Wisconsin's Wonderful Lakeshore – Beaches, Arts & Charm

The Porcupine Mountains, also known as the Porkies, are a great location to explore the UP’s stunning wilderness. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the largest state park in Michigan. The park spans over 60,000 acres, providing views of old-growth forests, rivers, waterfalls, and the Porkies. There are activities in the park for everyone, from camping to hiking, fishing, and more.

You’ll begin the road trip in the impressive Hiawatha National Forest, known for its array of woodlands, wetlands, and waterfalls. Situated in the “UP,” Hiawatha National Forest is nestled among three of the Great Lakes, earning it the nickname of the “Great Lakes National Forest”. This park spans 880,000 acres and is split into two sections, the East and West Blocks, further divided into five districts. Within these districts are various habitats, picturesque lakeshores, charming lighthouses, and many opportunities for recreation including snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in the winter. As the forest covers a lot of land, you may want to plan an extra day or two for exploration.

Door County, a narrow peninsula with nearly 300 miles of shoreline jutting into Lake Michigan and Green Bay, is often referred to as “The Cape Cod of the Midwest.” Ephraim, Wisconsin, is one of several charming small towns located in famed Door County, a county rich with lighthouses, wineries, outdoor recreation areas, boating, museums, and more. Other wonderful small towns include Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, and Fish Creek. Door County has five state parks inside its 1.5 million acres. Ephraim offers a picturesque small town reminiscent of New England, with its whitewashed buildings and church steeples.

Kohler-Andrae State Park is actually two state parks that have been merged into one, located in Wilson, Wisconsin (near Sheboygan), with almost 1,000 acres, two miles of shoreline on Lake Michigan, scenic views, and wonderful beaches. With wooded campsites, boardwalks winding through dunes, abundant wildlife, miles of sandy beaches, and a Selfie Stand Park for social media enthusiasts, Kohler-Andrae State Park is a top choice for visitors to the area. The park is especially picturesque in the fall, with red and yellow leaves strewn throughout the landscape. Camping and hiking are two of the most popular activities at this park.

Milwaukee is most famous for beer and baseball, but today’s Milwaukee boasts incredible architecture, beautiful parks, museums, and stunning beaches. Each neighborhood in Milwaukee offers a unique experience, from the Historic Third Ward with trendy restaurants and shops to the Harbor District, a popular canoeing area. In the southeastern part of Wisconsin along Lake Michigan, Milwaukee provides a jam-packed list of activities for all interests and ages. This culturally diverse city has world-class museums and a booming food scene. Milwaukee is a beautiful, friendly and diverse small city that will surprise and delight visitors.

The Windy City. Chi-town. The City of Big Shoulders. Chicago has many nicknames, but it is one of America’s great historic cities. It has beautiful skyscrapers, a gorgeous shoreline, world-class museums, great food and fun activities. With so much to see and do, you can spend several days in Chicago. This city, nicknamed the Windy City for a tornado that sped through Chicago in 1876, is packed with dozens of museums (art, science, industry, aquarium, history, planetarium), pro sports teams, beautiful lake front trails, theater, comedy, water activities, and so much more. And don’t forget to try Chicago’s famous pizza!