Girlfriend Getaway: Rustic Roads and Wisconsin Flavors

Started more than 40 years ago, the Department of Transportation’s Rustic Road Program features 124 of the state’s prettiest stretches, most of which veer off the beaten path. Take a peek at these five getaway ideas that feature memorable experiences along gorgeous drives.

Northeast Wisconsin

Door County

See: Just outside Baileys Harbor, Rustic Roads 38 & 39 offer a drive through a fragrant boreal forest and a view of the Cana Island Lighthouse from the Lake Michigan shoreline. Stop at the Toft Point State Natural Area, a national natural landmark with amazing mosses, flora and plants, and the adjacent Ridges Sanctuary with its five miles of scenic hiking trails to stretch your legs. 

Sip: The award-winning Stone’s Throw Winery in Egg Harbor remains true to the craft of artisan wine-making. Choose from several wine tasting tours, and be sure to try their oak barrel-fired pizza or Italian tapas. Play bocce ball together, too!   

Stay: Luxury is yours at the Blacksmith Inn on the Shore.  Each of the 15 guest rooms offers a fireplace, in-room whirlpool, lake view and private balcony. The best part is that you’ll be rested for a day of girlfriend fun in Door County, like zip-lining at Lakeshore Adventures!

Southeast Wisconsin

Lake Geneva

See: Just minutes outside downtown Lake Geneva, the tree-lined Rustic Road 29 offers 2.7 miles of beautiful countryside with grand estates and rolling hills. After enjoying the views, head back to town to enjoy the city’s fabulous shopping and boutique district. 

Sip: Gather at Geneva Lake Distilling + Winery–the city’s first and only winery and distillery! The artsy vibes include delicious wines with names like Hendrix, Joplin and Amadeus, all made onsite. Plan your visit for the third Sunday of the month to take an art class together and bring home a truly handmade souvenir.  

Stay: The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is the perfect place for you and your girlfriends to unwind and rejuvenate. Aside from luxurious rooms and suites, there’s a spa for pampering and several on-site restaurants to choose from.

South Central Wisconsin

Lodi

See: Wildlife abounds on the nearly 6-mile Rustic Road 110, which meanders through farmland, small lakes, marshland and rolling hills. It’s also close to Scenic Highway 60 - Lower Wisconsin Riverway and the Lodi Marsh State Natural Area, both of which offer four seasons of picturesque outdoor fun.

Sip: Established before the Civil War, Wollersheim Winery & Distillery is a National Historic Site with a striking limestone building. Look in the underground aging cave and tour “Bob’s Garden,” which includes plants with aromas and flavors found in wine varietals.

Stay: The Inn at Wawanissee Point sits atop the Baraboo Bluffs and offers a mesmerizing, 36-mile panorama of the Lake Wisconsin valley and beyond. Stay at this peaceful adults-only retreat to spend quality time with your favorite people.

Southwest Wisconsin

Potosi

See: The only rustic road that follows the Mississippi River, Rustic Road 99 is close to Wisconsin’s Great River Road and the charming town of Potosi, with its popular Potosi Brewery and National Brewery Museum.

Sip: As a unique bonus, Whispering Bluffs Winery offers handmade chocolates to pair with your wine. Wine names pay tribute to birds, like Rose-Breasted Grosbeak (Pinot Noir), Kingfisher (Merlot/Malbec) and Indigo Bunting (Blueberry).

Stay: For a rustic yet cozy stay, check out the Pine Point Lodge, nestled in the Mississippi River bluffs. Three cabins sleep six people and one fits 12 for a larger group getaway. With fully equipped kitchens, central heat and outdoor fire pits, you can stargaze together year-round.

Northwest Wisconsin

Maiden Rock

See: Just over four miles long, the gravel Rustic Road 51 criss-crosses a scenic trout stream and leads you through dense woodlands. Just a few miles away, stop to visit a replica of the cabin that inspired author Laura Ingalls Wilder to write "Little House in the Big Woods."  

Sip: All things are apple at Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery! Enjoy snappy and distinctive hard cider flavors, crafted in the farmhouse tradition of southwestern England. Tours are customized to the group and may include a short orchard walk. 

Stay: A former schoolhouse that was built in 1906, the rooms at Maiden Rock Inn each offer personalities of their own, ranging from a hand-painted claw-foot tub to Jacuzzis. Begin your day with a delicious, sustainable breakfast made from scratch.  

Check out even more scenic drives along rustic roads!