There is no doubt that Wisconsin, as a state, often goes unnoticed as a prime tourist destination in the US. Cities like Wisconsin Dells, Madison, Milwaukee, and many others not only have quality tourist spots, but are often considered solid budget-friendly places to visit in the US.
And to cover this, in this post, I’ve shared with you the top 15 hidden gems in Wisconsin. Whether you like visiting indoor places like museums, outdoor spots like nature preserves, or looking for an off-the-beaten-path cafe, you will get it all in this guide.
Table of Contents
Indoor Hidden Gems in Wisconsin
1. Wisconsin Historical Museum, Madison
Location: 30 N Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703
The Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison is the first hidden gem on this list. This place is just a short walk away from the Wisconsin State Capitol and also provides some great views of the Capitol. If you are someone who is into history, you should definitely check this place out.
Every floor of this museum has a different theme, which is a good thing. You will mainly be seeing stories and documents related to Wisconsin’s history, about the native Americans who first came here, and the European invasion that followed. But there are also some interesting artifacts like clothes, jewelry, weapons, machines, a replica of homes natives used to live in, and some vintage cars, which add life to the museum.
There are also different gift shops and food outlets inside, which in my opinion is a solid addition. Overall, it would be a fairly good experience, and the best thing is that, it wont be very time-consuming.
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2. Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison
Location: 227 State St, Madison, WI 53703
For modern art enthusiasts, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Madison, Wisconsin, should be a must-visit spot. Not only inside, but the building of the museum itself is a beacon of artistry.
As you reach this place, the first thing that will catch your attention will be the sculptures, which are by far among the best you will see in Madison. These sculptures are both outside and inside the building and are of various animals, humans, and other artistic creatures. I personally liked the panda sculpture more than anything. The sculptures here are made of various materials like metals, wood, and stone, giving a lot of variety on offer.
Other than that, there are various paintings as well that are worth appreciating. Overall, it’s going to be a fun visit and won’t be boring, even for a second.
3. Neville Public Museum, Green Bay
Location: 210 Museum Pl, Green Bay, WI 54303
The Neville Public Museum in Green Bay often goes unnoticed by tourists despite being such a cool place to visit in Wisconsin and having so many quality exhibits, which are especially liked by kids.
As you reach this place, you will see a dinosaur skeleton and a woolly mammoth sculpture welcoming you. And the inside is even more fascinating, with artifacts featuring hunter-gatherers, different extinct and extant animal species models, and informational plaques in front telling a lot about history.
However, not only animals, but there are also exhibits featuring vintage armor metal suits, an oldsmobile car, clothes, a replica of a cave, and various other pictures on the walls.
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4. History Museum At The Castle, Appleton
Location: 330 E College Ave, Appleton, WI 54911
The History Museum At The Castle is an underrated hidden gem tourist spot in Appleton, Wisconsin, which history enthusiasts should definitely check out. The castle itself is a piece of architectural beauty, from where you’d get the idea that it’s going to be a fascinating experience.
One of the biggest highlights of this museum is the Harry Houdini exhibit, an Appleton-born magician. In this exhibit, you will specifically learn about the magician’s life and some of the famous tricks he used to perform. And you will also see different photographs related to the region’s history.
Along with that, the museum offers different permanent and rotating exhibits to make sure that visitors always see something new. Among some notable artifacts, you’ll see a vintage car, sculptures, a jail room, different machines, and various other instruments.
5. Civil War Museum, Kenosha
Location: 5400 1st Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140
The Civil War Museum in Kenosha, Wisconsin, can be a valuable addition to your indoor hidden gem itinerary on your Wisconsin tour. The artifacts you will see inside will be one of a kind, and it is genuinely an exciting place to visit for people of every age.
The main highlight of this place is the replica of the Civil War era. With various sculptures, weapons, huts, and homes, you’ll feel what it would be like to live during the Civil War. Not only that, but you will also see various photographs and documents related to the time, along with different sculptures, uniforms, weapons, and personal items from soldiers.
Outdoor Hidden Gems in Wisconsin
6. Scenic River Walk, Wisconsin Dells
Location: 105 Broadway #91, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
The first outdoor hidden gem on this list is the scenic river walk in Wisconsin Dells. It’s a type of place you’d love visiting every time of the day, whether in the evening after visiting different destinations or for a morning walk.
This unique walking path goes from a bridge on top of the Wisconsin River, and there is dense forest on the other side, which makes the views of the lake even better. This is also an ideal photography spot, especially at sunset.
What’s even more special is that close to that bridge is a marina, where you can get on a ferry and enjoy navigating the river.
7. Lynden Sculpture Garden, River Hills
Location: 2145 W Brown Deer Rd, River Hills, WI 53217
Those looking for a peaceful place to spend some time in River Hills, Wisconsin, should definitely visit the Lyndern Sculpture Garden. It’s a 40-acre outdoor space covered with lush green grass, plants, flowers, and trees with a small pond in the middle, making this place look even more beautiful.
The overall garden is fairly well-maintained, but the lack of a walking path is not something I really like. If you are comfortable walking on the grass pretty much all the time, it’s no problem here.
On top of that, there is a range of sculptures in the garden, which are genuinely great and worth appreciating. Overall, this is a type of place you can spend some quality 50-60 minutes on, be it for walking or reading a book.
8. Lakeshore State Park, Milwaukee
Location: 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Close to the Discovery World science museum, the Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee is an ideal place to spend some time peacefully in lush green grass with views of Milwaukee Bay.
The 22-acre land is like a mini island with fishing and the opportunity to navigate the sea via ferry. The walking path in the park is well-maintained, and it’s always pleasing to see the scenes out there in this park.
So whether you are looking for a place for early morning jogging or for walking by the lake, this hidden gem is not a place you want to miss out.
9. Allen Centennial Gardens, Madison
Location: 620 Babcock Dr, Madison, WI 53706
Allen Centennial Gardens at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is for those looking to spend some quality time in nature. In this 2.5-acre garden, you will see a variety of flowers and plants, with a pond in the middle, which takes the overall beauty of this place to new heights.
The walking trails here are also well-maintained, allowing you to walk around the garden without any hurdles. And in between the garden and pond, there is also a classic Queen-Anne style mansion, which was nice to see from the outside, and dwells well with the overall scenery of the place.
Lastly, after visiting this garden, don’t forget to visit Lake Mendota, which is just a few blocks away from the garden, and would be an ideal finish to the tour.
10. Bubolz Nature Preserve, Appleton
Location: 4815 N Lynndale Dr, Appleton, WI 54913
The last underrated outdoor spot to visit in Wisconsin is the Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton. This place is perfect for a family outing in nature, as it’s perfect for hiking and simple walking in nature as well.
For hiking, there are different types of trails, including paved, unpaved, dirt, and rocky, all of which are fairly maintained with the route among trees, offering a pleasant bird-watching experience as well. There are also different benches for the visitors to rest, while the ponds in the middle also add to the beauty of this place.
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Wisconsin
11. The Daily Dose Cafe, Kenosha
Location: 6010 40th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53142
The first underrated restaurant in Wisconsin on this list is the Daily Dose Cafe in Kenosha. The cafe is among the feel-good places to eat in the city.
It has both indoor and outdoor seating, but most customers like the outdoor setup, and eat light and cafe items under the umbrella.
The indoor seating area is also quite comfy with cafe-style chairs and various pictures and stickers on the wall.
On the menu, they offer a solid range of cafe items like egg panini, wraps, frittata, biscuit & gravy, toasts, sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, breakfast tacos, cinnamon rolls, and various coffee and beverage options, which were plenty in my opinion.
12. Lupi & Iris, Milwaukee
Location: 777 N Van Buren St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Lupi & Iris is among the best fine dining hidden gem restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that you should definitely check out whenever you are in the city. This restaurant has a very cozy and warm vibe, especially at night with the dim lights, which also makes it an ideal place for a romantic dinner in Milwaukee.
Inside the restaurant, the artificial trees, along with chandeliers, provide a special feel, which is accompanied by the warm welcome of waiters and the comfortable seating area. Not to forget, there are also different seating options, which was a massive plus in my opinion.
On the menu, you get a fine range of selected items, which includes beef tartare, grilled octopus, egg mollet, seafood broth, mutton chops, duck breast, swordfish, and a range of pasta, soups, salads, and dessert items.
13. Three Brothers Restaurant, Milwaukee
Location: 2414 S St Clair St, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Another restaurant that often goes unnoticed by the masses in Wisconsin is the Three Brothers Restaurant in Milwaukee. And because it’s a Serbian restaurant, you’d be going to try something different and unique there.
While the restaurant’s interior doesn’t have a one-of-a-kind decor, the red lighting in the evening and at night makes the experience of eating here quite cozy. So, it is recommended to go there at night or late in the evening to have the best experience in the restaurant.
On the menu, you are going to have a wide range of Serbian food options to choose from. Tilapia fillet, wiener schnitzel, burek, raznjici, sarma, stuffed zucchini, stuffed chicken livers, and Serbian burgers are all worth trying, along with roasted options in duck, lamb, and goose, which you cannot ignore either.
14. Rubbs SteakHouse, Wisconsin Dells
Location: 1950 River Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
If you are looking for a feel-good place to eat in Wisconsin Dells, simply head to the Rubbs Steakhouse. This restaurant not only offers a pleasant eating experience for families, but is also a perfect romantic destination to eat in the city.
The indoor experience is quite comfy and romantic with pendant lights on top of each table and red dim lights making the atmosphere even more pleasant. On the walls, there are various pictures and paintings, while for the seating, you are going to have both sofa and chair options, whichever you feel more comfortable sitting on.
Not only that, but they also offer outdoor seating, with the serene views of the nearby grass and trees, which was my favorite part of the restaurant.
The menu of the restaurant is also quite extensive, with options like butter shrimps, wings, pretzel bites, steaks like fillet, sirloin, ribeye, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, a range of seafood options like shrimps, salmon, haddock, and different dessert options like cheesecake and chocolate cake.
15. Butterbird, Madison
Location: 1134 Regent St, Madison, WI 53715
The last restaurant on this list is Butterbird, which is in Madison, Wisconsin. This restaurant has a very warm and energetic vibe, which you will feel upon entering the restaurant.
The overall decor is so comforting with paintings hanging on the wall along with various small-sized pictures, which adds a layer of charm to the interior. Not to forget, they also have an outdoor seating option if you like eating outdoors.
On the menu, the restaurant’s chicken tenders and rotisserie chicken sandwich are a must-try. On top of that, Caesar salad, buffalo bites, butterbird classic sandwich, triple smash burger, golden fried chicken, and desserts like banana pudding and chocolate chip cookies are something you don’t want to miss out on.
FAQ’s
What are the prettiest places in Wisconsin?
For me, Devil’s Lake State Park and Door County are ideally the prettiest places in Wisconsin.
Are there gemstones in Wisconsin?
Yes, there are gemstones in Wisconsin, and Lake Superior Agate is well-known for gem mining.
What is special in Wisconsin?
Ideally, Wisconsin is known for its cultural history, natural landscapes, and unique attractions.
What is the best time to visit Wisconsin?
May to October is considered the best time to visit Wisconsin.
Is Wisconsin expensive for tourists?
Ideally, it depends on your spending habits and time of the year, but if you plan accordingly, you will find Wisconsin more affordable than many other states.
