Travel Wisconsin: Fall Road Trips

Head out on a road trip to make the most of the beautiful but brief fall season. Nearly half covered in forests, Wisconsin is made for autumn color cruising. Here’s to an unforgettable fall road trip. Plan your road trip using Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report Do you want to catch the most vibrant fall colors for a road trip? Travel Wisconsin’s Fall Color Report is the perfect resource for discovering the canvas of autumn. The interactive, map-based report shows up-to-date information on the status of fall color throughout the state. The Fall Color Report also notes the estimated week of peak across the state based on historical observations. This helps folks plan a road trip in advance. You can also find where colors are popping now for a spur-of-the-moment trip. Select a destination on the map to get recommendations for local dining, lodging, activities and events. Scenic rides of all lengths in Vilas County Head up to Vilas County soon to catch the seasonal transformation on full display. You’ll discover all sorts of road trip options in the heart of the Northwoods. Cruise alongside colorful lakeside vistas, down little-traveled country roads and through picture-perfect natural spaces like the Nicolet National Forest. Vilas County maintains a Scenic Rides brochure to make planning the route a breeze. Find routes up to 120 miles long for a full day’s adventure. Check out Whispering Pine Lodge in St. Germain for a place to stay. Choose from a variety of accommodations to fit parties of all sizes. The log cabin-style lodge is more than 100 years old and perfect for large groups — it sleeps up to 18 — while vacation homes and rustic cabins are great for smaller parties. Travel to Vilas County soon for another seasonal experience — touring a cranberry marsh! Cranberry Square Farm Market holds tours on Friday mornings through early October for an up-close look at harvesting Wisconsin’s official state fruit. Colorful cruising along the Wisconsin Great River Road The Wisconsin Great River Road is an All-American Road following the Mississippi River for 250 miles. The tree-covered bluffs, scenic overlooks and charming communities make the route an ideal road trip destination. Start in the south and make your way north, finding plenty of reasons to stop along the way. Swing by Glen Haven for good vibes and drink at The Vault — a former bank recently remodeled into a 1920s Art Deco bar. Further north, marvel at a sweeping panorama at Wyalusing State Park. The park sits 500 feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, and the scenic overlooks there will leave you feeling breathless. Settle in for the night at the River District Hotel in Prairie du Chien. The downtown location, comfortable guestrooms and indoor pool make for a great place to kick back and relax after a day on the Wisconsin Great River Road. National byways and scenic country roads for color cruising Wisconsin Wisconsin is home to two additional National Scenic Byways: the Door County Coastal Byway and Wisconsin Lake Superior Scenic Byway. Both routes meander along the shore of their respective Great Lake, are rich in natural beauty and color, and offer plenty of reasons to make a pitstop. For a slower pace, seek out one of Wisconsin’s 126 Rustic Roads. These country roads allow you to leisurely travel through quiet and scenic countrysides. Seek out the distinctive brown and yellow Rustic Road signs or order a Rustic Roads guide online. Start your fall getaway at TravelWisconsin.com