Free Places, Events and Attractions in Wisconsin

With gas being the price it is, it's nice to have a destination that doesn't cost anything to get into. There are plenty of free places, events and attractions to see in Wisconsin. So why not plan a few.

Barron County

Rice Lake:

Rice Lake Annual Fly-In*
Rice Lake Regional Airport
Rice Lake, WI
Phone: 800-523-6318

August 9th, 2008
7am - 1:00pm

The Rice Lake Annual Fly-In will feature aerobatic flying, the Warbirds and Medical aircraft. A pancake breakfast and lunch is offered. There is free admission and parking.

Brown County

Green Bay:

Bay Beach Amusement Park*
1313 Bay Beach Road
Green Bay, WI 53402
Phone: 920-448-3365

May 23rd - September 1st, 2008
10:00am - 9:00pm

Bay Beach Amusement Park is the place for the whole family. It is 45 acres of fun including the amusement rides, picnic areas, playground and volleyball and baseball areas.

Ride tickets are 25 cents each and all rides are 1 or 2 ticket, really.
Free admission

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary*
1660 E. Shore Drive
Green Bay WI 53402
Phone: 920-391-3671

April 15th - September 15th, 2008
8:00am - 7:30pm

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the largest Wildlife Rehabilitation sites in Wisconsin, with 700 acres of refuge. They offer an observation building/research center, a wildlife habi-trek and a nature education center with many hands on exhibits. Free

Dane County

Madison:

Henry Vilas Zoo*
702 S. Randall Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Phone: 608-266-4732

Open 9:30am - 5:00pm
Open year round

Henry Vilas Zoo, one of the oldest in the nation offers such exhibits as a children's zoo, penguin exhibit and a big cat complex. There's fun for one and all. Free

State Capitol Building*
2 East Main Street
Madison, WI 53702
Phone: 608-266-0382

Times below
Open year round

The State Capitol is open to the public at 8:00am to 6:00pm weekdays and 8:00am to 4:00pm on weekends. They have free tours daily at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm, 2:00pm and 3:00pm Monday through Saturday. Tours Sundays are at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm. Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Day. Free

Green Lake County

Green Lake:

Green Lake County Junior Free Fair*
Green Lake County Fair Grounds
Phone: 920-294-4032

July 31st - August 3rd, 2008

The Green Lake County Junior Fair is a family oriented fair with music, entertainment acts, educational programs, vendors, rides and food. Free admission

Kenosha County

Pleasant Prairie:

Goelitz Jelly Belly Factory and Store*
10100 Jelly Belly La.
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158

Open Daily

Goelitz Jelly Belly Factory and Store is located by the Prime Outlets, an outdoor shopping mall. They offer daily tours of the factory from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Free

Marathon County

Wausau:

Wausau 4th of July Celebration*
Marathon Park
1201 Stewart Ave.
Wausau, WI 54401
Phone: 715-842-2688

July 3rd - 6th, 2008
12:00pm - 12:00am

Wausau's 4th of July Celebration has carnival rides, games, live entertainment, food and fireworks, grandstand shows and karaoke. Free admission

Wausau Balloon Rally and Glow*
Wausau Municipal Airport
725 Woods Place
Wausau, WI
Phone: 715-843-0748

July 11th - 13th, 2008

Wausau's Balloon Rally is a hot air balloon event where pilots compete against each other, showing their skills by performing tasks called by the events director. Admission is free.

Outagamie County

Stevens Point:

Air Show
Stevens Point Municipal Airport*
4501 Hwy. 66
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-345-8989

June 1st, 2008
7:00am - 4:00pm

Air Show features aerobatic acts and aircraft displays. Free

Spud City Rama*
23rd Annual Auto Rama
Pfiffner-Pioneer Park
Crosby Ave.
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-344-0751

July 11th - 13th, 2008

Spud City Rama is having a special tribute for Rods and Customs, Saturday night Thunder Cruise and concert. Food and concessions; free admission.

Ozaukee County

Cedarburg:

Ozaukee County Fair*
Fireman's Park
Washington Ave.
Cedarburg, WI
Phone: 262-377-9620

July 30th - August 3rd, 2008
10:00am - 10:00pm

Ozaukee County Fair offers a midway, games, animals, demo derby, truck pull and main stage entertainment. They have tons of fun for the whole family. Free admission

Racine County

Racine:

Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival*
Samuel Myers Park
On the lakefront
Racine, WI
Phone: 262-632-0530

July 11th - 12th, 2008

The Great Midwest Dragon Boat Festival will have 75 teams of beautifully decorated dragon boats competing for prizes.

Sheboygan County

Sheboygan:

Free Fishing and Outdoor Activity Day*
Sheboygan Falls River Park Lagoon
Phone: 920-893-5210

No license required. Fishing poles and bait available, many hands on demonstrations, lots of fun for the whole family. Free admission

Washington County

West Bend:

Germanfest*
Downtown
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: 262-338-3909

August 22nd - 24th, 2008
Starting at 10:00am Friday

The German Heritage Festival features authentic German food, music, dancing and even a Sheepshead tournament. Free admission