Discover America’s Most Underrated Winter Wonderland

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Last Updated 3 minutes in the past

As we shut out the ultimate chapter of 2024, most vacationers are in search of out sunny escapes resembling Florida, Mexico, and even so far as Europe’s sunniest area, the Algarve.

On the flip facet, a few of us embrace the coldest season of the yr for epic winter wonderlands like Colorado and Alaska, in addition to limitless Christmasy destinations throughout Europe.

But Wisconsin most likely did not cross your thoughts, did it?

A neighborhood report from the ‘Badger State’ signifies the Midwest’s new tourism hotspot is Wisconsin’s lesser-known winter wonderland, and it is certainly not a family title.

Nestled between Madison, Milwaukee, and gorgeous Lake Superior is a hidden gem with hovering customer numbers – and no, it isn’t the land of cheese and soccer both.

An enchanting area dotted with thrilling winter sports activities experiences, timeless cities, and sprawling postcard-worthy landscapes, amongst different stunning delights, is none aside from Chippewa Valley.

Ever heard of it?

Small Town Charm And Popular Breweries

A go to to Chippewa Valley will transport you to a Hallmark film. Picture winding backroads lined with snow-dusted pines and small cities oozing rustic allure with down-home diners and quaint outlets.

If there may be one city you may need heard of – key phrase: would possibly – is the stunning city of Eau Claire, thought-about to be the ‘North Star’ of Chippewa Valley.

This artsy school city transforms right into a quintessential white Christmas getaway and affords a broad vary of historic inns to trendy boutique hotels with dwell jazz.

Next up on the Chippewa Valley wheel is equally named Chippewa Falls, an idyllic winter escape with a picturesque city heart, circa 1900’s Bed and Breakfasts, and widespread Leinenkugel’s Brewery, which you have seemingly seen their merchandise in your native grocery store’s cabinets.

What makes this brewery additional particular is the Leinie Lodge, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from insightful excursions of the brewery grounds and sip on $5 drafts throughout common enterprise hours and $2.50 beers for ‘Happy Hour’.

Make positive to take a look at their seasonal beers, like fan-favorite Snowdrift Vanilla Porter or my private favourite, Summer Shandy.

These are their winter hours via March:

Sunday – Wednesday
12:00pm – 6:00pm
Thursday – Saturday
10:00am – 8:00pm

Travel Tip: Check out Chippewa Falls’ events page for enjoyable winter actions like Irvine Park’s Christmas Village.

Rustic Cabins And Snow-Dusted Pines: Lake Wissota Is A Local’s Favorite Escape

Next door to Chippewa Falls is tranquil Lake Wissota State Park, excellent for these prepared to courageous the chilly and luxuriate in all of the enjoyable actions that snow brings.

One distinctive attraction is the chance to ice fish, however simply bear in mind that ice thickness is just not monitored.

For the extra adventurous, circle your calendars for January 15, 2025 for a night candlelit gathering for skiers, snowboarders, and hikers for winter thrills previous sunset.

The park boasted roughly 8 miles of well-groomed trails for skiers, 10 miles for snowshoeing, and one other 5 outfitted for snowmobiles main deeper into Chippewa County’s in depth path system.

There’s no higher technique to immerse your self within the magical surroundings surrounding Lake Wissota.

There are quite a few cozy cabins lining the lake and into the forest listed on Airbnb and Vrbo.

If it had been me, I’d be throughout Inn On Lake Wissota.

Highly rated, conveniently positioned, and providing fireplace pit seating with up-close lake views, it is simple to see why one current visitor boasted, ‘One of the most effective locations we have ever stayed! You’ll find it irresistible right here and never need to go away!’.

Wisconsin’s Uptick In Tourism

Also listed in WQOM’s report is Wisconsin’s total uptick in tourism.

Frequently missed as a go-to vacation spot, Milwaukee, Madison, and Wisconsin’s sliver of the Great Lakes are too typically missed.

However, the outside recreation sector grew 9.4%, which speaks to Chippewa Valley’s attraction.

While official statistics aren’t fairly tallied up for 2024, it is anticipated Chippewa Valley will see a fair greater spike, and locals are thrilled to see the economic system booming.

With overtourism and even gentrification being a giant concern these days, there can by no means be too many welcoming locations.

Wisconsin is stuffed with delights past Chippewa Valley as properly, so once you go to, do not let or not it’s your end-all-be-all getaway.

For instance, do you know Wisconsin is house to 21 islands? It’s true.

That being mentioned, Chippewa Valley is undoubtedly the state’s most underrated winter getaway, and as extra guests make their approach right here, it is inevitable to see much more points of interest pop up, particularly since Chippewa Valley talks a giant recreation as a ‘year-round vacation spot’.

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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed listed below are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.