Looking for the best travel ideas in Wisconsin? Read this article for the best Wisconsin Destinations, from outdoor adventures to adorable small towns!

Why this blog? Hi there! My name is Maddy and I’ve been working as an outdoor guide in the Apostle Islands and beyond since 2018! Today, I live in the Wisconsin Northwoods and still lead women’s adventure trips throughout the Midwest. It’s my mission to help folks find everyday adventure throughout the Midwest. I actually love living in Wisconsin, and I’m happy to show you around!

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Best Wisconsin Travel Destinations & Ideas:

From islands on Lake Superior and waterfall road trips, to hidden gems in the Driftless, here are the best Wisconsin travel ideas:

1) The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

One of the coolest places to visit in Wisconsin is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore! Located at the far northern edge of the state, you can find an archipelago of 21 (22 including Madeline Island) islands stretching out into Lake Superior. These islands are only accessible by boat, and probably best accessed by sea kayak, to explore the sea caves!

This is NOT a beginner friendly kayaking trip, and guided tours are strongly recommended. This is where I have and still occasionally do work as a guide and while the water is calm in the photos above, more than once I have had to pull someone out of the water who brought their own kayak out, flipped and couldn’t get back in and was exhausted, cold, scared and had swallowed water. It’s traumatic for everyone involved. Just book a guided trip.

Guided trips are available out into the islands on overnights (above left), or to day trips to the mainland sea caves (above right). Booking options include Lost Creek Adventures (I work here!) , Trek & Trail, Wilderness Inquiry & more!

READ: Best Things to do in the Apostle Islands

2) The Wisconsin Dells

The Wisconsin Dells are probably best known for waterparks, but beyond waterparks you can find so much adventure in this area as well! Check out the beautiful and unique Lost Canyon Horse Tours, or cruise on a boat tour through the Wisconsin Dells. Witch’s Gulch, best accessed by boat tour, is one of the coolest places to visit in Wisconsin, as you can walk a boardwalk through a mossy slot canyon.

READ: Best Things to do in the Wisconsin Dells (By fellow blogger Felicia Fullwood!)

3) The Great River Road

For Wisconsin’s most interesting road trip, tackle the Great River Road winding along the Mississippi River. In the northern section of the road, check out Willow River State Park, Perrot State Park and Maiden Rock Bluff.

Also check out boat tours on the La Crosse Queen and the Great River Road Interpretive Center. Check out a map of the Great River Road here.

READ: Best hiking on the Great River Road

4) Door County

From hiking and adventure to island camping and small town vibes, Door County is easily one of the best and most popular travel destinations in Wisconsin. For a taste of adventure, book a kayak tour of Cave Point & Whitefish Dunes or alternately a kayak and hike tour of Peninsula State Park. Not up for paddling? Instead, hop on a motorized boat and check out Peninsula State Park Caves and Ephraim North Cruise.

Head out on one of Wisconsin’s most unique adventures and catch a ferry out to camp at Rock Island State Park.

READ: 50+ Things to do in Door County by Door County Mom

5) The Driftless Region

If you’re looking for one of the most unique travel destinations in Wisconsin, check out Wisconsin’s Driftless Region. The Driftless Region is home to complex networks of river valleys and bluffs, making for really pretty views and great hiking.

Check out Ferry Bluff State Natural Area, Blue Mound State Park, and Governor Dodge State Park for some of the prettiest scenery in the Driftless.

READ: Best Hiking in the Driftless Region

6) Wyalusing State Park

For some of the coolest campsites in Wisconsin, ridge hikes, and sand caves check out Wyalusing State Park at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. I visited here in early spring and snagged a drive-up campsite on Wisconsin Ridge. It was drizzling rain but it didn’t matter! To date, this is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever camped.

Beyond the bucket-list worthy campsites, Wyalusing is also home to a handful of really cool little hiking trails. Personally I recommend the Sentinel Ridge Trail, the Sugar Maple Trail (Pictured Rock Cave pictured above, right) and the Sand Cave Trail. Check out all the hikes in Wyalusing State Park here.

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7) Interstate State Park

Visit the Western Terminus of the Ice Age Trail at scenic Interstate State Park. Here, you can enjoy a series of hiking trails that wind along the St. Croix River, hop on a scenic boat tour of the cliffs on the river, or even book a guided rock climbing trip.

I’ve hosted a women’s beginner rock climbing event with Climb Forged here every summer for the past three years and counting and it’s been so much fun! I’ve hiked a handful of trails in the park and camped out, and it’s always an absolute highlight of my summer. I haven’t done the boat tour yet, but maybe this year!

8) Bayfield, Wisconsin

If you’re looking for a real life storybook town, head up to Bayfield, Wisconsin to live your Northern coastal fairytale dream! I live just outside of town and met my now fiance while working summers here and can confirm, it’s a pretty magical place. Bayfield is a popular entry point for touring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, but is a pretty far drive from the put-in and hike at Meyers Beach (30 min drive if you speed, which you shouldn’t)!

For a perfect trip to Bayfield, I recommend a sunset cruise of the Apostle Islands, sea kayaking the sea caves (pro tip: book a guided trip for the early morning for best chance of calmest conditions), hike Houghton Falls and/or Lost Creek Falls, visiting Honest Dog Books, and dinner at St. James Social.

READ: Best Things to do in Bayfield, Wisconsin

9) Northern Wisconsin Waterfall Road Trip

If you’re looking for the single best Wisconsin road trip idea, check out a Northern Wisconsin Waterfall road trip, working your way from the Eastern edge of the state near Ironwood, Michigan to the western edge at the classic Pattison State Park (pro tip: book a backpack-in site for unique waterfall views :).

The Wisconsin Northwoods are full of waterfalls! Copper Falls State Park tends to take most of the credit as the best waterfall destination in Wisconsin, but there are so many other falls in the area as well. Check out Potato River Falls, Morgan Falls, and more, and for a full road trip route, check out the article linked below.

READ: Ultimate Northwoods Waterfall Road Trip

10) Minocqua, Wisconsin

Minocqua is perfect destination for water lovers looking to have a classic American summer. Grab an ice cream and wander town, rent a boat for the weekend, book a guided fishing trip, and book a cozy cabin like Pine Cove Cabin.

READ: Things to do in Wisconsin

11) Devil’s Lake State Park

If you’re looking for one of the most iconic places in Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake probably jumps to mind. This popular state park is best known for it’s beaches, iconic view points and hiking and camping.

Check out the Balanced Rock Trail, Devil’s Doorway and Parfrey’s Glen Trail. Browse all the hikes in Devil’s Lake here.

Travel ideas just outside of Wisconsin:

12) The North Shore

Within a quick drive of the Wisconsin border, you can find a plethora of lakefront cabins, waterfalls, sea cliffs, and epic hiking views. Head north from Superior, Wisconsin on the Minnesota North Shore for the perfect trip for everyone from couples looking for a cozy getaway to big families looking for a taste of adventure.

Check out the cozy small town of Grand Marais, Minnesota, check out the Gunflint Trail, or explore the waterfront in Two Harbors.

READ: Best Things to do on the North Shore, MN

13) The Porcupine Mountains

If you’re looking for the best backpacking in the Midwest, check out Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in the northwestern corner of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Here you can find waterfalls, campsites on Lake Superior, campsites on wooded inland lakes (Mirror Lake is a literal fairytale), campsites up on a ridge overlooking Lake of the Clouds (above, left? yep, that’s a campsite!) and overall great hiking. Personally, I think the Porkies are a backpacking and car camping destination worthy of national park guidebooks. I’ve got a backpacking trip here planned for this summer and I’m so excited 🙂

READ: Best Things to do in the Porcupine Mountains, Michigan

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