As a desert-dweller from Arizona, where fall foliage is non-existent, I could easily argue that making the trek up to the Northwoods of Wisconsin is worth its weight in gold. Gold leaves, that is, that stretch across the canopies of the thousands of acres of aspen, oak and alder trees in the land. But what is more exciting is all of the incredible activities you can enjoy as part of their quiet shoulder-season of fall. Here are some exciting reasons for planning your next Fall Break in Wisconsin.
1. Crisp. Cool. Quiet. I mean, what mom doesn’t like to use all three of those words in the same sentence? But it’s true. The Northwoods of Wisconsin is known as the summer playground for many tourists from some of the largest cities in the U.S. including Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Madison. And when those warm days end, out come the snowmobiles, snow skis and snowboards for events including the World Championship Snowmobile Derby and the American Birkebeiner cross country ski competition.
But I am going to let you in on a little secret. During the fall, the Northwoods of Wisconsin traffic slows down, the fall leaves start to change and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors!
2. Cranberry Harvest. It’s only in the fall that you can witness local cranberry farmers flooding their bogs, take a tour of the farm and shop for anything and everything cranberry at the local markets! Plus this type of tour is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your kids. Trust me, it’s exactly like the commercials on TV, except you get to be right there! The state of Wisconsin is the largest distributor of cranberries in the world. Vilas Co. Cranberry Farm in Manitowish Waters began in 1946 and has been carried on from generation to generation. It’s an incredible learning opportunity for families to see how others make a living and learn how food from the farm makes it to the dinner table. Vilas Co. Cranberry Company tours are offered from July through September, so be sure to call and schedule your tour in advance.
3. 1,300 Lakes of Fishing. They certainly don’t call the Northwoods of Wisconsin the "Land O’Lakes" for nothing. Whether you are a hard-core musky angler or an aspiring bass-master, a fly-fishing trout enthusiast or a parent taking the kids out for their first fishing adventure, this area is a premier fishing destination. I had the pleasure of partaking in a 4-hour charter off of Eagle River, where we tried our luck at hooking a tasty walleye. I managed to snag a few beautiful sun fish, but my walleye fishing skills still need a little work. I highly recommend that you schedule your fishing charter well in advance. And, consider using a local guide. It was so much easier for our family to have the guide touch the yucky bait that included worms and even a leech. He also knew exactly what part of the lake to go to, he supplied all the equipment and even offered to gut and clean my fish if I caught any keepers. Plus, hiring a guide means you are supporting local! Win-win.
4. Outdoor Activities. If you love to zipline, kayak or paddleboard, once again, Wisconsin has you covered.
The Northwoods Zip Line Canopy Tour is out of this world, considered by some to be the biggest and best tour in all of Wisconsin. It’s so much more than just one line through the trees. You'll hike up a series of trails and weave your way through multiple zip lines in between tree lines and over creeks, finishing with a grand finale over a beautiful lake. There really is nothing more exhilarating than zipping through the canopy with the world's most beautiful autumn leaves painted across the skyline.
Kayaking and paddleboarding are perfect family activities. Rohr’s Wilderness Tours runs south from the Lac Vieux Desert and takes approximately 40 miles to connect with the Eagle River Chain of Lakes. I really enjoyed being guided on a shallow, serene stream through the backwoods. The highlight of the day was having a blue heron swoop right over me in an attempt to catch his breakfast!
5. Children’s Museum. If you are looking for an indoor activity, the Northwoods Children’s Museum in Eagle River will keep the family occupied all day long. When I visited, I wasn’t sure who was having more fun, me or the kids! With 24 interactive exhibits, there was truly something for everyone. I personally enjoyed the time and energy that went into each exhibit and stayed true to the daily life and culture of the people who live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Our family learned about the weather with the wind tunnel exhibit, how to camp in an outdoors exhibit and even about cranberry farming.
Travel is one gift that you can give the entire family that will create memories to last a lifetime. And if you do it right, or at the right time of year, you might even get to enjoy some of the additional perks such as lower rates for lodging and entertainment, smaller crowds and beautiful autumn scenery!
For more information or to help plan your trip to Wisconsin, visit www.travelwisconsin.com.
I received complimentary travel accommodations in order to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
