Our state is awesome but, of course, there are some bad things about Wisconsin. Below are eight unsavory facts about the Badger State that are easily among the worst things about Wisconsin. You’d probably rather not know these bad facts about Wisconsin; however, it’s always better to be informed. (And since you clicked on the link, you’re most likely going to read on anyway.)

  1. We lead the nation in drunk driving arrests.

Elvert Barnes/Flickr

  1. 90% of our lakes have polluted runoff.

atramos/Flickr Of course, we do have our fair share of beautiful lakes. If you need convincing, just pay a visit to the clearest lake in Wisconsin.

  1. And 66 of our bridges landed on the “nation’s worst” list.

Ken Lund/Flickr There are some great bridges too, such as these charmingly beautiful covered bridges.

  1. We are ranked last in the Midwest for job creation.

Simon Cunningham/Flickr This is without a doubt one of the worst things about Wisconsin.

  1. And we lead the nation in binge drinking.

Cambridge Brewing Company/Flickr What can we say?! There are some pretty iconic bars in Wisconsin.

  1. We have the second-worst beach water in the country.

Joshua Mayer/Flickr We do have some beautiful beaches, though, including Pebble Beach, one of the most unique beaches in Wisconsin.

  1. And we have the ninth worst ACT scores in the country.

Sean MacEntee/Flickr Don’t let these bad facts about Wisconsin get you too down, though. The state fares well in other ways. For instance, did you know the Badger State is number one at…

  1. Our roads are the third worst in the nation.

Ben Townsend/Flickr The condition of our roadways might be among the nation’s worst, but the views that line the backroads in Wisconsin can’t be beat!

So, did you know these bad facts about Wisconsin? Know of any others? Lastly, it’s important to remember that even though these facts are sort of depressing, they’re not unchangeable. With some awareness we can remedy them. Also, even with all these things in mind, we still love the state. If asked today, “Is the Badger State a bad place to live,” our answer would be “heck no!”

Elvert Barnes/Flickr

atramos/Flickr

Of course, we do have our fair share of beautiful lakes. If you need convincing, just pay a visit to the clearest lake in Wisconsin.

Ken Lund/Flickr

There are some great bridges too, such as these charmingly beautiful covered bridges.

Simon Cunningham/Flickr

This is without a doubt one of the worst things about Wisconsin.

Cambridge Brewing Company/Flickr

What can we say?! There are some pretty iconic bars in Wisconsin.

Joshua Mayer/Flickr

We do have some beautiful beaches, though, including Pebble Beach, one of the most unique beaches in Wisconsin.

Sean MacEntee/Flickr

Don’t let these bad facts about Wisconsin get you too down, though. The state fares well in other ways. For instance, did you know the Badger State is number one at…

Ben Townsend/Flickr

The condition of our roadways might be among the nation’s worst, but the views that line the backroads in Wisconsin can’t be beat!

Now, let’s switch gears and take a look at some of the best things about the Badger State, like the most beautiful places in Wisconsin.

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Address: Wisconsin, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Bad Things About Wisconsin May 26, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo What are the most highly rated restaurants in Wisconsin? Great grub is never far away in Wisconsin. For one of the state’s most iconic dining experiences, though, you’ve got to visit Frank’s Diner in Kenosha. A state landmark, it’s been around since 1926! These days, it’s known for its unique locale – it’s housed in an old railroad flatcar – and classic diner fare. Not surprisingly, it’s received numerous accolades over the years, including the “most famous restaurant in Wisconsin.” What is the most popular state park in Wisconsin? There are dozens of state parks in the Badger State; however, there’s no denying the most popular park in the state is Devil’s Lake State Park. Located in Baraboo and situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, it’s the most-visited state park in Wisconsin, attracting millions of visitors every year. The park’s popularity is not too surprising, though. In addition to endless recreational opportunities, it boasts magnificent beauty in the form of towering bluffs, beautiful beaches, and more. What are the oldest attractions in Wisconsin? There are lots of historic attractions in the Badger State, including Interstate State Park. Taking the title of Wisconsin’s oldest state park, it was established in 1900. Its age isn’t the only thing that makes it unique, though. There’s also the fact that it’s a joint park shared with Minnesota. Aside from its unique features, the park boasts plenty of other perks. For starters, it’s located along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, so the views are magnificent. Park-goers can also enjoy typical state park amenities, like camping, hiking, and picnicking. The park is also home to the Ice Age Interpretive Center, which houses photos, murals, and information about the state’s glacial history.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Bad Things About Wisconsin

May 26, 2022

Daniella DiRienzo

What are the most highly rated restaurants in Wisconsin? Great grub is never far away in Wisconsin. For one of the state’s most iconic dining experiences, though, you’ve got to visit Frank’s Diner in Kenosha. A state landmark, it’s been around since 1926! These days, it’s known for its unique locale – it’s housed in an old railroad flatcar – and classic diner fare. Not surprisingly, it’s received numerous accolades over the years, including the “most famous restaurant in Wisconsin.” What is the most popular state park in Wisconsin? There are dozens of state parks in the Badger State; however, there’s no denying the most popular park in the state is Devil’s Lake State Park. Located in Baraboo and situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, it’s the most-visited state park in Wisconsin, attracting millions of visitors every year. The park’s popularity is not too surprising, though. In addition to endless recreational opportunities, it boasts magnificent beauty in the form of towering bluffs, beautiful beaches, and more. What are the oldest attractions in Wisconsin? There are lots of historic attractions in the Badger State, including Interstate State Park. Taking the title of Wisconsin’s oldest state park, it was established in 1900. Its age isn’t the only thing that makes it unique, though. There’s also the fact that it’s a joint park shared with Minnesota. Aside from its unique features, the park boasts plenty of other perks. For starters, it’s located along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, so the views are magnificent. Park-goers can also enjoy typical state park amenities, like camping, hiking, and picnicking. The park is also home to the Ice Age Interpretive Center, which houses photos, murals, and information about the state’s glacial history.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Great grub is never far away in Wisconsin. For one of the state’s most iconic dining experiences, though, you’ve got to visit Frank’s Diner in Kenosha. A state landmark, it’s been around since 1926! These days, it’s known for its unique locale – it’s housed in an old railroad flatcar – and classic diner fare. Not surprisingly, it’s received numerous accolades over the years, including the “most famous restaurant in Wisconsin.”

What is the most popular state park in Wisconsin?

There are dozens of state parks in the Badger State; however, there’s no denying the most popular park in the state is Devil’s Lake State Park. Located in Baraboo and situated along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, it’s the most-visited state park in Wisconsin, attracting millions of visitors every year. The park’s popularity is not too surprising, though. In addition to endless recreational opportunities, it boasts magnificent beauty in the form of towering bluffs, beautiful beaches, and more.

What are the oldest attractions in Wisconsin?

There are lots of historic attractions in the Badger State, including Interstate State Park. Taking the title of Wisconsin’s oldest state park, it was established in 1900. Its age isn’t the only thing that makes it unique, though. There’s also the fact that it’s a joint park shared with Minnesota. Aside from its unique features, the park boasts plenty of other perks. For starters, it’s located along the picturesque St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, so the views are magnificent. Park-goers can also enjoy typical state park amenities, like camping, hiking, and picnicking. The park is also home to the Ice Age Interpretive Center, which houses photos, murals, and information about the state’s glacial history.