Great Lakes and Mississippi River Circle Tour  - Chicago, Illinois and Wisconsin

Region: Chicago, Wisconsin Great Lakes and Mississippi River
Days: 30
Destinations Visited: Chicago, IL; Lake Geneva, WI; Madison, WI; Spring Green, WI; La Crosse, WI; Eau Claire, WI; Hayward; Bayfield/Apostle Islands, WI; Lac du Flambeau, WI; Door County, WI; Sheboygan, WI; Milwaukee, WI; and back to Chicago, IL.

The Great Lakes region is a freshwater paradise with beautiful lakefront beaches. Illinois and Wisconsin share Lake Michigan with Lake Superior on Wisconsin’s northern border. The continent’s greatest river, the Mississippi graces the western side of both states.

Among the region’s treasures is a climate that embraces four seasons, each with distinct pleasures. Spring is a season reborn with whitewater rafting, rushing waterfalls, walleye and steelhead fishing, early season golf, and wildflowers in bloom. Summer is delightfully warm with swimming, biking, boating and festivals galore. Autumn’s crisp air and  changing foliage bring harvest festivals, colorful woodland hikes, migrating waterfowl, ethnic celebrations and music festivals.      

Winter white brings out the skis, the sleighbells, the snowmobiles, and the theater tickets. Urban delights abound in any season: world-class shopping, nightlife, festivals, arts and culture. 

This itinerary will take you through the center of America’s heartland –  from your gateway city of Chicago through Wisconsin and back again. The region offers something for every traveler, the long-term explorer as well as the weekend vacationer.

Take the entire tour or select segments that best fit your individual schedule. For young and old, families and friends, the Great Lakes is your destination for excitement, fun, breathtaking scenery and relaxation.

Day 1 & 2: Urban Sizzle
Chicago
Begin by exploring the city with a critically acclaimed Chicago Architecture Foundation tour and learn why Chicago is world famous for its magnificent architecture. Shop on State Street in the heart of Chicago’s business district, the Loop, at Marshall Field’s flagship store and Carson Pirie Scott, designed by architect Louis Sullivan. The Magnificent Mile boasts some of the biggest names in fashion with major shopping malls, boutiques and stores.         

If the weather’s nice enjoy the day outside at the Lincoln Park Zoo, famous for its historical structures and state-of-the-art animal facilities. Navy Pier offers visitors over 50 acres of parks, a 150-foot Ferris Wheel, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions of every kind.

You could spend the whole day in one of Chicago’s renowned museums: The Field Museum, the city’s natural history museum; the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum where you’ll learn about life beyond Earth. The Shedd Aquarium opened its “Wild Reef” exhibit which features the largest and most diverse collection of sharks in North America; and The Museum of Science and Industry, known for its science and technology education. Don’t miss the Art Institute of Chicago, one of the world’s greatest art collections with work dating from 3,000 B.C. through to the present.

Day 2:
Oak Park & Rosemont
Oak Park has the largest collection of homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in the world. At the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio visitors can tour the renowned architect’s home and workplace. Unity Temple is Wright’s “jewel”, the last surviving public building of his early “Prairie School” style. The Historic Pleasant Home is a 30-room Prairie style mansion designed by architect George W. Maher and showcases amazing interior spaces. Stop by the Oak Park Visitors Center for a self-guided walking tour that includes all of Oak Park’s architectural treasures.  Also in Oak Park, is the Ernest Hemingway Museum & Birthplace where memorabilia and videos document the life and work of this Nobel Prize Winner. The nearby 216 acre Brookfield Zoo is home to 4,000 animals representing 425 species.  The 4,300 seat Rosemont Theatre always has big name performers and musicals, and the Allstate Arena hosts more than 150 events annually including exciting sporting events (Chicago Wolves professional hockey and Chicago Rush arena football), the top musical performers and family entertainment. The Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels has the world’s largest collection of rare M.I. Hummel figurines on public display.


Day 3:
Chicago Southland & Heritage Corridor
South suburban Joliet is home to the Chicagoland Speedway, a state-of-the-art 75,000 seat 1.5 mile super- speedway hosting NASCAR, Winston Cup and Indy racing. Thrill seekers will love Challenge Park Xtreme, the world’s only extreme sports theme park with 12 paintball fields, BMX, mountain biking, skateboarding and more.  In the evening try your luck at the Empress Casino or Harrah’s Joliet Casino. 

The Rialto Square Theatre is an elegantly restored 1926 vaudeville movie palace which showcases a variety of theater and performing arts programs.  Enjoy antiquing, the horse races, or a concert in the Chicago Southland area. Antiquing communities have grown throughout the Southland area, where you’ll discover gifts, collectibles and more: in Orland Park, Blue Island, Crete and the Frankfort Historical District. Balmoral Park Race Track is Chicagoland’s premiere harness racing facility.

The Tweeter Center, a beautiful 30,000 seat outdoor music theatre, draws top name performers from all music genres, and classical music lovers will enjoy the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra a 75-member symphony orchestra.

South suburban golf courses have played host to the U.S. Open and the Advil Western Open. Some of the challenging courses are open to the public: Balmoral Woods Country Club, Silver Lake Country Club, and Cog Hill Golf & Country Club.


Day 4:
Greater Woodfield & Elgin
Woodfield Mall is a shopper’s paradise, one of the nation’s largest retail centers with more than 2.7 million square feet of floor space; 285 major department stores and the latest specialty stores. Enjoy thoroughbred horse racing at Arlington Park, one of the world’s finest race courses. Spectators have a variety of dining options including the Million Room which features a fabulous view of the track. Tour the Lynfred Winery and sample some of their award winning wines in the tasting room, browse the gift shop, or stay the night in one of their 4 charming suites.

In nearby Elgin, train enthusiasts will love the Illinois Railway Museum, home to America’s largest collection of historical railway equipment and train rides. Kids will love Donley’s Wild West Town featuring Wild West displays, cowboy memorabilia, train and horse rides, panning for gold and live shows and the Three World’s of Santa’s Village a 55-acre park with 40 thrill and kiddie rides, a petting zoo, live shows, attractions and Racing Rapids Waterpark. Stop in at The Milk Pail Restaurant and Entertainment Complex for a country breakfast, lunch or dinner with a special Jazz Brunch on Sundays, shops, mini-golf and bakery.

Day 5:
DuPage County
The Morton Arboretum is a magnificent 1,700 acre museum featuring over 3,000 varieties of trees, shrubs and plants from around the world. Discover the scenery by foot, car, or the arboretum’s express tram. 

Situated amidst 15 acres of formal gardens, Cantigny features the house and grounds of the late Colonel Robert R. McCormick. The complex also includes the First Division Museum, an 18-hole golf course and restaurant.

Step back in time to The Naper Settlement, a 13-acre historic village complete with homes, shops, a chapel, fort, one-room schoolhouse, costumed villagers and exhibits. Lisle Station Park has been a working train station for 104 years with a ticket office, waiting room, station master’s living quarters and exhibits. The Elmhurst Art Museum is an award-winning dramatic glass structure, incorporating Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s 1951 McCormick House, and showcases contemporary art.

Oakbrook Center is a beautifully landscaped outdoor mall with four department stores, 160 premier shops, 18 top dining options and entertainment venues. Stores include Neiman Marcus, Marshall Field’s, Tiffany & Company, Nordstrom and more.

Day 6:
St. Charles & Aurora
Historic downtown St. Charles just west of the city is known for its quaint shops and antiquing like Century Corners which houses a dozen specialty shops in historic homes, and The Market Shops, a unique blend of more than 20 individually owned distinct stores.

The Kane County Flea Market attracts thousands of visitors every month and has been called the “Best in the Midwest or Anywhere”.

Take a break from shopping to enjoy a performance at the Pheasant Run Resort’s Noble Fool Comedy Theater, Steel Beam Theatre with live theater presentations in an intimate, historic setting, or the Norris Theatre, an art gallery that also houses a 1,000-seat theater for the performing arts.

Enjoy lunch or dinner at Walter Payton’s Roundhouse featuring a microbrewery, live entertainment and a museum tribute to the great football legend himself. Then head to the Schingoethe Center for Native American Cultures which has a rotating collection of historic and contemporary Native American arts, crafts and artifacts, and in the evening enjoy a show at the Paramount Theatre, a 1931 restored movie palace that hosts a variety of national musical, theatrical and dance performances. Enjoy over 53,000 sq. ft. of gaming space and an astounding collection of movie memorabilia at the Hollywood Casino.


Day 7:
Chicago’s North Suburbs
See where the fast food phenomena all started at McDonald’s #1 Store Museum, a replica of the original McDonald’s restaurant opened in 1955, complete with unique memorabilia. The Grove, National Historic Landmark is a 123 acre nature preserve with genuine 19th century structures. Every July, The Grove hosts one of the biggest Civil War re-enactments in the state.

Downtown Evanston offers a shopping combination of independently-owned boutiques alongside nationally recognized stores. Enjoy more outdoor shopping with European styled fountains and upscale department stores at Westfield Shoppingtown Old Orchard. Relax at the Chicago Botanic Gardens - 385 acres of gardens, waterways, woodlands and prairies.

Gurnee Mills in Lake County is a unique combination of 200 outlet, discount, and specialty retailers, an indoor reptile exhibit and an entertainment center featuring skating, laser tag, video and arcade games. Historic Long Grove, a Victorian village lined with treasure filled shops offers a more relaxed shopping experience. Enjoy European art and furnishings at the Cuneo Museum and Gardens; seasonal plantings, antique statuary and fountains accentuate the grounds and in the evening enjoy the Ravinia Music Festival, summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and many Jazz, pop and chamber ensemble performances. 

CONTACT:
E-mail: info@gochicago.com
www.gochicago.com
 

Day 8 & 9: Wisconsin  
Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin = 2.0 hrs.
Traveling northwest on Hwy 12,  Lake Geneva is less than two hours from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Lake Geneva’s beautiful natural surroundings, lively downtown and understated opulence are captivating. But it’s the wide variety of activities, first-class resorts and inns, fabulous restaurants and spas that make the Lake Geneva area a vacation haven. It’s an ideal destination for family fun, or the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. Nestled on the northeastern shores of Geneva Lake in southeast Wisconsin, Lake Geneva has been a resort community since just after the Civil War when wealthy Chicago families began building summer homes here.  Known as the “Newport of the West,” these elegant, one-of-a-kind historic estates still ring the lake and can be viewed from the water on one of the pristine cruise vessels of Lake Geneva Cruise Line or by foot via the scenic 21-mile walking path that circles the lake. Championship golf, boat cruises on the lake, unique shopping, the Yerkes Observatory operated by the University of Chicago and watersports of all kinds make Lake Geneva one of Wisconsin’s most popular summer destinations. 

CONTACT: 
Lake Geneva Area CVB
201 Wrigley Dr.
Lake Geneva, WI 53147-2004
P: (262) 245-1100 262/949.2722
E-mail: g3@genevaonline.com
www.lakegenevawi.com or contact the Walworth County Visitors Bureau at 262/723-3980 or www.walworthcountytourism.com

Day 10 & 11:
Lake Geneva to Madison = 1.5 hrs.
An hour’s drive northwest on Hwy 12 brings you to Madison, the Wisconsin state capital. The epitome of heartland charm, Madison blends the rural nature of the state with a cosmopolitan richness. Built on an isthmus nestled between two sparkling lakes, downtown Madison offers something for everyone. Linking the majestic State Capitol building at the heart of the city to the historic University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, the State Street Mall is famous as the home of eclectic shops, ethnic restaurants and cultural venues. A tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired Monona Terrace is nearby. 

Enjoy an afternoon stroll in the conservatory or on the grounds of Olbrich Botanical Gardens, featuring the exotic Thai Pavilion. In the evening, a performance at the world-class Overture Center for the Arts is the perfect way to round out your day.

In the morning, discover why Madison is the perfect starting point for a “hub and spoke” tour.  Just a short drive in any direction and you’ll find engaging Main Street towns and Old World-style villages. From New Glarus, “America’s Little Switzerland,” to the Norwegian “Trollway” of Mount Horeb, you’ll be transported to another world in just minutes. Savor a taste of the local flavors by touring an area vineyard or brewery, or experience local agriculture with an afternoon on the farm!

CONTACT:
The Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau
615 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703
P: 608-255-2537     
E-mail: gmacvb@visitmadison.com
www.visitmadison.com 
 

Day 12 & 13:
Madison to Spring Green = .75 hrs.
From Madison, take a scenic drive west on Hwy 14 through the southern Wisconsin River Valley to Spring Green. Here you can tour one of Wisconsin’s top attractions, the House on the Rock. Atop a high rock outcrop that overlooks a sprawling valley, House on the Rock is a stunning complex. The interior of the house is nearly as breathtaking as its exterior and includes the awesome Infinity room, which extends 218 feet above the valley. The attraction complex includes 16 other buildings filled with amazing sights and sounds including incredible collections, music machines, and the world’s largest carousel.  You’ll also find fantastic scenery at the House on the Rock Resort.

The natural contours of the valley are ideal for the resort’s 18-hole Springs course, designed by legendary golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr.  The golf resort features fantastic amenities, including comfortable two-room suites and outstanding contemporary American cuisine at the Grandview Restaurant.

After your group takes in all House on the Rock has to offer, there are plenty of sights and sounds to experience in the surrounding communities. Spring Green, Dodgeville, Mineral Point and Mt. Horeb are rich in tradition and ethnic heritage. There are also plenty of attractions in the area including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, the American Players Theatre and Cave of the Mounds.

CONTACT:
House on the Rock
5754 Hwy 23
Spring Green, WI
P: 608-935-3639
E-mail: marketing@thehouseontherock.com
www.thehouseontherock.com 
 

Day 14:
Spring Green to La Crosse = 2 hrs.
For a scenic drive, follow Hwy 14 west as it winds though the hills and valleys of the “Coulee Country” to La Crosse.  Begin your day with a River Town Discovery Tour. Sit back and relax as your tour guide details the homes of lumber barons, early entrepreneurs and more. Stop atop Granddad Bluff to enjoy a scenic vista overlooking three states - Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Enjoy a guided tour of the Hixon House, the Victorian home of lumber Baron Gideon Hixon.

No visit to La Crosse is complete without a luncheon cruise on the Mississippi River aboard one of three excursion boats; the Julia Belle Swain, La Crosse Queen and the Island Girl all serve sumptuous meals. After lunch, tour the exquisite Chapels of St. Rose. Grab an afternoon snack on a tour of Pleasoning Gourmet Seasoning, or taste the beer-making prowess of the City Brewing Company. Evening plans can include dinner at one of our award-winning restaurants with Broadway-style entertainment, or experience the life of early Norwegian immigrants with an Evening at Norskedalen. Shopping for cheese, local products, antiques or souvenirs is easy with just one stop in Historic Downtown La Crosse or Old Towne North. With a little luck you may see one of the Mississippi riverboats like the American Queen.

A trip to La Crosse is incomplete without a daytrip journey south on Hwy 35, Wisconsin’s segment of the Mississippi River’s Great River Road.  Stunning vistas, pleasant towns and abundant wildlife await your discovery.

CONTACT:
La Crosse Area CVB
410 Veterans Memorial Drive
La Crosse, WI P: 800/658.9424
E-mail: info@explorelacrosse.com
www.explorelacrosse.com or www.wigreatriverroad.org for more information about Wisconsin’s Great River Road.

Day 15:
La Crosse to Eau Claire = 1.5 hrs.
Depart La Crosse and head north on the Great River Road (Hwy 35) to Nelson at the confluence of the Mississippi and Chippewa Rivers.  Entering the beautiful Chippewa Valley, go north on Hwy 25 and follow the Chippewa River to Durand. Take Hwy 85 and head northeast to Eau Claire.

The Chippewa Valley lies among the rolling hills and scenic river valleys of West-Central Wisconsin. The area is a perfect combination of woods and water with plenty of historic charm, unique attractions, top-notch entertainment and fine cuisine.

Enjoy a few of the state’s finest bicycle trails - the Red Cedar State Trail, Chippewa River State Trail, and Old Abe State Trail. Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter make the Chippewa Valley a true year-round destination.  Don’t forget to stop at the historic Leinenkugel’s Brewery for your free tour and some shopping at the Leinie Lodge.  For good food and an evening of professional entertainment, enjoy the Fanny Hill Inn and Dinner Theatre.

CONTACT:
Chippewa Valley CVB        
3625 Gateway Dr.; Suite F
Eau Claire, WI 54701
P: 715-831-2345
E-mail: info@chippewavalley.net
www.chippewavalley.net 
                

Day 16 & 17:
Eau Claire to Hayward = 1.5 hrs.
Depart Eau Claire north on Hwy 53, the gateway to Wisconsin’s western Great North Woods and the Hayward Lakes area. Hayward, a former lumbering town along Hwy 63, keeps its past alive with the Lumberjack World Championships each summer. However, fishing enthusiasts know it better as the home of the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. The area is also known as the “Golf Capital of Wisconsin” with 18 courses within an hour’s drive. The Hayward Lakes area has been a Northwoods vacation destination for generations.

Year after year, people come here to enjoy the fishing and swimming, and to stroll the small town streets, stopping to buy a piece of freshly made fudge or a pair of moccasins.       

Each year, the Hayward/Cable area hosts two of the world’s top racing events - the American Birkebeiner X-C ski races in February and the Chequamegon Fat Tire bicycle races in September.

CONTACT:
Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau
715-634-4801
P.O. Box 1055
Hayward, WI 54843
E-mail: info@haywardlakes.com
www.haywardlakes.com

For more information about the Cable area, call 715-798-3833; or log on to www.cable4fun.com or E-mail info@cable4fun.com


Day 18 & 19:
Hayward to Bayfield WI/Apostle Islands = 4.0 hrs.
From Hayward, travel north on Hwy 63 to Hwy 2 west of Ashland.  Head east on Hwy 2 to Ashland and north on Hwy 13 to Bayfield, nestled snuggly on the south shore of Lake Superior. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a pristine archipelago of twenty-two islands scattered off the Bayfield peninsula.

 If lighthouse tours and blue-water sailing are your cup of tea, the Apostle Islands will delight you. Explore many recreational opportunities including boat excursions, hiking, sea kayaking, and cycling. Bayfield’s hillside orchards and fruit farms are open for picking or buying garden-fresh produce. Their many art galleries, studios, and boutiques are a welcome indoor adventure.

Visit their maritime and heritage museums or take a historic walking tour of the city with a costumed guide. Accommodations include some of Wisconsin’s finest B&Bs. Whatever your interests, Bayfield is always in season.

CONTACT:
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce
42 S. Broad St.
Bayfield, WI 54814
P: 715-356-5266
E-mail: chamber@bayfield.org
www.bayfield.org  
 

Day 20 & 21:
Bayfield to Vilas/Oneida County = 2.5 hrs.
From Bayfield travel south on Hwy 13 and east on 70 to the Lac du Flambeau and Woodruff/ Minocqua area; the heart of Wisconsin’s legendary Northwoods vacation area. Vilas and Oneida Counties offer more than 1,000 lakes, as well as the 223,000-acre Northern Highland/American Legion State Forest.  It is a water paradise of boating, fishing, swimming and watersports. Indeed, Minocqua is known as “the island city” – virtually surrounded by water.  For an overview of the wildlife and striking local habitat, visitors can cruise through the spectacular Willow Flowage aboard the 65-passenger motor launches of Wilderness Cruises.  Off the water, there’s an impressive network of trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. There’s more wildlife to see at Wildwood Wildlife Center where you can pet a porcupine, feed a deer, or see hundreds of other woodland animals.  Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows feature log rolling, climbing, chopping and sawing in daily performances.

Nearby, the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation offers plenty of fun for the whole family.  Bring the kids to tour Wa-Swa-Goning, a re-created 17th century Chippewa Indian village with birchbark lodges, canoes and cultural lore.  In town, tribal members in colorful regalia present traditional Ojibwe dancing every Tuesday evening in season. The tribe’s Lake of the Torches Casino offers adult entertainment with blackjack, slots and bingo 24/7.

CONTACT: 
P: 715-356-5266
P.O. Box 1006
Minocqua, WI 545458
E-mail: mavwacc@minocqua.org
www.minocqua.org


Day 22 & 23:
Minocqua/Lac du Flambeau area to Wausau = 1.5 hrs
A leisurely one-hour drive south on Highway 51 brings you to Wausau, a regional hub on the Wisconsin River.

Wausau’s, Grand Theater is a jewel of a performing arts center.  Originally constructed in 1927, it highlights a ten-square-block downtown historic district. Nearby, the Marathon County Historical Museum displays local history in the elegant Victorian home of former lumber baron Cyrus Yawkey. The city’s Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum has garnered a national reputation for its remarkable collection of avian art.  Outside of town, Rib Mountain towers 700 feet above the city.  The mountain is home to Granite Peak Ski Area, one of the Midwest’s premier downhill ski destinations.

Rib Mountain State Park’s 1,500-acres as well as its 60 ft. observation tower affords breathtaking views of the Wisconsin River Valley. Known throughout the world, Whitewater Park in Downtown Wausau hosts national and world cup kayak competitions each summer.

Wausau is also the center for buying and selling ginseng.  In fact, Marathon County produces 95% of the nation’s crop of this medicinal root so valued in Asia. To learn more, you can visit Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises where you’ll find a gift shop loaded with ginseng-related products.  The Van Der Geest Dairy is state-of-the-art facility and can milk 3,000 cows three times a day. This milking parlor hosts individual and group tours.

CONTACTS:
Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention and Visitors Bureau
P: 715-355-8788
10204 Park Plaza, Suite B
Mosinee, WI 54455
E-mail: info@visitwausau.com
www.visitwausau.com 
 

Day 24 & 25:
Wausau to Door County = 3.0 hrs.
Drive east on Hwy 29 to Green Bay, where the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame honors the football greats of the “Green and Gold.”  Stadium tours of Lambeau Field, which recently completed a $300 million renovation, are another fun option.  Downtown, the Neville Public Museum displays two floors of history, art and science exhibits.  Nearby, the National Railroad Museum is America’s oldest and largest.

Beyond the city, Hwy 57 takes you north through charming communities and stunning views of Lake Michigan to Door County. This timeless peninsula, jutting into Lake Michigan, is known for its scenic beauty, maritime heritage, art galleries and performing arts.

In Sturgeon Bay, make a little time for the Door County Maritime Museum. You can also tour two of the county’s 10 lighthouses - the Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor and the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park. A scenic drive along the bayside shoreline might end with a Door County Fish Boil - a tasty ensemble of whitefish, potatoes and onions.

Evening entertainment under the stars might include original musicals at American Folklore Theatre, professional summer stock at Peninsula Players or memorable performances by the troupe of Door Shakespeare.  Overnight at one of many pampering resorts or B&B’s. After breakfast, enjoy a short ferry ride to Washington Island where you can tour a Norwegian Stavkirke chapel, Sievers School of Fiber Arts, an ostrich farm and more. At noon, ferry back to the Peninsula, eat lunch, and then head south down the Lake Michigan side.

Stop at The Ridges Sanctuary for a guided nature walk or explore the sea caves of Cave Point County Park.

CONTACT:
1015 Green Bay Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
P: 920-743-4456
E-mail: Jon@DoorCounty.com
www.DoorCounty.com 
 

Day 26:
Door County to Sheboygan = 1 hr.
Follow I-43 south along the breathtaking coast of Lake Michigan to Sheboygan, a lakeshore community that offers top-notch water recreation, outstanding cultural venues and exquisite resorts. Enjoy the professional motorsports at Road America or spend the day sportfishing for trout and salmon on Lake Michigan.

Whistling Straits, one of the world-class golf courses in the area, hosted the 2004 PGA Championship. The nationally acclaimed John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts head a remarkable list of quality visual and performing arts venues. Accommodations are among some of Wisconsin’s finest including the AAA 5-Diamond American Club Resort Hotel at Kohler, Blue Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Sheboygan and The Osthoff at Elkhart Lake provide exceptional lodging options. The Sheboygan area is full of wonderful vacation opportunities!

CONTACT:
712 Riverfront Drive, Suite 101
Sheboygan, WI 53081-4665
P: 920-457-9491
E-mail: info@sheboygan.org
www.sheboygan.org
 

Day 27 & 28:
Sheboygan to Milwaukee = 1 hr.
From Sheboygan, continue south along the Lake Michigan shoreline on I-43 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s largest city.

While Milwaukee is noted for its brewing and manufacturing industries, it will surprise you with its arts, culture and natural beauty. See the magnificent addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Visit the home of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Enjoy a cold beer after a tour of the Miller Brewing Company.

Dine aboard the Edelweiss as it navigates the Milwaukee River through downtown and out into Lake Michigan for beautiful skyline views of the city.

Try your luck at Potawatomi Bingo Casino where craps, blackjack, roulette, slots and bingo action are king.                                                     

CONTACT:
VISIT Milwaukee
648 North Plankinton Ave., Suite 425
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Group Tours
P: 414.273-3950
E-mail: visitor@milwaukee.org
www.visitmilwaukee.org
 

Day 29:
Milwaukee to Chicago O’Hare International Airport = 2.0 hrs.

For more information about Chicago and Illinois travel opportunities, contact: info@gochicago.com or visit www.gochicago.com.  

For more information about Wisconsin travel opportunities, contact: tourinfo@travelwisconsin.com or visit www.travelwisconsin.com.