Wisconsin: This Might be Cheesy

We entered Wisconsin from Illinois after visiting Chicago. Our main goal was to get some cheese and wine. We ventured to Baraboo, WI, which is known for a few things. Baraboo is the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers were born and raised in Baraboo and when you visit the town you can visit the Circus World Museum.

The Circus World Museum was founded in 1959 by John M. Kelley, a former circus press agent, and Howard Tibbals, a collector of circus memorabilia. It was established in Baraboo because of its historical connection to the Ringling Bros. Circus. The museum's initial collection included artifacts and memorabilia donated by the Ringling family and other circus performers and enthusiasts. The museum preserves a time in history when circus life was thriving. The circus faced challenges in the later years of the 20th century and early 21st century, including declining attendance and changing attitudes towards animal performances. In 2017, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed its final shows and closed its doors, marking the end of an era in American entertainment history.

After walking around the museum exterior, we headed to a winery. (For some reason, on this road trip, almost every museum we discovered was closed for one reason or another.) The winery we stopped at was called Balanced Rock Winery. We bought a charcuterie and some wine flights and sat outside on the patio, which was quite peaceful. Next, we headed back to our hotel.

The following morning we were on a mission to find great cheese. Luckily, right across the street from our hotel was a Carr Valley Cheese shop. We walked in and we were like kids in a candy store. There were so many types of cheese and they all looked so good. We bought probably close to $100 worth of cheese and then continued on the road to Minnesota.

Carr Valley Cheese

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If you want to visit Wisconsin, here's a list of possible things to see and do:

1. Milwaukee Art Museum: Explore the Milwaukee Art Museum, known for its stunning architecture designed by Santiago Calatrava, and its impressive collection of over 30,000 works of art.

2. Door County: Visit Door County, a peninsula known for its charming small towns, scenic landscapes, orchards, and waterfront activities on Lake Michigan.

3. Wisconsin Dells: Experience the waterparks and natural beauty of Wisconsin Dells, often called the "Waterpark Capital of the World," with attractions like Noah's Ark Waterpark and boat tours of the scenic sandstone formations along the Wisconsin River.

4. Harley-Davidson Museum: Discover the history of Harley-Davidson motorcycles at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, featuring exhibits, vintage motorcycles, and interactive displays.

5. Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Explore the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, which includes Wright's iconic architectural designs such as Taliesin in Spring Green and the SC Johnson headquarters in Racine.

6. Madison: Visit Madison, the state capital, known for its vibrant cultural scene, outdoor activities around Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

7. Lake Geneva: Relax in Lake Geneva, a resort town known for its beautiful lakefront, historic mansions, boutique shops, and outdoor recreational opportunities like boating and golfing.

8. Wisconsin State Parks: Explore Wisconsin's state parks, including Devil's Lake State Park with its stunning bluffs and hiking trails, and Peninsula State Park in Door County with its scenic overlooks and biking paths.

9. Milwaukee Brewers Baseball: Catch a Milwaukee Brewers baseball game at American Family Field (formerly Miller Park) and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Major League Baseball.

10. Cheese and Beer Tasting: Experience Wisconsin's culinary delights with cheese tastings at local creameries and breweries offering tours and tastings of craft beers, known for their quality and variety.

If you want more suggestions on what to do in Wisconsin, I suggest you check out their tourism website.