This house was built in 1856 to be an Indian fort, and later was used as part of the Underground Railroad.  There are 12 rooms in the home which features 9 passageways and a hand-dug underground tunnel.  The house is a private residence now (and has been) but the owners do provide showings for a fee when reservations are made in advance.  

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Enter the world of the 7th oldest operating brewery in the nation.  It all began when brewer Matthias Leinenkrugel brought his family to the US from Germany in the 1840’s.  Although the family originally settled in Sauk City the third son, Jacob, traveled north to Chippewa Falls.  He was convinced that the lumberjacks and lumber-booming economy of the area was an ideal location for his own brewery.  

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This lighthouse was built in 1880 and is the oldest and tallest in operation on Lake Michigan.  The Lighthouse was fully automated in 1964.  Caretakers live in part of the Dwelling with the other part being used as a town hall with the grounds being open to the public.  The grounds are open every day of the year for your enjoyment.  You can go anytime between sunrise and 11 p.m. when it is closed.

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Taste these delightful wines produced from Wisconsin cherries, cranberries and honey.  Of course there are the wonderful grapes that grow on the 16 acres located on the hill tops surrounding the winery which produce the wineries fabulous line of grape wines. 

The variety of wines available at the winery will have you wondering if you can try and then buy them all!  There is the dry red and dry white grape wines which begin the line for this winery.  You have the choice of semi-sweet red, white and blush to also tempt your taste buds and for the sweet tooth among you there sweet grape wines, fruit wines and mead (honey wine) to finish off the choices.

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If you are looking for one of the most exciting types of fishing available for you it may well be steelhead fishing in the Lake Michigan tributary streams.  Here you will find the steelheads (rainbow trout) that have come in from the open waters of the lake to the tributaries to spawn.  While they are there, for the short period of time they are there, they are in range of the fly or spinning rod.

Wisconsin stocks three different strains of rainbow trout and each run at different times of the year.  Two of the strains are the Ganaraska and the Chambers Creek River.  These two have later winter/early spring runs that typically occur between late February and Mid-April.  Occasionally the runs are later depending on how soon it begins to warm up.  At the first warming the fish will show up.

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This National Natural Landmark is an excellent way to get introduced to caving in the Midwest. The cave is recognized by the Chicago Academy of Sciences as "the significant cave of the upper Midwest." 

Here you will be able to view a wide array of colorful stalactites, stalagmites, columns and other formations.  Since the cavern began forming over a million years ago it has some of the stunning beauty that only such limestone caves can hold.  Imagine the time it took for the large caverns to be dissolved within rock that itself is believed to be over 400 MILLION years old!

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The Apostle Islands are a group of more than twenty islands on Lake Superior found just off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. The islands were the spiritual home of the Chippewa natives that lives in the area. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore also encompasses 12 miles of mainland waterfront.

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When traveling through the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin, you will find a wonderful place to visit. Peck’s Wildwood Wildlife Park is located very close to the town of Minocqua, and makes a wonderful place for the whole family to get away and have a fun day. People love that they can get very close to the animals here – it makes for a great experience and great photos.

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Harley Davidson Museum - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With 105 years of history under its belt the Harley-Davidson motorcycle will be honored with this new museum located in Milwaukee!  The museum opened its doors in July of 2008 to showcase the legendary Harleys by showing over 150 motorcycles, historical photos and biking apparel.

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Museum of Historic Torture Devices - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Be so glad you are not forced to experience these items personally.  This is a collection from all over the world and located in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

The displays include such things as Ÿ The Rack Ÿ Thumbscrews Ÿ The Inquisitor’s Chair Ÿ The Cucking (Dunking) Stool Ÿ The Breaking Wheel Ÿ The Heretic’s Fork Ÿ Iron Gag Ÿ The Dreaded Chinese Death Cage Ÿ Many More.

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Mid-Continent Railway Museum - North Freedom, Wisconsin

As of July 4, 2008 the railway museum is closed due to the flooding that hit Wisconsin this spring.  Check their website: www.midcontinent.org for updated information on this attraction.

When the museum and train are working here is some information on the attraction.

This is the opportunity to take a seven-mile, 50 minute round-trip ride on a former branch line of the Chicago & North Western Railway through the scenic Baraboo Hills.  The 1915 steel coaches give you the true feeling of this bygone era.

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Extreme World - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

If you are interested in going to an amusement park while you are in the Dells then you will want to visit Extreme World where you can ride on the Skycoaster, try bungee jumping or any number of other rides.  Join your kids driving the Go-Karts and enjoy the laughter that will follow.

Discover what you feel while freefalling 100 feet at speeds of u to 60-65 mph and then recovering barely 6 feet off the ground and going soaring 90 feet in to the air again in less than 4 seconds!  You have to have a pretty strong stomach to handle this ride!

Now do you feel like a REALLY scary ride?  The go to the ejection seat.  At 130 feet, the bungee jump is the only jump in the Midwest that provides an ankle-harness free fall.  You will fall toward the ground at up to 40 miles an hour and just as you reach the ground you will feel yourself decelerate and rocket instantly back into the sky.  You will “bounce out”, and then you and the elevator are lowered back to the deck.

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Ghost Out-Post Haunted House - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

This place will offer you the scare of your life!  It’s dark, there is a man-eating rat after you, and the maze has you trapped with a bunch of twisted torture victims!  You will begin your adventure by hearing the executioner read a victim his last rights, then witness his gut-wrenching execution.  The on past more executions and encounter the results of cruel justice as the lurking creatures scare you of your senses!

This attraction is not for the timid.  They have an enhanced and improved the Boris and Ernie show, a new unique animatronics talking duo of ghouls and more.

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Dells Mining Co. - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Want to go digging for gems?  This place was established in 1989 for the purpose of mining natural precious and semi-precious gemstones from all over the world.

You can sift through the gem rich soil and find all your gemstone treasures.  You keep everything you find!

There are several types of gemstones found: amethyst, blue topaz, garnet, ruby, emerald, sapphire and many more.  You will get assistance with your dig to make sure that you don’t miss any of the gems.

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Ice Age Trail - Baraboo, Wisconsin

This is one of the eight national scenic trails in the United States.  The trail spans approximately 1200 miles in Wisconsin.  There are only about 575 miles of the trail open to the public now for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing.  The trail was established in 1958, there was the establishment of the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation.  It is a volunteer based organization whose mission is to preserve Wisconsin’s cultural and glacial heritage for the education, and enjoyment for present and future generations.  There are 24 chapters and have over 5,000 miles.

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Devil’s Lake State Park - Baraboo, Wisconsin

The park is located along the Ice Age Trail with spectacular views from 500 ft cliffs.  There are miles of hiking trails, swimming areas of which there are two large sandy beaches, mountain bike trails, cross country ski trails, mountain climbing and a great place to picnic or camp.

Get out your fishing pole and enjoy the quality fishing available at the park. The fish in the lake are: Rainbow trout, Brown trout, Brook trout, Common Carp, Northern Pike, Blacknose dace, Spottail shiner, Spotfin shiner, Mimic shiner, Bluntnose minnow, Fathead minnow, White sucker, Yellow bullhead, Brown bullhead, Channel catfish, Burbot, Lawer, White bass, Smallmouth bass, Largemouth bass, Gree sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Bluegill, Rock bass, White crappie, Black crappie, Walleye, Yellow perch, Iowa darter, Johnny darter.  A Wisconsin fishing licenses are required.

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Timbavati Wildlife Park/Storybook Gardens - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Are you interested in experiencing an up-close and personal encounter with a variety of animals such as kangaroos, tigers, ant eaters, giraffe, zebra, alpaca, muntjac, white lion, colobus monkey, lemurs, binturog, Yellow headed Vultures, Kookaburra, African Crown Cranes, Spurthiged Tortoises, White neck Raven, Crab eating MaCaques, MaCaws, and others.

There are daily interactive shows that are both entertaining and educational.  The show times are 11:15 AM and 2:15 PM.  Show times may vary, call for information.

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International Crane Foundation - Baraboo, Wisconsin

You are invited to visit a world renowned conservation center.  You will meet the ancient family of cranes at ICT.  You will be able to see the world’s rarest crane…the Whooping Crane….in a tranquil wetland.

There are both paved and unpaved trails that wind through acres of restored tall grass prairie delighting birders, nature enthusiasts, walkers, and photographers of all ages.

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Wisconsin Opry - Baraboo, Wisconsin

This is Wisconsin’s oldest live family 2 hour Country Music Show.  Sizzlin’ fiddles and smokin’ guitars rip through the air at this show.  Enjoy the foot stompin’ songs and the beautiful melodies of the ballads of gifted vocalists.  Enjoy the antics that are unique to each and every show. 

The artists that perform at the Country Jubilee on special Sundays throughout the season are from Nashville, bringing the big talents right to the Wisconsin Dells for your enjoyment.  Past artists have included Kitty Wells, Porter Wagner, Bill Anderson, John Anderson and many others.  Bringing in a little bit of Nashville to the Midwest is a great way to enjoy the vacation of your dreams.

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Tommy Bartlett Show - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

For 55 years the Tommy Bartlett Show has been providing first-class family entertainment.  The show features thrill performers who entertain on the state of the Bartlett amphitheatre, Comedic Juggler TJ Howell, The Nerveless Nocks’ 65 foot Wheel of Destiny, Mr. Sound Effects, Wes Harrison, Juggling Jokester Dieter Tasso and Cirque Equinox Aerial Spectacular.  Then there is Aqua T. Clown that will entertain you!

Lake Delton and the Tommy Bartlett Show offer you a fantastic array of thrill performers, singers and comedians.

The show runs daily, rain or shine, 4:30 and 8:30 pm through Labor Day.

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Dells Comedy Club - Wild 4 Hypnosis Show - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Here is an opportunity to hear uncut, unrehearsed humor from Rich & Elizabeth Wylde with their talent in audience participation comedy. 

It is the largest comedy club and home of theWild 4 Hypnosis in the Midwest.  The shows last 75 to 90 minutes with good CLEAN hypnotic fun which acceptable for all ages; don’t be afraid to take the kids with you to this.

If you want to go to an adult humor show then you want the Adult Hypnosis Show “Wild” which is “R” rated.  The Vegas style show begins with a Guest Headlining Comedian to get you started.  Each of the feature shows lasts at least 2 hours.  Please keep in mind that this show is NOT appropriate for children.  Attendees must be at least 17 years of age to attend the Adult show.

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Dells 4D Special FX Theater - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

If you want a different experience in a movie you will want to go to this 4D theater.  This fourth dimension in your movie experience will make you feel the movie come alive as you sit in your personal interactive special FX seat.  Be in the movies without even standing up!!

Enjoying a movie in a new manner will enhance your vacation experience.  Take the kids or go with adults to see their expressions during the movie, you will have something to discuss for days!

Location: 119 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965

Phone: 608-254-2184

Admission: $9.95 with ages 2 & under FREE

Email: ripley@blissnet.com

Dells 4D Special FX Theater - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

If you want a different experience in a movie you will want to go to this 4D theater.  This fourth dimension in your movie experience will make you feel the movie come alive as you sit in your personal interactive special FX seat.  Be in the movies without even standing up!!

Enjoying a movie in a new manner will enhance your vacation experience.  Take the kids or go with adults to see their expressions during the movie, you will have something to discuss for days!

Location: 119 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin 53965

Phone: 608-254-2184

Admission: $9.95 with 2 & under FREE

Email: ripley@blissnet.com

Crystal Grand Music Theatre - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Come and enjoy the music in this 22 acre wooded setting where the theatre seats 2000.

See such greats as Ray Stevens, The Charlie Daniels Band, Clint Black and many others.

The ticket prices vary according to the entertainment so be sure to contact them for information.  Tickets can be purchased at the Box office on non-event days from Monday – Friday 9 – 5, Saturday 9 – 2 and closed on Sunday.  On event days they are open Monday – Sunday 9 – 30 minutes past end of show.

Phone: 800-696-7999 (Midwest) or 608-254-4545.  There is no opportunity to buy by email/internet at this time.

Will call can be picked up anytime prior to show at the Box Office.  Customers must present photo ID.

Open: Year-round

Location: 430 Munroe St., Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Email: info@crystalgrand.com

The Broadway Dinner Theatre - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

The Dells offer you the opportunity to enjoy a dinner theater with a brand new state of the art theater featuring Las Vegas-style seating.

Spend Christmas in the Dells.  Join the Broadway Dinner Theatre with the original holiday revue in the style of New York City Christmas Spectacular featuring holiday favorites from the whole world.  You can enjoy singing elves, dancing toys, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and most important of all The True Meaning of Christmas.” 

The performances are from November – December.

Directions:  From Chicago/Milwaukee:  Take Exit 92 from Interstate 90/94, turn right (North).  The Broadway Dinner Theatre is located about a ¼ mile on the left hand side, across from the Wilderness Resort.

From Minneapolis/Eau Claire: Take Exit 89 and Interstate 90/94, turn left (East).  Go down for about ½ mile until the traffic lights.  At the traffic lights keep going straight (East)  The theatre is located about 6 blocks on the right hand side of the road.

New Year’s Eve Show & Celebration…join them for a wonderful welcoming to the next year with fabulous food, singing and dancing , a champagne toast and more.  When was the last time you welcomed the new year in with a truly extravagant setting in a beautiful location?  Make this year a special one!

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Wisconsin Dells - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Dells is probably one of the most enjoyed areas for family vacationing in the Midwest.  The variety of activities and places to stay offer even the most discriminating as well as the cost conscious, the place perfect for your budget and taste.

There are nearly two dozen waterparks in the Wisconsin Dells.  Known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” which should certainly offer you a long time of family fun.

How about riding a Duck for a unique way to see the Wisconsin River that bisects the community and the fabulous sandstone bluffs that tower above the river?  Ride the roller coasters that are ranked among the best in the country.

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Riverview Park and Waterworld - Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

This waterpark was built in 1968 as an attraction to the Wisconsin Dells.  There are great rides both wet and dry in the summer.  There are also jumping pillows, Ferris wheel, go-carts, night pass and many others.

The site is on 35 acres where there is also the largest U-Drive’Em and Amusement Park rides, Grand Prix racing, go carts and Mini-Indy cars.

There are three 50 foot water slides, five Rapids inner tube rides, waterslides, a wave pool and numerous other pools exclusively for children’s activities.  Just think of the fun all these will offer not only the kids but the adults too!

The amusement park rides will keep your family occupied for a day or more.  Ride the Ferris Wheel or any number of other rides.

They offer specials such as the coupons on their website giving you the opportunity to save some money and have a great time.  Coupons are available for the Rock climb, Ultimate Rush, or the All Day Slide-Ride package. 

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Holiday Stables - Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Come to Rhinelander and do something that you have wanted to do for ages but just never took the time for, a horseback ride (and pony rides for the kids.)  You will be able to relax while going through the beautiful forest lands and think about what it would have been like for the early settlers in the area.

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Lumberjack Steam Train - Laona, Wisconsin

Take a trip back in time with on the Lumberjack Steam Train vintage train from the 1800’s.  You can sit in a rare cupola caboose as you travel into an actual site of a Northwoods logging camp.

The “4-spot” Steam Locomotive was built in 1916 by the Volcan Iron Works in Pennsylvania and purchased in 1926 and brought to Laona for use in the logging industry.  The steam engine pulls two all steel passenger coach cars and three cabooses for your pleasure.

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The Turtle Flambeau Flowage - Near Mercer and Butternut, Wisconsin

Enjoy the 19,000 acres of clear, sparkling water which was created in 1926 with the dam built to create a reservoir.

If you enjoy solitude of a vast wilderness and want to fish for walleye, musky, and panfish you will love this location.  The roaring rapids of the Flambeau River offer a more adventurous angling experience, and calm area streams beckon the trout devotees.

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Chippewa Flowage - Hayward, Wisconsin

The Chippewa Flowage is a watery maze of islands and floating bogs a fabulous location for anglers and wildlife watchers.

When the area was flooded it was the home to a small tribe of Indians.  In this water may be the home now to the largest musky in the world.

The “Big Chip” is a 15,300 acre impoundment which makes it Wisconsin’s third largest lake.  It was created in 1924 and has 233 miles of shoreline with approximately 200 enchanting islands dotting the area.

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Nicolet National Forest - Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Vision yourself in an area of crystal clear lakes and streams, towering pines and hardwood forests and you will find you are dreaming of Nicolet National Forest.  It is a place where you can truly spend some time away from the noise, pollution and stress of the city.

All four seasons welcome you to this area whether you are a summer person who likes to hike, fish, canoe, camp, mountain or horseback riding the area will welcome you.  In the autumn you may want to hunt or to see all the famous fall colors.  There are 3,600 miles of back roads for you to explore.  In the winter you will want to bring your cross-country skis or your snowmobile.  Spring offers you the wonders of life renewal with the forest coming to life.

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Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest - Park Fall, Wisconsin

Are you into solitude or mountain biking, hiking or camping in some of the most beautiful land in Wisconsin?  Then you really need to come and visit Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

There are nearly 850,000 acres just waiting for you to explore.  It is open year around so you can either enjoy it during the summer with mountain biking, hiking and camping or you can come and visit in the winter with your cross-county skis and see it in a totally different way.

It has gently rolling terrain, is sparsely populated and offers you a chance to truly “get away from it all.”  The Chequamegon leaves an impression of tranquility and inner peace.

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Penokee Range - Hurley, Wisconsin

Are you looking for a remote trail to hike?  Do you want to see someplace that not everyone in your hiking circle has ever been to?  Then you need to visit Penokee Range.  It is a remote ridge with an outstanding viewpoint.  It will soon be more accessible and so there will be more hikers in the area, but for now, it could be yours!

It will be part of the North Country Trail with this segment following the Uller Ski Trail which traverses a remote ridge while passing fine stands of maple trees, hidden nooks and crannies and prime viewpoint.

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Apostle Islands - Northern Wisconsin

There are 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland in the chain.  There are 18 campsites dotted across the islands for your enjoyment.  Along with camping there are wonderful opportunities to sail or take your boat out. 

There are public docks on 13 of the islands in the national lakeshore.  These are located at Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia, Little Sand Bay, Red Cliff, and Washburn.  The cost is $5 per launch in Bayfield and Little Sandy Bay, Marinas are in Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia LaPointe, Pike’s Bay, Port Superior, Red Cliff, Roys Point, Schooner Bay and Washburn.

If you are a person that loves to kayak you can enjoy these beautiful islands using their two free launch points which are located at Meyers Beach and just west at Little Sand Bay.

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Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern - Monroe, Wisconsin

This is Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store.  The store opened in 1931 offering some of the best made cheese ever (according to them J)

If you want to try a variety of different cheeses and beers you can go next door to the tavern and enjoy the options offered there.

They are located in the quaint Swiss community of Monroe, in a rich cheese producing area in southern Wisconsin. They can be reached in an hour or less from Beloit, Janesville, Madison and Dubuque, Iowa.

Since Wisconsin is known for its’ excellent cheese this shopping opportunity will certainly make your trip well worth stopping in.  There is a wide array of cheeses to choose from to satisfy each and every one of your families taste.

Location: 1023 16th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566-1764
Phone: (608) 325-6157

Milwaukee County Zoo - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

If you want to spend the day at the zoo and you want to see a very nice one then you will want to see the Milwaukee County Zoo in Milwaukee.  Here there are approximately 1,700 mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates representing more than 350 species and you can see them all.

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Visited yearly by nearly 100,000, circus enthusiasts are treated to a world of circus history. Circus World houses the world’s largest and most extensive collection of priceless circus parade wagons. More than 200 of these colorful and artfully constructed wagons are on display.

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Eagle is a small community of some 5,000 citizens in southeast Wisconsin’s Waukesha County, home to an attraction that recreates the lifestyle and accomplishments of the immigrants and pioneers who settled Wisconsin.

What was it like to live in Wisconsin in the days when it was a developing territory and coming into statehood?  When you visit Old World Wisconsin you will be able to travel back in time and see the re-creation of the working farmsteads and the settlements established by European immigrants.

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Any visitor who is even vaguely familiar with the history of theater in the United States and on Broadway in its heyday of the 1920s thru the 1940s knows of the Lunts and their stature among the elite of the Great White Way.

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Located only three miles West of Mount Horeb is the popular attraction of “Little Norway” which is named for the beautiful valley in which the site is located. Locals know the area as “Nissedahle” which is the Norwegian name for “Valley of the Elves”.

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In the early to mid-nineteenth century, lead miners who had immigrated to Southwestern Wisconsin from Cornwall in England began mining the area. Many-faceted craftsmen, they constructed deep shaft mines for the extraction of zinc and quarried the area’s abundant limestone to build their homes.

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Located in Oshkosh on 3000 Poberezny Road, the first thing you will notice about AirVenture Museum is its size. Over 100,000 square feet, the museum includes five theaters, interactive exhibits, photo gallery, and two large gift shops. The museum happens to be the International Headquarters of the Experimental Aircraft Association, and is home to the EAA Aviation Foundation.

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Reflecting the grand Victorian lifestyle, the recently restored Hixon House (429 North 7th St., La Crosse; 608-782-1980), is an Italianate-style residence that features original period furnishings. Built in 1860, the house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is owned by the La Crosse Historical Society.

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Trains and more trains as far as the eye can see, and you haven’t even entered the museum yet. The train station is filled with model trains, and between the train station and museum, there is a collection of miniature trains.

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