There is no doubt that winter in Wisconsin can be cold. But that doesn’t mean you have to hibernate all winter! There are many Fun Winter Activities in Wisconsin that can be found all over the state and some don’t even require you to go outside! Let’s take a look at a few of the great things our wintery state has to offer.
1. Old World Christmas Market
Head to Elkhart Lake at the Osthoff Resort to enjoy the Old World Christmas Market that is taking place in early December. Celebrate the holidays that are reminiscent of Old-World Germany and enjoy the merriment of this tradition. Stroll through a gorgeous HEATED tent that is decorated with fragrant boughs of evergreens as you shop for unique items from local and international artisans.
Relax and enjoy traditional German fare in the food court, such as hot glühwein, sauerbraten, dumplings, schnitzel, potato pancakes, red cabbage, pulled pork and apple strudel. Yum!
That isn’t the only thing that the beautiful Osthoff Resort offers. Enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, ornament making and cookie decorating. Sign up for Breakfast with Santa and real live reindeer to make the holidays even more special!
2. Snow Tubing at Cascade Mountain
Cascade Mountain in Portage offers a super fun 900-foot chute to glide down on a tube. But don’t worry, you don’t have to walk all the way back up that big hill. Head on over to the side and get a ride up on the “magic carpet” to get back to the top.
Want to take it up a notch? Head over to the ski hills and enjoy one of the 48 ski runs with 11 chair lifts to take you all over the mountain. It’s a great way to spend an entire winter day!
3. Enjoy A Snow Train
If you’re looking to enjoy the winter scenery, but stay a little more toasty, enjoy one of the Wisconsin Snow Trains that offer a great view of the winter wonderland around the state. The East Troy Railroad Museum offers different tours that will be sure to get your family into the holiday spirit!
While some tours have been cancelled due to COVID-19, like the Mid-Continent Railway Museum‘s Santa Train, keep it in mind for future years, as it’s always a hit with the young and old, alike!
If you’re headed up north, check out the Great Northern Railroad in Spooner, that offers amazing options for everyone. They even have a ‘bed and breakfast’ option, including a great dinner and an overnight stay in a vintage train car.
4. Garden Of Lights in Green Bay
Who doesn’t love holiday lights? Green Bay’s Botanical Garden goes ALL OUT and has an amazing annual light festival that features over 325,000 lights sprinkled throughout the garden. It’s a true winter wonderland! Enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides and wander through the gardens to spot an illuminated butterfly. Grab your tickets today!
5. Enjoy An Igloo
It’s much too cold to enjoy a cocktail out on the patio during a Wisconsin winter, but thanks to the pandemic, a new phenomenon has occurred… Heated Igloos! Enjoy time out with friends and loved ones in your own private, heated igloo where you can dine, enjoy some cocktails, and admire the outdoor scenery outside of your cozy castle.
Pier Five Hundred on the St. Croix River in Hudson is a great location for an igloo experience, as is Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. Lakefront Brewery also offers “Hop Houses” that are cozy and are sure to set the perfect mood for your adventure.
What a unique experience that everyone will look forward to doing again with a nice, hot toddy.
6. Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
Head on up to the Nine Mile Forest in Wausau with your snowshoes and hit the trails. With scenic views in a heavily wooded area, it’s sure to create great winter memories. The area also offers 20 miles of breathtaking cross country ski trails with lighted trails at night and a warming shelter to take a break in, as well.
If you’re looking for a big challenge, start training for the American Birkebeiner, in Hayward, which will take place February 23 – 27, 2022. It’s an iconic race and everyone is proud to display their coveted Birkebeiner pin once they finish.
Learn more about great places to cross country ski and snowshoe in Wisconsin HERE!
7. Visit The Ice Caves
Keep your fingers crossed that this is the year the ice caves will form at the Apostle Island National Lakeshore! Conditions must be just right to make sure they are accessible by foot, but if they are, it’s an absolutely mystifying experience. You’ll have to bundle up, but we promise it will be worth it. Keep your eye on the ever-changing winter conditions of the caves and hopefully there will be a great freeze over this winter to make them accessible!
8. Madison Winter Fun
Head to the downtown area and ice skate at The Edgewater, right along the shores of Lake Mendota. This major 4,000 square foot ice rink has beautiful views of the capital, along with great fire pit heating stations that will let you warm up when you need to. Stay the night and explore the beauty of downtown Madison in the winter!
Or, head over to Elver Park, where one of the best winter Madison past times is sledding! Elver park offers nighttime sledding that is by far the most popular in the area. That’s not all, try some ice skating and cross country skiing in the park, as well. You may even find a pick-up game of hockey to join!
Enjoy everything Wisconsin has to offer in this amazing winter wonderland state!