USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” MINNESOTA

MINNESOTA: THE NORTH STAR STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Travel is so much more that simply hopping on a flight to a new destination. If you plan it correctly, it could be a thrilling time you'll never forget. Planning a trip is fun as there are tons of things to do and see. Do you know how to plan a trip effectively? Packing light is key to making your travels as easy and free of stress as possible. Bring one carryon bag that includes everything you need, not necessarily everything you want. Your smart packing will pay off when you are happily carrying one bag around on vacation instead of lugging around multiple bags. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Minnesota Travel Guide

It's all about the water in Minnesota. If you visited a different lake every day here it would take more than three decades to see them all – yup, there are 11,842 lakes to choose from, meaning virtually limitless opportunities for aquatic adventures: from waterskiing (invented in this very state) to paddlewheel boat trips, there's a watersport for everyone.

Grab a kayak, cram it with camping gear, and explore 2,400km (1,500 miles) of routes in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Or venture into Voyageurs National Park for a Swallows and Amazons-style experience, exploring hidden islands and trails, and sleeping on a houseboat or lakeside cabin.

Landlubbers can stick to pedaling disused railways and lakeside paths or hurtling down the phenomenal mountain bike trails at Cuyana's old iron ore mine. Golfers have the pick of hundreds of scenic courses, including the 2016 Ryder Cup host, Hazeltine National Golf Club.

In the depths of winter, Minnesota completely freezes over, and the lakes and land are transformed into sparkling playgrounds crisscrossed with snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and dog-sledding trails, while hardy anglers bundle up for a spot of ice fishing.

And if all that open space has you hankering after some urban action, the cosmopolitan twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul are home to the humongous Mall of America, the architectural masterpiece that is the Minnesota State Capitol, and an unstoppable craft brewery boom. Alternatively, Duluth is a busy, big-city port on the shore of Lake Superior, and a gateway to your next outdoor adventure.

Things to see and do in Minnesota

Explore the Superior Natural forest

Canoe in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (www.bwca.cc) in the Superior Natural Forest.

Landmark Center

View the Landmark Center (www.landmarkcenter.org), which houses the Minnesota Museum of American Art (www.mmaa.org), once the Federal Court House. Its distinguished history includes the trials of several famous 1930s gangsters such as John Dillinger and 'Machine Gun' Kelly. Take the Gangster Tour to visit well known haunts.

Minnehaha Falls

Visit Minnehaha Falls, made famous in Longfellow's poem, The Song of Hiawatha.

Mississippi River Visitor Center

Stop by the Mississippi River Visitor Center a collaboration between the National Park Service and the Science Museum. The Great River Road that runs south from the Twin Cities to the Iowa border offers magnificent views of the river and the many bird species, including the American Bald Eagle that migrate along this route.

Play at Spirit Mountain

Play at Spirit Mountain (www.spiritmt.com), a year-round holiday and outdoor recreation centre close to Duluth.

Shop at the Mall of America

The Mall of America (www.mallofamerica.com) is the largest entertainment and retail complex in the USA. Attractions at the Mall include Camp Snoopy (the largest indoor theme park in the USA), the LEGO Imagination Center and Underwater Adventures, a 5.4-million-litre (1.2-million-gallon) walk-through aquarium.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Visit the Split Rock Lighthouse State Park (www.mnhs.org/places/sites/srl). It preserves one of the most scenic lighthouses in the USA, built after 29 ships carrying iron ore on Lake Superior were shipwrecked in a single storm in 1905.

St Louis County Heritage & Arts Center

Tour the St Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, known locally as The Depot (www.duluthdepot.org). This former Union Railroad Depot houses exhibits by four different museums, and is home to five performing arts organisations.

Stay in one of Mississippi's resorts

Stay at one of the major resort areas such as the towns of Bemidji, Brainerd, Detroit Lakes, Grand Rapids and the Lake Mille Lacs area.

Take a road trip down North Shore Drive

Travel the spectacular North Shore Drive (www.lakesuperiordrive.com) (US Highway 61) following the north shore of Lake Superior for 240km (150 miles) from Duluth to the Canadian border. It was designated an 'All American Road' for its unique, scenic beauty.

Take in a Broadway show

The Twin Cities offer more theatres than any other US metropolitan area outside New York City, with more than 100 theatre companies. Broadway shows and theatrical events are performed at the restored Historic Orpheum Theatre, Historic State Theatre and the Historic Pantages Theatre in the Hennepin Theater District (www.hennepintheaterdistrict.org) in downtown Minneapolis.

Walker Art Center

Tour the Walker Art Center (www.walkerart.org) and enjoy contemporary art exhibitions, concerts and lectures. The centre also features an impressive Outdoor Sculpture Garden, the largest of its kind in the USA. It is open year round.

Winter sports

Enjoy winter sports offered in abundance due to the state's strategic northern location. Skiing, ice-skating, sledding, ice fishing, dog sledding and snowmobiling are all available.

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I live in Minnesota. Lots of people assume that if you want to be an actor, you have to live in Hollywood, but not me.

Chris Massoglia
   

Live Life and Travel to create marvelous memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” WISCONSIN

WISCONSIN: THE BADGER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

If you're looking to get away from it all with a trip away from home, don't forget to travel smart. Regardless of whether you are traveling to a nearby location for the weekend or taking a week-long destination vacation, you are always going to benefit from some tips and ideas on how to make the whole process, more fun and less stressful. Take time each day to alleviate stress while traveling or vacationing and you will thank yourself for it when you get back home. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Look at the article below for a mesmerizing viewpoint on Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Dells Is A Fun Family Vacation Destination

By Dorrie Ruplinger  

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin is a fun destination for a family vacation, and with a little research and advance planning the trip doesn't have to make your wallet cry out in pain.

Wisconsin Dells (and the area is really two towns: Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton) has been a popular summer vacation destination for people who live in the Midwest since the late 1800's. In recent years, several indoor water parks have been built making Wisconsin Dells a popular year around vacation destination, not only for people who live in the Midwest but for people from around the world.

What first drew tourists to the Wisconsin Dells area? It was the scenery. The Wisconsin River meanders through the Wisconsin Dells area and has beautiful sandstone rock formations. A trip to Wisconsin Dells wouldn't be complete without a boat tour of those rock formations.

There are two basic choices of tours; either boat tour or a "duck" tour which also includes some sightseeing on the land. If you have small children, they'll enjoy the "duck" tour the most.

If you take a boat tour, you'll have a couple of options. You'll be able to take an "upper Dells" tour, a "lower Dells" tour, or both. The upper Dells boat tour lasts about 2 hours and the lower Dells boat tour lasts about 1 hour. The upper Dells tour includes a few shore stops to look at some outstanding landmarks.

The "duck" tour is a combination land and water tour. It's a really fun way to see some of the beautiful scenery on the land and water. And the tour is a big hit with kids of all ages! My family takes a trip to Wisconsin Dells nearly every year and we go on the Duck tour almost every trip because we find it so much fun. The "duck" vehicles used for the tours are amphibious vehicles used in WWII that have been revamped. The tour starts out on dry land. During the tour you'll be taken down streets of Wisconsin Dells; through lovely wooded areas where wildlife is often seen (we usually see white-tail deer) and then it's on to the really fun part of the trip.

The duck driver drives into the water with a big splash - well; usually with a big splash. The driver will ask the customers if they want to go into the water slow or fast because fast gets some of the people wet. On every tour I've been on the fast trip into the water has won the vote and it is fun! After the twists and turns of the wooded trails (some of them steep and narrow, but always safe) the water part of the trip is a nice change of pace. After being in the water for a while and seeing some of the breathtaking sandstone rock formations, your driver takes you back onto dry land and your fun tour is complete. During the entire tour your driver entertains you with a funny and informative narrative.

Even though our family loves going on the Duck tour when we go to Wisconsin Dells, if they have a choice of only one activity to do, going to a water park wins hands down. There are over 20 water parks in Wisconsin Dells. There are outdoor water parks; indoor water parks; and combination indoor/outdoor water parks. So no matter what time of the year you want to splash in the water and have fun you can do it in Wisconsin Dells.

Our family usually takes a summer trip to Wisconsin Dells. And with mid-summer temperatures in the 90's, and even occasionally in the 100's, splashing in the water is very refreshing. Our family's favorite outdoor water park is Noah's Ark. It's currently the largest outdoor water park in Wisconsin Dells. You can easily spend an entire day there and not get bored. I have a few tips for you though if you do go to Noah's Ark (or any of the water parks in Wisconsin Dells) to help keep your costs down and to make the trip as enjoyable as possible.

1) If at all possible, don't buy your admission tickets at the front gate the day you want to go to the park. You'll pay full price and there are lots of ways to find discounted tickets. If you live in the Midwest check with your local Parks and Recreation Department to see if they have discounted tickets available. Also check with your place of employment to see if they offer discounted tickets. An Internet search may also give you sources for discounted tickets. Another option is to go into downtown Wisconsin Dells or Lake Delton before you go to Noah's Ark and stop at one of the ticket booths there. You can almost always purchase discounted tickets there, especially if you are planning to do more than one activity while you are in Wisconsin Dells. For example if you are planning to go to a water park, take a duck tour, go to a water show, and go to one of the amusement parks to ride on the roller coasters and go-karts you can get some pretty good discounts by buying all your tickets at the same time.

2) Take waterproof sunscreen. You're going to be in and out of the water all day so make sure you have waterproof sunscreen in order to avoid having to constantly reapply your sunscreen throughout the day.

3) Take towels. It may seem like a silly item to list but it's surprising how many people forget to take a towel. You can purchase beach towels inside the water parks but they are expensive.

3) Consider renting a locker in the park. There are locker rentals available in the park for a nominal fee. I always rent a locker and put dry clothes for my family in the locker along with the things I don't want to carry around all day, such as my sunscreen. At the end of the day we retrieve those dry clothes and change into

4) Take plastic bags for your wet swimsuits and towels.

5) Take a small waterproof container for extra money. Get one that attaches to your wrist or hangs around your neck. If you don't have one or don't know where to buy one, you can purchase one inexpensively at one of the stores inside the water park.

6) Bring your own lunch. There are several covered picnic areas inside the water park available free of charge for your use although it's likely some of them will be unavailable on any given day because they will be reserved for groups who are at the park. Even if you don't want to pack a cooler at home, bring along the empty cooler and pick up your lunch items from a store the day before. Although there is good food available inside the water park, it is expensive and will quickly put a big dent in your pocketbook.

7) Bring water shoes. Sandals are okay too but you want ones that are water friendly which typically means flip-flops and those can easily fall off your feet when you're on some of the rides. I don't advise going barefoot. The park is paved and if it's a sunny day the pavement gets very hot.

8) Go on rides early in the day and late in the day. That's when the lines are the shortest. The lines are really long in the middle of the day. Have your picnic lunch at that time, do a little browsing in the water park stores, and take a short rest before heading back on the rides.

Going on the ducks or a boat tour and going to a water park aren't the only activities to do in the Wisconsin Dells area. You could stay busy for weeks (if your pocketbook could handle it) doing all the activities available to you. You could go horseback riding; go-carting; riding on roller coasters; shopping; take in the Tommy Bartlet water show; play miniature golf; play regular golf on one of the golf courses; rent a boat and go fishing (you'll need to purchase a Wisconsin fishing license); rent a canoe and go canoeing; enjoy a movie at the drive-in movie theater; rent a jet-ski; visit the railway museum; visit the history center; play paintball; or do any of the dozens of other available activities. You could even take a short drive to Baraboo and watch the Al Ringling circus. There are literally hundreds of things to do in the Wisconsin Dells area.

I have one more thing to keep in mind as you are planning your trip to Wisconsin Dells. August is the busiest month in Wisconsin Dells. How busy? Consider this: Lake Delton and Wisconsin Dells have a combined year-round population of around 5,000 people. During the weekends in August, the population in the Lake Delton/Wisconsin Dells area can swell to more than 200,000 people. Lines at the attractions will be the longest in August and the hotels will be booked solid (I don't mean to scare you though. Our family usually goes in August even though we know it's going to be busy and we have a great time). Book your hotel early or consider going there at another time during the summer. June isn't as busy but the weather may not be as warm either which means it could be a little chilly if you're going to be visiting one of the outdoor water parks.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

http://www.wisconsindellstoday.com

http://www.ezinearticles.com

I love being from Wisconsin.

Tanya Fischer
      

Travel to experience memories that will last a lifetime!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” WISCONSIN

WISCONSIN: THE BADGER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Recently an article was published in a magazine stating that a city was one of the worst places to visit for a vacation. One of the dignitaries in the city invited the author to the city and shared with her all of the wonderful historic locations, restaurants and entertainment that was available for tourist to do on vacation. The author changed her mind and wrote a second article stating it was a great place to visit on a vacation. I am not going to tell you the city because that is not important, what is important is for you to travel and visit places and make your own decision.

MADISON—the state’s capital city with a population of 208,000—offers the perfect combination of natural beauty, stimulating cultural offerings, outdoor recreation, distinctive restaurants, unique shops and vibrant nightlife. The city tops many “best” lists, including:

• Best Cities, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, 2009
• Best College Sports Town, Sports Illustrated on Campus, 2003
• Best Small City to Live, Men’s Journal, 2004
• No. 2, Best Places to Educate Your Child, Forbes, 2007
• Nation’s Smartest City, bizjournals, 2008
• America’s Best Adventure Towns, National Geographic 2009

Family Attractions

Henry Vilas Zoo One of the nation's only free zoos, Vilas Park Zoo is open year-round and is a great spot for kids and adults of all ages. 702 S. Randall Ave., 608.266.4732, Admission: Free	Madison Parks and Beaches The City of Madison has 13 beaches and a public pool for tons of water fun for the family.  There are also over 200 parks were you can take walks, play on the jungle gyms, play a number of sports or go sledding and ice skating in the winter. Madison also boasts their new dog parks which will get plenty of tails wagging.
Olbrich Botanical Gardens Olbrich Botanical Gardens offer an indoor tropical conservatory, and outdoor gardens complete with exotic plants, flowers, birds, and a waterfall. 3330 Atwood Ave., 608.246.4550, Admission: $1 Adults; Children under 5 are free	UW Geology Museum On your visit you can touch rocks from a time when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin; see corals, jellyfish and other sea creatures that used to live and swim where we now walk; and stand under the tusks of a mastodon while imagining yourself in the Ice Age. 1215 West Dayton Street, 608.262.2399, Admission: Free
Vitense Golfland Have fun playing the most interactive, educational and fun miniature golf course around!  Vitense also offers batting cages, a climbing wall, junior golf, an arcade, water wars and The Green Tree Grill! 5501 W. Beltline Hwy, 608.271.1411	Wisconsin State Capitol Completed in 1917, the Wisconsin State Capitol features the only granite dome in the nation. The interior contains 43 varieties of stone from around the world, decorative murals, glass mosaics and hand-carved furniture. 2 East Main Street, 608.266.0382, Admission: Free
Fireside Dinner Theater The Fireside Dinner Theatre is one of the Midwest's most popular professional theatres for couples, families and tour groups alike. Hwy 26 S, Fort Atkinson, 800.477.9505	The UW Arboretum Feel free to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and walk or bike along miles of nature trails on your own or with the one of many knowledgeable guides. 1207 Seminole Hwy., 608.263.7888, Admission: Free
Madison Children's Museum Play, learn, imagine and create at the award-winning Madison Children's Museum. 100 N. Hamilton St., 608.256.6445, Admission: $7.95 ages 2 & up; $6.95 seniors .	International Crane Foundation At the International Crane Foundation you can take a tour, walk the nature trails, or enjoy the art exhibit in the only place in the world where you can see all 15 crane species during their visitor season (April 15 - October 31). E11376 Shady Lane Rd., Baraboo, 608.356.9462
Cave of the Mounds For more than 60 years, visitors have discovered why this is one of the best one day trips in the Midwest! Guided tours on paved, lighted walkways lead visitors past an unforgettable array of crystal formations. 2975 Cave of the Mounds Road, Blue Mound, 608.437.3038	Overture Center for the Arts Every Saturday from fall through spring, Overture Center offers free arts programs called Kids in the Rotunda, designed for children and families at 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Performances feature storytellers, jugglers, magicians, puppeteers, theater troupes, and multicultural artists.  The 1:00 p.m. performances are sign language interpreted. 201 State Street, 608.258.4177, Admission: Free
Crawdaddy Cove Water Park Even if you are not staying at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Madison West you can enjoy the Kiddie Waterslides and Adventure Pool! 1109 Fourier Drive, 608.826.0500 (please call ahead for day pass availability), Admission: 11 years old and under $10,Ages 12 and up $15	Studio, You Paint It Pottery   This walk-in studio for all ages    specializes in pottery painting,    parties and social gatherings.    There are tons of pieces to choose    from and our paints are lead-free,    non-toxic and food safe.    6670 Odana Road, 608.833.1393

REFERENCE SITES

http://www.wisc.edu
http://www.visitmadison.com

Wisconsin's a special place. 

Brett Favre 

Travel to create marvelous memories for you and your family or friends!

 

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” WISCONSIN

WISCONSIN: THE BADGER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Traveling is the kind of activity, which almost all the people love. For someone it is an opportunity to relax and abstract from everyday busy life. For others it is interesting to observe the way people of other cultures and mentality live. Some people consider it to be the best way to have fun and always try to visit as many clubs, pubs, restaurants and cafes as possible for their wallets and time limits. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Wisconsin Travel Guide

Pack your bathing suit because it's all about the water in Wisconsin. Home to some 15,000 lakes, streams and rivers, the so-called ‘Badger State' is cherry ripe for aquatic adventure… and badger watching, apparently.

Kayakers paddle round the red cliffs and sea caves of the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. Winter surfers catch impressive swells on Lake Michigan at Sheboygan, nicknamed the ‘Malibu of the Midwest' (though with freezing water temperatures and drifting ice floes, take that with a fistful of salt). And those less inclined to strenuous exercise float lazily down Wolf River by tube.

Back on dry land, cyclists have the pick of 80 routes in the Rails-to-Trails network, including the first of its kind in the continent, the 51km (32 mile) Elroy-Sparta Trail.

Eye-popping architecture is more common here than you might expect. The Milwaukee Museum of Art is a thrilling meld of three striking buildings built by three legendary architects – Eero Saarinen, David Kahler and Santiago Calatrava. And native Wisconsinite Frank Lloyd Wright spent nearly 50 years perfecting his Taliesin Estate, now a National Historic Landmark and home to six structures designed by Wright.

This state does a good line in quirky attractions too, boasting museums dedicated to mustard, accordions and circuses. The National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is home to 50,000 angling artifacts, but it's the giant fish outside which is likely to remain indelibly imprinted on your memory. The Big Musky is half a block long, four and a half stories tall, but he won't bite if you climb into his jaw.

Things to see and do in Wisconsin

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

Experience the raw natural beauty of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (www.nps.gov/apis) on Lake Superior. The 21 Apostle Islands are home to the largest collection of lighthouses in the USA, as well as fine sandy beaches, caves, forests, waterfalls, black bears and bald eagles.

Baraboo

Visit one of Wisconsin's most unusual museums west of Madison Baraboo. The Circus World Museum (www.wisconsinhistory.org/circusworld) is the former home of the Ringling Brothers' Circus.

Door County

Enjoy the scenic Lake Michigan coastline of Wisconsin's Door County (www.doorcounty.com), a peninsula that extends 403km (250 miles). Visit lighthouses, picturesque villages, art galleries and miles of sandy beaches.

Madison

Experience the student culture of Madison, the state capital and home to the University of Wisconsin. Relax in lively coffee shops, explore secondhand (thrift) shops, or enjoy fresh air and exercise on the bicycle paths.

Milwaukee

Tour Milwaukee, on the south shores of Lake Michigan, and appreciate its German heritage and beer industry. The city boasts over 1,500 bars and taverns. Coincide a visit with Summerfest in late June. Take a guided tour of the impressive Capitol building or the lakefront Milwaukee Art Museum.

Oshkosh

Join the thousands of aviation enthusiasts who flock to Oshkosh every July for the EAA AirVenture Fly-in (www.airventure.org). Watch a mind-boggling display of every imaginable flying machine, from home-builts and ultralights to war-birds and supersonic jets.

 REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I'm from Wisconsin, and I love snowboarding, hiking, yoga and soccer.

Jessica Szohr
     

Travel to experience life and create amazing memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “MIDWEST” WISCONSIN

WISCONSIN: THE BADGER STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Make the most of your travel experiences. Taking a cruise is a great way to see many different places when you travel. Cruises offer many activities and things to do while on the ship, while offering you the opportunity to explore different locations each time you arrive at a port. Travel is a great opportunity to learn more things. Time spent abroad helps you understand and appreciate diverse cultures. In addition, it encourages an acceptance and tolerance of ways of life that differ from your own. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

Overview of Wisconsin

The varied terrain of Wisconsin, which borders Great Lakes Superior and Michigan, offers visitors some of the most picturesque landscapes in the Midwest. The rolling hills and fertile land of the east have made it a prime agricultural area, though it is also home to many of the state's bustling urban centers, including Milwaukee and Green Bay.

In the north, heavily forested hills hide hundreds of small glacial lakes. In central Wisconsin, the scene shifts again to sharp buttes and mesas usually associated with the Southwest, while the western area along the St Croix River gives way to limestone and sandstone bluffs.

Wisconsin residents have a reputation for being energetic and outgoing, and once visitors have gone trout fishing on the Kinnickinnic River, explored the historic lighthouses and stunning waterways of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, gone mountain biking across the Kettle Moraine, or tapped trees for maple sap in the Northwoods, they will understand why. Wisconsin's invigorating setting and crisp, pine-scented air are complemented by its rich culture, thrilling pro sports scene, and decades-long brewing tradition. German immigrants are credited with introducing the famous bratwursts and brews.

Scandinavian immigrants have also had an impact on Wisconsin heritage, particularly in the north, which boasts some of the best Nordic ski trails in the country. Each year, international athletes travel to Wisconsin for the American Birkebeiner ski marathon, part of the elite Worldloppet circuit and the most significant cross-country

skiing event in America.

The state also has a large Amish community, which is welcoming of visitors and an unrivalled source for quilts and crafts, antique furniture, and delicious homemade food. Wisconsin's 11 Native American tribes also offer unique cultural experiences, including historic villages and cultural festivals. As for the arts, Wisconsin was the home state of visionary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the founder of the Prairie School of Design. In the village of Spring Green, visitors can tour Taliesin, his home and architectural magnum opus.

The features for which Wisconsin is best known among Americans often go hand in hand: beer and football. Milwaukee is the brew city, home to Miller, the quintessential American thirst-quencher, as well as countless microbreweries and local brewpubs.

These are all perfect accompaniments to watching Wisconsin's beloved Green Bay Packers take the field. The Packers are NFL legends, and adventurous visitors might join Wisconsin fans, or 'cheeseheads', in braving snow and freezing temperatures to cheer them on at their home stadium. The odd nickname of Packers fans is a testament to another of Wisconsin's claims to fame: dairy products. Often called America's Dairyland, Wisconsin produces more cheese than any other state in the country, and its beer, wine, and cheese tours are an indulgent way to spend a weekend.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

I'm a Wisconsin kid, so I like brats and burgers and stuff like that. Cheese curds.

J. J. Watt
  

Experience life by traveling with friends and family!