3 Wisconsin Microadventures for Weekend Wanderers

From sunken ships to glacial canyons and beyond, even the shortest getaways can be unforgettable. Here are three Wisconsin adventures fit for the weekend wanderer.

Explore the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore — Bayfield

On any given weekend, you’ll find people who have come from near and far to experience the Bayfield area. This popular jumping-off point to explore the Apostle Islands is a major checkpoint for travel adventures and one of the most unique landscapes in the Midwest.

Get out on Lake Superior by kayak or tour boat to explore the 22 islands and magnificent sea caves. Thousands of years of Lake Superior tides have carved a stunning series of arches, chambers and passages. Guides and rentals are plentiful and — for a true Wisconsin bucket list moment — consider scuba diving lessons to explore shipwrecks along the shoreline.

Hike Through Parfrey's Glen — Baraboo 

About an hour northwest of Madison is Baraboo, the land of breathtaking bluffs and a charming town home to the Ringling Brothers Circus. The surrounding Baraboo Hills are made out of quartzite, a rock so hard it stopped the glaciers that flattened the rest of the state.

For travelers who love Devil’s Lake State Park and are searching for a new adventure, seek out Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area; it's a beautiful gorge dating back to when Wisconsin was covered by a shallow inland sea.

The trail loop is less than two miles between canyon walls more than a hundred feet high, and the natural tree canopy keeps the temperatures cool. This unique trail is mildly challenging, as you’ll have to maneuver across rocks in a shallow stream. But the awe-inspiring scenery is worth the effort, and you and your group will remember this trek for years to come.

Cast a Line on a Fishing Charter — Lake Michigan

With almost 500 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan, Wisconsin is an angler’s dream. And all along this freshwater coast, you and your crew can find fishing charters with expert guides ready to help you reel in the big one.

From Kenosha in the southeast corner of the state all the way up into Door County, just about every city along the coast is sure to offer chartered adventures. Get out on the water and you’re likely to bring home Coho and Chinook salmon, brown and rainbow trout and more.

Whether you depart from Sheboygan, Port Washington, Two Rivers or beyond, this is one fresh air excursion you’ll never forget.

Discover even more stunning Wonders of Wisconsin perfect for weekend adventures.