Highest-rated free things to do in Wisconsin, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Wisconsin, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Wisconsin.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Wisconsin using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Outlets at The Dells
- Rating: 4/5 (385 reviews)
- Address: 210 Gasser Road Baraboo, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Wisconsin State Capitol
- Rating: 4.5/5 (655 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Fawn Creek Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (317 reviews)
- Address: 3619 13th Ave. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Wisconsin Veterans Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (246 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Door Peninsula Winery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (569 reviews)
- Address: 5806 State Highway 42 Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Edgewood Orchard Galleries
- Rating: 5/5 (213 reviews)
- Address: 4140 Peninsula Players Road Fish Creek, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. SC Johnson Headquarters
- Rating: 5/5 (338 reviews)
- Address: 1525 Howe St. Racine, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Studio Winery + Geneva Lake Distilling
- Rating: 4.5/5 (208 reviews)
- Address: 401 Sheridan Springs Road Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Wollersheim Winery & Distillery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (528 reviews)
- Address: 7876 State Road 188 Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (349 reviews)
- Address: 5250 Justin Road La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Riverside Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (717 reviews)
- Address: 100 State St. Veterens Memorial Drive La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Holy Hill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (349 reviews)
- Address: 1525 Carmel Road Hubertus, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Scenic River Walk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (419 reviews)
- Address: 100 Block Broadway Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. New Glarus Brewing Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (688 reviews)
- Address: 2400 State Hwy 69 New Glarus, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Dane County Farmers' Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (469 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. School House Beach
- Rating: 4.5/5 (446 reviews)
- Address: 1860 School House Beach Road Washington Island, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Memorial Union Terrace
- Rating: 5/5 (718 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
- Rating: 4.5/5 (524 reviews)
- Address: 1660 East Shore Drive Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Geneva Lake Shore Path
- Rating: 4.5/5 (771 reviews)
- Address: Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Milwaukee RiverWalk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,049 reviews)
- Address: N Riverwalk Way Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Downtown Madison
- Rating: 4.5/5 (888 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Wisconsin State Capitol
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,071 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Miller Brewery Tour
- Rating: 4.5/5 (940 reviews)
- Address: 4251 West State St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Grandad Bluff
- Rating: 5/5 (1,092 reviews)
- Address: 3020 Grandad Bluff Road La Crosse, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Basilica of St. Josaphat
- Rating: 5/5 (885 reviews)
- Address: 2333 South 6th St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Historic Third Ward
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,307 reviews)
- Address: Broadway and St. Paul Ave. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Henry Vilas Zoo
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,700 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Olbrich Botanical Gardens
- Rating: 5/5 (1,698 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Milwaukee Public Market
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,129 reviews)
- Address: 400 North Water St. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Cave Point County Park
- Rating: 5/5 (1,266 reviews)
- Address: 5360 Schauer Road Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
