With pleasant weather ranging from 70° to 85°F (20° to 30°C) and so many places to visit in Wisconsin in summer, the Badger State is a perfect place to enjoy the warm weather.
Whether you like to stroll around the State Capitol in Madison or prefer spending your summer days exploring the waterparks in Wisconsin Dells, you won’t run out of places to vacation in Wisconsin in summer!
In this post, I’m going to share top destinations you should add to your summer vacation itinerary when you travel Wisconsin.
From museum hopping to exploring breweries and wineries, let’s dive into it!
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Table of Contents
Overview: Top 5 Places to Visit in Wisconsin in Summer
- Door County during sunset
- Mt. Olympus Water Park
- Harley-Davidson Museum
- Grand Geneva Resort and Spa
- Downtown Madison
1. Door County
Door County is one of the best places to visit during summer, as the county offers so many outdoor activities—ideal for your Wisconsin vacation ideas!
Peninsula State Park is especially popular as a summer destination in Wisconsin, where you can go hiking or kayaking while enjoying the natural beauty around the park.
On this Door County Sunset Tour, you can paddle around the state park during the golden hour to see the peak of the natural scenery in the surroundings.
With its rich maritime history, the Door County Maritime Museum is a must-visit in the summer.
You can book accommodation in downtown Sturgeon Bay for easy access to the museum.
In addition to learning more about the county’s maritime history, you can also snag a ticket to go to the Door Peninsula Lighthouse Festival.
Open twice annually, you’ll get a chance to enter some Door County lighthouses that are usually closed to the public, including the lighthouses in Chambers Island and Sherwood Point.
Book Door County Sunset Tour here
2. Wisconsin Dells
Dubbed the “Waterpark Capital of the World,” there are 20 water parks in Wisconsin Dells – making it one of the best places to go in Wisconsin in summer.
To make the most of your summer holiday, you can choose to go to either outdoor or indoor water parks in Wisconsin Dells.
As one of the largest water parks in Wisconsin Dells, I recommend booking your accommodation at Mt. Olympus Water Park and Theme Park Resort for the best experience.
Apart from the water park, Wisconsin Dells is also a great place for various outdoor activities.
You can go hiking on some of the best scenic nature trails in Wisconsin Dells, such as the Ice Age or Witch’s Gulch.
Alternatively, you can also join this historic trolley tour to explore some of the best-hidden gems in Wisconsin Dells.
In this tour, you’ll explore the Wisconsin River, with multiple stops in between—including Wisconsin Dells downtown and Newport Park.
Book Mt. Olympus Water Park accommodation
3. Milwaukee
Milwaukee is the melting pot of Wisconsin historical significance and modern attractions, making it one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin in summer.
The largest city in Wisconsin hosts some of the world-class summer festivals you should include in your visit during this time of the year.
In addition to cultural festivals like German Fest and Polish Fest, Milwaukee also offers Summerfest between June and July every year.
As one of the largest music festivals in the world, Summerfest features performances from over 500 artists, making it one of the best summer vacations in Wisconsin!
Visiting Milwaukee in the summer is only complete with making a stop at the Harley-Davidson Museum.
It’s one of the most popular things to do in Milwaukee with kids, and you can get your admission ticket to the Harley-Davidson Museum to check out some of the best classic American motorbikes!
For easy access to all the must-visit attractions in Milwaukee, I recommend booking your accommodation in Milwaukee downtown.
Get Harley-Davidson Museum tickets here
4. Lake Geneva
As one of the most popular destinations for weekend trips in Wisconsin, Lake Geneva is a great recreational spot to visit all year round.
However, Lake Geneva comes alive in the warmer season – making it one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin in the summer.
From a hot-air balloon ride to hopping aboard one of the Lake Geneva cruise lines, there are many ways to enjoy the city view of Lake Geneva, WI.
To make the most of your stay in Lake Geneva, I highly recommend staying at Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.
They offer various fun things to do in Lake Geneva, including horseback riding or a fun day out at Moose Mountain Falls Waterpark.
Book Grand Geneva Resort accommodation
5. Apostle Islands
Situated on Lake Superior, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is one of the most fantastic places to visit in Wisconsin in summer.
To visit the archipelago, you can book your accommodation in Bayfield, a local town near the lakeshore.
You can join one of the Apostle Islands cruises from Bayfield to explore the archipelago.
You can also consider camping or booking a place on Madeline Island.
As the largest island in the Apostle Islands, the island offers various outdoor things to do in Wisconsin.
You can go camping or hiking at Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island.
If you’re into indoor activities, make a stop at the Madeline Island Museum to check out some of the best historic artifacts from Lake Superior and beyond.
Book Madeline Island accommodation
6. Green Bay
If you want to experience the best of American sports culture, Green Bay is one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin during summer.
Home to the Green Bay Packers, it’s the locals’ pride and joy – and you can experience a glimpse of it if you visit Lambeau Field, the home stadium of the Packers.
Every summer, they host Packers Training Camp, where fans can attend their open practice and some additional events to enjoy, especially for American football enthusiasts.
Planning to come to the Packers Training Camp? This condo in the Titletown District of Green Bay is located only a mile from Lambeau Field, making it a perfect place to stay in Green Bay for this event!
7. Devil’s Lake State Park
As Wisconsin’s most visited state park, Devil’s Lake State Park should be included in the list of places to visit in Wisconsin in summer.
The park offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hiking to rock climbing.
With Devil’s Lake being one of the main spots to visit in the state park, I also love renting a kayak or a paddleboard to explore the waterways when visiting the state park.
If you’re looking for a beach getaway, there’s also a nearby beach where you can spend a hot summer day swimming or sunbathing.
8. Door Peninsula Wineries
Door County is not only one of the best vacation destinations in Wisconsin for those looking for thrilling adventures, but it’s also a great place to spend a relaxing summer holiday in the Badger State.
One of the most popular things to do on the Door Peninsula in the summer is to explore some of the area’s best wineries.
Home to some of the best Wisconsin wineries, you can start your wine trail in Door County with Door County Winery.
As the largest winery in Door County, they provide wine tours and tasting sessions several times daily.
In addition to wine tasting, you can also explore the winery and see the process from production to final bottling before sampling some of the best wines in town.
9. Hayward Lakes Area
The Badger State is a safe haven for outdoor enthusiasts, as they will never run out of places to visit in Wisconsin in summer.
Another spot to consider is the Hayward Lakes Area in the heart of Wisconsin, where you can do anything from swimming and ATV riding to birdwatching around the forest area.
This Fancy Fireflies Studio Cabin is a perfect getaway when you want to spend a night or two around the lake area.
For a budget-friendly alternative, you can also bring your own tent and rent one of the campsites there.
When in Hayward, remember to stop by the area’s most popular landmark: the Freshwater Fishing Wall of Fame, which features a museum with thousands of sportfishing artifacts!
Book Lake Hayward accommodation
10. Wisconsin Northwoods
If you’re looking for one of the best off-beaten-path places to see in Wisconsin in summer, head over to Wisconsin Northwoods to get on a scenic getaway with a lot of fun summer activities!
The charming town of Minocqua is a must-visit, and it’s also a popular area for lodging if you plan to stay overnight around the Northwoods.
This lakeview cabin in Minocqua is a perfect place to stay, especially if you’re planning to travel to Wisconsin Northwoods in a group!
Enjoy plenty of fun things to do in Minocqua in summer!
11. Madison
As the state capital, you should also include Madison in the bucket list of places to visit in Wisconsin in summer as the city offers so many fun activities in the area.
When the sun is out, it’s the best way to explore Madison downtown with electronic bikes.
You can join a free tour to explore the State Capitol building that’s available every day.
Summer is a perfect time to go as you can visit the Capitol’s museum and observation deck, which are only open in the summer.
Capitol Square is often transformed into the venue of several events you should add to the things to do in Madison, including the Art Fair and Concert on the Square for the summer.
From April to November, you can also visit the Dane County Farmers’ Market every Saturday in Capitol Square.
It’s America’s largest producer-only market, which makes it a perfect spot to support local businesses and farmers in Wisconsin!
Book downtown Madison E-Bike tour
12. Kohler-Andrae State Park
Situated on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, Kohler-Andrae State Park is one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin during summer for beach relaxation.
You can visit some of the most pristine sandy beaches in Wisconsin, and the state park also offers an impressive network of hiking trails where you can enjoy nature while birdwatching in the area.
Kohler-Andrae State Park also has several campsites to connect more with nature.
For a more convenient option, this tranquil cottage near the state park is also a perfect spot to stay near the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Book accommodation near Lake Michigan
My final thoughts on places to visit in Wisconsin in Summer
With over 60 state parks in the Badger State, Wisconsin is a perfect place to visit in the summer for outdoor enthusiasts.
In addition to outdoor activities, some tourist destinations in Wisconsin also offer activities for urban travelers – whether to enjoy the waterparks in Wisconsin Dells or even watch the Packers Training Camp in Green Bay!
Summer is also the best time to visit Wisconsin, as many tourist spots are open during this time of year, including the Door County lighthouses and the observation deck at the Capitol in Madison.
So, are you ready to explore the best of Wisconsin next summer?
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
