For many people, especially those who live in the West or the South, the only thing they know about Wisconsin is that it produces really delicious cheese.
That’s definitely true, but it’s not the only great thing about the state often referred to as “America’s Dairyland.” There are a lot of really fun things to do in Wisconsin, and this list will help you narrow down some of the best options.
30 Experience Gift Ideas in Wisconsin
Waterloo Trek Bicycle Tour
The Waterloo Trek Bicycle Tour is another neat experience for the friend who loves bikes and is interested in how they’re made. On the tour, he’ll get to learn a little about the company’s history and even get to see the company’s historic collection of bikes.
He’ll tour the design studio and the race team shop. The tour is wheelchair accessible and a good option for families, as it accommodates children as young as four.
Milwaukee Cruisin’ Karaoke Tour
A tour of Milwaukee is a pretty great experience on its own, but a tour of Milwaukee while singing karaoke on a cruiser is even better. The open-sided cruiser provides a great opportunity for your friend to pile in with friends or strangers and showcase her singing skills while getting to see all the best and most beautiful sights in Milwaukee and learning a lot about the city’s history and culture.
The cruiser is fully equipped with a real karaoke machine, complete with a lyrics screen, so she shouldn’t have any trouble remembering the words to her favorite song. She’ll make several stops along the way to pop into some of Milwaukee’s most notable shops.
Friesian Herd Tour
If your friend’s more of an animal lover, give her the chance to get up close and personal with some of the most gorgeous horses found in the North. This trip will take her to the Black Diamond Friesian Ranch, where she’ll get to spend between two and four hours with these gorgeous, fairy tale-like creatures who’re known to have “an extra sense for knowing exactly what we as humans need to heal emotionally and spiritually.
” It’s a powerful experience that can bring her peace, tranquility and sheer joy. The ranch also offers family days and day-long workshops as well.
Race a Ferrari 488 GTB
This sleek, super fast car features the newest, most innovative tech found on Formula 1 race cars and the limited edition LaFerrari. It’s sharp, fast and incredibly refined, and your friend will probably never experience anything like driving this beautiful beast again.
After a 30-minute classroom experience, he’ll get behind the wheel and be able to go zero to 60 in only three seconds. He’ll get three laps around the classic track in a car that can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
It’s definitely a day he’ll never forget.
Race a Lamborghini
This is the same basic experience as the three-lap drive around the Speedway in the Ferrari, only with this one, your friend will be able to make those laps in the totally innovative, weirdly futuristic Lamborghini Huracan instead.
It goes from zero to 60 in 3.2 seconds, and it handles like a dream.
Ziplining Sturgeon Bay Adventure Course
This is another great ziplining option for the friend who wants to see Lake Michigan in style – namely, by flying over it on 1,000+ feet of high-speed ziplines! This adventure is open to people of all ages, heights and weights, and it’s known for being the highest zipline in all of Door County.
It’s an exciting way to get your friend’s adrenaline pumping and her heart racing, but it’s all perfectly safe. The views of Sturgeon Bay and Lake Michigan are beautiful from the zipline, especially since it’s 30 feet in the air!
Escape the City Adventure
Although the company that hosts this event is based out of Richmond, Virginia, they’ll come to you and put on an adventure/mystery show for you, your friend and a group of loved ones that’s tailored to your specifications and that none of you will ever forget.
They’ll literally transform your city into an interactive mystery full of clues, excitement, quality props, and professional actors. The whole scenario is tailored to fit whatever theme you choose, whether that’s a superhero story, a spy thriller or something else that’s entirely different.
You can design the perfect adventure to suit your friend’s tastes, and this company will make that come alive for you wherever you want them to come.
Race a Porsche
Again, this experience is much the same as the two listed above, but for this ride, your buddy will be behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The only other difference in this package is that you can choose to give your friend six laps instead of three.
Either way, he’s going to have one really amazing story to tell.
Ultimate Exotic Car Racing
If you have a loved one who wouldn’t be completely satisfied after only three laps in the Ferrari, the Porsche or the Lamborghini, give her a little bit more. With the Ultimate Exotic Car Racing experience, she’ll get the same morning classroom lesson, but afterwards, she’ll get three laps in the Ferrari, three laps in the Lamborghini and another three laps in the Porsche! By the end of the day, she’s bound to be exhilarated and a little weak in the knees.
Supercar Thrill Ride
If you have a friend who finds the idea of flying around the track at breakneck speeds thrilling but doesn’t necessarily want to be behind the wheel himself, get him the supercar thrill ride package instead.
He still gets to choose between the Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini, but he’ll be on the passenger side while a professional driver handles the driving. This’ll allow him to experience what a speeding car pushed to its very limits really feels like as they whiz around the track three glorious times.
Race a McLaren 570S
This ride will find your friend suiting up with a helmet and buckling into the driver’s seat of a McLaren 570S. While not quite as well-known among laypeople as the Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini, the McLaren 570S is a powerhouse of a vehicle.
It has two turbos in its engine, which is a 3.7-litre V8 that produces 562 horsepower! It goes from zero to 60 in 3.1 seconds, and it’ll definitely blow your friend’s mind just as quickly as the other three more well-known automobiles.
He’ll drive this one on the Autobahn Country Club racetrack.
Italian Supercar Experience
While this experience won’t let your friend drive all three cars like the Ultimate Exotic Car Racing experience, it will let him drive both the Ferrari and the Lamborghini so he can decide which one handles better.
He gets three laps in each car with his professional driver sitting right beside him in the passenger seat the whole time.
Milwaukee Secret Food Tour
This walking tour of Milwaukee lasts about three hours and will allow your friend to see some of the most amazing, scenic sights the city has to offer. More importantly, though, it’ll allow her to taste some of Milwaukee’s best, most delicious food.
She’ll get to sample fried cheese curds, German chocolate cake, beer-battered fish and more. She’ll also get to visit the Riverwalk and some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods, seeing some of the notable Germanic influences on the architecture and culture of the city.
There’s even a secret spot on the tour that’s so hush-hush, only the guide knows the way.
Egg Harbor Sunset Kayak Tour
For the friend who loves the water, there’s no better way to see the city than the Egg Harbor Sunset Kayak Tour. It’s a one-hour trip that’ll take him around the waters in Egg Harbor. He’ll watch the sun set and be able to learn more about the history and wildlife in the area from his knowledgeable guide.
The trip will end with him having the opportunity to explore the towns of Egg Harbor and Sturgeon Bay, visiting some of the local shops and tasting the local cuisine.
Milwaukee Secret Food Tour with Drinks
This tour is very similar to the Milwaukee Secret Food Tour, only this one adds in drinks as well. Your friend will take a trip down by the Milwaukee River, visiting the bustling Riverwalk and taking in its street art, happening nightspots, restaurants and shops.
She’ll visit the Public Market, see the same beautiful Germanic-inspired architecture and learn a little about the history of the place. Best of all, she’ll get to make five different stops to taste the best food and drinks the city has to offer.
This trip, too, includes the secret location spot that requires a password to enter!
: Harley Davidson Powertrain Operations Tour
The Harley Davidson plant in Menomonee Falls offers several different tours to the public, but one of the coolest of these is the Steel Toe Tour. It’s a 90-minute tour that’ll teach your friend about the history of Harley Davidson, while also allowing him to familiarize himself with the assembly line, the steel and aluminum machining, the cold testing and the powder coat process.
It’s a behind-the-scenes look that requires him to be decked out in steel toed boots, a safety vest and safety glasses. The price of admission also includes a commemorative pin, a group photo and his safety vest, which he’ll get to keep at the end of the tour.
He’ll also get a five dollar coupon to the gift shop, where if you’re lucky, he might pick up a little ‘thank you’ gift for you as well.
Haunted History Dells Trolley Tour
If your loved one’s the type who enjoys a little bit of horror and/or mysticism with his tours, send him on the Haunted History Dells Trolley Tour. The tour usually lasts at least 90 minutes but has been known to last longer when things get a little intense.
Your loved one will learn all about the secret history of the Dells that the town leaders tried so hard to hide.
There are several stops along the way including the haunted Spring Hill Cemetery, where he’ll use a ghost meter to search for spiritual energy and watch for floating orbs.
Other stops include an old abandoned cave at Timme’s Dam and the Brat House Bar & Grille, where a little girl haunts the restroom of the restaurant that used to be a church.
: Historic Sheboygan Segway Tour
This tour begins with a quick training session on how to properly use a Segway, so even if your friend has never stepped foot on one before, she’ll be well equipped to tour the lovely city of Sheboygan on this one.
She’ll see lovely views of Lake Michigan, the lighthouse, several shipwreck sites, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the original spot where the Sheboygan Life-Saving Station once stood. Along the way, the guide will give her a look into the city’s vibrant maritime history.
Tour the House on the Rock
There’s really no way to truly describe the enchanting strangeness that is the House on the Rock. It’s huge and home to its own faux-city (inside the house!) called the “Streets of Yesteryear” and the world’s largest carousel.
There are beautiful gardens, a crown jewel room and the amazing infinity room, which your friend will have to see to believe. She may not know what to expect going in, but once she comes out, she’ll be singing its praises to everyone she meets.
Ultimate Lake Geneva Ziplining Adventure
This ziplining adventure has long been rated the #1 outdoor activity in Lake Geneva on TripAdvisor’s website and for good reason. Your friend will spend two and half hours swinging through the trees like Tarzan, moving through the canopy on nine different ziplines, three spiral staircases and five sky bridges.
She’ll end the day racing down the 1,200-foot dual zipline. There’s no more beautiful way to see the 100-acre woods of Lake Geneva than from an aerial view.
Snow Tubing down Cascade Mountain
If your friend loves the snow but isn’t an accomplished skier or boarder, send him snow tubing down Cascade Mountain instead. There’s no experience needed, and it’s so simple that it’s even open to children.
It’s literally a fun snow adventure that anyone can enjoy. All necessary equipment is provided. All your friend has to do is enjoy his time sliding down the 900-foot chute before boarding the lift, coming back up and doing it all over again.
It’s a great, cold way to spend a day.
Skiing at Nordic Mountain
Located in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, Nordic Mountain is one of the loveliest, most picturesque mountains in the entire state. That’s why it’s one of the most popular destinations for skiers wanting to hit the slopes.
If your friend loves to ski, there’s no better place to do it than Nordic Mountain. The resort features a learning area for people who need a little more experience, a freestyle area where your friend can go a little wild and several trails for her to enjoy.
The resort also offers tubing and is open to boarders as well.
Private Snowboarding Lessons on Wilmot Mountain
This is a great gift for the friend who’s always wanted to learn to snowboard but who’s never quite been able to do it. Wilmot Mountain Resort has lots of great trails and slopes for both skiers and snowboarders, but more importantly, the resort also offers private snowboarding (and skiing) lessons to groups of up to five friends.
The instructors are world-class and have years of experience, and they know how to tailor the lessons to best suit your friend’s needs. He’ll also have his own private area in which to practice for the duration of the lesson.
The Chef and the Dish Private Virtual Cooking Lesson
Preferring to stay at home doesn’t mean your friend can’t have a wonderful, life-changing experience, especially with this amazing virtual cooking class. It’s a one-on-one, private session from the comfort of her own home that’ll have her chatting with world-class chefs from Spain, Japan, Brazil or any number of other countries.
She’ll learn to make some of the world’s most iconic dishes including Japanese sushi, Cajun jambalaya, Bolognese sauce and more.
Blue Apron Monthly Wine Deliveries
If you’re looking to give your loved one a gift that keeps on giving, consider Blue Apron’s monthly wine deliveries. Each month, he’ll receive six of the most delicious wines from around the world. Whether he likes reds, whites or both, Blue Apron never fails to deliver.
Everything comes straight from the vineyard directly to his door for supreme freshness, and he’ll also get instructions and tips on tasting, pairing and more.
Blue Apron Meal Delivery Plan
If you like the idea of giving your loved one a recurring gift (or if you only want to give it once or twice) but aren’t sold on the wine, send him a Blue Apron meal delivery kit instead. Each week, he’ll receive a kit of gourmet ingredients, perfectly proportioned for him to be able to make the most delicious home-cooked meals from scratch.
The ingredients include sustainably-sourced seafood, hormone-free meats and farm-fresh produce. Everything is top-of-the-line and incredible, and because he’ll also receive step-by-step instructions and recipes, he never has to leave planning dinner to chance.
Virtual Homebrew Lesson
This virtual homebrew lesson is kind of like a really fun, interesting science experiment for the family. Everything your friend will need to brew her own beer will be delivered right to her doorstep. When she’s ready, she can log on for her virtual lesson, delivered live to her over three hours from award-winning beer makers/guides.
The guides are hilarious, and the evening turns into a fun night of comedy and education as she learns to make her very own delicious brews. A gift like this one really proves you don’t have to leave home to have a great time.
Learn to Write from Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood, award-winning author of The Handmaid’s Tale, has often been called “one of the most influential literary voices” of this generation. If your friend has always wanted to be a writer, particularly a writer of dystopian fiction, get him this masterclass session with Margaret Atwood.
The session includes 23 pre-recorded videos that span a total of almost four hours. In them, Atwood talks about crafting stories, her own creative process, points of view, bringing characters to life and more.
If your friend isn’t sold on learning from Atwood, Masterclass also offers tons of other lessons from authors like Neil Gaiman, James Patterson and others. If writing isn’t his thing, there are other lessons on everything from music and cooking to business and government.
Masterclass truly does have something for everyone.
Wisconsin: The Hidden Gem You Didn’t Know Was Awesome
Often called “America’s Dairyland” thanks to its prodigious production of cheese and other dairy products or “The Badger State” because of its mining history, when mine workers would literally dig caves out of rocks (like badgers) for shelter, Wisconsin is cold in the winter, warm in the summer and wonderful to visit all year long.
Sadly, when people start planning their upcoming vacations, they often don’t even consider this northern state, and that’s a shame, especially for people who are into racing and speed or outdoor winter activities and snow.
As you can see from the above list, there are a lot of options when it comes to being able to race around professional tracks driving top-of-the-line cars that many people never even get to see in real life. There are also a lot of great resorts for skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.
That doesn’t mean that snow and speed are the only options for fun in Wisconsin. There are also a few ziplining adventures, some great tours and even a few hidden gems along the way. One of the most exciting places to visit in Wisconsin is a little-known tourist attraction called The House on the Rock. It was built by a man named Alex Jordan who decided to design one of the largest, strangest places the world had ever seen on top of a high chimney of rock in 1945.
In 1950, the House on the Rock was opened to the public, and the first guests who visited it were able to confirm that it really was as odd and unsettling as they thought it would be. It’s also amazingly cool, a little creepy and bestselling author Neil Gaiman-approved.
In fact, Gaiman even added the House on the Rock and the world’s largest carousel, which is inside the House on the Rock, into one of his most famous books, American Gods.
As someone who has been there personally, I can attest to the fact that it’s like nowhere you’ve ever been and nothing you’ve ever seen.
All-in-all, Wisconsin is a really interesting place, and it has a lot more going for it than just its delicious cheese, so if you’re hoping to find a neat, Wisconsin-based experience for someone who lives there or who’s planning on visiting soon, you have a few options from which to choose, especially if the person you’re buying the gift for has a true need for speed or snow.
Of course, sometimes you have those friends who don’t like to get out much.
That doesn’t mean you can’t still give them a great experience that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. There were a lot of terrible things that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of the only good things that came from it was the wealth of online classes that started popping up for people to enjoy. You can buy your friends’ virtual lessons on just about anything now – cooking, writing, music and even beer-making! These are great experience gifts for your more introverted loved ones.
If you or someone you love has lived in or visited the great state of Wisconsin, what was your (or his or her) favorite thing to do there? Let us know about any cool local history tours you went on, museums you enjoyed, tourist attractions or local must-see places you visited or restaurants you frequented.
Did you check out any of Wisconsin’s famous speedways? If so, which ones, and how did you like them? What was your favorite car to race? We’d love to hear about all of your favorite Wisconsin-based experiences, and we’d especially love to hear about any lesser-known activities that we might not know about ourselves.
Conclusion
Please let us know all of that and more down below in the comments section, and don’t forget to like and share these great Wisconsin experiences with others you know who may only know the state as the dairy heart of America. Thank you for stopping by today, and we hope you’ll come back again soon for more great experience gifts all across the United States.
