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Southern Wisconsin: Tons of Fun in the Badger State!

Southern Wisconsin is the place to be if you are looking for a place where big city life feels like small town America. If you have a hankering to play in one of the Great Lakes, or take a ride on a scenic country road, this is the place. This is the home of the pinnacle of Americana, Harley Davidson, and the first indoor urban water park in the US. A day in Southern Wisconsin can include fishing, hiking, camping, visiting historical sights, shopping, skiing (both water and snow varieties), and even lounging on a beach with a good book.

Madison, the state capital, is a vibrant bustling city with a small-town feel. The city center is dominated by the Capitol Square, which was patterned after the capitol building in Washington, D.C. On Saturdays, politics takes a holiday, as the Square is transformed into an open-air market where you can find everything from twenty different bean varieties to freshly made summer sausage. Perched on Lake Monona is the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. Constructed from a design by Frank Lloyd Wright, the center is a great place to enjoy a scenic stroll around the lake, see the extensive rooftop garden, or relax in the sun by the Otis Redding Memorial. Madison is located between two lakes, and has been called one of the top canoeing/kayaking cities in America by Paddler Magazine.

For outdoor fun, citizens of Wisconsin seek out the tranquility that exists in the Wisconsin Dells region, located in the heartland area of Southern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Dells area is made up of two communities, the City of Wisconsin Dells and the Village of Lake Delton. Anglers flock to Lake Delton in search of northern pike, walleye, bass, and panfish. Three State Parks, Rocky Arbor, Mirror Lake, and Devils Lake, offer plenty of hiking and biking trails. In winter, both Mirror Lake and Devils Lake have extensive snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

More outdoor fun can be found in the Elkhart Lake area. This is a small-scale fishing paradise. The most popular fish are walleye, muskie, bluegill, large and smallmouth bass, and northern pike. Ice fishing in winter is a huge draw as well. The lake is also popular for water skiing and jet skiing. For a thrill-a-minute experience, be sure to check out Road America Race Track. The track has both professional and amateur motorcycle and automotive racing. Feel what it's like to have a car pass you at 200 mph!

Moneyed industrialists from Chicago searching for a perfect vacation spot began flocking to the Lake Geneva region after the Civil War. The lake is unique due to the number of historic and contemporary mansions that line the shore. Boat trips are available taking visitors past the homes, and tour guides can fill you in on all the history. The lake measures 5,262 acres, 135 feet deep, 21 miles around, 2.1 miles wide, and 7.6 miles long, and ranks as the second deepest lake in Wisconsin. Cyclists, hikers, and joggers love the path that rings the lake. Fishing, pleasure boating, water skiing, and parasailing are also wildly popular. The scenic beauty of Lake Geneva, combined with all the activities and amenities, simply cannot be beat!

Winter brings out the hardy nature of Wisconsin's denizens. Ice fishing is a popular pastime, and the region has two ski resorts that serve up great downhill memories. Christmas Mountain Village in Wisconsin Dells is a year-round resort that really shines when the snow comes to town. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sleigh rides, and cross-country skiing are also available. More serious skiing can be found at Cascade Mountain Ski & Snowboarding Area in Portage. The name says it all. This is a resort for those specializing in either downhill skiing or snowboarding. Eight lifts whisk skiers to over 28 trails, most of which are aimed at either intermediate or advanced skiers.

Southern Wisconsin has a little bit of everything. Quaint little towns and villages produce hand-made quilts, and conjure up excellent batches of jams and jellies. Head to Summerfest, the largest outdoor music concert in the world, held in Milwaukee. Visit Baraboo, and see the former home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Venture into Watertown and tour The Octagon House, a Victorian mansion built in 1854. Take a moonlight cruise on Lake Michigan. Southern Wisconsin is a feast for the taking. How hearty is your appetite?