Download - Wisconsin Department of Tourism

Scenic DrivesSometimes the mere act of taking a drive in Wisconsin can be avacation. You can put your everyday life in the rear view mirroras you grab the wheel and a new lease on life. Autumn is a greatchoice for said excursion, when the march of color is asspectacular as anything you’ll find in New England. There arealso official scenic drives conveniently mapped out by theWisconsin Department of Transportation.1JAY OLSONNorthwest1. APOSTLE ISLANDS800/472-6338www.travelbayfieldcounty.comHwy 13 from Ashland to Superior takesyou through the spectacular scenery ofthe Apostle Islands National Lakeshoreand the Lake Superior Shoreline Tourwith breathtaking views of bluff tops,waterfalls, coastal villages, and majesticlighthouses. Additional highlightsinclude the wild beauty of the BruleRiver State Forest and the AmniconFalls State Park.2. CHIPPEWA FALLS TO CORNELL888/723-0024www.chippewachamber.orgIn case you have your bicycle or hikingboots in the back of the car, this scenicdrive offers opportunities to stop for awalk or a bike ride along the way. Bycar, Hwy 178 hugs the north shore ofthe Chippewa River; by bike or on foot,the Old Abe State Trail hugs the southshore. You’ll find a scenic state park ateither end of the route: Brunet Island tothe north and Lake Wissota to the south.3. GREAT DIVIDE NATIONALSCENIC HIGHWAY800/724-2992www.haywardlakes.comThe Saint Lawrence Continental Dividediagonally divides Wisconsin throughthe Chequamegon-Nicolet NationalForest. The great diversity of plant andanimal species here along Highway 77is due, in part, to the intersection ofnorthern forests, eastern forests, andGreat Plains. Fall brings fiery reds andshimmering golds as maples contrastswith the green pines. Visit the HaywardLakes VCB for fall color routes in theregion.4. ST. CROIX VALLEY715/425-2533www.uwrf.edu/scvrtaCovering 60 miles along Hwy 35between Prescott and St. Croix Falls,this scenic drive winds through quaintriver towns offering railroad excursions,wine tasting, visual and performing arts,historical sites, and fine dining.Interstate State Park is a true geologicalgem as well as the headquarters for the255-mile St. Croix National ScenicRiverway.418232120221910121617761113Northeast5. DOOR COUNTY COASTAL BYWAY800/527-3529www.doorcounty.comDoor County has come to be called the“Cape Cod of the Midwest.” Follow thesigns for this designated WisconsinScenic byway stretching over 60 milesof the scenic Door Peninsula. FollowHwy 57 north from Sturgeon Bay to GillsRock on the tip of the “thumb” andthen head back south on Hwy 42.Charming lakeside towns dot the coastwhere you can enjoy the year roundbeauty of bluff-top lake views, five popularstate parks, seven picturesque lighthouses,cherry orchards, wineries, andsome of the best sunsets Mother Natureever crafted!6. HERITAGE DRIVE SCENICBYWAYwww.byways.org/explore/byways/2324This 15 mile drive offers not only spectacularviews of the ChequamegonNicolet National Forest, it also affordsvisitors roadside access to NativeAmerican archeological sites and militaryroutes from the Civil War. Begin 5miles east of Three Lakes at the intersectionof Hwy 32 and Forest Road2157. FR2157 runs north 11 miles toHwy 70 where a 4-mile spur forks westto Butternut Lake on FR 2181.7. VILAS COUNTY800/236-3649www.vilas.orgOf the 15,081 lakes the glaciers gaveWisconsin, 1,318 are in Vilas County,making for a lovely drive any season ofthe year. The route Cty G northwest ofEagle River to Hwy K winds throughquintessential Northwoods vacation destinationssuch as Sayner, Star Lake,Boulder Junction, and ManitowishWaters. If pristine lake views are not8141595quite enough, enjoy the fun that fudgestores, moccasin shops, supper clubs,and cranberry bogs can bring.8. MARINETTE COUNTY800/236-6681www.marinettecounty.comVisitors new to Wisconsin are amazed todiscover that we’re a veritable wonderlandof waterfalls! Marinette County’sWaterfall Tour links a series of falls andcataracts in a 125-mile loop. Many ofthe falls are located in pleasant countyparks; most with footbridges and pictureperfect picnic spots.East Central9. SHEBOYGAN TO ALGOMA800/457-9497www.sheboygan.orgA drive along Lake Michigan on Cty LSand Hwy 42 from Sheboygan to Algomais a real treat for aqua enthusiasts and“land lubbers” alike. Start on the southend at Kohler-Andrae State Park with its2.5 miles of beautiful beaches and magnificentsand dunes; enjoy Point BeachState Forest near Manitowoc with its 6miles of shoreline and 17 miles of hikingtrails; and tour the historic lighthousesor hop a charter boat as you passthrough Kewaunee up to Algoma.Central10. CRANBERRY HIGHWAY800/554-4484www.cranberryhighway.comAlthough very scenic throughout theyear, several spots in central Wisconsinprovide especially spectacular sceneryduring the colorful months of autumn.The 60-mile Cranberry Highway Tour inWood County becomes a sea of scarletwhen the marshes are flooded for harvest.Just to the west, the Black RiverState Forest is also ablaze with color thistime of year.11. SHAWANO COUNTY800/235-8528www.shawanocounty.comThe sugar maples of Shawano Countyare brilliant in the fall; to best appreciateAbove: Wisconsin’s Great River Road.their beauty, loop Shawano Lake on Hwy22 and Cty H or, for a longer drive, headwest on Cty M tracing the EmbarrassRiver to Tigerton. Turn north on Cty J toBowler then back east to Shawano onCty A.12. FROM THE HEIGHTS888/948-4748www.visitwausau.comBreathtaking views beckon from three ofthe state’s highest points. From 1,952feet above sea level at Timm’s Hill nearOgema, travelers marvel at thepanoramic view of the landscape below.Southeast from Timm’s Hill, the 60-footobservation tower at Rib Mountain StatePark near Wausau affords an awesomeperspective of the Wisconsin RiverValley. Continuing on to the southwest,The Highground Veterans MemorialPark at Neillsville occupies a ridge overlookingsplendid hillsides and glacialmoraines.Above: Fall color, Marinette County.13. WAUPACA COUNTY888/417-4040www.waupacachamber.comHwy 22 from Montello to Waupacameanders past a small waterfall at anold granite quarry, the state fish hatchery,a Chain O’ Lakes cruise excursion,and the striking scenery of HartmanCreek State Park.continued...Find more fun at travelwisconsin.com or call 1-800/432-8747. 9RJ & LINDA MILLER