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Wisconsin provides extensive opportunities for recreation. Whether one wishes to attend a museum, sail on a Great Lake, tour an operating cheese maker’s farm, ice fish, or take in a Green Bay Packers football game, Wisconsin has it all.
Unique cultural and natural museums reside in Wisconsin. Among the many museums in the state are the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, the Wisconsin Historical Museum, also in Madison, and the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum of Milwaukee. Orchestra fans will appreciate the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the largest cultural organization in Wisconsin. For nature lovers, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, in Monona, celebrates the native conservationist. In Madison, the Henry Vilas Zoo treats animal lovers by offering free admission. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum of Manitowoc explores the fascinating maritime history of Wisconsin. And the new Harley Davidson Museum under construction in Milwaukee will be a must see for those who live large in the saddle.
Many festivals take place in the Badger state. Wisconsin hosts the world’s largest outdoor music festival, Summerfest, in Milwaukee along Lake Michigan’s shores. Also in Milwaukee, the largest German celebration in North America takes place at German Fest. For airplane enthusiasts, the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show is not to be missed; nearly 2500 aircraft such as warbirds, classics, and ultralights can be seen at this event.
Dairy lovers will delight in visiting the farms and factories that create Wisconsin’s famous cheeses. The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board provides information on cheese company tours. Additionally, the Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association gives ideas for those seeking the quiet rural escapes of farms and wineries.
The Badger state sparkles with approximately15,000 inland lakes, over 30,000 miles (48,280 kilometers) of rivers and tributaries, the Great Lakes of Superior and Michigan, and the Mississippi, enough to satisfy any water enthusiast for either boating or fishing. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) gives ample information on regulations and locations needed for fishing. The WDNR also details many other outdoor activities such as camping and hunting, with locations of the many state parks. These parks offer a multitude of environments to enjoy, such as prairies, hills, shoreline, and even sand dunes. Additionally, the National Park Service operates several sites within the state, such as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. Wisconsin also boasts over 30 historic lighthouses along its shores, with several open for touring.
Sports lovers have much to be thankful for in Wisconsin. With approximately 500 public golf courses, the Badger state is sure to please the avid golfer. Football fans can rejoice in the fact that the Green Bay Packers are the only publicly owned franchise in the National Football League (NFL). The Milwaukee Brewers and Milwaukee Bucks give action-packed performances for baseball and basketball fans.
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