By Isabel Prontes
Wisconsin is a beautiful Midwestern state that is ideal for
family vacation getaways. With its abundant natural scenery (it runs alongside Lake Michigan), serene
beach towns, many amusement parks (such as the Wisconsin Dells) and much more, there are countless vacation options for families in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Dells is one of the Midwest's biggest family attractions. It is an area that is packed full with over 24 separate water parks, making it an ideal summer family vacation destination. Known to be the "water park capital of the world," the Wisconsin Dells is also full of excellent restaurants, arcades, guided sandstone cliff tours, museums and magic shows. There is something for everyone in the family at the Wisconsin Dells. (115 La Crosse Street, PO Box 390, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 - Tel: 608-254-8088)
Door County
Door County is a breathtaking peninsula that covers lovely shoreline, coves and harbors. It is a great family vacation in that it not only offers a lot of tranquil natural beauty, but it is full of exciting recreational activities including cruising, fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, biking and hiking. There are various state parks, lighthouses, galleries, museums and arts venues to explore, and many fine dining options as well. (Visitor Bureau
1015 Green Bay Rd PO Box 406, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 - Tel: 920-743-4456)
Apostle Island National Lakeshore
Apostle Island National Lakeshore is a Wisconsin archipelago along the state's Bayfield Peninsula. Native Americans were longtime residents of the islands. The Ojibwe tribe have roots on the islands going back to the 1400s. Madeline Island is the most popular tourist destination of them all, with recreational activities and attractions that are ideal for family vacations, including lighthouse tours, campgrounds, hiking trails and docks. There are also museums, such as the Madeline Island Historical Museum. (415 Washington Avenue, Bayfield, WI 54814 - Tel: 715-779-3397)
Taliesin
The Taliesin Preservation is in Spring Green, Wisconsin, and was the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright's estate. It is a national historic landmark that spans 600 acres and is full of many of the structures built by the architect, including the Hillside Home School, Romeo and Juliet Windmill Tower and Midway Barns. Taliesin is an educational and exciting family vacation destination. It is notable in architectural history because it served as Wright's "sketch pad" for his theories, concepts, dreams and ideas. (5607 Cty. Rd. C, Spring Green, WI 53588 - Tel: 608-588-7090)
Milwaukee Art Museum
The Milwaukee Art Museum is both a fun and educational family vacation spot. Though many people associate Milwaukee with beer and baseball, it also has a cosmopolitan and sophisticated artistic history that this museum thoroughly displays. If you want to see some legendary artwork by artists including Monet, Picasso, Warhol, Rodin, Degas, Homer and O'Keefe, you should visit this museum. The whole family will learn a lot and enjoy browsing this extensive art museum. (700 N. Art Museum Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202 - Tel: 414-224-3200)
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
