After months of being cooped up, Wisconsinites are eager to get outside and enjoy summertime in the Midwest. Sure, many events have been canceled this year due to the pandemic, but there is still plenty to do in Wisconsin. Especially when it comes to agritourism. Instead of talking about what we can’t do, let’s talk about what we can do.
The Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, located in Manitowoc, is now open to visitors looking to get an interactive agriculture experience. According to the Center’s website, they are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule for general public admissions. Andrew Nussbaum, Regional Tourism Specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, says the Center is the perfect stop for families.
Wisconsin is famous for its dairy industry, so why not stop at one of the state’s cheese shops or factories? Nussbaum suggests Alp and Dell Cheese Store in Monroe or Burnett Dairy in Grantsburg as state favorites. Other possibilities include the famous Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha and Brunkow Cheese in Darlington.
Polish off that cheese with a nice bottle of wine at one of the state’s beautiful wineries. “We talk about California wine and you hear people mentioning Napa Valley but you know what, we are the wine capital,” Nussbaum says. He admits that he may be a little biased but from Door County and beyond, the state’s wineries offer perfect day-cations for Wisconsin residents. A full list of the state’s vineyards can be found by clicking right here.
Even though each county and town has handled things differently, there are still plenty of farmers markets and a handful of county fairs taking place. If you’d like to find a farmers market near you, visit the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association’s website. For an updated list of which county fairs are still happening, visit the Wisconsin Association of Fairs’ website.
Sure, summer 2020 will be unlike any summer we’ve ever experienced before. But America’s Dairyland still has plenty of agritourism activities that would make for a fun day trip any day of week. From a drive through the country to a stop at your favorite cheese shop, Wisconsin truly has it all. For more information, contact the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.
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