The People And Places That Make "Our Wisconsin"

We talk about the unique people and places in our state with the editor of “Our Wisconsin” magazine. From the center of the western hemisphere to judging at county fairs to Little Free Libraries, we share what’s great in the Badger State.

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Five Offbeat Wisconsin Destinations To Explore Solo Or With The Family

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From the Wisconsin Dells to the state Capitol building, Wisconsin offers many great well-known destinations and attractions. But some lesser-known attractions can also be fun stops when exploring America’s Dairyland.

One attraction just north of Marshfield that attracts about 15,000 visitors a year is Jurustic Park, a wooded compound featuring over 200 artistic metal works of extinct creatures that double’s as a couple’s home, said Mike Beno, editor of Our Wisconsin magazine.

The park is the creation of Clyde Wynia who gives whimsical private tours through his unusual artist sculpture park that includes dragons, turtles, insects and frogs, Beno said.

“There are some sculptures here that are taller than buildings, some that are about the size of a small dog, and there are a lot of metal dogs here as well,” said Beno.

The magazine’s August/September issue features Jurustic Park and other offbeat destinations, including:
- Blue Moo Lake in Jackson County. It’s home to the Cowz R Us ski team. The manmade lake is on the Heller family dairy farm in the town of Alma Center. The 2016 World Water Ski Championship is Sunday, Aug. 14 at the lake.
- Price Davis Football Field at Saint John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield. It served as the training facility for the College All-Star Team and for the popular National Football League charity game from 1934 to 1976 in Chicago.
- Lawsonia Links golf course in Green Lake. It’s the first links style golf course in Wisconsin and is the destination for the 2016 U.S. Hickory Open, where golfers engage in the nostalgic sport by playing in period outfits using clubs made of hickory wood.
- Little Free Libraries. The movement was started by Todd Bol of Hudson. People can leave a book and take a book to read. All for free. There are more than 40,000 Little Free Libraries in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 70 countries.