Wisconsin Bucket List

In the six years we were in Arkansas, I learned that to fully embrace and love the place that you live, you need to make deliberate plans and actively seek out that which makes a place unique. Add in my mantra of "write it down!" and it's pretty clear that a bucket list for your locale is a great way to experience the things that make your little slice of America unique.

With my career, we never know how long we'll be in any one place. When we moved to Arkansas, we assumed it would be for 2-3 years, then on to the next job. Six and a half years later, it was hard to say goodbye and we all still miss our friends and the comfort that comes with truly knowing your hometown. Now that we're in Wisconsin, I don't want to make any assumptions on our tenure here - instead, we're starting early with finding the things that make the Badger State unique, writing them down, and making plans to get to know our new home!
  • See the Seven Natural Wonders of Wisconsin
    • Kayak at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
    • Hike Big Manitou Falls in Pattison State Park
    • Explore Cave of the Mounds
    • Camp & Hike at Devil’s Lake State Park
    • Kayak or Canoe Chain o’ Lakes
    • Camp, Hike, Swim and Kayak High Cliff State Park
    • Bird watch at Horicon Marsh
  • Vacation at the Wisconsin Dells
  • Do the Door County Century Ride
  • See a game at Lambeau Field
  • Go to Summerfest in Milwaukee
  • Go to a Milwaukee Brewers game
  • Attend the Mile of Music in Appleton
  • Visit the UW Madison campus
  • Go snowshoeing
  • Go cross country skiing
  • Hike some of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
  • Camp and float on the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
  • Hike the North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Go to the Wisconsin State Fair
  • Attend the EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh
  • Visit the Bergstrom Mahler Museum of Glass
  • Tour a cranberry marsh
  • Tour the Canopy Walk in Lake Geneva
  • Attend a Native American pow-wow
  • Run the High Cliff State Park 70.3 triathlon
  • Visit the North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee
  • Tour a cheese factory
  • Swim/hike/camp at Devil's Lake State Park
  • Eat a burger in Seymour, WI
  • Eat dinner at a Supper Club. Some recommendations from friends: Lake Park Pub (Menasha), Jim & Linda's, Geno's (Seymour)
Wisconsin! So different and unique compared to other places we've lived. We can't wait to get started!

***************
6/2/17 - updated with new ideas! Did you know that the hamburger was "invented" in Wisconsin, and every year, there's a Burgerfest celebrating that fact? I also missed including Supper Clubs in the original effort to make the list, but it's a really unique part of Wisconsin culture! Seven months into our Wisconsin life, and we're trying new things and discovering others to look forward to. I'm sure there will be more updates to come!

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