Where to go in Wisconsin?

[lunalibre]

Well, after looking at finances, it's becoming clear that the trip to Disney I wanted to take next year...just isn't going to happen. Sob!

But...WDW in 2011 or BUST!!!

Anyway, I think we're going to head up towards Chicago, since then we can fit in a short visit with the grandparents. I don't mind spending a day or two in Chicago, but I don't want to spend longer than that because the point is to make this trip CHEAPER than Disney. I have never been farther north than Chicago. I was thinking about looking to rent a place near Lake Michigan. I know a lot of folks like the Wisconsin Dells, but I'm looking for more of an outdoors, hike/bike experience as opposed to theme parks. Given that we'll be driving from Texas, I am NOT looking to camp. I think renting a cabin/house would be ideal. We would likely be there no more than three nights. Can we even find someplace up there that will rent by the night rather than the week?

Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions on beach areas to investigate?

Thanks folks!

 

[Zachsmom4]

I guess I would ask how far are you willing to drive in WI? I would recommend Door County. Door County is about 3 hours north of Milwaukee. Door County is lovely, and there are lots of different things to do.

 

[friend2Figment]

Waupaca/ Chain of Lakes area is nice if you enjoy boating also. Less commercialize than Door County.
Door County is really nice also has many County & State parks with walking/hiking trails. The water views are breathtaking. Some of the beaches do not allow swimming at them so you may want to check that out first.
Both are about 3 hours north of Milwaukee.

If you do not want to come that far north you could look at Manitowoc there are walking trails out that way also.

 

[cantwaitvaca09]

Still in Illinois about 90 mins for Chicago
Straved Rock State Park
and for a hotle grizzlyjacksresort.com

 

[Anne34]

Well, after looking at finances, it's becoming clear that the trip to Disney I wanted to take next year...just isn't going to happen. Sob!

But...WDW in 2011 or BUST!!!

Anyway, I think we're going to head up towards Chicago, since then we can fit in a short visit with the grandparents. I don't mind spending a day or two in Chicago, but I don't want to spend longer than that because the point is to make this trip CHEAPER than Disney. I have never been farther north than Chicago. I was thinking about looking to rent a place near Lake Michigan. I know a lot of folks like the Wisconsin Dells, but I'm looking for more of an outdoors, hike/bike experience as opposed to theme parks. Given that we'll be driving from Texas, I am NOT looking to camp. I think renting a cabin/house would be ideal. We would likely be there no more than three nights. Can we even find someplace up there that will rent by the night rather than the week?

Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions on beach areas to investigate?

Thanks folks!

There are a lot of condos to rent near the dells where you can go to a waterpark for a few days and then do other things nearby. There is the circus world museum & show in Baraboo, there is hiking and rock climbing in Devils Lake State park, there are many places to go around the Dells that aren't so touristy.

Another good ideas was Door County -- it is expensive, but there is TONS of hiking and biking in the state parks.

Enjoy Wisconsin (Born & raised there and stuck outside Chicago now!!)

 

[rackerlee92]

Sheboygan or LaCrosse -- both 2 - 3 hours from Milwaukee.

 

[SaraJayne]

Sheboygan or LaCrosse -- both 2 - 3 hours from Milwaukee.

La Crosse is way on the other side of the state and 3-4 hours from Milwaukee.

If you're looking at biking/hiking, I'd go with either Door County or like another person mentioed, Starved Rock State Park in IL.

 

[Poohbug]

I would look at Door County. It's popular for biking and hiking. There are many hiking trails. I think most of the biking is done on road-if you have younger children, this may not work out for you.

As far as beaches-you can find a few. However, these are not beaches like they have in the south. And coming from the south, I think you will find the water to be pretty cold. Still fun to do once.

Door county also has many antique stores and little boutique shops. Again, if you have younger children-this is not so fun for them. But must have fudge if you visit pretty much any WI tourist area. They also have some nice wineries. And of course I can't forget the swedish restaurant with the grass roof and the goats(also on roof) that keep that grass mowed.

 

[southern_redhead]

Well, after looking at finances, it's becoming clear that the trip to Disney I wanted to take next year...just isn't going to happen. Sob!

But...WDW in 2011 or BUST!!!

Anyway, I think we're going to head up towards Chicago, since then we can fit in a short visit with the grandparents. I don't mind spending a day or two in Chicago, but I don't want to spend longer than that because the point is to make this trip CHEAPER than Disney. I have never been farther north than Chicago. I was thinking about looking to rent a place near Lake Michigan. I know a lot of folks like the Wisconsin Dells, but I'm looking for more of an outdoors, hike/bike experience as opposed to theme parks. Given that we'll be driving from Texas, I am NOT looking to camp. I think renting a cabin/house would be ideal. We would likely be there no more than three nights. Can we even find someplace up there that will rent by the night rather than the week?

Has anyone done this before? Any suggestions on beach areas to investigate?

Thanks folks!

We JUST did a trip there this summer I can't give advice about houses to rent but I'll give you an overview of our trip. We stayed in Racine, WI on Lake Michigan. Well, we stayed at the Radisson Harbourwalk which is *close* to Lake Michigan - we went to Zoo Beach EVERY day except one. It was incredible, we may never do the Gulf again! We would do mornings at the beach then come back to the room, swim at the hotel or nap and then usually go out to eat or hit a local store/mall. The weather there is fabulous, the people friendly. On our "non-beach" day we drove up to Milwaukee and did the Harley Davidson Museum and Motor Cafe. It was FUN! My youngest is the motorcycle enthusiast so he was in "hog heaven"...pun intended! The rest of us loved it too, thoguh. My grandparents lived in Appleton so I had visited summers growing up and I wanted to take my kids to Bay Beach Amusement Park (warning: it AIN'T Disney ) where my dad took me. We left Racine and drove up to Green Bay. Got a room at the Residence Inn for the night and stayed at Bay Beach from 5 to 9 letting the kids ride. That was our final day and we drove from Green Bay to St Louis (where we stayed this summer) so that was a loooong drive. We all really liked it though and we plan to return at some point. I'm not much into the Dells idea ... in the summer I want to vacation "on the water" somewhere. We can hit waterparks pretty much anywhere, anytime but a beach is very seasonal. Plus, the Dells seemed very expensive - we enjoyed picnicing at the beach and that sort of thing. More laid back and we could eat out or get take out and go back to the room depending on how much we wanted to spend and whether we felt like trying eating out with the kids. We may go further North when we go next time but I have it on "the list" and we have dropped the Orange Beach area we always used to go to from the list altogether. HTH

 

[blanq]

Door County

 

[snoodledoo]

I would look at Door County. It's popular for biking and hiking. There are many hiking trails. I think most of the biking is done on road-if you have younger children, this may not work out for you.

As far as beaches-you can find a few. However, these are not beaches like they have in the south. And coming from the south, I think you will find the water to be pretty cold. Still fun to do once.

Door county also has many antique stores and little boutique shops. Again, if you have younger children-this is not so fun for them. But must have fudge if you visit pretty much any WI tourist area. They also have some nice wineries. And of course I can't forget the swedish restaurant with the grass roof and the goats(also on roof) that keep that grass mowed.

Al Johnson's!

 

[lunalibre]

We JUST did a trip there this summer I can't give advice about houses to rent but I'll give you an overview of our trip. We stayed in Racine, WI on Lake Michigan. Well, we stayed at the Radisson Harbourwalk which is *close* to Lake Michigan - we went to Zoo Beach EVERY day except one. It was incredible, we may never do the Gulf again! We would do mornings at the beach then come back to the room, swim at the hotel or nap and then usually go out to eat or hit a local store/mall. The weather there is fabulous, the people friendly. On our "non-beach" day we drove up to Milwaukee and did the Harley Davidson Museum and Motor Cafe. It was FUN! My youngest is the motorcycle enthusiast so he was in "hog heaven"...pun intended! The rest of us loved it too, thoguh. My grandparents lived in Appleton so I had visited summers growing up and I wanted to take my kids to Bay Beach Amusement Park (warning: it AIN'T Disney ) where my dad took me. We left Racine and drove up to Green Bay. Got a room at the Residence Inn for the night and stayed at Bay Beach from 5 to 9 letting the kids ride. That was our final day and we drove from Green Bay to St Louis (where we stayed this summer) so that was a loooong drive. We all really liked it though and we plan to return at some point. I'm not much into the Dells idea ... in the summer I want to vacation "on the water" somewhere. We can hit waterparks pretty much anywhere, anytime but a beach is very seasonal. Plus, the Dells seemed very expensive - we enjoyed picnicing at the beach and that sort of thing. More laid back and we could eat out or get take out and go back to the room depending on how much we wanted to spend and whether we felt like trying eating out with the kids. We may go further North when we go next time but I have it on "the list" and we have dropped the Orange Beach area we always used to go to from the list altogether. HTH

Now, this is exactly the sort of thing I needed to know. We've been to beaches all through Florida and the Caribbean. In fact, I had originally thought about going to the Gulf coast next summer.

Then I found out U2's rescheduled concert dates were in Chicago - a place I could get to - AND it was at a time we could take the kids (will be 14 and 11 next summer). Woohoo!!! (Aside: Bono is a ROCK GOD!!!! ) That's when I started looking at doing a week up north instead of a week along the coast. However, I knew we didn't want to spend a whole week in Chicago. It would be fun, but not relaxing.

Door County, or at least anywhere along the Lake Michagan area, looks to fill the ticket. We can participate in whatever commercialized/non-commercialized activities we want. However, I'll also look into that state park in Illinois.

Driving 3-4 hours from Chicago is no big deal. We regularly make 12-16 hour drives. 4 hours is EASY in comparison.

Thanks to everyone for their ideas!