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Best attraction in Wisconsin? 10Best readers vote Door County!

Circus World, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, American Players Theatre and Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin in top five

Wisconsin is known as the Dairy State thanks to the 2.5 billion pounds of cheese it produces each year, but it could easily be called the Land of 15,000 Lakes, because that's about how many were left behind by a great glacier some 10,000 years ago. Wisconsin's got natural beauty in spades from Door County to the Apostle Islands, and its cultural appeal is easy to see in hubs like Milwaukee and Madison. What's your favorite Wisconsin attraction?

  • Door County

    Door County comprises some of Wisconsin's most scenic landscapes, including 300 miles of shoreline, five state parks, 11 historic lighthouses and 19 charming communities.
    Photo courtesy of Door County

  • Circus World
    Baraboo

    Baraboo's Circus World museum is a must-see for anyone enthralled with the history and lure of the Big Top. The museum galleries exhibit circus-related artifacts and memorabilia, while daily circus performances keep guests entertained.
    Photo courtesy of popo.uw23 / Flickr

  • Olbrich Botanical Gardens
    Madison

    The 16-acre Olbrich Botanical Garden ranks among the most stunning in the Midwest. Among its outdoor gardens is the Thai Pavilion, the only one of its kind in the continental United States.
    Photo courtesy of Randal Vanderveer

  • American Players Theatre
    Spring Green

    The American Players Theatre, located just outside of Spring Green, is the country's second largest outdoor theater devoted to the classics. The facilities include a 1,088-seat outdoor amphitheater and a 201-seat indoor theater.
    Photo courtesy of American Players Theatre / Facebook

  • Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin
    Spring Green

    Taliesin was Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Wisconsin and a gateway into the mind of America's famous architect. The Wright-designed visitors center overlooks the Wisconsin River, while house tours take visitors inside the privately owned estate.
    Photo courtesy of Taliesin Preservation

  • Harley-Davidson Museum
    Milwaukee

    The history and culture of Harley-Davidson are on display at this Milwaukee Museum, with exhibits like Climbs and Competitions, the Engine Room, Custom Culture, Tank Wall and Motorcycle Gallery.
    Photo courtesy of Harley-Davidson Museum

  • EAA Aviation Museum
    Oshkosh

    Aviation enthusiasts already know Oshkosh for its top-notch airshow, but the town also houses the excellent EAA Aviation Museum with its collection of more than 200 airplanes and 20,000 aviation objects.
    Photo courtesy of EAA photo by Jim Koepnick

  • Lambeau Field
    Green Bay

    The average Cheesehead has to wait 30 years to get season tickets at Lambeau Field, the NFL's second oldest stadium. Nicknamed the "Frozen Tundra," opposing teams often have difficulty adjusting to the adverse weather conditions, which bodes well for the home Packers.
    Photo courtesy of Brian Giesen / Flickr

  • Milwaukee Public Museum
    Milwaukee

    The diverse displays within the Milwaukee Public Museum make it a hit for all types of travelers. Topics run the gamut from anthropology and archeology to botany and geology. Visitors can witness a diorama of a Maasai watering hole or walk through a recreated European village.
    Photo courtesy of Milwaukee Public Museum

  • Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

    The windswept shore of Lake Superior is home to the stunning Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Comprised of 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland, the park is a popular destination for paddling and hiking alike.
    Photo courtesy of NPS Photo

We asked you, 10Best readers, to vote once per day for your favorite nominee, and after four weeks of voting, the results are in.

The top 10 winners in the category Best Wisconsin Attraction are as follows:

  1. Door County
  2. Circus World - Baraboo
  3. Olbrich Botanical Gardens - Madison
  4. American Players Theatre - Spring Green
  5. Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin - Spring Green
  6. Harley-Davidson Museum - Milwaukee
  7. EAA Aviation Museum - Oshkosh
  8. Lambeau Field - Green Bay
  9. Milwaukee Public Museum - Milwaukee
  10. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Mary M. Bauer (Wisconsin Day Trips by Theme), Ron Faiola (Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience) and Melanie Radzicki McManus were chosen based on their knowledge and experience of travel in Wisconsin.

Congratulations to all these winning attractions!

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AlertThe Experts

Mary M. Bauer

Mary M. Bauer

Mary M. Bauer is an avid day-tripper and the author of multiple travel books including Wisconsin Day Trips by Theme. She is also a dog and cat person, loves Peanut Butter M&Ms and decrepit Christmas decorations. Her first novel was published July 2017 –Step One, a spiritual adventure. Follow Mary on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Ron Faiola

Ron Faiola

Ron Faiola is an author, photographer and filmmaker, with three documentaries on PBS including Wisconsin Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience and two books on supper clubs including his latest, Wisconsin Supper Clubs: Another Round, released on Agate Publishing’s Midway imprint in May, 2016.

Melanie Radzicki McManus

Melanie Radzicki McManus

Melanie Radzicki McManus is a freelance writer specializing in active travel. She has won numerous awards for her writing, most notably prestigious Lowell Thomas Gold and Grand Awards for her travel journalism. Her first book, Thousand-Miler (Wisconsin Historical Society Press, 2017), is a memoir about her record-setting thru-hike of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Follow Melanie on Facebook and Twitter.