Avalon Travel Publishing. - Moon Wisconsin

HANDBOOKS

THOMAS HUHTI

Once on NBCs Today, the travel editor was asked about the most underrated U.S. destination. Without batting an eye, he answered, Wisconsin. The hosts had no idea how to respond to that. The editor immediately launched into a list of superlatives that anyone whos been here already knows. Wisconsin isnt what you might think it is; its even better.

Indeed, Wisconsin puts the lie to all those clichs about flyover land, cowflop redolence, hayseeds, corn-fed...you get the picture. Indeed, John Muir chose his words carefully when he wrote, Oh, that glorious Wisconsin wilderness!

Wisconsin is also truly Midwestern. Incapable of braggadocio, its generally content to remain in the middle on most things, except such important issues as livability quotients, at which it tends to excel. Its one of the top five most livable states in the nation. Its the Midwests overall most popular travel destination. Its one of the countrys most ethnically rich regions. It boasts the planets most diverse glacial topography, the United States middle sections most amazing cataracts, and an immense North Woods regionso big the national forest has to have two names. Recreation? Were tops (or thereabouts) in bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, and scenic hiking trails. Some of the countrys largest events take place here, and ethnic heritage sites are unrivalled.

Way back when, Native Americans marveled at the fecundity of nature, while blackfly-weary explorers, thunderstick-booming voyageurs, Jesuit Black Robes, and lumberjacks all saw opportunity and magnificence.

Fast-forward a couple centuries, and things havent changed all that much. Folks come for a visit or to attend university and genuinely miss it when they leave. In fact, more than a few stay. Ive met some who came for a visit decades ago and loved it so much they return, often to the same cabin on a lake, every single year.

This has as much to do with the people of Wisconsin who, Im happy to report, are the type who will chat you up and consider you a friend five minutes after they meet you.

If this makes us rubes, then well happily plead guilty.

Plan a road trip of a few days to see Wisconsin and youll leave frustrated. If you had a month and a reliable car, you could theoretically hit all the highlights of each region. Keeping in mind that one persons Road Warrior day is anothers lazy roll, you can reasonably cover most regions in 4-7 days.

Dash the blue-collar images. This low-key citizenry is darned proud of cultural, educational, and architectural gems along its fabulous lakefront. The wonderfully preserved ethnic neighborhoods and Historic Third Ward offer the states best urban trekking tours. See what beer hath wrought at the sublime Pabst Mansion. Yet that lakefront beckonshop aboard a fishing charter. Meander along the spectacular bike paths. And dont forget the names that made Milwaukee famous: the gargantuan Miller Brewing and Harley-Davidson.

The Mad City, Madtown, the Island Surrounded by Reality, is a vibrant and fetching city plopped among a quartet of jewel-like lakes, upon one of which sits eye-catching Monona Terrace. Theres a push and pull between the state government, represented by the grand State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin. But most denizens are nature lovers; youll find no better chances to walk amid native state flora than at the UWs Arboretum and the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

sunrise over Lake Monona in Madison

Southeastern Wisconsin

This true gateway region welcomes many a traveler barreling in via the Windy City. Extraordinary museums and parks await in Kenosha and Racine, the latter also sporting Badger native Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. Hop onto the narrower ribbons and discover the Geneva Lake area. A crucial North American migration flyway is Horicon Marsh.

Door County

Jutting into Lake Michigan, the thumb of Wisconsin geographically, merely offers, mile for mile, the most sublime collection of state parks in the Midwest and the highest concentration of lighthouses of any U.S. county. How about picturesque towns right out of 19th-century postcards? Off the northern tip lies Washington Island, an isolated community where time seems not to matter much at all. Beyond is another island, Rock Island State Park, the most superb camping spot in the state.

East-Central Waters

These waters truly made the state, welcoming legions of immigrants and floating timber for paper mills of the Fox Cities, dominated by the enormous Lake Winnebago. To the west are such picturesque resort lands youll run out of digital storage, as well as the wild and wonderful