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ILLINOIS

Autumn Detour - If you are driving through this area during the Autumn and you would like to view some beautiful autumn colors, take the following, short detour (about 50 miles for the loop).
  If eastbound, take exit 270 and loop around to the other side of the Interstate so you can head westbound on US-14 (you will actually be heading north but they call it west). Follow US-14 to MN=43 at Winona. Follow 43 in and through Winona (watch the signs because it makes a few turns), across the Mississippi into Wisconsin to WI-35. Turn right on 35 and follow it southbound (again, watch for the signs)), through Trempealeau to County Road 'XX'. If you get to US-53, 'XX' is a mile back. Turn right on 'XX', drive through New Amsterdam to the end of 'XX' at WI-35 (yes - same one you were on - but a different location). Turn right, drive through Onalaska and (watch for the 'I-90 east' signs) back to I-90 at exit 3-B. (The on-ramp is on the other side of the Interstate and you will be turning left to access it.)
  If you are westbound on I-90 and would like to take this little loop, take exit 3 and head north on WI-35. If you miss County Road 'XX' just stay on 35.

  ...and a pause in Onaska... We stopped in a restaurant just around the corner from WI-35 at Main Street in Onalaska. The name of the place was 'Traditions'. They had the best fresh apple pie and coffe we had tasted for quite sometime. When asked how they made the coffee taste so good the waitress said, "Cheap coffee and good Wisconsin water." We gave her a great tip for her 'honesty'.

• La Crosse
• Tomah
• Wisconsin Dells
• Baraboo
• Madison
• Janesville
• Beloit

La Crosse

Visitors' Center - From I-90 take exit 3 (3-A if eastbound) and follow WI-35 (rose Street) southbound. WI-35 turns right one block later but Rose Street continues as US-53. You want to stay on Rose Street so follow the US-53 signs from this point. At Clinton Street, US-53 veers off at an angle to the right and Rose Street continues straight. We suggest you follow US-53 which is now Copeland Avenue.  (They rejoin a few blocks south of here.) US-53 goes through a whole menu of name; ignore the street names and follow the US-53 signs. You will be following the Mississippi River. At State Street, turn right and drive to the end. Turn right again on Veterans Memorial Drive and the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau is at 420 East Veterans Drive.
  For more information phone 1-800-658-9424.

City Brewery - Visit their hospitality center and sample some of their brews. Tours of the brewers are also conducted throughout the day; schedules do change so call first unless you come prepare to spent more time 'sampling' their brews in the hospitality center.
  From the Visitors' Center (see above) go back to State Street and follow State east (away from the River) to 3rd Street. Turn right and follow 3rd to the Brewery at 925 S. 3rd Street. 
  For more information and tour schedules, phone 1-608-785-4820. They do have a web site at CityBrewery.

Grandad Bluff - This is a 600-foot high bluff overlooking the city of La Crosse, the Mississippi River Valley. Using the coin-operated binoculars you can view parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. This is a city park and includes a shelter house and picnic areas.
  From the visitors' center (see above) go back to State Street and, on any of the numbered streets, turn right, go 1 block and turn left on Main Street. Go east on Main. As you start ascending Grandad Bluff, Main Street becomes Bliss Road. When you get to the top, turn right on Grandad Bluff Road.
  For more information, phone the La Crosse Area Convention & Visitor's Bureau at 1-800-658-9424.

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Tomah

Visitors' Center - From I-90, take exit 41 and drive north on Superior Avenue into Tomah. The Tomah Convention and Visitor's Bureau is at 805 Superior Avenue which is at the end of the block after you cross Monroe Street.
  For more information, phone 1-800-948-6624.

Cranberry Museum - A museum for cranberries? You will find this place not only interesting bur educating. Here you get to see all aspects of the cranberry industry, from planting to harvesting. You will be introduced to the challenges they have faced and how these challenges were solved. You will see some of the machinery used - much of it invented by area growers.
  The Cranberry Museum is actually about 20 minutes north of Tomah off I-94. From I-90, continue eastbound to exit . Merge with the westbound traffic on I-94 and go to exit 135. Exit and turn left on Country Road 'EW'. Drive eastbound on 'EW', through Warrens, to the museum.
  For more information, phone 1-608-378-4878 or view their web site: CranberryMuseum.

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Wisconsin Dells

Dells Glacial Park Tour - The Dells was formed millions of years ago during the great glacier melt. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind crushed rock which was carried downstream by the water from the melting ice. Like sandpaper, the water-borne grit reshaped the landscape. The formations you will see on this tour are the result.
  One unique aspect of this tour is that you ride in a WW-II U.S.Army 'Duck' - a noteworthy, amphibious vehicle which has been carefully maintained and inspected to ensure its safety on the water as well as land. A '6x6', its all-wheel drive allows it to go places where even a 4-whel drive vehicle could have difficulties.
  The tour takes about an hour and tours depart every 15 to 20 minutes. After the tour, if you like, you can feed the white tailed deer in their own deer farm. (usually very popular with the younger set.)
  Tickets: age 12 and older: $17.50; under 12: 49. Infants under 30 pounds are free if sitting on your lap.
  From I-90 eastbound, take exit 87. At the 2nd traffic light turn right and follow US-12 about 2 miles to the dock (on you left next to the Atlantis Hotel).
  From I-90 westbound, take exit 92 and turn right to follow US-12 through Lake Delton to the dock (about 2.8 miles; it is next to the Atlantis Hotel).
  For more information, see their web site at DellsDuckTour. 

» Hotels in Wisconsin Dells «

Baraboo

Circus World Museum - Billed as 'the world's largest historical attraction pertaining to the circus'. This 50-acre complex used to be the winter quarters for the Ringling Bros. circus before they moved to Florida.
  Admission is $14.95 (kids 5-11: $7.95; 4 and under: free). The summer program extends from mid May to 1 September. The admission includes everything except tax, rides and food.
  From I-90 eastbound, take exit 92 and follow US-12 eastbound to Baraboo. After you cross the Baraboo River and pass Hatchery Rd and Sauk Ave, you'll come to WI-123 (South Blvd). Turn left and follow WI-123 back across the Baraboo River to WI-113 (Water Street). Turn right and the Circus Museum is a little over 4 blocks ahead.
  From I-90 westbound, take exit 106 and follow WI-33 westbound to WI-123 in Baraboo. Turn left and drive 8 blocks to WI-113 (Water Street). Turn left and the Circus Museum is a little over 4 blocks ahead.
  For more information phone 1-608-356-8341 or visit their web site: CircusMuseum.

» Hotels in Baraboo «

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Madison

Visitors' Center - Just five blocks from the State Capitol on Washington Avenue, the Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready to welcome and guide you. Phone them (toll free) at 1-800-373-6376.
  From I-90 eastbound, take exit 135-A and follow US-151 into Madison. The Visitors' Center is at the end of the block after Blount Street.
  From I-90 westbound, take exit 142-A and follow the US-12 freeway westbound to exit 261. Exit and follow US-151 northbound into Madison and around Lake Monona. On the far side of the lake US-151 turns left onto Blair Street, goes 4 blocks to Washington Avenue and turns right. The Visitors' Center is there.

Allen Centennial Gardens - Maintained by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Dept of Horticulture to "provide state-of-the-art demonstrations and information on the use of traditional and novel horticultural plants in diverse landscape settings", the 2.5 acre Allen Centennial Gardens are a 'must see' for all gardeners.
  Open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is FREE.
  For more information, phone the Department of Horticulture at 1-608-262-1490. UW has a page on their web site about the Gardens at AllenCentennialGardens.
  From the visitors' center (see above) continue to the end of the block and turn right. Drive to Gorham Street and turn left. Drive to State Street (this is the street that intersects Gorham at a 45º angle) and turn right. Drive to the end and turn left. Go 1 block and turn left again. Go 1 block and turn right. The Horticulture Building and Allen Centennial Gardens are about 400 yards down the street (1575 Linden Drive).

UW-Madison Arboretum - More the 'normal' arboretum, this 1,280 site includes wetlands, forests, & the Curtis Prairie, the world's oldest restored tallgrass prairie. The facility (trails and landscaped areas) is open 7a to 10p daily except holidays. The McKay Visitor Center is open from 9a to 4p weekdays and 12:30 to 4p weekends. Also closed holidays. Admission is FREE.
  From the visitors' center (see above) which is on Washington Avenue where Washington is also US-151, follow the US-151 signs (the route takes an immediate left turn at Blair Street) to the US-12 freeway. Using the westbound on-ramp, merge with US-12 and follow it to the Seminole Highway exit. Exit and turn right on Seminole. The Arboretum is at 1207 Seminole Hwy - a little more than 4 blocks from the off-ramp.
  For more information, phone 1-608-263-7888 or visit their web page at GardenWeb.

Monona Terrace - A community and convention center inspired by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, this beautiful structure is located on the north shore of Lake Monona.
  To best view the Monona Terrace we suggest you drive to Olin Park - also on the lake. From the visitors' center (see above) which is on Washington Avenue where Washington is also US-151, follow the US-151 signs (the route takes an immediate left turn at Blair Street) to the lake front where US-151 becomes John Nolan Drive. Follow the lake shore staying on John Nolan Drive (US-151 turns right away from the lake but you continue straight), crossing the lake on the causeway. On the other side of the causeway, take the first street on your left (Lakeside Street) and follow it around to Olin Park. Now you have a splendid view of Monona Terrace - and downtown Madison.

Bascom and Observatory Hills - For over 150 years, staff members of the UW botany and horticulture departments have worked to improve the cultivars and trees on the UW campus. The results of these efforts are self evident. The Environmental Management office has just completed several self-guided tours that loop around both Bascom Hill and Observatory Hill. Stops along these walks are accented with posted signs that identify the names and origins of the trees. Also, an informational brochure including a route map is available for each walk. If you would like to take these walks, phone the department at 1-608-265-3417. Visitors are very welcome.

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Janesville

Visitors' Center - Located downtown, from I-90 take exit 175-A and follow US-14 westbound into Janesville. Turn right into the third street after you cross the Rock River bridge. This is Jackson Street (WI-11). Follow Jackson Street 7 blocks to 51 South Jackson. The Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is at the corner on your right across the street from the church.
  For more information, phone 1-800-48-PARKS (toll free).

Miracle, the White Buffalo - Miracle, born in 1994, is the first known white buffalo to be born since 1933. To many Native Americans, a white buffalo has important religious significance. You can view Miracle and tour the museum in which the many donations to her are on display.
  Open 10a to 5p during the summer; close at 4p the rest of the year. Admission FREE but they really would like a donation.
  From the visitors' center (see above) go back to US-14 and turn right. Follow US-14 to US-51 and turn left. Cross the Rock River Bridge and turn right on W. State Street (3rd street on your right). Follow State Street to its end at River Road and turn left. Follow River Road to the Museum at 2739 S. River Road.
  For more information, phone 1-608-752-2224 or visit their web page: WhiteBuffalo.

Wisconsin Wagon Company - Smell the sweet scent of freshly handcrafted wood. Get about as close to Santa's Workshop as you can get because here is where they make those Janesville Coaster Wagons and the many other solid wood toys. The tour takes you by the craftsmen at work and you watch them create these childhood fancies. After the tour you can visit the company store and purchase, or order for delivery, a Janesville Coaster Wagon or any of the wooden toys of your choice.
  For information about tour schedules, etc., phone 1-608-754-0026. Visit their web page at WisconsinWagons.
  From the visitors' center (see above) go 2 blocks north on Jackson to Wall Street and turn left. Go 2 more blocks to the intersection of Academy Street. Turn right into Academy Street (NOT Centerway Street which is US-51) and go 1 block to Laurel Avenue. The Factory is at the corner (507 Laurel Avenue).

» Hotels in Janesville «

Beloit

Visitors' Center -  From I-90 eastbound, take exit 185-A and follow WI-15 southbound into Beloit. At the intersection of US-51 turn left and follow US-51 to Grand Avenue. Turn right on Grand, cross the Rock River Bridge and just beyond 3rd Street on the other side is the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce at 136 West Grand.
  From I-90 westbound (you are still on the Northwest Tollway in Illinois), take exit 1 and follow US-51 into Beloit and Grand Avenue. Grand is the first street after US-51 makes its right turn in downtown Beloit. Turn left on Grand, cross the Rock River Bridge and just beyond 3rd Street on the other side is the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce at 136 West Grand.
  For more information, phone 1-608-365-8835.

Angel Museum - The world's largest 'angel museum'. Here you can view over 6,000 angels donated by Oprah Winfrey. Note that they are quick to emphasize that this is NOT a promotion of any religion or a theology of angels but a display of a wide assortment, from musicians to sports figures, emphasizing angels as "symbols for what is joyful, noble and good."
  Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10a to 4p except holidays and the entire month of January. During the summer (June, July and August) they are also open Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4p.
  From the Visitors' Center (see above), go back to US-51, turn left and the Angel Museum is on your left just beyond Bushnell Street at 656 Pleasant Street.
  For more information, phone 1-608-362-9099 or visit their web site: AngelMuseum.

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