Eastern Wisconsin

[Janss]

We will have about 10 days at beginning of June between Elgin, IL (outside Chicago) and Bailey's Harbor (Door County) where we will meet up with friends. Looking for suggestions of places to stay, things to do.

My spouse can't walk much at all...uses walker and scooter. So we're limited in sightseeing. But we like nature, unusual museums, farming attractions, factory tours. Not into shopping or big cities.

So far thinking about Lake Geneva and Manitowoc/Two Rivers areas.

We'd like at least electric hookup but can go without for a couple days.

Comments and suggestions welcome!

[LowRyter]

I camped there, it was great place. I think I camped at Timber Trail in West Bend. Later I camped at Road America race track.

Beautiful and very prosperous area. "Every corner has two churches and four bars." Rode my motorcycle through there, Sheboygan very scenic.

[Janss]

More great info! Thanks a bunch! Keeping it all on my list of possibilities.

[Campfire_Time]

I'll add something for Door County. If the weather is good when you are there make sure to stop at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant. It has a grass roof and they have goats that graze the roof. You can also check out the Goat Cam. The food there is excellent as well.

[dodge_guy]

Gotcha! You want more relaxed back road driving along with all the nice towns and sights that come with it!
May want to check out the road America race track area. Lots to see and do around there. I believe Plymouth WI. Also Fremont WI is really nice!

[Janss]

Thank you so much for all the great suggestions!

We don't really want to go as far west as the Dells and Baraboo, but I'm sure the Circus Museum and other stuff would be fun to see.

We're actually from AZ, just visiting friends/family in the Chicago area.

Love the Rustic Roads website!

[BarabooBob]

I forgot all about Circus World Museum. They have the world's largest collection of restored circus wagons and many buildings full of exhibits. Twice a day they have circus performances. They also have magic acts, shows that explain clown face painting how the circus moved by rail.
I go there several times a year and hear the calliope all over town. Baraboo is one of the only places where you can say that your neighbor is a clown and it is not an insult.

[Bob806]

We camped up by Two Rivers a few years ago and had a blast (Scheffel's Hideaway CG). Nice beach up there, and like others mentioned, it's near Manitowac, which is a cool town.

There is a paved trail right along the lake that connects the 2 towns. So you may enjoy that area even with a scooter. We watched the big ferry boat dock while there, the one that goes from Manitowac to Ludington, Mi. It's definitely a nice area to visit for a few days.

[Campfire_Time]

The only trouble with the Dells and Baraboo areas is that they are two hours west of the eastern part of WI. But I agree, lots to do in the area, Circus World is awesome. Just avoid the "Dells strip" and downtown Dells.

[Matt_Colie]

I can't believe that BarabooBob didn't bring up the Circus Mueseum in Baraboo. We have been there three times. You should arrange to drop the wife by the door because parking is a little bit far.

Matt

[Matt_Colie]

I can't believe that BarabooBob didn't bring up the Circus Mueseum in Baraboo. We have been there three times. You should arrange to drop the wife by the door because parking is a little bit far.

Matt

[Campfire_Time]

Cliffside County Park is about 20 minutes south of downtown Milwaukee. No water connections, but it is big rig friendly and a beautiful park as a base.

As said the Harley Museum is excellent, as is the Milwaukee County Zoo. Also worth a visit is the Milwaukee Public Market in the 3rd ward. And you can’t miss the Milwaukee Art Museum. The Calatrava addition is free to the general public.

We love the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area. If you can get in, highly recommend Point Beach State Forest. If you can't get in try Scheffel’s Hideaway. A little tight but great hosts and just outside the park. Full hookups available.

The Maritime Museum in Manitowoc is a highlight. Very cool to visit. On Saturday morning they have a pretty good farmers market across from the Manitowoc library. The Pinecrest Historical Village outside of Manitowoc is a really neat historical museum.

If you don't already have accommodations in Door County, I highly recommend Egg Harbor Campground, just north of Egg Harbor. Full hookups available, excellent hosts, and 20 minutes from all the most popular things in Door County. It's 10 minutes from Bailey's Harbor. We stay here 3 times a season.

A drive through Peninsula State park called for. Lots of scenic overlooks. Cave Point county park is a beautiful and unique place to visit. The main part of it is wheel chair accessible. There is also “The Farm” which is a living working farm museum just outside Sturgeon Bay. Also drive around Door County, especially the side roads, beauty everywhere you go. There’s other things, most of what I’m thinking about requires walking or bike riding. If I think of anything else that’s easy I’ll update the post.

Look for Rustic Roads in WI. Usually these are roads which generally have an old time back woods sort of feel. You can find maps here: WI Rustic Roads

[Mickeyfan0805]

If you are into motorcycles or historical vehicles, the Harley Davidson Museum is worth a few hours on the south side of Milwaukee.

I second the recommendation of the Milwaukee Zoo, and agree that there is some great stuff to do up in the Manitowac area.

If you are really into plants and flowers, the Botanical Gardens (the 'domes') in Milwaukee are worth some time, but they are admittedly not what they used to be.

Sprecher and Miller both have brewery tours in Milwaukee.

[Son_of_Norway]

Kohler-Andrae State Park is a great lakeshore park, one of the best in the area. But it is very popular and you should get reservations. If you like factory tours, Kohler is a great place to learn about toilets 😉

[BarabooBob]

Old World Wisconsin near Eagle, WI is a great living history museum. It is just west of Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee Zoo is outstanding and is totally wheelchair accessible.

The Experimental Aircraft Association just south of Oshkosh is worth the stop if you are interested in private, military, or commercial planes.

In Manitowoc there is the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. They have a WW2 submarine, the USS Cobia, on permanent display. I believe everything at the museum is accessible except the sub.

Being from the midwest, I assume that you are a Green Bay Packer fan so you could visit Lambeau Field.

Just a few things to take into consideration.

BarabooBob