Wisconsin
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Wisconsin gives you the essential Badger State experience, from the extraordinary Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior, the finest sea cave kayaking in the Great Lakes, to the magnificent Door County peninsula with its extraordinary limestone cliffs, lighthouses and cherry orchards. This route covers the heart of Wisconsin. The extraordinary sea caves of the Apostle Islands, the remarkable Madeline Island ferry and La Pointe historic village, the extraordinary Door County Fish Boil tradition and the vibrant Milwaukee craft brewery and arts scene.
Best Time To Visit
June to October for kayaking. February for ice caves.
Getting There
Fly into Milwaukee (MKE) or Minneapolis (MSP)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Wisconsin
Budget Per Day
Approx $110 to $180 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some kayaking and coastal hiking
DAY 1
APOSTLE ISLANDS
MORNING
APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE SEA CAVE KAYAKING
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior is the most extraordinary sea cave coastline in the Great Lakes, its extraordinary 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland lakeshore giving the finest sandstone sea cave kayaking in America. The sea caves at Meyer's Beach and Sand Island give the most extraordinary close-range kayak experience, paddling through arched sandstone passages and sea stacks carved by Lake Superior's extraordinary wave action. Tours approx $55. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
MADELINE ISLAND FERRY AND LA POINTE HISTORIC VILLAGE
Madeline Island is the most extraordinary island in the Great Lakes outside of Mackinac, its extraordinary La Pointe village with the finest Lake Superior views in Wisconsin, the remarkable Big Bay Town Park and the extraordinary Madeline Island Museum giving the finest island experience in the Apostle Islands chain. The Madeline Island Ferry from Bayfield gives the most extraordinary Lake Superior crossing in Wisconsin. Ferry approx $15 return. Drive: 30 min drive + ferry
AFTERNOON
BAYFIELD AND THE APOSTLE ISLANDS ORCHARD COUNTRY
Bayfield is the most extraordinary small town on Lake Superior in Wisconsin, its extraordinary Victorian brick streetscape above the Apostle Islands marina, the remarkable Bayfield Apple Festival in October and the finest concentration of apple and strawberry orchards in the Great Lakes giving the most extraordinary fruit town experience in Wisconsin. The Hauser's Superior View Farm gives the finest orchard and lake view. Orchard entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Apostle Islands ice caves in February when Lake Superior freezes give the most extraordinary free winter spectacle in the Great Lakes, the frozen sea caves of Meyer's Beach transformed into extraordinary ice cathedral formations accessible by walking on the frozen lake. Free. Check NPS website for ice thickness conditions.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Maggie's Restaurant, Bayfield The finest breakfast in Bayfield. Extraordinary local Lake Superior whitefish and strong Wisconsin coffee. | Lunch: The Pier Restaurant, Bayfield Outstanding Bayfield waterfront lunch. Extraordinary local Lake Superior fish and Wisconsin craft beer. | Dinner: Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield The most extraordinary dinner in northern Wisconsin. Local Lake Superior produce in a Victorian mansion.
DAY 2
DOOR COUNTY PENINSULA
MORNING
DOOR COUNTY LIGHTHOUSE TRAIL AND CANA ISLAND
Door County is the most extraordinary peninsula in the Great Lakes, its extraordinary 300 miles of shoreline on Green Bay and Lake Michigan giving the finest concentration of historic lighthouses in any county in America. Cana Island Lighthouse connected to the mainland by a causeway gives the finest lighthouse experience on the peninsula. The extraordinary Cave Point County Park with its limestone sea caves is the finest coastal geology in Wisconsin. Cave Point free. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
PENINSULA STATE PARK AND EAGLE BLUFF LIGHTHOUSE
Peninsula State Park is the most extraordinary state park in Wisconsin, its extraordinary 3,776 acres of limestone bluffs, cedar forest and five miles of Green Bay shoreline giving the finest coastal hiking in the state. The Eagle Bluff Lighthouse trail gives the finest elevated view of the Green Bay shoreline. The extraordinary Nicolet Bay beach is the finest swimming beach on the peninsula. Entry $8 per vehicle. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
DOOR COUNTY FISH BOIL AND SUNSET ON GREEN BAY
The Door County Fish Boil is the most extraordinary dining tradition in Wisconsin, its extraordinary outdoor cauldron of Lake Michigan whitefish, potatoes and onions boiled over a wood fire in a tradition brought by Scandinavian fishermen in the 19th century, culminating in the dramatic kerosene boilover that sends a column of flame into the sky at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. The sunset over Green Bay from the peninsula bluffs is extraordinary. Fish Boil approx $25.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ellison Bay bluff trail in northern Door County is the finest hidden hike on the peninsula, its extraordinary unmarked path through cedar and birch forest to a limestone bluff overlooking Green Bay giving the most extraordinary wild coastal view in Door County entirely free of any tourist crowds. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: White Gull Inn, Fish Creek The most legendary breakfast in Door County. Extraordinary local Door County cherry pancakes. | Lunch: Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant, Sister Bay The finest lunch in Door County. Extraordinary Swedish pancakes and local fish. Goats on the roof. | Dinner: White Gull Inn Fish Boil The most extraordinary dining tradition in Wisconsin. Local Lake Michigan whitefish boiled over open fire.
DAY 3
MILWAUKEE
MORNING
MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM AND THE CALATRAVA PAVILION
The Milwaukee Art Museum is the most extraordinary building in Wisconsin, Santiago Calatrava's extraordinary Quadracci Pavilion of 2001 with its movable brise soleil wingspan of 217 feet opening and closing like a giant bird above Lake Michigan giving the finest piece of contemporary architecture in the Midwest. The museum's extraordinary collection of 30,000 works includes the finest Georgia O'Keeffe collection in America. Museum entry approx $19, free Thursdays. Drive: 3 hr drive
MIDDAY
MILWAUKEE CRAFT BREWERY DISTRICT AND THE THIRD WARD
Milwaukee is the most extraordinary craft brewery city in America, its extraordinary brewing heritage from the Pabst, Miller and Schlitz era now transformed into the finest craft beer scene in the Midwest with over 40 breweries. Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee Brewing Company and Sprecher Brewing give the finest tours. The extraordinary Historic Third Ward of cast-iron warehouse buildings converted to galleries and restaurants is the finest neighborhood in Milwaukee. Most tours approx $12. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HARLEY-DAVIDSON MUSEUM AND THE MILWAUKEE RIVERWALK
The Harley-Davidson Museum is the most extraordinary motorcycle museum in the world, its extraordinary collection of over 450 motorcycles from the first 1903 Serial Number One to the present day giving the finest American industrial heritage museum in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee RiverWalk along the Milwaukee River through the Brewers Hill, East Side and Historic Third Ward neighborhoods gives the finest urban walking experience in the state. Museum entry approx $22.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Milwaukee Public Market in the Historic Third Ward is the finest hidden food market in Wisconsin, its extraordinary collection of local Wisconsin cheese, charcuterie, fish and produce vendors in a renovated warehouse giving the most extraordinary local food experience in the city. Free to enter. Open daily.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Benelux, Milwaukee Third Ward The finest breakfast in Milwaukee. Extraordinary local Wisconsin eggs and strong coffee. | Lunch: Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee The most extraordinary brewery tour lunch in Wisconsin. Outstanding local craft beer and bratwurst. | Dinner: Odd Duck, Milwaukee The finest farm-to-table restaurant in Milwaukee. Extraordinary local Wisconsin produce and craft cocktails.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Bayfield, Night 1 Old Rittenhouse Inn or Bayfield Inn. Approx $120 to $220 per night. Sturgeon Bay, Night 2 White Gull Inn Fish Creek or Inn at Cedar Crossing. Approx $120 to $200. Milwaukee, Night 3 The Pfister Hotel or Saint Kate Arts Hotel. Approx $130 to $250 per night.
Top Tips
1. Apostle Islands sea cave kayaking is best in calm morning conditions. Book with Trek and Trail in Bayfield.
2. Door County Fish Boil at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek is the most extraordinary Wisconsin dining tradition.
3. Apostle Islands ice caves in February are the most extraordinary free winter spectacle in the Great Lakes.
4. Milwaukee Art Museum's Calatrava Quadracci Pavilion is the finest piece of architecture in Wisconsin. Free Thursdays.
5. Door County cherry blossom season in late April and early May is the most extraordinary bloom in the Midwest.
6. Bayfield Apple Festival in October is the finest fruit harvest festival in Wisconsin. Extraordinary and free.
Total Budget
$110 to $180/day