Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Wisconsin is located in the Midwest along Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Winters are cold and often snowy in “the Badger State,” especially in the northern part of the state, but outdoor activities remain popular during all months of the year. Madison is the state capital while Milwaukee is the largest city in Wisconsin, and there are many arts and cultural attractions in both major cities. Wisconsin is also known for its dairy production, and international participants should be prepared to see cheese-shaped hats at major sporting events like football games! To learn more about Wisconsin, go to travelwisconsin.com.

Historical Sites & Tourist Attractions

Add some local history to your cultural exchange experience by visiting a nearby historical site or tourist attraction when living and working in the U.S.

Aztalan State Park is an important archaeological site and a National Historic Landmark in Wisconsin. Aztalan was once home to a Native American village from A.D. 1000 to 1300 and visitors can now see reconstructed pyramid mounds that were used in political and religious ceremonies. An Aztalan Museum is also located nearby.

Taliesin is the Wisconsin home and estate of famous architect and Wisconsin native Frank Lloyd Wright. Visitors can now tour the house and estate from May to October to learn about Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright. Visit the Wright in Wisconsin website for further information on Wright sites in the state.

Madison Attractions

The Wisconsin Historical Museum in Madison provides information on many parts of Wisconsin’s history, including Native Americans, frontier life and immigration. Tours and special events are also available at the museum.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens are an outdoor garden and conservatory covering 16 acres of land in Madison, WI. Educational programs, special events and tours are available throughout the year.

Milwaukee Attractions

Historic Milwaukee Inc. Tours introduce visitors to different parts of Milwaukee with walking, biking, bus and boat tours. Participants can also browse the list of Tour Companies in Wisconsin below.

The Milwaukee Public Museum is a natural history museum with exhibits about geology, U.S. and Milwaukee history, anthropology, photography, astronomy and other topics.

The Pabst Mansion in Milwaukee is the former home of brewery founder Captain Frederick Pabst. The mansion is now a house museum and on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can see the restored rooms of the house, decorative artwork, a fine arts collection and other items on a group or self-guided tour.

Wisconsin Dells Attractions

Wisconsin Dells is known as the Water Park Capital of the World thanks to its many indoor and outdoor water parks! Visitors can also enjoy go-karts, amusement parks, bowling and other fun family activities and tourist attractions.

Learn about 19th century history and the life of H.H. Bennett, a famous photographer known for his pioneering landscape photos, at the H.H. Bennett Studio & History Center.

See where the Ringling Brothers started their famous circus at Circus World, a family attraction featuring exhibits, fun activities, memorabilia, and live entertainment like circus acts and magic shows.

Tour Companies

Tourism Websites

Arts & Culture

The United States offers a wide variety of cultural learning opportunities through the arts. Dance, music, theater, opera, art museums and festivals are just some of the options available to international visitors who wish to experience the U.S. and its culture.

Some arts and cultural attractions in Wisconsin include:

Alexander House, Port Edwards
Central Wisconsin Cultural Center, Wisconsin Rapids
Cornerstone Gallery, Baraboo
John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau
The Paine Arts Center and Gardens, Oshkosh
The Trout Museum of Art, Appleton
Viterbo Fine Arts Center, La Crosse

Madison Region

Milwaukee Region

Sports & Recreation

Many Americans are passionate about sports – and not just baseball and football! Get a glimpse into this part of American culture by watching or participating in a favorite U.S. sport or recreational activity in your local area.

Professional Sports

Green Bay Packers (football)
Milwaukee Brewers (baseball)
Milwaukee Bucks (basketball)

For tickets to professional sports games in Wisconsin, check the team websites above. Tickets may also be available on the following websites:

Ticketmaster.com
Ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com to buy or sell tickets from season ticket holders and fans.
StubHub.com for tickets and last-minute deals.

College Sports

Some top college athletic programs in Wisconsin include:

Marquette Golden Eagles, Marquette University
Milwaukee Panthers, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Green Bay Phoenix, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
UW-Parkside Rangers, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Wisconsin Badgers, University of Wisconsin-Madison

See a full list of Wisconsin college sports teams.

Minor League Sports

Minor league and amateur sports teams can be a great way for international participants to watch popular American sports without paying high prices to see a professional sports team.

Outdoor Activities

The United States is home to a variety of landscapes and climates to suit all types of outdoor activities. The courageous traveler can find extreme sports and outdoor adventure tours, while others may want to keep both feet on the ground in a national park or forest. Whatever your interests, take advantage of the many outdoor activities available during your time in the United States.

Apostle Islands National Seashore is a coastal park on the tip of the Bayfield Peninsula and on 21 islands in Lake Superior. Island tours, camping, boating, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving and hiking are available in the area. Information on traveling to the mainland site and the islands is available from the National Park Service.

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary in Green Bay is an urban wildlife refuge with live animals, exhibits and hiking and skiing trails.

Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure Resort in northern Wisconsin has outdoor activities throughout the year, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Devil’s Lake State Park is the most visited state park in Wisconsin thanks to its 360-acre lake and recreational opportunities like hiking, biking, rock climbing, camping, snowshoeing and fishing.

Peninsula State Park is a popular park in Fish Creek, WI with activities like camping, golfing, biking, beach activities and summer theater performances.

Chilly winters mean snow-related outdoor activities are a popular pastime in the Badger State. Wisconsin is home to 30 skiing and snowboarding resorts, over 700 miles of cross-country skiing trails and many places to try snowshoeing. International visitors may also want to try ice skating, snow tubing or dogsledding.

Wildman Adventure Resort offers several outdoor activities for international visitors in northeastern Wisconsin, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, UTV tours, rock climbing, paintball, snowmobiling and zipline tours. Cabins and camping are also available in the area.

Food

One of the best ways to experience cultural exchange is through food and cooking. Visitors will enjoy exploring the regional specialties and local cuisine during their time in the United States.

Wisconsin may be best known for its cheese, but there is more to the state’s cuisine than dairy products. Food in Wisconsin is largely influenced by its cultural heritage, which includes immigrant groups from England, Germany, Norway, Poland, Greece, Italy, Ireland and other European countries. More recently, immigrants from East Asia (especially Hmong refuges), the Caribbean and Latin America have added to the cultural heritage of Wisconsin. Today, visitors will find Wisconsin specialties and local produce like bratwurst, morels, a fish fry and frozen custard alongside ethnic restaurants throughout the state.

Farmers’ Markets

Visit the Wisconsin Farmers’ Markets Association to search for local farmers’ markets and to learn more about local foods in Wisconsin.

Food Festivals

World’s Largest Brat Fest, May, Madison
Chocolate Fest, May, Burlington
Strawberry Festival, June, Cedarburg
Side Pork Fest, June, Sturgeon Bay
Port Fish Day, July, Port Washington
Taste of Madison, September, Madison
Wisconsin Cheese Originals Festival, November, Madison

Local Festivals

For a unique and local perspective on American cultural, be sure to check out festivals and events near your cultural exchange program location. These events are a fun and interesting way to interact with locals and to learn more about American culture by experiencing it firsthand.

International Festival at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison is multicultural event with food, music, arts and crafts, and performances from international artists in January.

Winterfest on Broadway is a Green Bay event with activities like ice carving, dog pull competitions, chili cook-offs, hayrides and other family-friendly events in January.

Arti Gras at Shopko Hall in Green Bay is a visual and performing arts festival that showcases the work of 100 artists over two days in March.

The Wisconsin Film Festival in April showcases independent films, documentaries, animations, experimental films and short films. Workshops, lectures and other special events are also held during the Madison-based event.

Summerfest is an 11-day music festival held in Henry Maier Festival Park each June and July.

Polish Fest in Milwaukee is a celebration of Polish and Polish-American culture with events and activities like food, music, folk art and dancing.

The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual summer event held in August featuring attractions, carnival rides, food, live music agricultural shows, cooking competitions and many other events at the Wisconsin State Fair Park near Milwaukee.

Housing Resources

Employers may be able to assist with housing during your time in the United States, but this is not always possible for all participants. When looking for housing during your cultural exchange program, consider the cost of the accommodation, the distance to your work place and the amount of time you will be in the United States.

It’s also important to avoid fraudulent housing. It is highly recommended that you secure short-term housing upon arrival (e.g. in a hostel) and conduct your housing search once you are in the U.S. Never give your financial information to a stranger over the Internet. Browse the Housing Information guides for InterExchange participants below for more tips and advice.

General Housing Information

Wisconsin Housing Resources

Some examples of housing and accommodation resources for Wisconsin participants include:

Transportation

Public transportation options can be hit or miss, depending on your location in the United States. Buses are a common transportation option for short and long-term travel in the U.S., while some areas will also have trains, subways and other options.

Visit the American Public Transportation Association website for a complete list of public transportation options in your local community.

Train

Amtrak trains travel to stops in Wisconsin on the Hiawatha Service and Empire Builder. Find tickets, routes and schedules at the Amtrak website.

Bus

Several bus companies travel between Wisconsin cities and to surrounding states, including:

Ferry

The Cassville Ferry in southwestern Wisconsin connects Cassville to Turkey Creek, Iowa.

Lake Express travels on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon.

Madeline Island Ferry operated on Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin between Bayfield and LaPointe Harbor on Madeline Island.

Merrimac Ferry is a free service that crosses the Wisconsin River in south-central Wisconsin.

SS Badger is a Lake Michigan ferry service operating between Wisconsin and Michigan.

Washington Island Ferry Line operates in northeast Michigan on Lake Michigan.

Public Transit Systems

Green Bay

Green Bay Metro operates 13 bus routes in the Green Bay region, including transportation to the popular Green Bay Packer games.

Madison

Metro Transit provides public transportation services to the Madison area, including Middleton, Fitchburg, Verona and the town of Madison.

Milwaukee

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) operates over 50 bus routes in the Milwaukee area.

For public transportation systems in other communities in Wisconsin, visit the American Public Transportation Association website.

Health & Safety

Participants in Wisconsin can use the following resources in case of an emergency or extreme weather event in their area:

Emergency Management Agencies

FEMA

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.fema.gov and www.ready.gov
Wisconsin FEMA updates on Twitter @femaregion5

Weather Information

Help Your Community

Interact with others and expand your skill set by volunteering in your local community. Volunteer organizations are often looking for short-term volunteers or for individuals to help with a single event, making it a great option for InterExchange participants who wish to add to their cultural exchange experience during their time in the United States.

Volunteermatch.org, Idealist.org and Serve.gov are three general volunteer websites that match local organizations with volunteers in their communities.

Find a local food bank in Wisconsin on the Feeding America website. Many food banks provide volunteer opportunities for a few hours a day or on-going volunteer positions for those interested.

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and help build low-cost housing for families in need. Search for a local Wisconsin affiliate and sign up as a volunteer – no experience required!

Volunteer Wisconsin is a statewide resource for both volunteers and organizations that are looking for help. Volunteers can use the website to search by interest, location and interest/issue.

United Way of Greater Milwaukee website allows volunteers to search according to their needs (e.g. One-time, Large group, Long-term) or interests (e.g. Families, Children/Teens). Over 80 affiliates work with United Way and many volunteer opportunities are available.

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