLEFIELD 920-235-6903 tours@thepaine.org www.thepaine.org
DESTINATION LAKE WINNEBAGO REGION
Fond du Lac
From the endearing charm of Wisconsin supper clubs to hands-on experiences, we invite you to Fond du Lac and the Lake Winnebago Region. From food to fun, our must-do tours will make your excursion memorable.
LIZ ENGH 920-923-3010 lengh@fdl.com www.fdl.com
FOX CITIES CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Appleton
The Fox Cities-Greater Appleton area is nestled along the Fox River and northern Lake Winnebago. Our sumptuous food, one-of-a-kind shopping, uplifting arts, and culture will make your stay.
ALISON HUTCHINSON 920-734-3358 ahutchinson@foxcities.org www.foxcities.org
Eastern Shores Region Members
OSHKOSH/FOND DU LAC/APPLETON DMO OSHKOSH/FOND DU LAC/APPLETON LODGING
GREEN LAKE AREA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Green Lake
Green Lake is known for having the deepest natural inland lake in the state. We welcome you to hop aboard the Escapade or J. Lawson boat tours to view 27 miles of beautiful shoreline.
LISA MEIER
920-294-3231 lisa@visitgreenlake.com www.visitgreenlake.com
OSHKOSH CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU
Oshkosh
Oshkosh is conveniently located along I-41 less than 90 minutes from Milwaukee and only three hours from Chicago. Discover world-class museums, a historic downtown, fine dining restaurants, and great views.
JODI JENSEMA 920-303-9200
jodi@visitoshkosh.com www.visitoshkosh.com
BEST WESTERN PREMIER WATERFRONT HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
Oshkosh
We offer access to the water, downtown shops and attractions like the Paine Art Center & Garden and EAA Aviation Museum. We also offer riverside dining and a full lounge.
CHRISTY MARQUARDT 920-230-6289 cmarquardt@bwoshkosh.com www.bwoshkosh.com
COMFORT INN FOND DU LAC Fond du Lac
Conveniently located right off Highway 41. The newly renovated 78-room hotel offers a complimentary continental breakfast buffet. Rooms feature a microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker and complimentary Wi-Fi.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
COMFORT
APPLETON
Appleton
SUITES
One of the few upscale all-suite hotels in Appleton. The 130-room hotel offers a complimentary hot breakfast buffet and evening cocktail reception in Duffy's Pub.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204
jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
OSHKOSH/FOND DU LAC/APPLETON LODGING
RADISSON FOND DU LAC
Fond du Lac
Full service hotel with comfortable guest rooms and exceptional service and amenities will make your guests feel right at home. All 133 guest rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, complimentary bottled water, breakfast and a Keurig coffeemaker.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
HOLIDAY INN APPLETON
Appleton
Modern hotel featuring 121 guest rooms. Enjoy breakfast and dinner in Toast to Toast, our fast casual restaurant. Take a dip in the pool to relax after a long day. Enjoy our spacious fitness center and outdoor patio.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204
jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC AREA ATTRACTION
ART PRESERVE
Sheboygan
The Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Art Center lets visitors interact with the Arts Center’s world-renowned collection of artist-built environments: evocations of the gardens, homes, parks and yards that artist’s filled or covered with works of art.
LAURA TYMM 920-458-6144 ltymm@jmkac.org www.jmkac.org/art-preserve/
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES FOND DU LAC
Fond du Lac
Our beautiful hotel offers 86 spacious guest rooms with refrigerators, microwaves and Keurig coffeemakers. Bright open breakfast room offering complimentary deluxe breakfast buffet.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC AREA ATTRACTION
FARM WISCONSIN
DISCOVERY
Manitowoc
CENTER
Farm Wisconsin is a state-of-the-art, interactive agricultural education center. The center features interactive exhibits, a birthing barn, the Farm House Store and Ice Cream Acres.
LAURA BROST 920-726-6000 tours@farmwisconsin.org www.farmwisconsin.org
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
HOTEL & SUITES OSHKOSH
Oshkosh
All rooms have microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer and Wi-Fi. Complimentary hot breakfast provided as well as an evening cocktail reception.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC AREA ATTRACTION
HAMILTON WOOD TYPE & PRINTING MUSEUM
Two Rivers
The Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum celebrates more than a century of manufacturing history. Our tours take you back in time while you learn how wood type is influencing modern designers and printers.
JEN ANNE 920-794-6272 info@woodtype.org www.woodtype.org
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC AREA ATTRACTION
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC ATTRACTION
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC ATTRACTION
SHEBOYGAN/MANITOWOC ATTRACTION
JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER
Sheboygan
Sheboygan's acclaimed arts center features contemporary art exhibitions, performances, community events, classes and workshops for all ages. Admission is free.
LAURA TYMM
920-458-6144 ltymm@jmkac.org www.jmkac.org/art-preserve/
ATTRACTION
WISCONSIN MARITIME MUSEUM
Manitowoc
The Wisconsin Maritime Museum engages and educates the public about the maritime history of Wisconsin in the Great Lakes region.
CAROLINE DIEMER 920-684-0218 cdiemer@wisconsinmaritime.org www.wisconsinmaritime.org
RAHR WEST ART MUSEUM Manitowoc
Georgia O’Keeffe, Andy Warhol, Marc Chagall and Andrew Wyeth lead the nationally recognized collection. Includes the Historic Vilas-Rahr Mansion and site of the 1962 crash landing of the Sputnik IV spacecraft.
GREG VADNEY
920-686-3090 gvadney@manitowoc.org www.manitowoc.org
S.S. BADGER Manitowoc
Enjoy a relaxing 4-hour trip between Ludington, Michigan and Manitowoc. There is plenty to see and do aboard the huge ship—including games with our entertainer, free movies and satellite television and shopping in the gift shop.
SHELBY SOBERALSKI
231-843-1509 ext. 3001 ssoberalski@interlakems.com www.ssbadger.com
WADE HOUSE
Plymouth Wade House showcases the horsepowered world that existed before planes, cars and railroads. Explore the golden era of the carriage through our stagecoach hotel and other historic structures.
920-526-3271 wadehouse@wisconsinhistory.org www.wadehouse.org
MANITOWOC AREA
VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU Manitowoc
Only in Manitowoc-Two Rivers can you watch a calf birth at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center and ride aboard the S.S. Badger Car Ferry.
LORI WANDEN 920-686-3071 lwanden@manitowoc.info www.manitowoc.info
VISIT SHEBOYGAN Sheboygan
We’re the “Malibu of the Midwest” and the “Bratwurst Capital of the World.” From world-class food options to group-friendly attractions, welcoming hotels and scenic vistas, we encourage you to explore “The Sheboygan Way.”
SHELLY HARMS 902-335-0065 shelly@visitsheboygan.com www.visitsheboygan.com
MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT Sheboygan
Making Spirits Bright is a drivethrough lights show beginning Friday after Thanksgiving through the end of December. Experience entertainment, photos with Santa and trolley rides at nearby Quarryview Center.
GERRY PLEHN 920-234-2292 gplehn46@charter.net www.makingspiritsbright.com
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
SHEBOYGAN
Sheboygan
The only Marriot property withing 35 miles of Sheboygan. Complimentary breakfast awaits you in the morning. Relax and unwind in the pool or fitness center. Grab a drink or appetizer at the lobby bar.
JOAN PINCH
920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
HENNING’S WISCONSIN CHEESE
Kiel
Take a ride through the Wisconsin rural countryside and experience Henning’s Wisconsin Cheese for yourself. You can watch cheese being made and try fresh cheese curds every morning Mon-Fri.
MINDY AUSLOOS 920-894-3032 mindy@henningscheese.com www.henningscheese.com
CEDARBURG HISTORY MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER
Cedarburg
Discover Cedarburg's rich history by stopping by the History Museum and Visitor Center located in the heart of downtown.
MAGGIE DOBSON 262-377-9620 tourism@cedarburg.com www.cedarburg.org
GROHMANN MUSEUM Milwaukee
The Grohmann Museum Collection includes over 1,700 paintings, sculptures and works on paper from 1580 to the present. They reflect a variety of artistic styles and subjects.
MACKENNA KRUPA 414-277-2333 krupa@msoe.edu www.grohmannmuseum.org
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM
Milwaukee
With an unrivaled collection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles and memorabilia, a 20-acre, parklike campus and a calendar full of activities, the H-D Museum is one of Milwaukee’s top destinations.
TRAVIS WELLS
414-287-2799
Travis.Wells@harley-davidson.com www.h-dmuseum.com
HISTORIC MILWAUKEE, INC.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s nonprofit provider of bus and walking tours for over 40 years. Ask about our step-on guides or bring your group to our Milwaukee-themed gift store with books, locally made gifts, one-of-a-kind items, and more.
JULIA GRIFFITH
414-277–7795 julia@historicmilwaukee.org www.historicmilwaukee.org
JEWISH MUSEUM
MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee
Jewish Museum Milwaukee uses the history of Milwaukee’s Jewish community to make connections between groups and to contemporary times.
CASSIE SACOTTE
414-390-5757 cassies@milwaukeejewish.org www.jewishmuseummilwaukee.org
LAKEFRONT BREWERY
Milwaukee
Voted Milwaukee’s best brewery tour. Entertaining guides show you the ins and outs of brewing, tell you a little about ourselves and serve you some cold ones along the way. Top that with amazing cheese curds.
CHRIS RANSON
414-292-0803 chris@lakefrontbrewery.com www.lakefrontbrewery.com
MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO
Milwaukee
Open year-round, the Milwaukee County Zoo is home to over 2,500 mammals, birds, fish, amphibians and reptiles. The zoo continues to be recognized as one of the finest in the country.
CHEYENNE GILLIS • 414-256-5433 Cheyenne.gillis@ milwaukeecountywi.gov www.milwaukeezoo.org
MILWAUKEE PUBLIC MUSEUM
Milwaukee
The Milwaukee Public Museum offers three floors of adventure. Go on a photo safari in Africa, see King Tut on his chariot in the Crossroads of Civilization exhibit, or interact with live butterflies.
KRISTINE THOMSEN 414-278-6934 thomsenk@mpm.edu www.mpm.edu
NORTH POINT
LIGHTHOUSE
Milwaukee
MUSEUM
Visit a restored 1888 lighthouse, museum and event destination in historic Lake Park. Climb the 74foot tower for spectacular views of Lake Michigan and Milwaukee.
ANN WOLLMER 414-332-6754 keeper@northpointlighthouse.org www.northpointlighthouse.org
OLD WORLD WISCONSIN
Eagle
Voted the #1 Place to Take Your Kids in the Milwaukee area, Old World Wisconsin is a 600-acre history and nature park where you discover Wisconsin's roots. Step into the daily lives of Wisconsin’s early immigrants.
BOB PARKER 262-594-6301 Robert.parker@wisconsinhistory.org oldworldwisconsin.org
PABST MANSION
Milwaukee
The Pabst Mansion was completed in 1892 for world-famous beer baron Captain Frederick Pabst and his wife Maria. This Gilded Age museum boasts stunning interiors, elegant furnishings and a brilliant fine arts collection. Open year-round for tours.
GARY STROTHMANN 414-931-0808 info@pabstmansion.com www.pabstmansion.com
WISCONSIN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM
Hartford
With over an acre of exhibit space, the museum displays 120 vehicles on two floors representing more than 30 different auto manufacturers. Hartford is home to the luxury Kissel automobile.
DAWN BONDHUS-MUELLER 262-673-7999 info@wisconsinautomuseum.com www.wisconsinautomuseum.com
WISCONSIN MUSEUM OF QUILTS & FIBER ARTS
Cedarburg
The only museum in Wisconsin devoted to quilting, Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts is located on an intact 1850s German farmstead. Enjoy the restored barn, rotating exhibitions and a gift shop.
MELISSA WRAALSTAD 262-546-0300 director@wiquiltmuseum.com www.wiquiltmuseum.com
MILWAUKEE FOOD & CITY TOURS
Wauwatosa
Discover Milwaukee’s most delicious neighborhoods with itineraries such as a Progressive Ethnic Lunch; Churches & Chocolates; and Christmas Bakery Bus. Guided food and sightseeing tours include tastings that add up to a meal.
THERESA NEMETZ
262-853-5239 theresa@milwaukeefoodtours.com www.milwaukeefoodtours.com
Eastern Shores Region Members
OZAUKEE COUNTY
TOURISM
Grafton
Discover charming downtowns, carefully preserved natural amenities and a treasure trove of things to do in Ozaukee County.
KATHY MEULEMANS
800-403-9898 info@ozaukeecounty.com www.ozaukeetourism.com
VISIT MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest city. Visitors are always amazed by the city’s renowned culinary scene, distinctive neighborhoods, worldclass entertainment and one-of-akind attractions.
KIM CASEY 414-287-6234 KCasey@milwaukee.org www.visitmilwaukee.org
WISCONSIN STATE FAIR
Milwaukee
Enjoy family-friendly activities, exciting entertainment, agriculture shows, delicious food and more at the Wisconsin State Fair! Group admission ticket discounts and free bus parking are available when arranged in advance.
414-266-7000 groupsales@wistatefair.com www.wistatefair.com
CANDLEWOOD SUITES
MILWAUKEE AIRPORT
Oak Creek
Located just nine miles from the Potawatomi Casino, all suites have a fully equipped kitchen. Affordable seasonal group rates available. Complimentary onsite motorcoach parking.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
COMFORT SUITES
MILWAUKEE AIRPORT
Oak Creek
Newly renovated property offering 138 oversized guest rooms, complimentary breakfast and on-site Duffy’s Pub. All rooms are suites with microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer and free Wi-Fi.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
GREATER MILWAUKEE AREA THEATRE
FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES
MILWAUKEE AIRPORT
Oak Creek
The 119-room hotel offers a complimentary breakfast daily. Relax in the pool and whirlpool.
The Fairfield is only 15 minutes away from downtown Milwaukee.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204
jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
LAKE GENEVA AREA
ATTRACTION
HOLIDAY INN & SUITES
MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee
AIRPORT
Start your morning with a deluxe hot continental breakfast buffet. All of the 115 guest rooms have a microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hairdryer and Wi-Fi. Located just two miles from Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Airport.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
GENEVA AREA ATTRACTION
WEST ALLIS CHEESE & SAUSAGE SHOPPE
West Allis
Over 30-years of providing a wide range of cheeses, meats and gourmet foods, plus a cafe/deli seating area with a full breakfast and lunch menu and a garden patio great for group gatherings.
MARK LUTZ 414-543-4230 mlutz12368@gmail.com www.westallischeese.com
LAKE GENEVA AREA ATTRACTION
MARCUS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Milwaukee
Milwaukee's entertainment destination offering touring Broadway shows, opera, ballet, children's theater, off-Broadway shows and special Marcus Center
Presents events nearly 365 days a year! Aggressive group discounts and pricing.
JOHN BARNES 414-273-7121 jbarnes@marcuscenter.org www.marcuscenter.org
BLACK POINT ESTATE & GARDENS
Lake Geneva
Enjoy a scenic boat ride on Geneva Lake and tour the expansive and elegant Victorian estate of Chicago Beer Baron Conrad Seipp. Outside, explore eight acres of picturesque landscapes.
DAVID DESIMONE 262-248-1888 david.desimone@wisconsinhistory.org www.blackpointestate.org
DUESTERBECK'S BREWING COMPANY
Elkhorn
A 5th generation family farmhouse microbrewery located in the countryside of Walworth County. Producing more than 20 hand crafted beers on-site. A true Wisconsin farm experience!
BEN JOHNSON
262-729-9771 comments@dbcbrewery.com www.dbcbrewery.com
EAST TROY RAILROAD
MUSEUM East Troy
Take train rides on trolleys or interurbans from our historic East Troy Depot to the Elegant Farmer. Charters, including elegant dining charters, can be scheduled any day of the week.
JIM FEYERHERM
262-684-9148 jimf@easttroyrr.org www.easttroyrr.org
LAKE GENEVA AREA ATTRACTION LAKE GENEVA AREA ATTRACTION
LAKE GENEVA CRUISE LINE
Lake Geneva
There is no better way to enjoy beautiful Lake Geneva than on a scenic boat tour! Choose from a wide variety of tour optionsthe famous U.S. Mailboat Tour, a delicious Luncheon Tour or an Ice Cream Social Tour.
SUSAN SCHINDLER
262-248-6206 susan@glcl.net www.cruiselakegeneva.com
YERKES OBSERVATORY
Williams Bay
Yerkes Observatory, home to the world’s largest refracting telescope, is an architectural masterpiece on fifty acres of Olmsted-designed grounds. Many of the most influential astronomers in the world have worked here since 1897.
WALT CHADICK wchadick@ yerkesobservatory.org www.yerkesobservatory.org
VISIT LAKE GENEVA
Lake Geneva
Acclaimed resorts, award-winning restaurants, and distinctive shopping are just the beginning of an unforgettable group getaway. Enjoy lake cruises, stroll the Lake Shore Path, or hit the links. Explore Black Point Estate and Yerkes Observatory.
JILL GAULKE 262-812-0022 jill@visitlakegeneva.com visitlakegeneva.com
HARBOR SHORES ON LAKE GENEVA
Lake Geneva
We specialize in tour groups, offering competitive rates with an ideal location in downtown Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Plan a unique vacation experience with us today!
CAROLINE CORNELISON 262-248-9181 caroline@harborshoreslg.com www.harborshoreslg.com
DANCING HORSES THEATRE & PETTING ZOO Delavan
Wisconsin's #1 attraction located on the Wisconsin/Illinois border. Our 90-minute performance in a climatecontrolled theater is open year-round with shows changing three times a year. Seating for 300 plus two party rooms.
JOYCE BICEK
262-728-8200 info@thedancinghorses.com www.thedancinghorses.com
ROSEWOOD ENTERTAINMENT
Delavan
Colorful video and lighting illuminate Rosewood's unique cabaret-styled music shows, professionally produced and performed in our state-of-the-art music theater. Customize your farmto-table lunch, brunch or dinner menu.
DUSTIN GRINDLE 262-725-7286 dustin@rosewoodwi.com www.rosewoodwi.com
APPLE HOLLER
Sturtevant
Apple Holler is a farm-to-table restaurant, bakery, gift shop, orchard and family farm with pick-your-own-apples, peaches, and pears. Enjoy four seasons of fun: orchard & farm tours, hayrides, sleigh rides and barnyard animals.
DAVE FLANNERY 262-884-7100 info@appleholler.com www.appleholler.com
RACINE ZOO Racine
Nestled along the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, Racine Zoo is home to some of the world’s most remarkable and endangered wildlife with over 75 different species and over 400 individual animals.
KRISTEN HUMPHREY 262-636-9189 kristen@racinezoo.org www.racinezoo.org
REAL RACINE
Sturtevant
Racine features Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, Danish bakery tours, the Case IH Tractor factory, Wind Point Lighthouse, glass blowing, the historical Masonic Center and America's largest collection of contemporary craft art.
CARI GREVING
262-884-6405 cari@realracine.com www.realracine.com
VISIT KENOSHA
Kenosha
Make new memories on Kenosha’s Lake Michigan shore. Enjoy tasty treats at Tenuta’s Deli and Mars Cheese Castle, travel back in time at five museums, climb a lighthouse, tour historic districts and ride on electric streetcars.
KRIS JENSEN 262-654-7307, ext. 22 Kris@VisitKenosha.com www.visitkenosha.com
South Central Crossroads Europe in Wisconsin
Water from Lake Mendota and the Rock and Wisconsin rivers has influenced so much of the South Central Crossroads’ regional distinctions, including its dairy and sawmill industries, Swiss heritage and beautiful state parks. Groups who plan a trip to this region will discover charming downtowns, lush gardens and engaging museums to create a distinctly Wisconsin itinerary.
DAY 1
SPRING GREEN, MINERAL POINT
Begin your itinerary at Taliesin , the extraordinary estate of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Welsh for “shining brow,” the property integrates its building designs with the rolling hills of southwestern Wisconsin and includes buildings that span Wright’s entire career from the 1890s to the 1950s. Groups can register for a variety of tours that pass through Wright’s self-designed Prairie-Style home, the Hillside School that was used by his apprentices and the Tan-y-Deri house built for his sister.
Also near Spring Green is the House on the Rock , where visionary architecture, eclectic collections and incredible stories await your group. Explore unique collections that include the world’s largest carousel, a 200-foot sea creature and a room full of automated music machines. Enjoy the view as you step into the Infinity Room, which offers stunning vistas of the Wisconsin River Valley. Groups interested in history can also visit Pendarvis , a picturesque cluster of stone buildings constructed by Cornish immigrants in the early 1800s. Group tours can include the property’s preserved cabins, a village pub and the surrounding prairie.
DAY 2
MONROE, JANESVILLE, BELOIT
Today starts at the Alp & Dell Cheese Store in Monroe, where authentic Dutch, German and Hispanic cheeses populate every wall. This Swiss-style dairy outlet is attached to awardwinning producer Emmi Roth USA. Years of study and Europeanstyle apprenticeship have produced exceptional cheesemakers your group can watch in a glass-walled viewing hall, while samples of pungent Limburger, buttery Havarti and other varieties are available in the main showroom.
Housed in a beautifully restored rail depot, the nearby National Historic Cheesemaking Center tells the history of Wisconsin’s most famous import. Onsite is the restored Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory, which tells the story of a one-kettle farmstead that produced Brick, Swiss and Limburger cheeses.
Continue south to Janesville and tour Rotary Botanical Gardens, a 20-acre property that showcases plants from Japan, Italy and Alp & Dell Cheese Store, Monroe
France. Other group-friendly Janesville attractions include Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center, Daluge Farm and Fermenting Cellars Winery. Your itinerary should also include the Milton House Museum, which was an important Underground Railroad stop in the 1860s and once hosted prominent abolitionist Sojourner Truth.
Conclude your day in Beloit with a tour of the Beckman Mill, a restored and functioning 1868 grist mill that includes a sawmill display, visitor center and gift shop. Surrounding the mill is a 50-acre interactive campus that includes a creamery, blacksmith shop and vintage garden. Visitors can also see effigy mounds on the Beloit College campus, admire beautiful works at the Wright Museum of Art and watch a Beloit Snappers baseball game at the new Riverbend Stadium.
DAY 3
MADISON, FORT ATKINSON
Begin your day in Madison with a visit to the Wisconsin State Capitol building for a tour and enjoy special exhibitions on Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Historical Museum while they are building a new facility to be opened in 2026. Your last day will then be spent in Fort Atkinson , which was founded in 1832 by General Henry Atkinson. You can see a replica of the original fort at the Hoard Historical Museum, which also includes exhibits on the city’s dairy heritage and connection to former Wisconsin Governor William Hoard. Fort Atkinson also features a charming downtown along the Rock River with welcoming Irish pubs and preserved 19th-century architecture.
Conclude your itinerary with a spirited performance at the Fireside Dinner Theatre . A motorcoach staple for decades, the Fireside houses a 1,000-seat restaurant, 700-seat theater-in theround, four gift shops and a bakery. Fine dining, old-fashioned hospitality and Broadway-quality productions will entertain your group.
South Central Crossroads Members
MADISON/MIDDLETON DMO
THE HOUSE ON THE ROCK Spring Green
Alex Jordan’s retreat opened in 1960 and has since has grown into an attraction with many buildings and exhibits. You will explore some of the world’s most unique collections, including the world’s largest carousel, automated music machines and more.
JENNY GREENE • 608-935-3639 groupsales@ thehouseontherock.com www.thehouseontherock.com
TALIESIN
Spring Green
Discover Frank Lloyd Wright’s “autobiography in wood and stone” on a tour of the breathtaking 800acre Taliesin property including his home and studio. These buildings are the most personal of Wright’s masterpieces.
BRIAN CARROLL 608-588-7900 Ext 231 bcarroll@taliesinpreservation.org www.taliesinpreservation.org
WISCONSIN HISTORICAL MUSEUM Madison
The Wisconsin Historical Museum shares the stories behind Wisconsin’s heritage through exhibits featuring Native Nations and Tribes, the immigrant experience, frontier life, agriculture, industry, politics and more.
608-264-6555 museum@wisconsinhistory.org www.historicalmuseum. wisconsinhistory.org
DESTINATION MADISON Madison
Meet in Madison. A walkable city with exceptional experiences and endless fun. Award-winning local dining and a can’t miss craft beverage scene. 10,000 hotel rooms. Named one of the world’s happiest cities and best for biking.
SAMANTHA BROWN 608-255-2537 brown@visitmadison.com www.visitmadison.com
VISIT MIDDLETON
Middleton
With more than 70 restaurants, 50 shops, a charming downtown district, and one-of-a-kind stops like Capital Brewery and the National Mustard Museum, travelers will always find something unique to discover in Middleton.
MARI OLSON 608-831-8820 molson@cityofmiddleton.us www.visitmiddleton.com
BAYMONT INN & SUITES
MADISON WEST Madison
This group-friendly 129-room newly renovated hotel on Madison’s west side offers microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker and complimentary Wi-Fi in rooms. Pool, whirlpool and lounge area are available.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
CASCADE DEVELOPMENT
Madison
Cascade Development owns and operates three IHG-branded hotels throughout the greater Madison area. Our properties are conveniently located off Interstates 90/94/39 and are near a variety of restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
JOE MORGAN 608-219-9431 groups@cascadedevelop.com www.cascadedevelop.com
COMFORT SUITES
MADISON WEST Madison
Awarded the No.1 Comfort Suites in the nation. All 95 suites offer microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker and complimentary Wi-Fi. Your guests can utilize the pool, whirlpool and fitness center.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES
MADISON
Madison
Conveniently located on Madison’s East Side and to many local attractions, the newly renovated Holiday Inn Express and Suites Madison is easily accessible from the interstate. Offering complimentary bus parking.
JOAN PINCH 920-322-8204 jpinch@wiscohotels.com www.wiscohotels.com
NORTH CENTRAL GROUP
Middleton
The North Central Group owns and operates 10 Hilton and Marriott brand hotels throughout the greater Madison area. Our properties are conveniently located off of Interstates 90/94/39 and are in close proximity to local attractions.
MADDI OLSON 507-382-8756
molson@ncghotels.com www.ncghotels.com/motorcoach
FORT ATKINSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Fort Atkinson
With Broadway entertainment, antique shops and gift shops, great dining, and a beautiful riverwalk, Fort Atkinson is your perfect destination for a group tour, romantic getaway or girls’ weekend.
HOLLY TIERNEY 920-563-3210 tourism@fortchamber.com www.fortchamber.com
STOUGHTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Stoughton
Immediately upon arriving to Stoughton, WI, you will feel the presence of art and culture, the rich Norwegian history, and the small-town pride emerging from the streets.
CALLIE LAPOINT 608-873-7912 vist@stoughtonwi.com www.visitstoughton.com
THE FIRESIDE DINNER THEATRE
Fort Atkinson
Exciting professional musicals, memorable dining, spectacular gift shops, Klopcic Family hospitality and fabulous service make The Fireside a complete destination in itself or the perfect complement to any Wisconsin tour.
FRANKI ELMORE
800-477-9505 groupsales@firesidetheatre.com www.firesidetheatre.com
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES FORT ATKINSON
Fort Atkinson
Relax in our indoor heated swimming pool, whirlpool and fitness room. Enjoy our game room and lounging by the fireplace in our Great Room. Enjoy the added touches like remote HD cable TV and coffeemaker.
MARY JO EGGERS • 920-563-3600 holidayinnexpress fortatkinson@yahoo.com www.hiexpress.com/fortatkinsonwi
PENDARVIS Mineral Point
Discover how the preservation efforts of two men helped save Wisconsin’s Cornish history. The picturesque stone buildings of Pendarvis were preserved by life and business partners Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum.
BETHANY BRANDER 608-987-2122 pendarvis@wisconsinhistory.org www.pendarvishistoricsite.org
NATIONAL HISTORIC CHEESEMAKING CENTER Monroe
Veteran cheesemakers and knowledgeable guides lead group tours of the museum, offering colorful stories about cheesemaking, cheesemakers and the rich cheese factory history.
608-325-4636 nhccmuseum@gmail.com www.NationalHistoric CheesemakingCenter.org
NEW GLARUS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
New
Glarus
Visit New Glarus, America’s Little Switzerland! Established as a Swiss colony, New Glarus retains its Swiss charm via alpine architecture, traditional festivals and mouthwatering Swiss delicacies.
BEKAH STAUFFACHER 608-527-2095 bekah@swisstown.com www.swisstown.com
CHALET LANDHAUS INN
New Glarus
The Chalet Landhaus Inn is where traditional Swiss hospitality and charm welcome you year-round. Chalet Landhaus is built in a traditional Swiss style with a blend of modern convenience and old-fashioned decor to give you a touch of Switzerland.
BRIANA LENZLINGER 608-527-5234 briana@chaletlandhaus.com www.chaletlandhaus.com
ALP & DELL CHEESE Monroe
Located in the Roth Kase Creamery, home of the world champion cheese Surchoix. A leader in quality, selection and price. Come watch cheese being made and enjoy free samples.
TONY ZGRAGGEN 608-328-3355 tony@alpanddellcheese.com www.alpanddellcheese.com
JANESVILLE AREA CVB
Janesville
Whether you prefer themed itineraries, arts and culture, botanical gardens or museums, your group will be delighted to visit Janesville, “Wisconsin’s Great Outside.”
LORI JOHNSON 608-757-3171 meetings@janesvillecvb.com www.janesvillecvb.com
VISIT BELOIT
Beloit
Beloit offers year-round experiences including Minor League Baseball, public art, historic sites, unique dining and a magnificent farmers' market. From day-trips to overnight, along with hub and spoke and weary travelers looking to stretch their legs.
MATTHEW BOSEN
608-313-1366 matt@visitbeloit.com www.visitbeloit.com
The Ideal Destination for Your Group
Whether your preference is exploring history, industry tours, special event, botanical garden, museums or theater, your group will be delighted to visit Janesville, Wisconsin’s Great Outside. You’ll discover a variety of group-friendly lodging options and attractions in place. Janesville is easily accessible - right off of I-39/90.
Call the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 487-2757. janesvillecvb.com
Northwoods & Lake Superior
Wisconsin – Naturally!
Wisconsin’s Northwoods region—which spans the northern portion of the state from east to west and north to Lake Superior—includes hundreds of lakes, dense woodlands and charming coastal islands. Motorcoach groups can tour lumber baron mansions, relax on pontoon cruises and explore the waterfront communities that distinguish this region.
EAU CLAIRE, WASHBURN COUNTY, SUPERIOR
Begin your itinerary with Clark County to explore the many greenhouses and garden centers around the area, Highground Veterans Memorial Park or visit Marieke Gouda and tour the farm and get a behind the scenes look at how cheese is made. Head to Eau Claire , a former sawmill hub and French trading post that now welcomes visitors with its historic sites. Groups can tour authentic 1890s cabins at the Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, admire unobstructed views of Braun’s Bay and catch a baseball game at Carson Park. Continue north to Washburn County , which features railroad excursions, farm tours and DIY art activities. Orient your group at the Namekagon River Visitor Center before stopping at the Washburn County Historical Museum (a preserved 1888 Lutheran church) and Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum (which features 25 antique watercraft). Conclude your day in the town of Superior and Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center . The World War II flying ace and Superior resident was one of the most-decorated fighter pilots in American history, and this center honors his legacy with an immense hangar populated with military vehicles abd aircraft.
DAY 2
BAYFIELD, MADELINE ISLAND
As you make your way to Bayfield, stop at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Superior to enjoy the view from the observation tower and be introduced to the history and culture of the Lake Superior Region.
Travel east and board the Madeline Island Ferry for a 25-minute voyage to the largest and only inhabited Apostle Island. Visitors disembark in the town of La Pointe, which was once a Superior Chippewa spiritual site and French trading post before becoming a welcoming tourism community. Group-friendly attractions along the shore include Woods Hall Gallery and Studios (which offers weaving demonstrations) and the Madeline Island Historical Museum (which includes a 19th century fur company warehouse and hosts historical reenactments to depict the challenges of island life before modern technology). After enjoying a hot beverage at Mission Hill Coffee House or lunch at the Beach Club, depart for the other side of the island and Big Bay Sand Spit & Bog State Natural Area. Guests can relax on the expansive coastline or walk along the boardwalk through untouched forests.
DAY 3
MINOCQUA, MARINETTE COUNTY
Start your final day in the charming town of Minocqua , which is located in the heart of Wisconsin’s lake country. Nicknamed “The Island City” because its downtown is almost entirely surrounded by water, Minocqua offers a variety of engaging attractions near its numerous group lodging options. Groups can spot elegant boathouses and wildlife with Minocqua Pontoon Cruises, which organizes group excursions on Lake Minocqua and Lake Kawaguesaga. Up-close animal encounters also await at Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center—the second-largest zoo in the state and home to friendly miniature goats and parakeets. You can also watch the Min-Aqua Bats for daring water ski choreography.
Conclude your Northwoods adventure in Marinette County Visitors can meander through the beautifully maintained Harmony Arboretum, view 15 waterfalls and enjoy a picnic lunch at the Menominee River State Recreation Area. You can also spend time in a preserved Catholic church to see hundreds of artifacts that chronicle the Peshtigo Fire of 1871— the deadliest wildfire in recorded history.
ATTRACTION
ATTRACTION
MADELINE ISLAND FERRY
La Pointe
Crossing Lake Superior between Bayfield and Madeline Island, enjoy spectacular views and the beauty of the Apostle Islands from our ferries. On the island, groups can go shopping and take a guided tour of historical places.
MARY ROSS • 715-747-2051 maryross@madferry.com www.madferry.com
MADELINE ISLAND MUSEUM La Pointe
Hop on the ferry and explore the cultures that called Madeline Island home including the Ojibwe (Chippewa), French, British, and Americans. Bella and Leo Casper opened the museum in 1958.
715-747-2415 madelineisland@wisconsinhistory.org www.madelineislandmuseum.wisconsinhistory.org
THE RICHARD I. BONG VETERANS HISTORICAL CENTER
Superior
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center is a fascinating and beautifully presented history museum honoring America's "Ace of Aces," Richard Bong, who shot down 40 enemy aircraft in the South Pacific.
JOHN GIDLEY • 715-392-7151 gidley@bongcenter.org www.bongcenter.org
LEGENDARY WATERS
Red Cliff
Northern Wisconsin’s premier resort casino features 47 tastefully appointed deluxe rooms and Premier suites. State-of-the-art slot machines, restaurants, promotions, guest services, ATM, camping, sandy beach, boat launch and marina.
SALES • 715-779-9435 sales@legendarywaters.com www.legendarywaters.com
DMO
CIRCLE WISCONSIN
Plan your next Great Lakes adventure with us!
We’re the ultimate itinerary resource, and we guarantee a unique & fun experience. Join us for Midwest Marketplace 2023
Contact Wendy Dobrzynski 414-545-1100 wendy@circlewisconsin.com
BAYFIELD COUNTY
Washburn
The “Home of Wisconsin’s National Treasures” features orchards & fruit farms, wineries/ breweries/ distilleries, shows at the Big Top, and endless adventures next to Lake Superior.
MARY MOTIFF • 715-373-3491
Mary.Motiff@bayfieldcounty.wi.gov www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov/35/Visitors
NORTHERN GREAT LAKES VISITOR CENTER
Ashland
Free admission; open 365 days a year. The Center provides a great introduction to Lake Superior’s cultural and natural history. Enjoy the exhibits, theater, trails, observation tower and gift shop.
ROSE HAVERI • 715-685-9983 rooms@nglvc.org www.nglvc.org
ATTRACTION CASINO
POTAWATOMI CARTER CASINO HOTEL
Wabeno
Guests enjoy great gaming action and so much fun with over 500 slot machines, a variety of table games, and bingo. The hotel offers 98 well-appointed rooms and suites.
715-473-6870 loyalty@cartercasino.com www.cartercasino.com
CLARK COUNTY TOURISM
Superior
Clark County welcomes you and your groups to experience rural beauty and agritourism at its finest. Any season meander along the scenic country roads and enjoy the breathtaking views, artisan cheese makers, and Mennonite specialty handmade creations.
SHEILA NYBERG • 715-255-9153 info@clarkcounty.org www.clarkcountywi.org
HURLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Hurley
Rich in mining heritage, Hurley provides visitors with access to 10 waterfalls and outdoor recreational opportunities: skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and kayaking.
MARINETTE COUNTY TOURISM Marinette
From stunning waterfalls to spectacular fall colors, we think your group will “fall” in love with Marinette County, the Waterfall Capital of Wisconsin. Quaint shops, unique eateries and Northwoods charm.
JACKIE WIEDOWER • 715-561-4334 hurley@hurleywi.com www.hurleywi.com
JENNIFER SHORT • 715-732-7503 jennifer.short@marinettecounty.com www.therealnorth.com
LET'S MINOCQUA Minocqua
The Minocqua area is uncommonly effective at renewing the memories of days gone by. Our itineraries will give your travelers a real taste of the north including lumberjacks and Native American culture. Let’s plan your next trip north together … Let’s Minocqua!
KRYSTAL WESTFAHL • 715-356-5266 macc@minocqua.org www.letsminocqua.com
VISIT EAU CLAIRE
Eau Claire
No matter what the season, Eau Claire has many attractions to WOW! From seeing what’s brewing, tasting savory wines, outdoor fests or a show at the Pablo Center, there are many memorable adventures awaiting!
DANA CROSSON • 715-829-2685 dana@visiteauclaire.com www.visiteauclaire.com/groups
WASHBURN COUNTY TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Spooner
Over a dozen group-friendly attractions including a scenic train ride, farm tour, distilleries, organic winery, railroad museum, art factory tours & creative area, and so much more.
LINDSAY BARNES • 715-635-9696 marketing@washburncounty.org washburncounty.org
Mississippi River Valley & Beyond
Experience the Great River Road
Explore some of the oldest communities in Wisconsin along the scenic Great River Road. Enjoy the beauty of the river and bluffs, visiting river towns along the way. Whether your group is interested in nature, history, scrumptious dining or craft beer, this part of western Wisconsin has everything for an unforgettable itinerary.
DAY 1
PLATTEVILLE, PRAIRIE DU CHIEN
As you travel north on the Great River Road in Wisconsin, stop at The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums in Platteville, where an underground experience awaits your group. Besides exhibits on the nature, culture and mining history of the region, you’ll enjoy a one-hour guided tour of the mine.
Next stop is the beautiful town of Prairie du Chien, the oldest European settlement on the Upper Mississippi. The Fort Crawford Museum features exhibits and stories from the early settlers of Wisconsin’s second oldest city to the War of 1812 to the Civil War. Visit St. Feriole Island to explore the banks of the Mississippi River; keep your eyes open for bald eagles, stroll through the Mississippi River Sculpture Park featuring life-sized sculptures of area historical figures and explore the Memorial Gardens. No visit to Prairie du Chien is complete without a visit to the Victorian estate Villa Louis
Tonight, perhaps enjoy a dinner at a local supper club or one of the many dining establishments along Main Street.
DAY 2
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, LYNXVILLE, GENOA, LA CROSSE
This morning visit Prairie du Chien’s Valley Fish Market, where the group will meet with a local commercial fisherman and hear tales of life on the Mighty Mississippi. The Valley family has been in commercial fishing since the 1800s. Their shop is known for the “finest smoked fish in the world.” Before heading out, stop at the Cannery, a 1912 building hosting eight shops filled with home decor and gifts; it includes a garden shop and a fudge & ice cream parlor.
As your group travels north along the Great River Road, stop at the largest federally managed pool on the river at Lynxville Lock & Dam No. 9. The observation deck is excellent for viewing eagles. Stop at Genoa National Fish Hatchery to tour the visitor center and learn more about the Upper Mississippi River Basin. View the many species of river fish in an aquarium, and tour the sturgeon and coldwater buildings to see thousands of sturgeon and trout being reared for restoration projects across the country. You can also stroll over to Pond 2 and feed the rainbow trout.
The La Crosse region offers stunning landscapes with abundant things to do. On a tour led by a local guide, hear stories of the people and their cultures, explore the historic neighborhoods, and enjoy the natural beauty and architecture. Your tour is not complete without a stop
Lookouts provide views of La Crosse and the Mississippi River Valley.
at Grandad Bluff, the 600-foot-high bluff overlooking La Crosse. As you marvel at views of the city and the Mississippi, you can see three states— Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota. Dining options for your group are abundant with a variety of classic pubs and family diners, craft breweries/ distilleries and supper clubs.
DAY 3
This morning get out on the river and take a sightseeing cruise on the La Crosse Queen, a modern-day replica of a grand paddlewheeler riverboat. Visit the Historic Hixon House, the home of lumber baron Gideon Hixon. The Hixon House reveals a true family home including the unique “Turkish Nook,” a fashion of the late 19th century.
Continue north on the River Road with a stop at the Prairie Moon Sculpture Garden and Museum in Cochrane. You’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding the site along with the nearly 40 sculptures created by self-taught artist Herman Rusch. Including sculptures of dinosaurs, a Hindu Temple and a 13 ½-foot watch tower. Visit the small river village of Stockholm and enjoy a slice of their world-famous pie at Stockholm Pie & General Store or plan a group luncheon in the historic Opera Hall above the shop.
Mississippi River Valley & Beyond Members
ATTRACTION
NORSKEDALEN NATURE AND HERITAGE CENTER
Coon Valley
Open year-round, enjoy the beauty of the Driftless Region while learning about the area’s earliest settlers: Norwegian immigrants! See their homes, their belongings, hear their stories. Hike miles of trails through the wooded bluffs, enjoy a typical Norwegian meal.
LORI DUBCZAK • 608-452-3424 lori.dubczak@norskedalen.org www.norskedalen.org
ATTRACTION
STOCKHOLM OPERA HALL EVENT CENTER @ STOCKHOLM PIE COMPANY Stockholm
One of America’s favorite pie shops and cafés is excited to offer our beautiful Stockholm Opera Hall. The historic space is perfect for large group luncheons, pie, wine & craft beer tasting events, and special occasions. A tasty and nostalgic experience awaits in beautiful Stockholm WI, the coziest town in America!
715-442-5505
Pieandgeneral@gmail.com www.stockholmpie.com
EXPLORE LA CROSSE
La Crosse
La Crosse is rich in scenic beauty, diverse attractions, cultural events and first-class hospitality. La Crosse attracts more than two million visitors annually, as groups are attracted to the upper Mississippi River and the Driftless Region.
BEN MORGAN
608-782-2220 morgan@explorelacrosse.com www.explorelacrosse.com
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & TOURISM COUNCIL
Prairie
du Chien
Just a stone’s throw from La Crosse, WI and Dubuque, IA, Prairie du Chien has small-town charm, rich history, and an abundance of outdoor events and activities.
608-326-8555 pdccoc@mhtc.net www.prairieduchien.org
TOMAH CHAMBER & VISITORS CENTER
Tomah
Tomah is known as "Cranberry Country," but we also head "Beyond the Bog!" There's so much going on: Downtown Thursday Nights, Grand National Truck/Tractor Pull, Warrens Cranberry Festival.
TINA THOMPSON
ROTARY LIGHTS
La Crosse
More than three million lights illuminate La Crosse’s Riverside Park. Among the splendor is a 140-foot Christmas tree, and animated light displays fill the park. Live Nativity presentation on weekends until Christmas. Nearly 160,000 visitors a year enjoy this holiday tradition.
608-372-2166 tthompson@tomahwisconsin.com www.tomahwisconsin.com 608-784-9993 www.rotarylights.org
ATTRACTION
VILLA LOUIS Prairie du Chien
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, this National Historic Landmark offers a panorama of Wisconsin history, beginning with the arrival of early fur traders through the heyday of the Victorian era. Costumed interpreters lead tours of the grand mansion, one of the most authentically furnished Victorian houses in America.
608-326-2721 villalouis@wisconsinhistory.org www.villalouis.wisconsinhistory.org
Wisconsin Heartland
Iconic Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Heartland—a compelling landscape of sandstone cliffs, serene lakes and rolling shills—has welcomed tour groups for generations. Whether you want to learn about the state’s circus history, cruise through dramatic gorges or watch entertaining live theater, you’re sure to find it in the center of the Badger State.
DAY 1
BARABOO
Begin your tour in Baraboo , an idyllic small town brimming with specialty shops and old-time charm. Catch a concert or theatrical performance at the beautifully restored 1915 Al. Ringling Theatre or scheduled a behind-the-scenes tour that includes a demonstration of the Mighty Barton Organ. As the winter quarters of the Ringling Bros. Circus for many years, Baraboo takes pride in its circus history, a colorful heritage that comes to life every summer at Circus World Museum , a themed attraction with Big Top performances featuring animal acts, clowns, jugglers and daring aerialists. Take time to walk through the buildings filled with exhibits, including rare, ornately carved circus wagons. Some of these wagons are seen on downtown streets every summer in the town’s biggest event of the year— Baraboo’s Big Top Parade , a community-wide celebration of all things circus.
The Baraboo Hills area is home to Devil’s Lake State Park, Wisconsin’s largest and most visited state park. A geological phenomenon, it dazzles visitors with its boulders and quartzite bluffs.
DAY 2
BARABOO, WISCONSIN DELLS
The nonprofit International Crane Foundation , a one-of-a-kind attraction between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells, maintains the world’s only collection of all 15 crane species. Visitors see rare whooping cranes, and the Spirit of Africa enclosure features magnificent cranes native to sub-Saharan Africa. Group tours shed light on crane biology, current threats to crane survival and the foundation’s conservation efforts. Interpretive nature trails wind through a restored tallgrass prairie, oak savanna and wetlands. Nature-themed items from around the world can be found in the allnew expanded gift shop.
In Wisconsin Dells , Dells Boat Tours operates cruises that spotlight the sculpted sandstone cliffs along the Wisconsin River. Its two-hour Upper Dells excursion has shore landings that take you through spooky passageways at Witches Gulch and to Stand Rock, where a trained dog leaps from a cliff face to the Stand Rock pillar. Or consider an amphibious adventure on a rollicking Original Wisconsin Ducks ride that plies the river, plunges into Lake Delton and barrels through wooded canyons.
Known as the Waterpark Capital of the World, Wisconsin Dells is
famous for its splash attractions, including resort hotels with indoor waterparks. Miniature golf courses and other amusements also keep groups busy.
The Dells offers groups a wide choice of restaurants and motorcoach-friendly accommodations, not to mention evening entertainment options.
DAY 3 WAUSAU, MARSHFIELD, STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN RAPIDS
In Wausau , schedule a stop at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, which houses America’s largest collection of bird-themed art. Then tour Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises, located in the heart of America’s ginseng country.
The area’s other major communities—Marshfield, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids—are represented by the Central Wisconsin Tourism Association , which helps tour planners with itinerary planning. Popular stops in Marshfield include Upham Mansion, once the home of Wisconsin Governor William H. Upham, and Jurustic Park, a fantasyland of outdoor sculptures crafted from rusted metal. Stevens Point Brewery and the Cranberry Highway also win raves from groups touring Wisconsin’s heartland. The cranberry beds blaze a bright red at harvest time, late September to late October.
CENTRAL WISCONSIN TOURISM ASSOCIATION
Stevens Point
Marshfield, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids are conveniently located along Interstate 30 in the center of Wisconsin. We offer a casino stop, group-friendly dining, brewery/winery/distillery tours, garden tours and industrial tours.
SARA BRISH • 715-344-2556 sara@stevenspointarea.com www.centralwisconsin.com
WAUSAU/CENTRAL WISCONSIN CVB
Wausau
Wausau welcomes groups to experience the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Museum, explore the Andrew Warren Historic District, stop at the 45 X 90 Marker, tour a ginseng farm and more. Big city amenities and small town hospitality await your next visit.
JODI MAGUIRE • 715-355-8788 JMaguire@visitwausau.com www.visitwausau.com
CIRCUS WORLD
Baraboo
Explore Wisconsin’s rich circus heritage on the National Historic Site of the original winter home of the Ringling Bros. Circus. Tour. Walk through seven buildings filled with fascinating exhibits, spotlighting the colorful lives, the innovation, and the passion that fueled America’s most popular form of entertainment for over 50 years.
DEB MCCARTHY • 608-356-8341 deb.mccarthy@wisconsinhistory.org www.circusworldbaraboo.org
Wisconsin Heartland Members
WISCONSIN DELLS/BARABOO DMO
DELLS BOAT TOURS
Wisconsin Dells
Experience the fascinating history of the Wisconsin Dells on one of our boat tours. Encounter towering sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges and amazing rock formations carved into fantastic shapes by wind, water and time.
ADITA RABSKA
608-254-8555 groups@dellsboats.com www.dellsboats.com
INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION Baraboo
Visit Cranes of the World at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the only place on the planet to see 15 species of cranes. Enjoy hiking trails and an all-new expanded gift shop.
608-356-9462 naturalists@savingcranes.org www.savingcranes.org
ORIGINAL WISCONSIN DUCKS, INC. Wisconsin Dells
The original land and water adventure. For over 70 years these reliable, amphibious vehicles have provided groups with the ideal way to experience all the scenic Dells' natural wonders.
608-254-8751 mail@wisconsinducktours.com www.wisconsinducktours.com
BARABOO AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Baraboo
Baraboo features Wisconsin's most popular state park (Devil's Lake), a circus museum located on grounds developed by the Ringling Brothers and a Rockwellian downtown square dotted with specialty shops.
BEN BROMLEY • 608-356-8333 memberrelations@ baraboochamber.com www.baraboo.com
WISCONSIN DELLS VISITOR AND CONVENTION CENTER
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells bus tours are as popular as ever. So if you’re looking for a compelling combination of historic, modern, delicious and entertaining, then hop on the bus marked Wisconsin Dells.
NATALJA DEDUNA 608-254-9877 natalja@wisdells.com www.gatherinthedells.com
BARABOO’S BIG TOP PARADE Baraboo
This Circus Celebration comes to the Ringling Brothers' hometown, featuring downtown trolley tours, a car show, live music and an artistic “parade of elephants."
BEN BROMLEY • 608-356-8333 memberrelations@ baraboochamber.com www.baraboo.com
AMERICINN LODGE & SUITES
Wisconsin Dells
Located just off interstate 90/94, exit 87, we are located in the heart of Wisconsin Dells. Very motorcoachfriendly, offering 24-hour coffee, accessible rooms and baggage handling. Free hot homestyle breakfast.
ANN KAMINSKI 608-254-1700 ann@americinndells.com www.americinndells.com
CHULA VISTA RESORT Wisconsin Dells
Chula Vista Resort is a year-round destination. Overlooking the scenic Wisconsin River, Chula Vista features indoor & outdoor waterparks, an 18-hole golf course, an onsite spa, a zipline course, an award-winning steakhouse, impressive meeting & event facilities and much more.
BOOKE DALEY 608-253-0682 brooked@chulavistaresort.com www.chulavistaresort.com
Wisconsin State-Wide Members
BADGER BUS
Badger Bus is a family owned and operated company that was founded in 1920 and has offered outstanding sales and services ever since. As a motorcoach operator, we can help with all of your transportation and travel needs and will find the right vehicle for you to journey in comfort.
CORY MACE • 608-310-4874 corym@badgerbus.com www.badgerbus.com
CHARTER/RECEPTIVE CHARTER/RECEPTIVE THEATRE
CHARTER/RECEPTIVE CHARTER/RECEPTIVE
DAIRY STATE TOURS
Dairy State Tours, a receptive tour operator offering packaged agricultural tours, Frank Lloyd Wright experiences and other custom itineraries of Wisconsin attractions, hotels and dining.
CORY MACE • 608-250-9797 cory@dairystatetours.com www.dairystatetours.com
HAPPY TIMES TOURS & EXPERIENCES
We have over 25 years of tour experience and are leaders in providing exclusive group tour experiences. Our most popular trip is a Laverne & Shirley themed trip of Milwaukee. Our tours will always be fun, creative, unique and provide local experiences. We customize to meet your group's needs.
KRIS HOFF • 414-867-2727 info@happytimestours.com www.happytimestours.com
CIRCLE WISCONSIN
LAMERS BUS LINES
With their fleet of motorcoaches, mini coaches, school buses, limo coaches and trolleys, Lamers Bus Lines plans and provides memorable travel experiences for groups of all sizes. Lamers has been your trusted passenger professionals for 78 years. Hop on board knowing you're riding in a safe and clean vehicle.
WANDA NEUMAN • 920-496-3600 wandan@golamers.com www.golamers.com
KIDS FROM WISCONSIN
For over 54 years The Kids From Wisconsin have been entertaining audiences across Wisconsin and beyond. The Kids From Wisconsin’s summer tour presents a high-powered Vegas-style production. Join our state’s most talented singers, dancers, and instrumentalists in celebrating the World’s most dynamic music styles.
MICHAEL SANDER • 414-266-7067 michael.sander@kidsfromwisconsin.org www.kidsfromwi.org
Plan your next Great Lakes adventure with us! We’re the ultimate itinerary resource, and we guarantee a unique & fun experience. Join us for Midwest Marketplace 2023 Contact Wendy Dobrzynski 414-545-1100 wendy@circlewisconsin.com
Thank You to our Advertising Partners
Apple Holler, Sturtevant 3
Baraboo Chamber, Baraboo 53
Cascade Development, Sun Prairie 42
Central Wisconsin Tourism Association, Stevens Point .......................................................................................................................... 10
Chalet Landhaus, New Glarus ....................................................................................................................................................................... 57
Circus World, Baraboo 54
Dancing Horses Theatre, Delavan 20
Destination Door County, Sturgeon Bay 38
Destination Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac 59
Discover Green Bay, Green Bay 60
Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee 21
International Crane Foundation, Baraboo .................................................................................................................................................. 55
Janesville Area CVB, Janesville ...................................................................................................................................................................... 46
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan 21
Kenosha Area CVB, Kenosha 26
Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee 25
Lake Geneva Cruise Line, Lake Geneva 39
Making Spirits Bright, Sheboygan 23
Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee 35
National Railroad Museum, Ashwaubenon ................................................................................................................................................. 35
New Glarus Chamber of Commerce ........................................................................................................................................................ 42
Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center 51
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Green Bay 5
Oshkosh CVB, Oshkosh 27
Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Green Bay 35 Taliesin, Spring Green 2
Visit Beloit, Beloit 41
Visit Middleton, Middleton............................................................................................................................................................................. 41
Visit Sheboygan, Sheboygan ........................................................................................................................................................................... 28
Wisconsin Historical Society 43
Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc 25
Circle Wisconsin 2023 Tour Planner
Editorial & Advertising Office
Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 advertising@ptmgroups.com
Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk jeff@ptmgroups.com
Senior Editor – Randy Mink randy@ptmgroups.com
Chief Editor – Jason Paha jason@ptmgroups.com
Contributing Writer– Miles Dobis theresa@ptmgroups.com
Director, Design & Production – Lisa Hede lisa@ptmgroups.com
Published in Partnership with Circle Wisconsin P.O. Box 20750, Milwaukee, WI 53220 Phone: 414.545.1100
Executive Director – Wendy Dobrzynski wendy@circlewisconsin.com
The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos, slides or manuscripts.
Circle Wisconsin Tour Planner is published by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. The magazine is distributed free of charge to qualified tour operators, travel agents, group leaders, bank travel clubs and other travel organizations.
Send Address Change to: Premier Travel Media 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527
All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.