MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Cooler days and longer nights signal a time of year that many people eagerly anticipate: fall.
It’s a popular season at home, too, with Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula well regarded for autumn tourism.
One survey ranked Wisconsin the 11th-best state in the country to visit in the fall. According to LawnStarter, the Badger State ranks first in the projected number of weeks with fall foliage, fourth in the number of fall festivals and 11th in total acreage of state and national parks.
Hurricane risk was one of the criteria as well. And since you don’t need to worry about a tropical storm up north — Wisconsin had the 16th-lowest risk — the state did well in that category.
California came in at the top of the rankings, getting credit for its large number of wineries, which survey coordinators considered a popular fall activity. You don’t need to travel to the West Coast, however, as there is a growing number of wineries right here in Northeast Wisconsin.
Michigan was the top Midwestern state in the study. A location in the U.P. also got high marks in a separate poll seeking to identify the nation’s top “hidden gems” for fall colors.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park came in second in Mixbook’s survey. The park along Lake Superior in the western U.P. was described as “an underrated treasure for witnessing fall foliage.”
“With its expansive forests, rolling hills, and picturesque views, the park showcases the Midwestern fall in its purest form,” the poll determined.
Kettle Moraine State Forest was the top-ranked Wisconsin “hidden gem,” coming in 96th in the U.S.
“The forest’s mix of oak and maple trees bursts into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold during the autumn season, creating a captivating contrast against the rolling hills and pristine lakes,” according to the survey. “Its relatively undiscovered status guarantees a more peaceful and authentic encounter with the beauty of fall colors.”
Another list found a fall color location closer to home. Trips to Discover included Door County as one of its 20 Best Places in the U.S. for Fall Colors.
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