Attractions Nearby Milwaukee, Day Trips and Excursions

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin - WI, USA)

Milwaukee stands on the southerly side of Wisconsin, where it is surprisingly close to the northerly attractions of Illinois' exciting metropolis - Chicago. Fronting the simply enormous Lake Michigan, the modern skyline of Chicago is filled with towering skyscrapers, high-rise buildings and lakefront attractions, being less than a two-hour drive away.

Also within Illinois and close to Milwaukee are the attractions of Naperville, Rockford, Schaumburg and Waukegan. Still in the state of Wisconsin, consider a day trip or similar excursion to Appleton, Madison and Oshkosh, the latter of which is perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of the global OshKosh B'Gosh children's clothing company.

Appleton

The city of Appleton lies approximately 107 miles / 172 km to the north of Milwaukee and can be easily reached in under two hours, by road. Those arriving at Appleton will find attractions such as the late 19th-century Hearthstone House, the History Museum at the Castle, and the downtown Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, where numerous musicals and theatrical performances are staged.

Chicago

Address: Illinois (IL)
Look beneath the glitzy appearance of Chicago and you will discover some wonderful downtown restaurants, tourist attractions and museums. Chicago is located around 92 miles / 148 km south of Milwaukee and although much of the interest is within the city centre, the districts of Hyde Park, Devon Avenue and Andersonville are also worth checking out. Sightseers often find that purchasing the CityPass ticket is a good way to save money when visiting Chicago's top attractions, such as the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum and Underground Adventure, the Hancock Observatory, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Willis Tower Skydeck, and the Shedd Aquarium.

Madison

A vibrant city just under 80 miles / 129 km to the west of Milwaukee, Madison lies within south-central Wisconsin and in-between both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona. There are more attractions to be found within Madison than most visitors expect, since Madison is the proud state capital and home to a population of more than 500,000 residents. A visit to the Wisconsin State Capitol is a must, along with the Olbrich Botanical Gardens, the Governor's Mansion and the family friendly Henry Vilas Zoo. Summer highlights include the Token Creek Chamber Music Festival each August, and the weekly Concerts on the Square, within the gardens of the State Capitol.

Naperville

Address: Illinois (IL)
Just across the border and within the state of Illinois, Naperville is an extremely attractive and appealing city, and is roughly 102 miles / 164 km to the south of Milwaukee. Naperville is a good place for shopping, eating out and strolling, with its 4-mile / 6-km Riverwalk attraction along the DuPage River being a firm favorite. Of particular interest is the Moser Tower and its Millennium Carillon, and the Naper Settlement - which is a faithful reconstruction of how Naperville appeared in the early part of 19th century.

Oshkosh

Standing alongside the shoreline of Lake Winnebago, at the point where the Fox River joins with the lake itself, Oshkosh is situated some 87 miles / 140 km to the north of Milwaukee. Oshkosh contains a variety enticing sights and sounds, with daily air shows at the AirVenture attraction, along with the Oshkosh Public Museum and the Paine Art Center and Arboretum.

Rockford

Address: Illinois (IL)
Rockford is located in northern Illinois and is around 97 miles / 156 km to the southwest of Milwaukee, where it has become the state's third-biggest city. Surrounded by beautiful scenery and rolling hills, Rockford is well served by public transportation and boasts a host of different attractions, to suit all ages. Families will enjoy spending time at the Burpee Museum of Natural History or at the Discovery Center Children's Museum, while for something a little different, spend time exploring the oriental Anderson Japanese Gardens.

Schaumburg

Address: Illinois (IL)
A small city within the metropolitan area of Chicago and known to many as 'Chicagoland', Schaumburg is to be found 90 miles / 145 km south of Milwaukee. Huge numbers of tourists enjoy trips to Schaumburg, coming here to spend an entire day at the simply enormous Woodfield Mall shopping complex, where around 300 different stores, services and eateries await. Formerly the largest shopping mall in the whole of the USA, the Woodfield Mall first opened its doors in 1971 and is today home to many famous brand names and leading retailers.

Waukegan

Address: Illinois (IL)
The vast harbor of Waukegan has long been a major draw card and offers a fairly limited selection of related sights. Waukegan is sited some 50 miles / 80 km south of Milwaukee and its marina is a good place to come for recreational boating and pleasure cruises, with a neighboring beach, park and promenade adding further interest. If you have the time, check out the program of events and performances at Waukegan's popular Genesee Theater.