7 Wisconsin Turkey Trots to Travel to on Thanksgiving Day

Get your friends and family together and lace up your running shoes! Turkey trots are an annual memory-making tradition either held on or before Thanksgiving Day. Thousands of families and friends bundle up (and dress up!) to run or walk before their holiday celebrations.

Wisconsin Turkey Trots typically include a 10k, 5k, or 2-mile walk or run, and some even include a dog run so that your furry friend can join in the fun. Turkey trots often raise money for local charities including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club and local food pantries, making them a fun way to support the community.

Run, walk and trot in the races together – and make it an annual tradition to share with your favorite people. Sign up ahead of time to ensure your spot, get early registration prices, and receive all bonus goodies including a slice of pumpkin pie, event shirt and bandana for your furry friend, depending on the event.

Manitowoc Turkey Trot - Eastern Wisconsin

Manitowoc, known as Wisconsin’s “Maritime Capital,” sits on the Eastern edge of Wisconsin and makes for a great holiday destination. Start your Thanksgiving visit at the Annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade where kids can get in the holiday spirit by meeting Santa, and you can end your weekend visit by getting holiday photos with Alpacas. (Yes, Alpacas!)

For a one-of-a-kind stay in a historic home, check into the Toll House Bed & Breakfast built by Polish immigrants in 1900. If you bring your furry friend to trot with you, the Econo Lodge is also downtown and allows pets!

Kenosha Turkey Trot - Southeast Wisconsin

Also located on Lake Michigan, Kenosha is just north of the Illinois border. Spend your Thanksgiving turkey-trotting and then spend Black Friday in one of Kenosha’s many museums — including the Dinosaur Discovery Museum. After seeing some real-life dinosaur fossils, debrief next door at Kaiser's Pizza & Pub and share your favorite part of the museum.

While in town, join the community in celebrating the holiday season by surrounding a big Christmas tree illuminated by twelve hundred colored bulbs at the City of Kenosha Christmas Tree Lighting.

If you’re a coffee drinker, then this is the perfect place for you. Stay in the quirky 3-bedroom suite t above a cafe at the Coffee Pot Inn. There’s also an onsite cafe at the nearby Stella Hotel & Ballroom, a historic brick building with 80 guest rooms that boasts a full supper club-themed restaurant. And for a Lake Michigan view, the Wyndham Garden has you covered.

Appleton Turkey Trot - East-Central Wisconsin

Appleton is full of fun activities for friends and families of all ages who spend Thanksgiving in the area.

Explore The History Museum at the Castle on Black Friday for a magical look at the life of Appleton’s own Harry Houdini. Then after learning about the local history, visit the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve for some more fresh air and scenic Wisconsin beauty.

Relax after the race at the CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa with a massage treatment to feel refreshed before returning home. Or, find a home-away-from-home at the Roost Bed & Breakfast with whirlpools in each suite.

Oshkosh Turkey Trot - East-Central Wisconsin

Oshkosh, located in East-Central Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Winnebago, offers world-class museums and great dining options for a traditional Thanksgiving meal at Fin ‘N Feather Showboats. Be sure to stop by Carmel Crisp Corner and try some of the best pumpkin pie in Oshkosh for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Stick around all weekend to cheer on the local NBA-affiliated basketball team: The Wisconsin Herd. They play more than two dozen home games from November to March at the Menominee Nation Arena.

Finish the day relaxing at the Oshkosh Waterfront Hotel, where you can enjoy overlooking the Fox River with your loved ones.

Stevens Point Turkey Trot - Central Wisconsin

Stevens Point is a riverside city in Central Wisconsin that blends industry, academia, historical sites and natural beauty. If you’re looking to spend time outside on Black Friday, be sure to visit Stevens Point Sculpture Park to spot one-of-a-kind pieces made by local artists. Grab some waffles to-go from The Wooden Chair and enjoy a leisurely picnic with your loved ones among the towering pines and unique art installations. The park is open from sunrise to sunset year-round, so you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the holiday with friends and family.

For a cozy stay, book a room at The Inn at SentryWorld where you can stroll along part of a 27-mile recreational trail before warming up together by the outdoor stone fire pits. Larger groups can bring the entire family to the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites for a comfy stay with an indoor pool and where pets can come along for an extra fee.

Eau Claire Turkey Trot - Northwest Wisconsin

Eau Claire, located in Western Wisconsin, is the perfect place to gather your loved ones to spend Thanksgiving. Explore the breathtaking landscapes from Mount Simon Park, which stands as one of Eau Claire's highest points, offering stunning views of the picturesque Wisconsin scenery. Following your adventure, indulge in a cozy cup of coffee or hot chocolate from Eau Claire Downtown Coffee. Then, take a leisurely stroll through downtown, immersing yourself in the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour. As one of the nation's largest sculpture tours, it features an impressive collection of over 150 sculptures, providing a taste of the local art scene.

For a stylish stay, check into the popular Oxbow Hotel which boasts unique furniture made from local trees and a record player in every room. Or, get away from the city and make it a family nature retreat at the Hideaway Resort on Lake Wissota where you can spend the holiday weekend resting after the trot with a campfire under the stars.

Minocqua Turkey Trot - Northern Wisconsin

Minocqua, located in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, is the perfect city if you and your crew are looking to discover fantastic scenery on a road trip across the state. With over 3,200 bodies of water, this area of the state is unlike anywhere else. When you are done with your Thanksgiving celebrations and are looking to spend time outside on Black Friday, the Hiawatha - Bearskin Trails offer gorgeous views and are low-difficulty trails with long, flat stretches, accessible for groups with limited mobility members.

Keep the fun going at The Waters of Minocqua, a hotel that features the largest waterpark in the Northwoods and is pet-friendly.

Discover more holiday family traditions to make in Wisconsin!

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