The Ultimate Wisconsin Travel Guide: All Must-See Attractions & The Rise of the New ‘City of Lakes’ in US

Wisconsin’s reputation as a captivating four-season destination is being significantly amplified by a wave of recent investment and development, positioning the state for record visitor engagement in 2025. While established hubs like Milwaukee and Wisconsin Dells continue to innovate, quieter gems, such as the emerging City of Lakes, Amery, are commanding attention. This comprehensive guide curates the state’s diverse appeal, blending well-loved traditions with the newest attractions, ensuring that every type of traveler finds a memorable escape. The state’s tourism landscape is being continually refreshed, promising a dynamic travel experience that spans urban cultural immersion, thrilling adventures, and serene natural escapes.

The Rise of Amery: Wisconsin’s Newest ‘City of Lakes’

Though the City of Lakes designation is historically linked to Minneapolis, a charming contender is successfully establishing itself just across the St. Croix River in Wisconsin. This small, increasingly popular town, Amery, has been noted for its welcoming atmosphere and rich offerings, a sentiment recently voiced by Mayor Rick Van Blaricom to CBS News. The town’s compelling blend of natural beauty, a growing cultural scene, and increasing amenities is attracting travelers seeking an authentic, nature-focused escape.

Accessibility and Growing Infrastructure

Amery’s location is highly convenient, situated northeast of the Twin Cities and only over a one-hour drive from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, which is widely recognized as one of the best in the country. This short transit time makes Amery ideal for easy weekend trips or extended stays. However, visitors are advised that reliance on a personal vehicle will be required, as public transportation is extremely limited. To accommodate rising popularity, the local infrastructure is undergoing a welcome expansion; while two motels are currently in operation, the forthcoming addition of a 60-unit Best Western Motel signifies a strong commitment to meeting the needs of increasing guest traffic, firmly establishing Amery as an up-and-coming Wisconsin getaway.

Arts, Retail, and Culinary Cornerstones

The downtown area of Amery is quickly becoming a magnet for those seeking a fix of arts and culture. The ArtZ Gallery, established in 2010, functions as a key component of the town’s cultural footprint, showcasing work by regional member artists and guest artists. The gallery, which is generally open daily, aside from Mondays, is driven by a mission to educate, advocate, and inspire. Retail experiences are enhanced by spots like Bittersweet Homestead, a locally owned boutique offering a diverse shopping experience that includes vintage items, handmade crafts, and new pieces.

Gastronomy is also a highlight, with over 20 eateries available in and around the town. The Amery Family Restaurant is highly regarded, holding the #1 restaurant ranking in Amery on Tripadvisor for its specialization in home-style classics and popular all-day breakfast. Sweet treats are found at Ellie’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop. For a truly authentic Wisconsin dining experience, guests are directed to Wolter’s Shoreview Supper Club, located just outside of downtown on Pike Lake, offering a picturesque setting typical of the state’s famous supper club tradition.

Year-Round Outdoor Engagement

The natural environment surrounding Amery facilitates fantastic outdoor activities across all four seasons. The landscape is defined by its water features, including three lakes—South Twin, North Twin, and Pike Lake—and the Apple River, a tributary of the St. Croix River. South Twin Lake features a swimming beach, while North Twin Lake is known for fishing (including ice fishing in winter) and kayaking. Anglers are also drawn to Michael Park for its fishing piers on the Apple River, offering chances to catch bass, northern pike, or muskie.

Exploration of the surrounding lakes, forests, and wetlands is achieved via the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail, a 14-mile trail dedicated to non-motorized users for hiking and biking. The trail is groomed for cross-country skiing during winter, and AllTrails users frequently report sightings of wildlife like deer, turtles, and cranes. Motorized recreation is accommodated by the Cattail Trail, which offers scenic views through its namesake cattail marshes.

Wisconsin Statewide: Major 2025 Tourism Developments

The larger Wisconsin tourism ecosystem is seeing substantial growth and new infrastructure, largely concentrated in the state’s biggest destinations.

New Thrills and Entertainment

Wisconsin Dells is significantly expanding its status as the Waterpark Capital with several major attractions planned for 2025:

• Aquavia Lumina: An innovative, mile-long multimedia night walk through Wilderness Canyon utilizing thousands of lights, lasers, and projections (Summer 2025).
• Wisconsin Dells Mountain Coaster: A new gravity-driven alpine coaster offering a mile of track and driver-controlled speed (Summer 2025).
• Bigfoot Tubing: A snowless tubing attraction allowing for year-round fun.
• Cheese Ball Croquet: A unique, colorful, mini-golf-style croquet game opening downtown (Spring 2025).

Milwaukee is set to debut key cultural venues:

• Associated Bank Theater Center: The new artistic home for Milwaukee Rep featuring three unique performance spaces (Fall 2025).
• New FPC Live Music Venue: A major 4,500-person music venue in Milwaukee’s Deer District (Early Fall 2025).
• Force Fields Festival: A new, alien-themed EDM festival anticipated in Cadott (June 6-7, 2025).

Advanced Lodging and Accommodation

Unique and renovated lodging options are enhancing guest choice across the state:

• Kalahari Treehouse Collection (Wisconsin Dells): A new luxury lodging concept featuring 21 partially supported treehouses and 31 ground-supported houses, designed in partnership with Pete Nelson (2025).
• The Pfister Hotel (Milwaukee): Phase three of the extensive, state-of-the-art renovation is expected to be completed by early 2025, enhancing the iconic lobby and main public spaces.
• The New Glarus Hotel (New Glarus): This historic, chalet-style hotel is planned for a Summer/Fall 2025 reopening, featuring eight upscale rooms and the traditional The Yodel Room supper club.
• The Wisconsin Hotel & Conference Center (Wisconsin Dells): A reengineered hotel featuring a four-story silo bar overlooking Mirror Lake.

Traveler’s Handbook: Culinary, Culture, and Connectivity

To ensure a seamless visit, travelers are encouraged to utilize official resources and embrace Wisconsin’s distinctive cultural elements.

Culinary and Cultural Immersion

• Supper Clubs: These are a quintessential Wisconsin experience, offering traditional American fare, classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, and a comfortable, often historic, dining atmosphere.
• America’s Dairyland: Tours and tastings at Cheese Factories are strongly recommended to sample the state’s famous products.
• Arts and Wellness: Cultural immersion extends from the thriving arts scene in Milwaukee and Madison to unique wellness spaces, such as the new bathhouse, Saunaday, in Madison.

Planning and Essential Resources

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism provides comprehensive planning tools. The Official Wisconsin Travel Guide and specialized directories (including the 2025 Wisconsin Lodging Directory and Rustic Roads Guide) can be ordered in print or downloaded digitally from the Travel Wisconsin website.

Transportation and Accessibility

While Milwaukee and Madison offer some public transit options, a personal vehicle is highly recommended for full exploration, particularly for accessing state parks, trails, and smaller towns like Amery. Real-time traffic information is accessible via 511 Wisconsin.

Year-Round Outdoor Adventure

Wisconsin is renowned for its four-season recreation, with access available via various state parks and trail systems:

• Water Activities: Boating, fishing, and kayaking are prevalent across the state’s numerous lakes and rivers.
• Hiking and Biking: Diverse trails exist for all skill levels, from the scenic Rustic Roads to the challenging bluff trails.
• Motorized Trails: Dedicated paths like the Cattail Trail accommodate ATV/UTV enthusiasts.
• Winter Sports: The state is well-equipped for cross-country skiing (as seen on the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail), snowtubing, and ski resorts, ensuring the natural beauty is accessible year-round.

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