Some of Wisconsin’s best attractions are hiding in plain sight. Beautiful gardens, spectacular views, fascinating ruins, and incredible natural areas are waiting to be discovered. Here’s a road trip to some hidden gems in Wisconsin that you can discover on a drive from Madison to Green Bay. It’s an interactive route, so you can even rearrange the stops on this Wisconsin road trip to accommodate your needs.

The Route

Google Maps This road trip covers 222 miles and takes a little over four hours to drive, but you’ll want to plan for a full day to allow time to take in the sites and attractions.

  1. State Capitol Viewing Deck, Madison

Destination Madison The Wisconsin State Capitol is an amazing building with a little secret. Visitors can get access to a viewing deck that rings the dome. And at over 230 feet in height, it offers panoramic views of Madison that are second to none. Fortunately, minimal effort is required to access the viewing deck - all it takes is an elevator ride and short stair climb. Once you arrive at the top, you’ll certainly agree that it’s one of the best hidden gems in Wisconsin. 2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

  1. Horicon Marsh Auto Tour, Waupun

Alltrails / gerri Unless you have wings, this vast natural area might seem a little daunting to explore. It’s easier to experience than many realize, though. Near Waupun, there’s a driving route that offers nearly 3 miles of marshland wonder. It’s definitely among the must-see places in Wisconsin that deserve a spot on your bucket list. Redhead Trail, Redhead Trl, Chester, WI 53963, USA

  1. Formal Garden, Paine Art Center

Paine Art Center Consistently revered as one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin, this historic Oshkosh mansion wows visitors with its Tudor Revival-style architecture. Some of the property’s beauty can also be found outside - stroll the 20 garden areas that fill the grounds and prepare to be amazed by a combination of history and beauty. 1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA

  1. Fox Trot Trail, Appleton

Fox Cities Follow the paw prints! One of the most unique places to visit in Wisconsin, the Fox Trot Trail is a self-guided, 2-mile walking trail of Appleton that showcases the history of the paper-making town that’s drenched in history. One stop will take you to the place Edna Ferber interviewed Harry Houdini! Appleton, WI, USA

  1. High Cliff State Park Ruins, Sherwood

Alltrails / Griff Scholl Decades ago, in what is now High Cliff State Park, there was a bustling town around a quarry located on the cliffs that flank Lake Winnebago. The quarry operation is quiet but it hasn’t quite disappeared. Visit High Cliffs State Park Ruins today and you can see ruins of the quarry’s lime kilns on a scenic hiking path. High Cliff State Park Road, High Cliff State Park Rd, Harrison, WI 54952, USA

  1. Wequiock Falls, Green Bay

Brown County On the north side of Green Bay, there’s a little park that holds a natural wonder. Wequiock Falls is one of Brown County’s smaller parks but it’s a little oasis, complete with a delicate waterfall! It’s not just the flowing fall that makes the park one of the best hidden gems in Wisconsin. There’s also the fact that the park is part of the Niagara Escarpment, a geologic formation that stretches all the way to Niagara Falls. Wequiock Falls, 3426 Bay Settlement Rd, Green Bay, WI 54311, USA

So, did you know about these hidden gems in Wisconsin? Ever visited any (or all) of them? Know of any other unique places to visit in Wisconsin? Whatever it is, tell us!

Google Maps

This road trip covers 222 miles and takes a little over four hours to drive, but you’ll want to plan for a full day to allow time to take in the sites and attractions.

Destination Madison

The Wisconsin State Capitol is an amazing building with a little secret. Visitors can get access to a viewing deck that rings the dome. And at over 230 feet in height, it offers panoramic views of Madison that are second to none. Fortunately, minimal effort is required to access the viewing deck - all it takes is an elevator ride and short stair climb. Once you arrive at the top, you’ll certainly agree that it’s one of the best hidden gems in Wisconsin.

2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53703, USA

Alltrails / gerri

Unless you have wings, this vast natural area might seem a little daunting to explore. It’s easier to experience than many realize, though. Near Waupun, there’s a driving route that offers nearly 3 miles of marshland wonder. It’s definitely among the must-see places in Wisconsin that deserve a spot on your bucket list.

Redhead Trail, Redhead Trl, Chester, WI 53963, USA

Paine Art Center

Consistently revered as one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin, this historic Oshkosh mansion wows visitors with its Tudor Revival-style architecture. Some of the property’s beauty can also be found outside - stroll the 20 garden areas that fill the grounds and prepare to be amazed by a combination of history and beauty.

1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USA

Fox Cities

Follow the paw prints! One of the most unique places to visit in Wisconsin, the Fox Trot Trail is a self-guided, 2-mile walking trail of Appleton that showcases the history of the paper-making town that’s drenched in history. One stop will take you to the place Edna Ferber interviewed Harry Houdini!

Appleton, WI, USA

Alltrails / Griff Scholl

Decades ago, in what is now High Cliff State Park, there was a bustling town around a quarry located on the cliffs that flank Lake Winnebago. The quarry operation is quiet but it hasn’t quite disappeared. Visit High Cliffs State Park Ruins today and you can see ruins of the quarry’s lime kilns on a scenic hiking path.

High Cliff State Park Road, High Cliff State Park Rd, Harrison, WI 54952, USA

Brown County

On the north side of Green Bay, there’s a little park that holds a natural wonder. Wequiock Falls is one of Brown County’s smaller parks but it’s a little oasis, complete with a delicate waterfall! It’s not just the flowing fall that makes the park one of the best hidden gems in Wisconsin. There’s also the fact that the park is part of the Niagara Escarpment, a geologic formation that stretches all the way to Niagara Falls.

Wequiock Falls, 3426 Bay Settlement Rd, Green Bay, WI 54311, USA

These hidden gems in Wisconsin aren’t the state’s only sites worthy of a spot on your bucket list. There are plenty of other must-see places in Wisconsin. For instance, you can keep driving north and embark on this awesome (and unique!) Wisconsin road trip.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Gems In Wisconsin November 16, 2022 Daniella DiRienzo Are there any other hidden gems in Wisconsin? The places mentioned above aren’t the only hidden gems in Wisconsin. There are lots more, including:

Princeton Delavan Lake Candlewood Cabins Brunet Island Lions Den Gorge

  What are the most beautiful places in Wisconsin? The must-visit places in Wisconsin don’t end with the hidden gems mentioned above. There are also lots of beautiful places in Wisconsin, including:

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Big Manitou Falls Pewit’s Nest Stavkirke Church on Washington Island

  What are some must-see places in Wisconsin? Here are a few must-see places in Wisconsin:

Bay Shore Park Holy Hill Schoolhouse Beach Any of the beautiful lakes in Wisconsin

The OIYS Visitor Center

Hidden Gems In Wisconsin

November 16, 2022

Daniella DiRienzo

Are there any other hidden gems in Wisconsin? The places mentioned above aren’t the only hidden gems in Wisconsin. There are lots more, including:

Princeton Delavan Lake Candlewood Cabins Brunet Island Lions Den Gorge

  What are the most beautiful places in Wisconsin? The must-visit places in Wisconsin don’t end with the hidden gems mentioned above. There are also lots of beautiful places in Wisconsin, including:

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Big Manitou Falls Pewit’s Nest Stavkirke Church on Washington Island

  What are some must-see places in Wisconsin? Here are a few must-see places in Wisconsin:

Bay Shore Park Holy Hill Schoolhouse Beach Any of the beautiful lakes in Wisconsin

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The places mentioned above aren’t the only hidden gems in Wisconsin. There are lots more, including:

  • Princeton
  • Delavan Lake
  • Candlewood Cabins
  • Brunet Island
  • Lions Den Gorge

 

What are the most beautiful places in Wisconsin?

The must-visit places in Wisconsin don’t end with the hidden gems mentioned above. There are also lots of beautiful places in Wisconsin, including:

  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
  • Big Manitou Falls
  • Pewit’s Nest
  • Stavkirke Church on Washington Island

What are some must-see places in Wisconsin?

Here are a few must-see places in Wisconsin:

  • Bay Shore Park
  • Holy Hill
  • Schoolhouse Beach
  • Any of the beautiful lakes in Wisconsin