Wisconsin is home to many well-known and widely admired places to explore. But there are definitely less-traveled places offering unique hidden gem experiences as well. Here are a few of our favorites:
Bookworm Gardens is a botanic garden inspired by children's literature.
- Bookworm Gardens is home to over 70 different gardens, each inspired by a children’s book, from classics like the Tale of Peter Rabbit and the Giving Tree to newer favorites like Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
- The garden is divided into “gateways,” with books stored inside stone pillars for visitors to read while inside each area.
- Admission is free and families can explore the gardens through Oct. 31.
Hearthstone Historic House Museum – Appleton
The first home in the world to be lit by a hydroelectric central power station was in Wisconsin—and today it’s a museum.
- The bluff-top mansion overlooks the Fox River and is an excellent example of Queen Anne style architecture with stained glass, nine fireplaces and elaborate 12-foot-high painted ceilings. The home maintains its original light fixtures and switches.
- Tours are available Thursday-Sunday.
Ochsner Park – Baraboo
The 26-acre park houses a free zoo and is home to a section of the Ice Age Scenic Trail, making it a great destination to explore along the shores of the Baraboo River.
- The Ochsner Park Zoo first opened in 1926 with just two bear cubs. Today is it home to over 30 different animal species, from monkeys and otters to bears and donkeys, and many different kinds of birds.
- The zoo is open every day of the year, with regular educational and enrichment programs.