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Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Best Cities to Visit

  • Milwaukee
  • Madison
  • Green Bay
  • Appleton
  • Kenosha

Size

169,640 KM2

Population

5,893,718

Spending Budget

$344 - $1,592

Famous For

  • Lumber
  • Beer
  • The Dells
  • Native American Culture
  • Lake Superior Agate
  • Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin East
  • Bayfield
  • The Apostle Islands

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October

History

The first European to visit what became Wisconsin was probably the French explorer Jean Nicolet. He canoed west from Georgian Bay through the Great Lakes in 1634, and it is traditionally assumed that he came ashore near Green Bay at Red Banks. Pierre Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers visited Green Bay again in 1654–1666 and Chequamegon Bay in 1659–1660, where they traded for fur with local Native Americans. In 1673, Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet became the first to record a journey on the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway all the way to the Mississippi River near Prairie du Chien. Frenchmen like Nicholas Perrot continued to ply the fur trade across Wisconsin through the 17th and 18th centuries, but the French made no permanent settlements in Wisconsin before Great Britain won control of the region following the French and Indian War in 1763. Even so, French traders continued to work in the region after the war, and some, beginning with Charles de Langlade in 1764, settled in Wisconsin permanently, rather than returning to British-controlled Canada. French-Canadian voyageur Joseph Roi built the Tank Cottage in Green Bay in 1776. Located in Heritage Hill State Historical Park, it is the oldest standing building from Wisconsin's early years and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The British gradually took over Wisconsin during the French and Indian War, taking control of Green Bay in 1761 and gaining control of all of Wisconsin in 1763. Like the French, the British were interested in little but the fur trade. One notable event in the fur trading industry in Wisconsin occurred in 1791 when two free African Americans set up a fur-trading post among the Menominee at present day Marinette. The first permanent settlers, mostly French Canadians, some Anglo-New Englanders and a few African American freedmen, arrived in Wisconsin while it was under British control. Charles Michel de Langlade is generally recognized as the first settler, establishing a trading post at Green Bay in 1745, and moving there permanently in 1764. Settlement began at Prairie du Chien around 1781. The French residents at the trading post in what is now Green Bay referred to the town as "La Baye", however, British fur traders referred to it as "Green Bay", because the water and the shore assumed green tints in early spring. The old French title was gradually dropped, and the British name of "Green Bay" eventually stuck. The region coming under British rule had virtually no adverse effect on the French residents as the British needed the cooperation of the French fur traders and the French fur traders needed the goodwill of the British. During the French occupation of the region licenses for fur trading had been issued scarcely and only to select groups of traders, whereas the British, to make as much money as possible from the region, issued licenses for fur trading freely, both to the British and French residents. The fur trade in what is now Wisconsin reached its height under British rule, and the first self-sustaining farms in the state were established as well. From 1763 to 1780, Green Bay was a prosperous community that produced its own foodstuff, built graceful cottages and held dances and festivities.

Present Day

Wisconsin took part in several political extremes in the mid to late 20th century, ranging from the anti-communist crusades of Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s to the radical antiwar protests at UW-Madison that culminated in the Sterling Hall bombing in August 1970. The state undertook welfare reform under Republican Governor Tommy Thompson during the 1990s. The state's economy also underwent further transformations towards the close of the 20th century, as heavy industry and manufacturing declined in favour of a service economy based on medicine, education, agribusiness, and tourism. Two U.S. Navy battleships, BB-9 and BB-64, were named for the state. In 2011, Wisconsin became the focus of some controversy when newly elected governor Scott Walker proposed, successfully passed, and enacted the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, which made large changes in the areas of collective bargaining, compensation, retirement, health insurance, and sick leave of public sector employees, among other changes. A series of major protests by union supporters took place that year in response to the changes, and Walker survived a recall election held the next year, becoming the first governor in the United States history to do so. Walker enacted other bills promoting conservative governance, such as a right-to-work law, abortion restrictions, and legislation removing certain gun controls.

Future

WMC Foundation’s Future Wisconsin Project released its “Revitalizing Rural Wisconsin” report to bring attention to policies and ideas that can promote economic growth and workforce development in rural Wisconsin. The new publication identifies several economic challenges facing rural Wisconsin and provides strategies and ideas that can help revitalize portions of the Badger State outside of metropolitan areas like Milwaukee and Madison. WMC Foundation announced its focus on rural prosperity at its annual Future Wisconsin Summit in December 2019. Following the Summit, WMC Foundation researched employers throughout rural Wisconsin to better understand the business community’s concerns and discuss potential solutions. The 2019 Future Wisconsin Summit program by WMC Foundation featured discussions on rural Wisconsin, the agriculture economy, criminal justice reform and a keynote on the importance of STEM education, among other thought-provoking speakers. We greatly appreciate all the efforts put forth to make this program possible. The Summit brought in individuals from both the public and private sectors to discuss issues employers are facing in the workforce today. The video series below features a quick recap of the program and the individual breakout sessions captured for the Future Wisconsin Summit.
Must Visit Places ------------

Oshkosh

The small town of Oshkosh on Lake Winnebago, northwest of Milwaukee, is famous for two things: the popular line of kids' clothing and its place on the world's airshow circuit. The world's largest meeting of aviators, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh has been held here every summer since 1970. During the weeklong event, the Oshkosh control tower becomes the busiest on the planet as up to 15,000 aircraft of all shapes and sizes descend upon the airport. They're joined by an estimated half a million visitors, all here to catch thrilling aerobatic displays, as well as flybys from vintage and contemporary military aircraft. Also, fun to experience is the nighttime flying displays, evening movie shows and theatrical performances, and educational workshops. For those with the budget, a variety of aircraft rides, including aboard a huge B-17 bomber, are available. Also of note is the superb EAA AirVenture Museum with its collection of 200-plus aircraft.

Taliesin: Frank Lloyd Wright's Perfect Country Home

One of the most influential individuals to have called Wisconsin home was Frank Lloyd Wright. Numerous examples of the great architect's designs can still be seen across the state in which he was born and where he lived for much of his life. These include the spectacular Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center on Madison's lakeshore (it was actually built long after his death but was based on his original plans), and Milwaukee's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. But it's to Taliesin East in Spring Green - usually referred to simply as "Taliesen" - that most people flock. Set amid 600 acres of beautiful rolling countryside, this spectacular home was started in 1911 and was a work in progress right up to Wright's death in 1959. Wright spent his summers here and then packed up and headed to Taliesin West, one of the top attractions in Scottsdale, Arizona, in winter. Students at The School of Architecture at Taliesin still do this each year.

Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison

Madison has numerous great reasons to visit, with many of its top attractions found in the downtown core. One of the most attractive is the Wisconsin State Capitol. It's completed in 1917, it's decorated with a 284-foot-high dome that's just three feet shy of Washington's Capitol building. Free hour-long tours are available daily and take in many of the building's best interior features, including its large murals, exquisite marble work, an elegant rotunda with its states and monuments. There's also an interesting museum about the building's history located on the sixth floor, which is well worth a look. One of the capital's best views is from the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center - it's simply stunning.

The Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee

Nothing says "freedom" quite like a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a fact that is not lost on visitors to Milwaukee, the birthplace of the famous "Hog." The best place to find out more about this iconic machine is the city's Harley-Davidson Museum, home to more than 450 classic motorcycles. This fun family attraction also has excellent displays of the brand's famous teardrop tanks and exhibits telling the story of the people and places behind the machines. There's also a fun Harley-themed restaurant. If you can, try to time your visit to coincide with one of the museum's busy "bike nights," when fans and owners arrive in their droves to show off and admire these classic machines.

Circus World Museum

Located in the small town of Baraboo, Circus World Museum is an excellent attraction for kids of all ages to learn about the day-to-day activities of a working circus. With its focus on the country's rich circus history - it was once upon a time one of the nation's leading entertainment industries - the museum features numerous fascinating displays and exhibits. The museum is reputedly home to the world's largest collection of circus-related artefacts, from posters to parade wagons. There's a Big Top with regular shows in summer, including traditional circus acts (check their website for scheduled performances). Baraboo is well qualified to host this museum given its former role as the huge Ringling Brothers Circus headquarters.

The Dells of the Wisconsin River

Sometimes called the Wisconsin Dells - though this is often confused with the touristy town of the same name - the Dells of the Wisconsin River is a spectacular five-mile gorge on the state's largest river. This area of outstanding natural beauty, much of it located in the state park of the same name, boasts many unique sandstone rock formations, canyons, and cliffs, some as high as 100 feet. The Dells area is also home to an abundance of unique flora and fauna, such as cliff cudweed, found in only one other location on the planet, and six species of dragonfly. Given its fragile ecological state, it's not the easiest place to access, and those wanting to experience its beauty must do so by boat. A variety of regular boat tours and excursions are available, taking in this spectacularly beautiful region's upper and lower areas.

The Great Outdoors: Door County

One of the prettiest corners of Wisconsin in Door County. Located some 46 miles northeast of Green Bay, this area of outstanding natural beauty lies on a peninsula overlooking Lake Michigan and has become a popular vacation spot for its many charming hotels, as well as its plentiful campsites. This pleasant rural countryside draws numerous visitors each year for its many outdoor activities. These include fun things to do, such as trout fishing, sailing, diving, swimming, and hiking and biking. This is also a great place for kayaking. Some of Wisconsin's best small towns are found in Door County, including picturesque Sturgeon Bay, with its lovely old lighthouse (one of numerous such buildings sprinkled across the state), and Ephraim, with its old harbour and historic buildings. Washington Island is also worth visiting and has the country's oldest Icelandic settlement.

The Green Bay Packers: Lambeau Field and the Walk of Legends

The story of the Green Bay Packers is a remarkable tale of a small town's ability to host a major league professional sports team. Take the team's stadium. Nearly large enough to house the city's entire population of 72,000, Lambeau Field opened in 1957 and is the longest continuously occupied stadium in the league. Formed in 1919, the team is the third oldest in the NFL, and the league's only non-profit team (it's owned by the city of Green Bay). Whether you're a sports fan or not, you'll enjoy a tour of the stadium with its behind-the-scenes look at how a major league team operates. Two superb self-guided sightseeing tours of Packers-related landmarks are also worth checking out: the Walk of Legends is an art walkway of 24 statues celebrating the history of football in Green Bay between 1895 and the present (and fun to explore at night), and the Packers Heritage Trail is a walking tour taking in city landmarks associated with the team.

Exploring the Land O' Lakes

The lovely Land o' Lakes region is tucked away between Boulder Junction, Eagle River, and Rhinelander in the northern part of Wisconsin. Hugely popular with water sports enthusiasts, it boasts more than 200 unspoiled lakes of various sizes. Campers and backpackers are particularly fond of the region, which is wonderful to explore by canoe or kayak. Highlights are its abundant flora and fauna, with good fishing and bird-watching, including an opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the few remaining white-tailed eagles in the area. The town of Eagle River is a good place to begin exploring the region and offers a variety of things to do, from fishing, boating, hiking, biking, and swimming in summer, to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

Copper Falls State Park

While the Badger State is known for many things - particularly dairy products and cheese - it's certainly not short of natural wonders. It's especially popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts thanks to its numerous lovely waterfalls. While some of the most attractive are set in relatively remote locations, many are within easy reach of major urban centres. One of the most popular Wisconsin destinations for waterfalls is Copper Falls, State Park. Just a few minutes drive north of the small town of Mellen, this beautiful park is, in fact, home to no less than three waterfalls. Two of the most visited, Copper Falls itself and Brownstone Falls in the park's north end, are each accessible via the Waterfall Trail, an easy trek that's suitable for even the casual hiker. The third falls, Red Granite Falls, is located at the park's southern end and is also worth seeing. For those wanting to make a full day of it, a total of 17 miles of hiking trails is ready to be explored within Copper Falls State Park.