A trip to America's Dairy Land AKA Wisconsin will instantly remind you how awesome the Midwest is.
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The Midwest is a nature playground waiting to be explored. With borders on two great lakes, the shorelines of Wisconsin are characterized by stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise and emerald waters that looks like something you could only find in the tropical south.
Wisconsin is also jam-packed full of history and nostalgia. All-American restaurants and bars that haven't changed since they opened decades ago.
If you're looking for some unusual and surreal places to explore in the unassuming state of Wisconsin, look no further!
Ardy & Ed's
Where: 2413 S Main St, Oshkosh
@annlemStep back in time at this authentic 1950s drive-in diner. You will even get served by waitresses on roller skates while 50s and 60s music plays in the background. This is nostalgia at its finest.
Sturgeon Bay
Where: Door County
@bekkcawwSturgeon Bay is a beautiful waterside town in Wisconsin with so much to offer. With a shoreline that will make you feel like you're miles away from the Midwest, this little town is a real hidden gem of the state.
Don Q Inn
Where: 3658 WI-23 Trunk, Dodgeville
@chimplipsThis is not your regular Airbnb experience. This is an eclectic, old school inn with themed rooms, something you don't see very often these days. Have a good laugh by spending a night at the state's whackiest roadside hotel.
Washington Island
Where: Door County
@doorcountyWith a year-round population of only 700 people, this island will make you feel like you're miles away from the big city. It's the best place to go in the state if you're craving a digital detox and escape from the chaos urban living.
Devil's Lake State Park
Where: Baraboo, WI
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This is one of the most visited state parks in Wisconsin with over three million visitors a year. The beautiful and surreal landscapes of the park are the main attraction for visitors. The fall is prime time for tourists as the colors here are unreal in autumn. Get your cameras ready!
Grandad Bluff
Where: La Crosse
@petersen_sarahYou can see three different states from this 600-foot high look-out point. Boasting the most beautiful views in the entire state, Grandad Bluffs will give you that surreal experience you need when escaping the city.
The Milwaukee Art Museum
Where: 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee
@amyengland78Are you in a spaceship or museum? This stunning architectural marvel is a work of art in itself, and it's unusual shapes and color will play mind games with you. As one of the largest museums in the United States and featuring over 25,000 works of art, it's a must-see if you're visiting Wisconsin.
Apostle Islands
Where: Bayfield Peninsula
@apostle.islandsAre we on Mars? Apostle Islands is probably one of the most surreal natural formations in the entire state. This group of 22 islands lives in Lake Superior in the northern part of the state and is a popular destination for tourist and locals looking for adventure on the water. It will literally take your breath away.
Brillion Nature Center Pumpkin Trail
Where: W1135 Deerview Rd Brillion
Looking to get into the Halloween spirit. We've found your spot! The Brillion Nature Center transforms into a fun and spooky Halloween Pumpkin farm this October! The whole thing is free and open to all ages.
Governor Dodge State Park
Where: 4175 State Highway 23, Dodgeville
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Famous for being one of the most scenic state parks in the state, the Governor Dodge State Park boasts more than 5,000 scenic acres of steep hills, bluffs, and deep valleys plus two lakes and a waterfall make this park a family favorite.
Wayne's Drive-In
Where: 1331 Covered Bridge Rd, Cedarburg
@thienkim.phamLet Wayne's Drive-In take you back in time to a time you only see in the movies. This typical 1950s style drive-in is full of bright neon signs, red benches, and tasty classic burgers. They host all types of special events, too. It's a unique and all-American place to pass through when visiting Wisconsin.
Windpoint Lighthouse
Where: Racine Harbor, Wind Point
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This magical lighthouse is located in the charming water-side city of Racine Wisconsin. Racine is actually one of the biggest cities in the entire state, but it's got a small town charm unlike any other. Definitely worth a visit if you're passing through.
Maribel Caves
Where: 15401 County Rd R, Maribel
@hugocaoLooking for something offbeat and adventures, look no further than exploring Cherney Maribel Caves County Park. Here you will find many caves and crevices that are open by trail to explore all day. The park closes October 31st for the season, so check it out while it's open!
FAST Fiberglass Mold Graveyard
Where: 14177 Co Hwy Q, Sparta
@vestablikkThis place will have you asking "where do they build these things?" This is an outdoor gallery of molds from fiberglass statues; the molds make pretty great statues themselves. This eerie and offbeat outdoor "museum" is the perfect place to visit if you're looking to explore a different side of Wisconsin.
Dr. Evermor's Forevertron
Where: S7703 US-12, North Freedom
@femininiteaseThis unique Wisconsin spot is allegedly the home of the largest scrap metal sculpture in the world. This massive interactive work of art is the retirement project and brainchild of retired industrial wrecker Tom Every AKA Dr. Evermor who developed this project after he stopped working in the industrial sector in Wisconsin.
The House on the Rock
Where: 5754 WI-23, Spring Green
@katie_maloneyThis is one of the most unique and memorable places you will visit in the entire state. It's even difficult to describe exactly what this place is. It's a home, it's also a museum, it's an architectural marvel in which the experience of visiting will change entirely depending on the time of year. You have to see it to believe it.
The Rudolph Grotto Gardens
Where: 6975 Grotto Ave, Rudolph
@ph_kittyThis religious site is full of little nooks and crannies to explore, and the garden grounds are especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves are turning. Plans to spend at least 2 to 3 hours exploring the gardens, there's more to see than meets the eye!
Chippewa Falls Christmas village
Where: Irvine Park
@elizabethtewaltThe people of Chippewa Falls are extremely serious about Christmas. Every year, the residents go all out — and I REALLY mean all out — to decorate their town and transform it into a full-blown sensory Christmas experience.
Chatty Belle
Where: 1201 Division St., Neillsville
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Bet you didn't know the world's largest talking cow is located in the state of Wisconsin. Chatty Belle is her name, and you can visit this huge bovine lady anytime! Although Chatty Belle no longer talks, she still stands as a memory of America's Dairy Land past.
International Clown Hall of Fame
Where: 102 4th Ave, Baraboo
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Clowning is considered a rare art form. This museum's goal is to pay homage to the art of clowning via showcasing clowns and their art of clowning and how it manifests in different types of culture, space, and throughout history.
Stewart Tunnel
Where: Belleville, WI
@christyjoedgerleA train used to pass inside this tunnel, once upon a time. Now — it's a home for cyclists looking for an offbeat adventure. This place is famous in the winter because the water dripping inside the tunnel form beautiful ice formations that look like modern art sculptures. A highly unique and unusual place to stop by if you're in the area.
The Holler House
Where: 2042 W Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee
@riley_barkerAnother Wisconsin joint that will make you feel like you've stepped into a time machine and traveled back three decades. This pocket-sized bowling alley is one-of-a-kind, and most importantly, still functioning! If you want to see the retro side of Wisconsin, stop by The Holler House for a pint and a bowl.
Cave Point County Park
Where: 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay
@saraimperialeYes — rub your eyes, you're not hallucinating. This insanely beautiful park is located in the Midwest. This is a county park, not a state park, though. Known for its underwater caves and wave-worn limestone cliffs by fisherman, scuba divers, photographers, and nature observers. This natural beauty is definitely worth the trip alone.
Kohler-Andrae State Park
Where: 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan
@violetvuddhaIn the summer, this spot is unlike anything you've seen in the state. Known for its beautiful sand dunes and long sandy beaches, you will feel like you've been transported to another part of the country. In the winter, miles of ski trails are available for recreational pleasure. It's the best place for anyone who is looking to enjoy the great outdoors.
Holy Hill
Where: 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus
Tourists and locals flock to Holy Hill in autumn because with the highest natural elevation in the state, this is one of the best views you'll get in this part of the country. If you look at pictures of this place and its iconic basilica you will quickly understand why it's the place to visit in the fall.
The Bronze Fonz
Where: 117 E. Wells St. Milwaukee
@obedaramThe Bronze Fonz is a bronze statue of Fonzie from the hit television series Happy Days. Thousands turned out to see its unveiling on the Wells Street bridge! The funniest part is that local citizens raised the $85,000 necessary to build the statue. Now that's dedication!
The Lady Bug Building
Where: 622 N Water Street Milwaukee
@sam_i_am.66There is no better way to add some spice and pizzaz to a boring old building than some giant ladybugs. This architectural adornment is really unique and one-of-a-kind. Check it out this amazing art installation in downtown Millawake.
The Hodag
Where: 450 W Kemp St, Rhinelander
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In order to visit this mythical creature, you must first travel to the quiet rural town of Rhinelander which is a trip on its own. This mythical creature that was later exposed as a hoax held a tremendous influence on the local culture of this city. The Hodag visitors center is a must-visit if you're looking for a little off-beat tourism in the mid-west.
The Shorewood "Ghost Train"
Where: 1325 E Capitol Dr, Shorewood
The "Ghost Train" is designed to be an interactive light and sound art installation that is meant to give people an "artistic sensory experience." The actual train shut down in 1963, however, the Ghost Train brought this historic sight back to life 53 years later and has a been a hit with visitors ever since.