Discover Wisconsin

Wisconsinites are no strangers to the cold and snow that winter brings, so rather than hunkering down and hibernating, Mariah and Eric head to explore a number of communities across the state that know a thing or two about embracing the winter months! From the Arctic Warrior obstacle course in St. Germain, snowboarding at Devil’s Head Resort in Merrimac, Bald Eagle Watching Days in Sauk Prairie, or Winterfest in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin has no shortage of winter recreation!

Supper clubs have been a Wisconsin tradition for more than 100 years, and these beloved establishments continue to thrive here in our state. Wisconsinites and visitors voted in Travel Wisconsin’s Supper Club Showdown to determine the top 10 supper clubs in the state, and the DW Crew heads to four of them to learn the stories behind these dining destinations! Hungry visitors flock to Buckhorn Supper Club in Milton for its famous prime rib and peanut butter pie, while Lehman’s Supper Club in Rice Lake prides itself on serving classic Wisconsin comfort foods and a few dishes with a twist! A cozy dining room overlooking Half Moon Lake awaits at Pinewood Supper Club in Mosinee, and enjoying an Old Fashioned on the deck is an absolute must at Ishnala Supper Club in Lake Delton - voted the #1 supper club in Wisconsin. With delicious meals, friendly service, and Old Fashioneds (sweet or sour!), there's nothing quite like the Wisconsin supper club experience!

What happens when you challenge three Wisconsin chefs to create three different dishes with the same Variety of Cheese? Magic! In this delicious episode of Discover Wisconsin, we visited the Lakely Restaurant in Eau Claire and tasked Chef Nathan Berg with The Kammerude Gouda Challenge using Comstock Creamery’s signature cheese. Then we headed to Viroqua to issue Chef Luke Zahm at the Driftless Cafe the Blue Cheese challenge, having him use Sid Cook’s ‘favorite cheese’, Glacier Penta Creme Blue Cheese. Finally, it was up to Chef Adam Siegel of Lake Park Bistro in Milwaukee to tackle a Wisconsin original, Widmer’s aged Brick cheese, and Brick Cheese spread! Creating three incredible dishes which will get cooks and chefs around the state thinking out-of-the-box with new ideas for using award-winning Wisconsin Specialty cheeses!

Welcome to the Top of Wisconsin where you’ll find some of the best silent sports trails in the Midwest. We’re hiking, biking, kayaking, skiing, tubing and snowshoeing our way through towns like Cable, Hayward, Bayfield and Seeley. From a 5-year-old BMX rider to an Olympic cross-country skier, we’re uncovering what makes Bayfield and Sawyer counties a silent sports mecca for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Hosts Mariah Haberman and Collin Geraghty hike their way to off-the-grid spots like Juniper Rock Overlook and Lost Creek Falls. Our journey in northwest Wisconsin comes to a close at the “super bowl of silent sports” – The American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet ski race. Gear up: we’re hitting the trails!

From artisanal brews to fermented honey, Mariah and Eric get a taste of some very different craft beverages and the hard work that goes into creating these delicious products.

A community's Main Street is the beating heart of its town. It's the city's center, it's full of history, and it's a gathering spot for residents and visitors alike. In Wisconsin, Main Street communities are known for being friendly, charming and authentic, with unique personalities that set them apart from one another. And sometimes, the best adventures to be had are found 'Just off Main Street.' In this episode of Discover Wisconsin, we explore the communities of Osceola, Florence, Whitewater and Omro. Hosts Mariah Haberman and Marie Justice step off the beaten path to discover the beauty, history, and fun that these Main Street communities offer visitors. From a Scenic National Riverway, to remote waterfalls of the Northwoods, there are so many things that will surprise you about these places - and they're just down the road!

We're getting back to nature in this episode of Discover Wisconsin, and we start at a foundation in Baraboo committed to bringing the environment back to it's natural roots. Founded by Aldo Leopold's five children in 1982, The Aldo Leopold Foundation is a conservation organization that works to inspire an ethical relationship between people and nature, and continues to foster this land ethic through the legacy of Aldo Leopold. We get to be a part of just a small number of the many great programs they have at the foundation; including their Learn-to-Hunt programs and an introduction to their Prescribed Burn trainings. Host Mariah Haberman takes a walk through the grounds with Leopold fellow, conservation biologist, historian, and writer Curt Meine, who gives some key insight into Leopold's work and his final day of protecting the land. And before we leave Baraboo, Mariah goes for a ride out to the foundation's blind to see the annual Sandhill Crane migration. Plus a hunting segment.

Norskedalen (Which means Norwegian Valley) is situated in the Coulee region of the state. This beautifully preserved open-air museum and nature preserve sits on 400 acres of land. With miles of hiking trails and a breathtaking arboretum with natural springs and streams, Norskedalen is a place of sheer beauty. Tour the visitors center and get a quick history lesson of the Norwegians that settled the area. Walkthrough Bekkum Farmstead and see how people lived back in the late 1800s, or simply enjoy the serenity of a peaceful hike through the grounds of Naturally Historic - Norskedalen. Follow along as hosts Eric Paulsen and Mariah Haberman explore the Visitor's Center, Bekkum Farmstead, Paulsen Cabin, Benrud Chapel, and Helga Gundersen Arboretum.

There aren't a lot of communities out there with a story like that of Janesville. It's one that so many people can connect with and be inspired by. From gorgeous parks and trails to an exciting and ever-evolving downtown, Janesville is everything that's great about Wisconsin and so much more. In this episode of Discover Wisconsin, hosts Mariah Haberman and Marie Justice experience the exhilaration, discovery, and togetherness that makes Janesville special. As Wisconsin's Great Outside, you can count on a variety of year-round outdoor recreation, but there's also fun downtown stores and events, giving you countless reasons to spend time with those you love. Janesville is the ultimate place to relax and recharge in Wisconsin's Great Outside!

Hosts Collin Geraghty and Mariah Haberman each set out on their own adventures in the Baraboo area, taking in the intricate blend of outdoor recreation, bustling downtown, and rich history. Collin's excursion takes him from kayaking along the Baraboo River to enjoying a smooth drink at Driftless Glen Distillery, while Mariah makes an enchanting visit to Devil's Lake Lavender farm before soaking in the grandeur of the Al. Ringling Theatre. From iconic attractions like Devil’s Lake State Park and Circus World to discovering the local charm of the Baraboo Social Club and the Little Village Café, adventure awaits in Baraboo!

Wisconsin Dells is an iconic vacation destination. Sure, it’s The Waterpark Capital of the World, but there’s a whole other side of Wisconsin Dells perfectly poised to provide an entirely different kind of vacation – one where you can retreat, relax, and repeat! Host Mariah Haberman begins her Wisconsin Dells trip with a delicious meal at Ishnala Supper Club, before grabbing her sister for a girls’ getaway involving wine tasting at Baraboo Bluff Winery and a little pampering at Spa Kalahari, located within Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. For those looking to get outdoors, The Kalahari’s Trappers Turn Golf Club offers 27 holes of challenging play on an award-winning course designed by two-time U.S. Open Champion, Andy North. And for live entertainment, don’t look any farther than the Crystal Grand Theatre in downtown Wisconsin Dells or The Keg & The Patio, where Mariah takes in some local jams while enjoying a drink and a few games on the outdoor patio.

From lake life to winter recreation, fall colors, and family traditions, Waushara County is a quintessential Wisconsin destination. Host Mariah Haberman dives into the year-round recreation and deep-rooted family traditions that have kept visitors coming to this area for decades. Lake life is a huge draw to Waushara County, and many families have been coming to this area for generations to reconnect and relax with a weekend at the lake. With nearly 100 lakes and 20,000 acres of public land available, hunters and fishermen flock to Waushara County every year, while the rustic roads, Ice Age Trail, and fall colors bring bikers and hikers alike to the area. Mariah also visits Silvercryst Supper Club & Motel, a longtime Waushara County favorite for drinks, steaks, and gorgeous lake views, as well as Flyte’s Fieldstones, and Nordic Mountain.

Sparta is well known in Wisconsin for being a bicycling hub. It’s located at the junction of the Elroy-Sparta and La Crosse River bike trails, and it’s also home to the first rail-bed to be converted into a bike trail. If you stop and stay a while, however, you’ll quickly see that there is so much more to learn and explore in Sparta. In this episode, hosts Mariah Haberman and Collin Geraghty get off the bike path to experience the many places, events and activities that visitors can take advantage of. From concrete art, to covered bridges, to giant fiberglass sculptures, Sparta has surprises in store around every corner. Local businesses like Mathews Archery and McPherson Guitar take craftsmanship and innovation to another level. Community events like Butterfest and the Holiday Kriskindlmarkt bring people together. Gorgeous land and water trails offer countless opportunities for outdoor recreation. In some ways it’s classic small-town Wisconsin, and in other ways it will surprise!

Home to picturesque communities like New Glarus and Monroe, Green County is known for its cheese factories, breweries, and Swiss heritage. In this episode of Discover Wisconsin, hosts Mariah Haberman and Eric Paulsen learn about Green County's history when it comes to cheesemaking, and see firsthand how business owners and community members are carrying on traditions today. Among other things, we visit a 125-year-old tavern, taste a Limburger cheese sandwich, meet father and son master cheesemakers who are carrying on Swiss traditions, and attend one of the state's most anticipated events, Cheese Days. Visitors to Green County will love the Swiss-chalet style buildings, great shopping and authentic Swiss cuisine, but it's the welcoming spirit and hometown pride of Green County's communities that make it what it is - a uniquely Wisconsin destination that you are sure to love.

Wisconsin is known for its award-winning cheeses, beers, and wines, and in this episode we're highlighting specific areas of the state where you can take a day trip, or spend a weekend exploring all the great flavors the state offers! We check out Door County, the Milwaukee area, the New Glarus area, and even head to the northwest corner of the state to sample a few delicacies!

Just south of Milwaukee lies a small community that’s grown a lot over the past few years and has begun to transform in a big way. Oak Creek has been reinvented, and you don’t have to look too far to see just how much as changed

With its rich history, hometown values and natural beauty, Elkhorn feels like a classic, Americana, small town. Local businesses thrive, a historic home on the edge of town has surprises around ever corner, and during the holiday season, it becomes clear why people around the world know this community simply as ‘The Christmas Card Town.’ Annual events like the Walworth County Fair, Ribfest and the Antique Flea Market bring thousands of people to town, while the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and Lauderdale Lakes provide a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Come explore just what makes Elkhorn a postcard perfect destination!

There’s no doubt about it: our state knows a thing or two about cheese! And, it’s all thanks to the dairy farmers and cheesemakers, who dedicate their lives to creating the award-winning products that make Wisconsin famous!Today on Discover Wisconsin, we’re highlighting our heritage of crafting award-winning cheese!