Taking a spring break staycation? Here are 20 family-friendly spots

From the Lake Superior Lowland to the Northern Highland, here are Wisconsin’s best all-ages activities to try during a spring break staycation this spring. 

Not in the mood to suffer a cramped car ride or a laborious, long flight during this school year’s spring break? Not a problem! We’ve combed through every corner of the Badger State to compile this list of activities perfect for parents and kids to enjoy during a spring break staycation.

Lake Superior Lowland 

Pattison State Park

Immerse the whole family in awe and wonder at Pattison State Park, home to Wisconsin’s highest waterfalls—not to mention the fourth-highest waterfalls this side of the Rocky Mountains. With 1,400 acres to explore, including a lake with a sandy beach, a nature center, camping sites, and hiking trails galore, Pattison State Park ensures adventure on every visit.

Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve

The serene surroundings of the St. Louis River Estuary in Superior provide the perfect backdrop for learning about local ecosystems. At the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, 16,000 acres beg to be explored by paddling, birding, fishing, and hunting. Kids love the Lake Superior Estuarium, where they can explore interactive displays and learn about the communities that call Lake Superior home.

World of Wheels Skate Center

Superior’s World of Wheels Skate Center offers four-wheeled excitement for the whole family, as this rink maintains all-ages skate sessions most days of the week. Their Kids Skate Free Club boasts two free passes per week for each child under 12 years old with a $5 annual membership.

Wabegon Bar and Grill

Worked up an appetite after a day spent enjoying Superior’s resplendent nature with your young ones? Follow the Mission Creek Bike Trails to Wabegon Bar and Grill, adjacent to Mont du Lac Resort and Ski Hill. Visit on a Wednesday for Wabegon’s Build a Burger special, or opt for the Famous Fish Fry special on Fridays.

Northern Highland 

Northern Highland American Legion State Forest

For the past 100 years, Northern Highland American Legion State Forest has wowed Wisconsin’s families with its 900 lakes spread out over an astounding 236,000 acres. Popular activities in this forest—located near the towns of Boulder Junction, Woodruff, and Minocqua—include camping, swimming, boating, hiking, and picnicking. 

Wausau Mine Co.

Your little explorers will revel in the adventure that awaits at Wausau Mine Co., a restaurant whose atmosphere resembles descending into the heart of a gold mine. Peruse authentic mining artifacts, or visit the game room located on the upper deck before diving into hearty favorites like chicken pot pie or the mine-style sandwich: a toasted hoagie spilling over with homemade meatballs, mozzarella, and pizza sauce.

Wausau on Water Family Entertainment Center

Gamers rejoice at Wausau on Water Family Entertainment Center, a massive complex containing a 6,000-square-foot laser tag course appropriate for all ages, more than 50 arcade and video games running the gamut from time-honored Skee-Ball to virtual-reality adventures, not to mention a full-service restaurant situated on the banks of the Wisconsin River.

Children’s Imaginarium

Schools may be closed for spring break, but that doesn’t mean your children can’t continue expanding their minds. At the Children’s Imaginarium in Wausau, countless interactive exhibits bring science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to life in splashy colors and bold designs. A STEM lab provides hands-on activities aimed at fostering the next generation of innovative thinkers.

Central Plain 

44 North

44 North is a gastropub in Altoona that provides entertainment for all age groups. Your youngest will occupy themselves with arcade games while you relax with a glass of wine on the heated patio, and everyone can enjoy sweet treats at the 44 Below ice cream shop, which serves decadent flavors like strawberry cheesecake and chocolate chip cookie dough.

Justorian Alpaca Farm

Your kids won’t want their visit to Justorian Alpaca Farm in Osseo to end, as this alpaca farm and shop offers cuddles and feeding sessions with the furry mammals. Parents may find the store particularly fascinating, as it offers products like fuzzy socks, scarves, and even Christmas ornaments—all made from alpaca fiber or fleece. This family-owned farm invites you to call or email in advance to schedule your visit.

River Prairie

There’s never a dull day at River Prairie, the park and event space located just a few minutes from downtown Eau Claire on the banks of the Eau Claire River in Altoona. Bike, walk, or skate the paved trails that connect the entirety of the park, or jump into a kayak or canoe to reach the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers. Little ones may become enchanted with the park’s series of Swedish-made sculptures, which spring to life with grumpy troll characters hidden within. 

Together Farms

Give your children a taste of the bucolic life at Together Farms, a family-run farm that specializes in grass-fed beef, lamb, and pastured pork. The farm’s popular Burger Nights combine delicious dinners enjoyed en plein air with live music, bonfires, visits with the farm animals, and a kids’ play area.

Western Upland 

The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor

At The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor in La Crosse, mouth-watering ice cream flavors like Blue Moon and Mississippi Mud pair with homemade waffle cones to brighten your children’s day, while a retro soda fountain ambiance will surely fill parents’ and grandparents’ hearts with a sense of nostalgia. One of a handful of specialty shops lining Historic Pearl Street West, The Pearl Ice Cream Parlor is a convenient stop during a day spent enjoying the very best of downtown La Crosse.

Big Al’s Pizza

Your kids may not believe their eyes when they discover the inventive pies whipped up at Big Al’s Pizza in La Crosse. The taco pizza sees ground beef, refried beans, and black olives topped with nacho chips, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar, while the angry garlic chicken pizza gets a kick from spicy garlic parmesan sauce poured over chicken, bacon, and spinach toppings.

Children’s Museum of La Crosse

Three floors of educational, fun activities await at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse. The Boom Town Crane, fire truck, and Citizens State Bank exhibits teach children about their future career possibilities, while the Reinhart Family Theater introduces young minds to the performing arts.

The Nature Place

Teach your children the importance of environmental stewardship at The Nature Place, a community center and dedicated third place located in La Crosse’s Myrick Park. The Discovery Room offers hands-on encounters with live animals, and a dedicated kids’ area is full of sensory activities, books, board games, and musical instruments available for experimentation.

Eastern Ridges and Lowlands 

SafeHouse Milwaukee

Do your kids love the thrill of spy movies? Their dreams of becoming secret agents will come true with a visit to SafeHouse Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s only spy-themed restaurant. Agent MoneyPenny waits at the entrance, ensuring no one begins their adventure without learning the secret password. After your little spies receive clearance, they’re free to explore each room of the SafeHouse before devouring kids’ menu items like Goldfingers, or Kentucky-style chicken tenders, and the Carmen Cortez, a baked macaroni and cheese dish topped with butter crumbs.

Milwaukee County Zoo

Animal lovers of all ages will get their fill of both cuddly mammals and crawly critters at the Milwaukee County Zoo, which boasts an impressive collection of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates. The Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country exhibit is home to a snow leopard and a spotted hyena, while the Aquatic and Reptile Center houses the green tree python and the Brazilian black tarantula.

Dinosaur Discovery Museum

Kenosha’s Dinosaur Discovery Museum leaves visitors in awe with its extensive and ongoing research on the connection between today’s birds and yesterday’s carnivorous dinosaurs. Peruse the largest display of theropod dinosaurs in the U.S. before getting your hands dirty in the fossil excavation area. Kenosha County students receive discounts on most tours and programs.

Devil’s Lake State Park

Step back in time to the Ice Age at Devil’s Lake State Park, where you can gaze at 500-foot-tall quartzite bluffs towering over a 360-acre lake—a breathtaking scene that scientists say was formed 1.6 billion years ago. Recreational offerings at Devil’s Lake include hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, camping, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, swimming, and picnicking.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.