Wisconsin Life

It’s time to dine as Angela Fitzgerald visits Zócalo Food Park in Milwaukee to see what’s cooking. This vibrant food truck park offers flavors of Puerto Rico, South Korea, Venezuela, Japan and Mexico — then join an annual Door County mini-golf tournament and meet a race car driver working to create equality on the track.

Angela Fitzgerald spreads her wings in Appleton at the Butterfly Gardens of Wisconsin, a non-profit preserve celebrating the vibrant insects. The seven-acre complex offers visitors a serene backdrop to learn about pollinators and the native plants they need to survive, while preserving 40 different butterfly species native to Outagamie County.

Come one, come all! Angela Fitzgerald visits Circus World in Baraboo to learn about Wisconsin’s historical contributions to the circus. Nestled along the Baraboo River, this site was the Ringling Bros. original winter quarters home. Today, Circus World hosts circus performances and exhibits presented by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Angela Fitzgerald heads to Chippewa Falls to explore the historic Northern Wisconsin State Fair, a community staple for more than 100 years. Its rich history includes agricultural exhibits, a midway and even a 1935 Green Bay Packers game. Nowadays, visitors can hop on carnival rides, try culinary concoctions or attend a pig, duck and goat race.

Visit Pringle Nature Center, a nonprofit dedicated to putting people in touch with nature. Angela Fitzgerald tours the center, housed in Bristol Woods Park, to check out the interactive ways to discover, learn about and engage with the natural world. We also join the Kubb Championship in Eau Claire and explore a fashion school in Milwaukee.

Angela Fitzgerald checks out artifacts from Wisconsin and beyond at the State Archive Preservation Facility in Madison. The state-of-the-art location houses special collections including films, clothing and large objects like a vintage Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. We also visit a vinyl record pressing company and a teen with a hobby of plane spotting.

Angela Fitzgerald heads up north to Phillips as she explores Wisconsin Concrete Park. The roadside museum celebrates the artistic creations of Fred Smith, a retired lumberjack who created handmade sculptures using cement. Then join a family of water skiers, a fashion designer sharing their craft and a golfer playing for a world record.