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    Old World Wisconsin

    4.2 (43 reviews)
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    Updated 1 week ago

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    Fun artifacts from legions of old!

    Legends and Lore: Two adults 6 teenaged girls, some into scary, some scaredy cats wanted to do something fun at night during spooky season. This was perfect! We all had fun. We may have learned something along the way too! Important note: get there early and done feel the need to do it all in order. There is a lot to see.

    Trail

    If you allow yourself about three hours, you will see and read everything. Great exercise in a natural setting. Can't go wrong with old world, Wisc..

    It was amazing!! My daughter and I love history and it felt like we were transported back to the 1800's. Staff was super polite and were very prompt and knowledgeable with our questions. Definitely recommend this location if your looking todo something with your family

    One of the rooms in yankee home I believe,
    Kyle A.

    The Disneyland of frontier North America. And I do not put that lightly. There is a little something for everyone here and it was great that just about everyone - both staff and volunteers - seemed to enjoy what they do. The token system is great for the experience but the nature and historic value alone is worth its weight in gold. I like that the animals are well taken care of. The blacksmith was great and full of enthusiasm. The school house was very engaging. Having the tram system really helped us get around after our feet got tired. Great place. Highly recommend. Amazing for adults and kids alike.

    Marissa M.

    My family came to Old World Wisconsin, and I was super impressed! My nephews (3 and 5) had a great time, and there was plenty to keep us adults interested too. The transportation between each site was impressive. It was a very hot day, so it was really nice to have all the water fountains around the park that they did. Great spot!

    Ashton M.

    Old World Wisconsin is a beautiful museum of sorts out in the country. The staff were kind and helpful, teaching about the history of each building and its former inhabitants. There are many life animals on the farms as well. Our time here was limited, but I could have spent all day here! Be sure to check café hours. Bring your own snacks and water as well.

    Hannah H.

    We came to Old World Wisconsin on a class field trip. Seeing the pigs, the baby chickens, and the sheep makes this place worthwhile! The whole place is like a time warp, and they have some rope-making presentations by the farm, an opportunity to walk on stilts as a past-time, guided tours, and getting a tram around the area. Great place to walk around and explore. There are student rates as well as school discounts. Be sure to bring a packed or sacked lunch, since their restaurant was just okay - I did enjoy their Oatmeal Raisin cookies as they were quite delicious! Their Pulled Pork was okay, but more on the sweeter side, and their potato salad was very dill-focused. Definitely an educational experience! +great educational experience! +bring a sacked lunch

    Rankinen House (Finnish)
    Kathryn D.

    As a child, Old World Wisconsin was one of my favorite places in the world, and I continue to love to visit as an adult when I'm in the area. Growing up, my family would typically come to OWW three to four times a year, including for special seasonal events. Over the years, I've made corn husk dolls, carded wool, kneaded dough and baked bread, learned how to clean clothes using a washboard and wringer, ridden on a turn-of-the-century bicycle, become a master at stilt-walking, watched sheep shearing, sung Christmas carols at St. Peter's Church, and much more. On my most recent trip just a few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see a baby calf born that very day, with the umbilical cord still attached - such a cool and memorable experience! For families interested in history, OWW an absolute must while in Wisconsin. You could certainly spend an entire day here, and I'd suggest allocating at least four or five hours. If you're short on time, be sure to visit the Raspberry Schoolhouse (Norwegian), the black kitchen at the Schultz farm (German), the sauna at the Ketola House (Finnish), and the blacksmith shop (Yankee Crossroads Village). If you have the opportunity, stop by the African-American area and learn about the extraordinary 19th and early 20th century community of Pleasant Ridge, home to one of the first integrated schools in the U.S. in the 1870s. There are modern restrooms in the visitor center and Clausing Barn Restaurant, as well as the Norwegian and German areas. The food at the restaurant is quite good, if a little over-priced, and the gift shop is definitely worth a visit. I should also mention that last summer, I attended an amazing wedding at OWW. The couple held their reception in the Clausing Barn, and it was such a charming and one-of-a-kind venue!

    Homestead in the German area where they had "Life on the Farm" with lots of animals.
    Whitney S.

    Much larger place than I had imagined. We were there mid-week in the summer and it wasn't very crowded, but the trams were easily running every 15 min or more frequently. The buildings and grounds were amazing - I hadn't realized that the buildings are original and the furnishings are great to recreate the feeling of walking into a person's home during that time period. It was great that you could walk through everything and touch many items - the kids that we saw there were having a great time. The interpreters (dressed in period outfits) were also very knowledgeable and we asked lots of questions. The school house was great - a whole room of adults crammed into those little desks with the school teacher calling on us to ask our questions (I was scolded - playfully - for not standing to ask my question - which just helped create a more authentic feel for the time period). I was a little sad for one of the pigs who was on a farm by himself and ran over when we approached (we fed him grass from the yard). And apparently they slaughter some of the animals at the end of the season (disturbing, since we're vegetarians). One of the houses had a freshly killed, skinned and cooked squirrel which, while authentic, seemed like over doing it a bit. If not for these issues, easily a five-star trip. I really liked how the interpreters had been or were engaged in authentic activities of the period (farming, baking, washing) so you got a real sense that you were just walking into someone's every day life from over a hundred years ago. The larger gardens were also quite impressive. We were there for about 4.5 hours and wished we'd arrived a little earlier. We kept up a good pace all day (but asked lots of questions and tried to see everything) but ended up being a little rushed at the end of the day and might go back to finish up seeing some things we missed. It was a great day trip from Chicago and we loved being in all the very quiet, open space.

    Old World Wisconsin
    Ericka A.

    People pretty much covered all of the bases in the other reviews on here; however, I would also like to mention that they have great rates for people who become members. They also gave me a discount for coming with a member. Animals are mainly kept in the barns and/or fenced. There are some chickens and turkeys that run around freely and they are pretty easy to access and get some good pictures of. You're allowed to take pictures pretty much everywhere. I don't remember seeing any signs to prohibit it. Their gift shop is awesome! It's truly a general store. My friend's husband and I bought hoops and sticks after playing with the ones they had for visitors to use. I think they were $20, if that. They also sell nationality patches for different parts of the settlement and my all time favorite, rock candy! We stocked up on bunches of rock candy sticks and candy canes. They kept us occupied on the ride home.

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    Ten Chimneys

    Ten Chimneys

    4.5(17 reviews)
    8.6 mi

    I am obsessed with Ten Chimneys!!…read more The backstory is fascinating. This wonderful, glamorous Broadway couple found their way to the sweet little mid-west town of Genesee Depot is intriguing on it's own. Their summer home is lovely. I can feel the parties and good times that surely took place in years gone by. Everything has been lovingly preserved by those in charge and offer a wonderful glimpse into this adored couple's lives. The grounds are the perfect backdrop to the home. The entire estate gives off a quiet and relaxing vibe. It makes me understand why, on their time off, they would long to come home to Ten Chimneys. There were 2 tour times offered. Everyone takes a small bus from the starting point. A talented docent brings you on a detailed journey back in time and into the private world of Alfred Lunt and his wife Lynn Fontanne. Of course, there is a gift shop to visit after your tour. Be sure to check out the customer restrooms. The ladies room is glamorous with ladies finery and there is a huge King's throne in the mens room! Don't miss the walking tails if you want to take in a bit more nature!

    As a classic film and theater nerd, Ten Chimneys holds a special place in my heart. The former home…read moreof Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne, the home and grounds are impeccable and just they was as they Lunts left them. Thanks to some love from investors, their stories are preserved and memorialized through the maintenance of Ten Chimneys and the many individuals from all over the world who come to this tiny Wisconsin town to remember them and Hollywood's days gone by. Cross the same threshold that the likes of Vivien Leigh, Helen Hayes, Lawrence Olivier, Katharine Hepburn, Noel Coward, Alexander Woolcott, and so many others crossed, as you become part of the storied list of visitors. Tours must be arranged in advance.

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    Ten Chimneys - Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in the Library at Ten Chimneys

    Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne in the Library at Ten Chimneys

    Ten Chimneys
    Ten Chimneys - The ladies room sitting area.

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    The ladies room sitting area.

    Lost Canyon Tours - Gift shop

    Lost Canyon Tours

    4.6(93 reviews)
    81.8 mi

    This was such a great tour! Dana was our tour guide, and we were lucky to sit in the front. The…read moreticket price is about $24, and it's definitely worth it. The tour lasts around 30 minutes and takes you through winding rock formations and narrow alleys. I was amazed at how the horses could walk us through such tight spaces. During the ride, the guide shared interesting facts about the rocks, the history of the place, and even about the blue roan horses. It was nice to learn how well these horses are cared for during the off-season and how they get to stay at the farm after they retire. Our horses were about 10 years old, and they did a great job. This was a very different and unique tour compared to others I've taken. I absolutely loved it! A wonderful way to spend time in the Dells.

    I made sure to read a ton of reviews before coming here today. I had major concerns about people…read moresaying there were high charges to use your credit card and that they stop mid-tour to try and sell you trinkets. I was also worried about the religious comments many reviews have talked about as the last thing I want is to be paid to be proselytized to. When I arrived, I got even more worried about that as there are religious images everywhere. We were also frustrated because their website shows they open at 9 am (see screenshot) but we arrived at 930 to find other people waiting saying they were told they don't open until 10:00. We were not off to a good start. HOWEVER, all of that changed when the carriage pulled in. We walked up to purchase our tickets and there is large sign The ticket window that states there admission is $21.95 per adult and you will be charged a credit card fee. Right underneath that it says that if you pay cash tickets are $20. We chose to pay cash and I recommend that you do too, because that will leave you with more money to tip your driver. Our driver was very nice and informative and nowhere along our journey did he talk about anything religious. He explained that the canyon was formed by nature and untouched by man. Our tour was full of interesting information and a few laughs here and there. Asking for female volunteers to change the horse's diaper might have been a little misogynistic, but I don't think it was malicious. The tour was very laid-back and I felt comfortable. He did stopidway through the tour to rest the horses for a moment and offer us some postcards. He explained, as people have noted, that he makes the majority of his money as a tour guide from tips and from selling the postcards. We chose to purchase the cards at the end of the journey because we would have tipped anyway. It actually seems quite sad that the guides feel the need to do this in order to make a living wage. It was dog friendly but it was clear right away that the horses did not want our dog anywhere near them. So we were very respectful of that and made sure not to bring her close to them and to sit all the way in the back. She didn't bark or fuss at all and even fell asleep in our laps on the ride. There were 13 of us on the wagon so it was a little packed. It was a very short trip through the canyon, maybe 30 or 40 minutes, but it was definitely worth it. The Dells are incredibly touristy and this was by far the most enjoyable thing we did here. I would definitely recommend this tour, although I think it probably makes a big difference which guide you get. I also think that being prepared helped me enjoy the experience that much more. Happy trails everyone!

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    Lost Canyon Tours
    Lost Canyon Tours
    Lost Canyon Tours

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    Bowljet

    Bowljet

    5.0(2 reviews)
    13.5 mi

    I rarely give five stars. When I do, it's often for something like national parks, where humans…read morehave found a way to frame an incredible sight, then get out of the way so that others can enjoy it. That's one way to describe my five-star experience with Bowljet. Therese H. and I are so busy with work during December that we often miss important things, in this case, the brief window of time between Citrus Bowl ticket sale opening and sellout. A few days later, I started to search for ways to attend, and used all the usual ticket resale sites. Finally, I came across a Bowljet listing on eBay. I found a 100% positive rating, and a BBB rating of A+. After a little more reflection, I finally pulled the auction-purchase trigger. Ever since, I've been glad I bypassed the normal path to bowl tickets, and found Bowljet. Tickets: commemorative paper tickets delivered by priority mail two days after order, along with contact information and a couple of commemorative bowl lapel pins. Communication: Fast response from seller, and follow up phone calls from Bowljet "host" (staying at same hotel). Hotel: Very good quality room for three nights, pool view, free parking pass, vouchers for breakfast three mornings at the hotel restaurant (a buffet, which included made-to-order eggs at the kitchen window). Shuttle: to and from the game, reminder phone call from host, attendance check departing and returning. The package did NOT include flights, rental car, or lunch/dinner, which suited us just fine. Of course, we also took care of gratuities for hotel maid, restaurant server, etc. Overall, the package was a great value! Thanks, Bowljet. You exceeded our expectations. We needed a trouble-free vacation with our team, and you delivered. The seats were so good, we even got a few seconds of TV time to amaze our friends. The little epigraph on your business card is true: "The best bowl trip ever!"

    I usually do not post on Yelp but needed to say something about this company. I have used Bowljet…read more2 times already and have been very pleased at the services that they have rendered. From the Pizza tour in Milwaukee and going to Lambeau Field to the pep rally and the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. They covered everything that I wanted or needed for the trip that was included in the package. I even made ESPN TV from the front row in the endzone at the Citrus Bowl !!! All my friends could not believe that I was on TV at the game. All I could say was that Bowljet put me in that seat !!! I am looking forward to using them again for any road trips that are available for my team or just to go to a great football rivalry !! BOWLJET ROCKS !!!!!

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    Bowljet

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    Dells Boat Tours

    Dells Boat Tours

    4.3(180 reviews)
    83.1 mi

    We decided to take our boat tour of the Wisconsin Dells from the original boat company…read more Emma was our tour guide and delivered lots of good information (along with many corny jokes)! Chris was our Captain. I had visited the Wisconsin Dells with my family when I was a child. We often camped up in that area because it was so beautiful. The Wisconsin Dells are still a wonderful area to explore. We would encourage anyone who has the ability to go ahead and get on a boat tour. You won't regret it.

    We had a great time on Dells Boat Tours. It ended up being one of the highlights of our visit. The…read moretour takes you along the beautiful Wisconsin River where you can see the famous rock formations of the Wisconsin Dells. Pictures really don't do it justice -- the cliffs and sandstone formations are much more impressive in person. The tour is about 2 hours long and includes two stops where you get off the boat to explore. One stop is at Witches Gulch where you walk through a narrow, mossy canyon that feels almost magical, and the other is Stand Rock where you can see one of the Dells' most famous rock formations up close. The guides did a great job sharing the history of the area, including how parts of the Dells were preserved from developers, which is why the scenery still looks so natural today. Overall it was a really relaxing and enjoyable tour. The views, the history, and being out on the river made it well worth it. Definitely recommend if you're visiting the Dells!

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    Dells Boat Tours
    Dells Boat Tours
    Dells Boat Tours

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    Chicago Architecture Center

    Chicago Architecture Center

    4.8(811 reviews)
    81.1 miThe Loop

    Chicago Walking Tour - Elevated Architecture Downtown 'L' Train…read moreWe have previously taken the CAC boat tour and one of the surface walking tours (both of which were great), but this time we wanted something with a slightly different perspective while staying downtown. We chose the Elevated Architecture Downtown 'L' Train tour led by Andrew, our CAC docent. As no one else had signed up for the tour that morning, it became a private tour. Andrew was not only very knowledgeable about the architecture and friendly, but also, given that he works in planning at the Chicago Metro, was able to take us on an even deeper dive concerning the "L", its history, and some of the current challenges. As we were about 35' about street level for the tour, we were also treated to a different perspective of the building and their design/decoration, something that cannot be readily observed from street level. Thans again to Andrew for an information and entertaining tour above the streets of downtown Chicago-truly a unique experience.

    If you're in Chiago you have to do the Architecture tour at least once. If you're in Chicago…read moreduring the Summer as I was you can seek sanctuary in the air conditioned lower level. I wish the audio was a little bit louder on that level due to the sound of the fans and people talking. If you like my reviews, consider "following" my profile for reviews all across the SF Bay Area . Why "follow" someone? It causes the person you follow's reviews to tier to top when you pull up a business. I find this very handy when researching venues. Rod's Review grading scale explained. Essentially I personally base it on the likelihood of a return visit and I try to be stingy with 5 star reviews since they should be "special" in my eyes. Price/Value also play a role obviously but there are $ and $$$$ littered across my grading scale. 5 stars - "I'll go out of my way" (approx 6 % of my reviews) 4 stars- "If I was in the area I'd go here and would recommend", (approx 38% of my reviews) 3 stars "Maybe if was nearby", (approx 37% of my reviews) 2 stars -"Would likely not return, Only if you want to go", (approx 16% of my reviews) 1 star -"No thanks, even if I was hungry", (approx. 3 % of my reviews)

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    Chicago Architecture Center
    Chicago Architecture Center
    Chicago Architecture Center - Amazing right?

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    Amazing right?

    Old World Wisconsin - museums - Updated May 2026

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