Create unforgettable memories in the heartland with this list of things to do in Wisconsin in August.
Are you planning to travel Wisconsin to wrap up this year’s summer?
Well, spoiler alert: you’re guaranteed to have a blast!
Wisconsin is known for having some of the most exciting events and activities in summer, especially in August. It’s actually one of my favorite months to visit Wisconsin.
So, whether you love sightseeing, music, historical explorations, or hiking, you’ll find incredibly fun things to do in Wisconsin in August!
I’ve shortlisted the top exciting activities you will enjoy before summer ends!
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Overview: My favorite things to do in Wisconsin in August
- Go kayaking in Wisconsin Dells
- Go hiking in Door County
- Tour the Harley-Davidson Museum
- Attend the Green Bay Packers Training Camp
1. Attend the Wisconsin State Fair
Let’s start this list strong by mentioning one of the best festivals in Wisconsin: the Wisconsin State Fair!
With its roots dating back to 1851, this annual 11-day fair is always a must-awaited event in the state.
Just one Wisconsin State Fair ticket opens the doors to many mini-events, including agricultural exhibits, free concerts, comedy shows, and educational shows.
Plus, you’ll have access to hundreds of concessionaire stands (shout out to the amazing cream puffs), where you can eat and drink to your heart’s content.
Needless to say, carnival rides are also available.
I recommend trying the Giant Slide if you want joyous giggles and the Sky Glider if you want a bird’s eye view of the fair!
Many tourists (including us) purposely visit Wisconsin in August to enjoy the Wisconsin State Fair.
Attending it is one of the best things to do in Wisconsin in August!
2. Explore Door County
One of my favorite things to do in Sheboygan WI in summer is to explore Door County.
This peninsula is perfect for tourists who have limited time in the state.
After all, its small size allows you to enjoy dozens of exciting summer-perfect activities in a matter of days!
We spent our 3 days in Door County visiting iconic tourist spots like the Peninsula State Park, taking a sunset cruise, and exploring Door County’s lighthouses.
Before hitting our accommodation, we enjoyed relaxing walks to check out county parks, museums, and wineries!
If you love nature, Door County is the dream Wisconsin destination.
3. Visit the Wisconsin Dells
Next up on the list is none other than the water park capital of the world, Wisconsin Dells.
If you’re like me who never gets tired of water activities, you’ll fall absolutely in love with this city, especially in the summer.
Classic activities in the Dells include enjoying watersports, kayaking, going on boat tours, and spending quality time with your friends and family at fun theme parks.
If you want to rest from all the splashing, you can go hiking, brewery hunting, shopping, or even horseback riding!
For daredevils, various zipline tours also await.
There are tons of things to do in Wisconsin Dells in August. It’s a perfect destination for a solo adventure and family vacation alike.
4. Enjoy the Great Taste of the Midwest
Before Wisconsin became renowned for its cheese, it was already famous for its beer production.
There are currently over 270 breweries in the state, so you can enjoy back-to-back brewery tours during your stay
Or, better yet, attend the Great Taste of the Midwest, one of the largest beer festivals in the country.
Situated on a lakeside, this event hosts over 200 breweries and brewpubs that serve more than 1,400 kinds of beer.
Each purchased ticket allows you to sample an unlimited variety of beers (each served in a 2 oz. pour). So you can easily find the brew that suits your liking!
This event is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in Southern Wisconsin.
5. Camp in the Apostle Islands
Nothing quite captures the essence of nature in Wisconsin as the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore does.
The archipelago of these 21 beautiful islands has diverse natural features, including cliffs, sea caves, sandy beaches, and Wisconsin’s iconic clear waters.
Trust me, a day’s never enough to fully explore these islands.
So, I highly recommend spending the night camping in one of the islands’ campsites!
From these islands, you can indulge in many outdoor and self-improvement activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, sailing, kayaking, and fishing, all while being away from the disturbances of the city.
Scuba diving is also one of the most popular things to do in Apostle Islands, with chances to find shipwrecks in historic areas!
After we enjoyed our time in the Apostle Islands, we traveled by car for about two hours to enjoy Minocqua.
There are also tons of things to do in Minocqua in summer and early fall, so it was well worth the trip.
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6. Hike at Devil’s Lake State Park
The Wisconsin weather in August is perfect for outdoor activities, especially hiking.
And when hiking in Wisconsin, finishing at least one of the trails at Devil’s Lake State Park is like a rite of passage!
In total, this park has over 29 miles of hiking trails.
Their distances and difficulties vary, so both hiking beginners and experienced hikers will easily enjoy this tourism hotspot!
We started our Devil’s Lake State Park hike by taking the West Bluff Trail, the park’s most popular trail.
This loop encircles the lake, reaching the iconic Balanced Rock, and takes about 2.5 hours to complete.
If you prefer shorter yet relatively challenging hikes, the East Bluff trail is also a common option!
7. Experience the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Are you arriving in Wisconsin a little earlier than August?
Well, you’re in luck, as you’ll be just in time to attend EAA AirVenture, known as the greatest aviation celebration in the world!
Up in the skies, this event hosts daily air shows featuring surreal aerobatic performances and demonstrations. Fireworks are also held at night.
On the ground, you’ll find numerous exhibits showcasing the latest developments, models, and tech related to aviation technology.
As one of the most awaited things to do in Oshkosh, nearly 700,000 people attend this event annually.
Even people like me, who have no interest in aviation, totally enjoyed this event!
8. Visit the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center
Still wondering what to do in Wisconsin in August?
Take this as your sign to visit the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center.
This is a museum solely dedicated to showcasing the state’s cranberry-growing heritage.
Among many cranberry-related artifacts, you’ll find cranberry sorting mills from the 1920s and raking machines built in the 1940s.
But surprise-surprise, this museum isn’t just for discovering how cranberry harvesting evolved over the years!
The Cranberry Discovery Center is also an ideal place to eat and shop for cranberry snacks and other local goods!
The staff were very accommodating when we visited and kind enough to take our group’s pictures.
9. Explore Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
The Historic Third Ward is a 10-block neighborhood representing Milwaukee’s past, present, and future.
It’s so historically important that visiting it has become one of the best things to do in Milwaukee for history enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.
In 1892, the neighborhood was devastated when a huge fire emerged and burned over 440 buildings, essentially resetting its community.
However, the Historic Third Ward serves as a bustling arts and cultural district, with unique shops, trendy restaurants, and vibrant galleries. It even hosts the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest!
Talk about a significant comeback.
The Historic Third Ward offers some of the most fun things to do in Southeastern Wisconsin.
I totally loved the River Walk and the diverse food options in the public market.
10. Tour the Harley-Davidson Museum
One of my go-to date ideas in Milwaukee is to explore the Harley-Davidson Museum.
Even non-motorcycle enthusiasts know this iconic American brand’s classic design and distinctive style.
It represents freedom, a sprinkle of rebellion, and the open-road lifestyle.
If you’re curious about how the brand Harley-Davidson came to life and achieved its success, this museum is a must-visit.
Really loved the interactive displays ranging from full motorcycles to vintage motorcycle parts.
We did a self-guided tour, but I heard the audio guide is useful for those who want to delve deep into Harley-Davidson’s history.
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11. Attend the Green Bay Packers Training Camp
The Green Bay Packers Training Camp is one of the most popular places to visit in Wisconsin in summer.
As the name suggests, it’s where the Green Bay Packers, one of the most storied teams in the NFL and Super Bowl history, train and prepare for the upcoming season.
By default, this activity is already one of the best things to do in Green Bay for football fans.
But based on experience, watching the Green Bay Packers practice is still enjoyable, even if you have yet to learn how football works!
We visited during Packers Family Night (the busiest open-to-the-public training day), and it was fun to enjoy a game-like atmosphere despite the fact that the game was just a practice match.
There were giveaways and even fireworks at the end of the night! Feel free to buy a Packers game ticket ahead!
12. Visit Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home
Ask anyone or look up who the most famous American architect in history is.
You’ll probably find Frank Lloyd Wright’s name before anyone else’s.
Among his many iconic works are the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Unity Temple, Fallingwater, and Taliesin—his very own home in Wisconsin, which we visited last year.
This 37,000-square-foot estate is situated in the middle of rolling prairie hills.
So, you can just imagine how breathtaking touring this place will be.
You can choose from several tour options, but we booked the “highlights tour,” which covers the Taliesin home and Hillside Studio.
You really don’t need to be an architecture fanatic to enjoy touring Taliesin.
Just enjoy it like you would enjoy any UNESCO World Heritage Site!
My final ideas on Wisconsin in August
With all the exciting Wisconsin activities in August, anybody will surely wrap up summer in this state with a bang!
If I have to choose the top activities you shouldn’t miss, that would be attending the Wisconsin State Fair, camping in the Apostle Islands, and hiking the Devil’s Lake State Park.
But really, all of the activities above can make every day you spend in Wisconsin in August memorable!
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
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