Summer technically doesn’t start until June 21, but good luck convincing any Wisconsinite -- who just sat through months of snow and ice -- that the 80-degree temps of the past couple weeks don’t mark the start of summer here in Wausau. Not to mention all the kiddos who just got out of school and are searching for things to do during their few months of freedom.
Whether you’re a young family, an old couple, a single adventurer or anything in-between, the reaches of Wisconsin are filled with activities, sights and shops to explore during the Badger State’s cherished summer months. City Pages, with help from our sister publications across the state, pulled together a list of road trip destinations that are all within just a few hours of our community.
This list features a variety of locations that serve perfectly as a day-trip destination, the first stop on a cross-county road-trip, a highlight during a weekend staycation or a simple afternoon adventure. Wherever your trip across America’s Dairyland takes you this summer, here are some spots we suggest adding to the itinerary:
Green Bay, WI
Brown County’s Wequiock Falls is one of the county’s smaller parks, but its unique sights are perfect for a memorable day-trip experience.
The park includes a large ravine that offers a close-up look at one of the Niagara Escarpment rock formations. During the spring and summer, the Wequiock Creek forms an inviting waterfall and the small roadside park offers a small picnic area with restrooms just off of Highway 57. An old bridge above the falls and a set of stone stairs leading down to the ravine only add to the ambiance of the park.
The park is located off of Highway 57; turn off on Van Laanen Road and the entrance to the park is immediately on the right. The ideal time to visit the waterfall is in the spring during the thaw and after a good rain, but the falls offer a picturesque view and fun all summer long.
Wequiock Falls is located at 3426 Bay Settlement Road, Green Bay.
Oconto, WI
Copper Culture State Park, located in Oconto County, has served as a site of historical significance for thousands of years. A marker at the park’s burial ground explains its importance, “At this site approximately 4,500 years ago, Wisconsin Indians gathered to bury their dead. Because of their use of copper tools, weapons and ornaments, this group became known as the Old Copper people.”
The Old Copper people lived in present-day Oconto County during the Archaic Period 6,000 to 5,000 years ago and began burying their ancestors in the naturally formed elevated mound. Thirteen-year-old Donald Baldwin discovered the cemetery in 1952, and archaeologists from the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Wisconsin Historical Society and Oconto County Historical Society’s founder George E. “Jimmy” Hal excavated the site.
In recognition of their namesake, the Copper Culture State Park turned the Charles Werrebroeck Home, built in 1911 and rebuilt in 1924 by the Werrebroeck family due to fire damage, into the Copper Culture Museum. Today, the Copper Culture Museum is managed by the Oconto County Historical Society and features ancient artifacts and exhibits detailing the importance of the area both to the Old Copper people and to the modern world.
Families can get a hands-on approach to thousands of years of history by seeing original copper tools, taking a tour of the museum, walking the foot trail to the stone monument at the burial ground or stopping at the children’s mock excavation pit. Copper Culture Museum is able to offer this variety of historical experience at no cost to visitors through grants and funds from the Oconto County Historical Society.
The Copper Culture Museum is located within the Copper Culture State Park at 260 Copper Culture Way, Oconto, and is open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission and a park sticker are not required, but donations are appreciated.
Marshfield, WI
Marshfield, a city in Wood County, geographically lands smack-dab in the middle of Wisconsin. Marshfield is home to Wildwood Park & Zoo — free to the public, a technical college that feeds into the University of Wisconsin system, and Upham Mansion (previous home of Gov. William H. Upham; now museum).
It’s clear that Marshfield has a vast variety of opportunities ranging from environmental aesthetics to a sound educational system. But there is an avenue that stops right off of US Highway 10, tucked on the outskirts of Marshfield that is filled with untapped marvels that you would only expect to find in big cities such as Chicago or New York — antique books, rare ones.
Owner Kent Genteman, of KG’s Unique, Rare, and Antique Books LLC, was not planning on what started out as a hobby to turn into a full-blown specialized antiquated career. Like most bibliophiles, being surrounded by books is a similar warmth to a midwesterner supper club aficionado searching for the best old fashioned to pair with a top-notch Friday night fish fry. For example, one of Kent’s many books is Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” This particular version of “Alice” is a first edition, published in 1872.
If you find yourself in Marshfield, either passing through or to visit family, take time out of your day to stop at KG’s Unique, Rare, and Antique Books LLC for a warm and welcoming environment. Or take a scroll through Kent’s eBay page, even just to fawn over not just the decades of publications— some centuries — but to see that big city aspirations can be accomplished in the city of Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Mosinee, WI
Here in Wisconsin, we like to celebrate all things dairy – like milk, cheese, ice cream, cows and vodka. Yes, you read that correctly. Knowlton House Distillery, just 19 miles south of Wausau, uses pure milk sugar (whey), a byproduct of making cheese, as the base ingredient for their award-winning TenHead line of spirits. The whey comes from the Mullins Cheese plant near Lake DuBay in Knowlton and the Mullins Cheese & Whey facility eight miles north of Marshfield, on Highway C.
Knowlton House was founded by Luke and Heather Mullins. The distillery is a marriage of their respective professions and passions. As a fourth-generation cheesemaker with Mullins Cheese, Mosinee-born Luke comes from a long line of Wisconsin dairy farmers and cheesemakers. Heather, a Stevens Point native educated in distilling with a master’s degree in brewing science, had worked as a product development scientist aiding other distilleries and breweries before starting their distillery.
Heather Mullins attended grad school for brewing science in the UK, where she tried her first sugar-based spirit. Years later, at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition – the largest spirits tasting competition in the world – both their TenHead Vodka and Woodland Dry Gin were awarded gold from their panel of expert judges. At the SIP Awards – the only internationally recognized consumer tasting competition – Knowlton House vodka won platinum and their gin double gold.
Knowlton House Distillery opened in 2023 and began distribution of TenHead spirits in spring 2024. While the spirits can be purchased at local stores, the unique experience of learning what goes on behind the scenes is only captured on-site, where Knowlton House also offers several tour-and-tasting packages. For more information, visit knowltonhouse.com.
Merrill, WI
Those looking for a Northwoods getaway have the opportunity to experience a scenic Lincoln County area up close and personal.
On land owned and managed by Lincoln County, roughly 50 miles of ATV/UTV trails wind through the Harrison Hills. The Harrison Hills Trail is a two-way trail system primarily utilizing existing logging roads, traversing glacial moraines and upland hardwoods. Riders will see cedar swamps, small creeks and lakes throughout the hilly terrain.
Depending on trail conditions, the summer ATV trail system opens on May 1, and the majority of the trail system closes on Dec. 1 each year. The Forestry Department says most of the trail system is also open to road-licensed vehicles, mountain bikers, hikers and other recreationists.
The Harrison Hills trail system is also connected to trail systems in Langlade and Oneida counties. To learn more about the Harrison Hills trail system, visit tinyurl.com/bdf8nap4.
Appleton & Green Bay, WI
In 2023, co-owners Ben Ganther and Sam Howard opened Odyssey, Green Bay’s first indoor climbing gym and home of the tallest indoor climbing wall in the state. A short time later, they opened up another facility in the Appleton area. The 47-foot-tall climbing wall in Green Bay has routes set up for auto-belaying, top rope climbing and lead climbing which will be changed up on a regular basis so there’s always something new to climb.
In addition to the traditional climbing wall, Odyssey also has a bouldering wall, traditional fitness equipment and space to hold programs, classes and other events. Ganther said even for people who have never climbed before, Odyssey will have something for everyone.
“A really important part of what we stand for is this idea of humility, or meeting people where they’re at,” he said. “That starts with our staff and making sure we meet them where they’re at and then train them to be able to be professionals within the climbing gym industry. But we meet our members and our guests where they’re at, too. Climbing is an inherently dangerous sport and it can be intimidating. If somebody’s a first-time climber we can give them the same fun, engaging experience as someone who has been climbing for 20 years. The way that we’ve designed our space and the way that we plan to have our routes set with difficulty ratings will be really approachable for everybody and that’s something we believe pretty strongly in.”
Beyond the sports aspect of it, Howard said he and Ganther hope Odyssey will bring the social element of climbing to the area like they previously experienced in Milwaukee. The Odyssey locations are spaces where people can grow and learn, Ganther said, which is what inspired the name of the gyms.
Learn more about the two Odyssey Climbing and Fitness locations, and plan your next trip, at odysseyclimbing.com.
Redgranite, WI
Those near and far always look forward to visiting the Redgranite Quarry. The popular summertime attraction for residents as well as the visitors of Waushara County is open for hiking, fishing and swimming.
Discovery of red granite at the quarry site in the 1880s sparked a mining boom that brought skilled stonecutters from Europe to settle in the area. Granite paving blocks from the quarry were used in streets as far as Chicago. This is how the Village of Redgranite got its namesake.
The Redgranite Quarry was closed in the 1920s after concrete and asphalt became popular for paving. Now the Redgranite Quarry is a 6-acre lake with depths reaching over 100 feet!
Quarry visitors are allowed to swim at their own risk as there are no lifeguards on duty. Diving clubs can often be found at the quarry as it is one of the best clear water diving spots in the Upper Midwest. Fishing remains a popular pastime since various species of fish have been stocked in the quarry throughout the years. Whether fishing or ice-fishing, enjoy a peaceful time catching panfish or largemouth bass. The quarry also attracts kayakers and hikers. Families can enjoy a picnic with a view and a walking trail suitable for all ages.
The Redgranite Quarry Park is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Editor's note: As of June 3, Redgranite Quarry was temporarily closed. Check for updates before making plans.
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