“America’s Dairyland”
Water skiing on lakes, hiking over bluffs
Midwestern dream, cheese obsession & beer capital of the world
Get To Know Wisconsin
Who doesn’t dream of spending a day water skiing on lakes, hiking over bluffs, and capping the night off with a gluttonous amount of cheese and beer? This is your typical day while vacationing in the beautiful state of Wisconsin. Purchasing a bus ticket makes traveling to this midwestern dream easier than ever. So let’s delve into what your vacation could look like after your bus rolls into the Badger State.
A Brief History of Wisconsin
Kickapoo, Sauk, Ojibwa, and various other Native American tribes were the first inhabitants of the land now known as Wisconsin. After French settlement, the Revolutionary War, and subsequently the admission of Wisconsin as the 30th U.S. state, Wisconsin would go on to attract many German and Scandinavian immigrants. Settlers in the state found work in the lumber, dairy, and mining industries that boomed in the newly-founded state. Interestingly enough, it was the mining industry that earned Wisconsin its “Badger State” nickname. Early European settlers and miners made homes in the caves and mines of Wisconsin, which led to them being called “Badgers.”
There's no shortage of things to do in Wisconsin.
A Look at Culture in Wisconsin
Wisconsin has a reputation for being home to some of the friendliest and neighborly people in the country. Native American, German, Scandinavian, and Polish ethnic groups make up the bulk of the state’s population and meld as one distinctive midwestern culture. Wisconsin reigns supreme in the dairy industry and takes pride in mastering the art of cheese making, especially its iconic Wisconsin cheddar. This obsession with cheese leads many residents of Wisconsin to refer to themselves as cheeseheads, an endearing title they wear with pride. Pairing perfectly with cheese is Wisconsin’s other obsession — beer! Early German immigrants brought the tradition of beer-making to the state and the love of brewing and drinking beer lives on to this day. Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city, has even earned itself the title of “Beer Capital of the World,” being home to revered companies such as Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz.
Must See List
- Packers Heritage Trail Trolley Tours
- Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
- Lambeau Field Atrium
- Granite Peak Ski Area
- Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Excursion Train
- Bay Beach Amusement Park
- Great Pumpkin Train
- Maribel Cave Tours
- Kaukauna Boys Hoops Club Annual Craft Fair
- UW-Green Bay Concert Series at the Weidner Center
- Wisconsin’s Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
- TRANS-WISCONSIN Adventure Trail Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride
- High Cliff State Park
- Frog Bay Tribal National Park
- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
- Cave of the Mounds
- Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- EAA AirVenture Show Oshkosh
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Wisconsin Dells
Top Cities To Visit in Wisconsin
Milwaukee
On the western shore of Lake Michigan, you’ll find the midwestern metropolis of Milwaukee. Self-professed as “America’s Third Coast,” Milwaukee’s extensive Lake Michigan shoreline, positioned at the confluence of three rivers, gives way to a veritable smorgasbord of water activities. Relax on the beach, try your hand at freshwater surfing, or kayak right up to the dock outside of Lakefront Brewery. Speaking of breweries, Milwaukee is full of them, as its history and success as a city was largely built on the back of beer. After you get your fair share of water sports and beer sipping, head to one of Milwaukee’s amazing attractions like the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has a stunning adornment of retractable steel wings sitting atop the building.
Madison
West of Milwaukee and nestled on an isthmus between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona sits the city of Madison. Consistently ranking high as one of the best cities to live in America, Madison boasts a beautifully-designed city serving as a fantastic gateway for outdoor recreation and a surprisingly strong culinary scene. Head to The Old Fashioned for a taste of traditional Wisconsin cuisine in a retro-styled tavern. When you’re stuffed to the gills with cheese curds, work off those calories by climbing around the Cave of the Mounds — a natural limestone cave system equipped with paved and lighted walkways.
Green Bay
Located at the southern head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, is the city of Green Bay. Home to the highly revered Green Bay Packers football team and Lambeau Field. Football culture runs deep in this Wisconsin city, so if you’re a fan of football make sure to catch a game during football season. For fans of the arts, attend a show at the Meyer Theatre, an illustrious vaudeville house and movie palace presenting concerts, musicals, and theatre productions each night. While you’re there, plan a trip to the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, a 600-acre wildlife refuge where you can immerse yourself in the natural world.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Take full advantage of Wisconsin’s great outdoors at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — the perfect location for just about every outdoor activity imaginable. Located at the northern tip of Wisconsin on the Shore of Lake Superior, Apostle Islands consists of sandstone sea caves, historic lighthouses, and 21 mesmerizing islands. Hike along the rugged sandstone cliffs or explore the waterfilled caves. Take a boat tour through each of the islands, marveling at the lighthouses and wildlife that make their home there. The options are limitless, with opportunities for scuba diving, camping, and kayaking as well.
Wisconsin Dells
Plan for a day of endless amusement at the numerous theme parks in the city of Wisconsin Dells. Places like Noah’s Ark Water Park and Mt. Olympus offer roller coasters and twisting water slides where families can delight their children and adults can unleash their inner kid.
Harley Davidson Museum
The Harley Davidson Museum overlooks the Menomonee River in Milwaukee and is an incredible establishment with hundreds of vintage motorcycles on display as well as interactive exhibits showing the history of the famed brand. The museum is home to one of Elvis Presley’s motorcycles and is decorated pristinely with a modern design that is sure to please — regardless of whether you’re a biker or not.