Wisconsin is in the heart of the Midwest. Located on the western edge of North America's Great Lakes region, Wisconsin borders Illinois and Iowa to the south, Minnesota to the west (across the Mississippi River), Lake Michigan to the east and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Lake Superior to the north. The state is in easy driving distance from Chicago and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Wisconsin is packed with exciting attractions and recreational opportunities. From world-class museums and historic sites to top bike trails and parks, Wisconsin has it all.

In Wisconsin, you'll find wonderful places and wonderful people. Our state's great natural beauty—from the woods and waters of the north to the hidden valleys and rolling countryside of the south—has been attracting visitors for well over a century. Wisconsin towns and cities offer many unexpected delights. Friendly people and genuine hospitality make everyone feel welcome.

Great Lakes
"Great" may be an overused term, but not in the case of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. These two Great Lakes line Wisconsin's eastern and northwestern borders. They are truly grand, awe-inspiring bodies of water whose coastal cities offer a distinctive variety of fun. Places to see include: Algoma, Bailey’s Harbor, Fish Creek, Green Bay, Racine, Sturgeon Bay and Washington Island.

Northwoods
The vast pinestral forests of the Northwoods give off an exhilarating scent that spells "vacation". Shimmering lakes and waterways, thousands of them, extend their own appeal. Beauty, fun and adventure await.

Hometown Central
The heart of Wisconsin, the center of the state, pulses with the quiet activity of small towns surrounded by rugged natural beauty. Located on rivers, at the edge of lakes or in the shadow of one of the state's highest peaks, these hometowns have individual graces that recommend themselves to visitors. Their welcome mats are always out.

Southern Wisconsin
The wonders of southern Wisconsin create their own magic. Striking rock formations, steep hills and hidden valleys, ravines filled with ferns and woodland flowers, man-made delights and diversions—these wonders invite exploration.

Mississippi River
The course of the Mississippi River defines much of the western border of Wisconsin; sometimes guarded by magnificent bluffs, sometimes flowing through rolling countryside. The river towns that have established themselves on its banks have tales to tell and secrets to share about generations of life on Old Man River. Wisconsin's Great River Road links these towns and the treasures they offer.

City Life
When it comes to cityscapes, not landscapes, nightlife rather than wildlife, dining out instead of camping out, Wisconsin has it all. You’ll especially want to visit Madison and Milwaukee.

Madison
Capital and captivating, Madison blends big city culture with small town charm. The city center is dominated by the State Capitol, modeled after the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Its stunning rotunda is always open to visitors. On Saturday mornings from early spring to late fall, area farmers transform the Capitol Square into an open-air market. There's everything from twenty different varieties of bean sprouts to freshly made summer sausage. The people-watching is unbeatable. Directly south of the Capitol, perched on the edge of Lake Monona, is the celebrated Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The center, completed in 1997, is based on a 1938 design by one of Wisconsin's most notable native sons, Frank Lloyd Wright.

At the opposite end of downtown sprawls the University of Wisconsin campus, a pleasant site for a leisurely stroll. Linking the Capitol and campus is a pedestrian mall dotted with interesting shopping and dining opportunities, as well as museums and galleries.

Nestled on a narrow isthmus between two lakes, Madison has been recognized as one of the country's top canoe towns by Paddler magazine, as well as one of the 10 best bicycling cities by Bicycling magazine.

The city is also a perfect jumping-off point for day trips to dozens of picturesque communities in the beautiful surrounding countryside. Appealing side trips might include the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum, Cave of the Mounds and Little Norway. But visitors always want to return to Madison where everyone feels welcome.

Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a city that wears its heart on its sleeve; it is warm, welcoming, and full of energy.

Rich in charming ethnic neighborhoods and heritage, the home of Miller beer and Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Milwaukee is the place to come for a distinctive mix of diversions. The city's spectacular Lake Michigan shoreline hosts a summer-long schedule of festivals, including the world's biggest outdoor music gig, Summerfest, and more than a dozen ethnic festivals. Theater, dance and music performances keep Milwaukee's large number of theatrical venues busy—from the grand dame Pabst Theater to the Historic Third Ward "off-Broadway" scene.

The city's array of museums continues to grow. The Milwaukee Art Museum's striking new addition, designed by Spanish-born architect Santiago Calatrava, is now open. Other recent developments include the opening of the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Milwaukee's lakefront attracts swimmers, rollerbladers, volleyball players and people-watchers all summer long. Now, the Milwaukee River is also being developed, with a Riverwalk promenade, live music, restaurants that open onto the river and boat docks.

Biking Wisconsin
From the turn of the century, Wisconsin has constantly expanded and improved its extensive system of paved roadways originally constructed to bring the state's milk from farm to market. Today, these excellent roadways provide the finest on-road touring in the Midwest.

Wisconsin excels off-road as well. Our rails-to-trails program is a national leader with more than 850 miles of former rail bed converted to bike trails. Mountain biking trails are equally prevalent in a state that has emerged as the sport's national leader. From forest-covered mountain bike trails to blissful back-road touring, Wisconsin and bikes were made for each other!

Cheese, Please
No trip to Wisconsin would be complete without a visit to a cheese factory. We are, after all, America's Dairyland! We produce more than 35 percent of all cheese made in the United States. Much of it is made in small, family-owned and operated cheese factories that specialize in award-winning varieties. They welcome visitors. Tours and observation windows are offered by many cheese makers. Mornings are generally best for viewing the cheese making art. Many factories also have retail outlets so you can sample the cheeses, send some as gifts, or take some home as a souvenir of your visit.

Fishing
Wisconsin's Great Lakes mean charter fishing at its very best! From Kenosha to Marinette on Lake Michigan, and from Saxon Harbor to Superior on Lake Superior, you'll find qualified charter captains ready to take you out in fully equipped boats for an unforgettable charter fishing experience. Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters are some of the most productive in the world with tremendous potential for trophy fish. In 1994, the Wisconsin charter fleet achieved the highest fish per-angler-hour catch since records have been kept. 10-20 pound Rainbow and Brown Trout as well as 20-30 pound Lake Trout are common as are limit catches of King and Coho Salmon. In the summer of 1994, a new state record Chinook Salmon (44.92 pounds) was caught off of Sturgeon Bay by a 16-year-old angler from Oconto, Wisconsin.

Parks and Forests
Wisconsin's many state parks, forests and recreation areas offer everything from waterfalls to wildlife to guided wilderness hikes. There are lakes and rivers to enjoy and Great Lakes' shoreline to explore. As for camping, choices range from rustic sites to campgrounds with all the amenities. Wisconsin is also home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.