Hi Wisconsinites, what's the best road trip to get to Custer, Wisc? From Milwaukee, or Minneapolis?

[mahina]

I may not ever get another chance at a road trip in your state. I'm sure there are lots of beautiful towns and cool parts. I'd be really sorry to miss that.

Hoping to attend the Midwest Renewable Energy Association fair in about 11 days and am booking my flight in the next day or so- so, what say you? From Milwaukee, or Minneapolis?

Or?

PS, donating and raising from our community for our beloved Russ Feingold.

Mahalo in advance for your kind guidance.

[lutefisk]

1. I'd also consider Madison and Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA)

I find Milwaukee to Custer (I believe Custer is connected to Stevens point, a nice college town) the least appealing route because of construction delays and heavy traffic around Milwaukee, and the route travels through some of the "reddest" parts of the state.

Coming from Minneapolis you would get to experience a bit of Minnesota, a bit of the Mississippi River, and travel through some nicer scenery depending on the route you take. It would be a longer drive, though.

Two alternatives would be Central Wisconsin Airport, which is very near where you're going, and Madison, Wisconsin- the very progressive state capital, which is closer to where you are going than either Milwaukee or Minneapolis.

[mahina]

12. Thank you very much!

I appreciate your taking the time to respond to my inquiry. Mahalo!

Here's some excellent hula for you

[Scuba]

2. lutefisk's suggestions are good ones. You could also fly into Appleton, only about an hour ...

.... from Custer. This would give you a chance to visit the beautiful Chain-O-Lakes and Crystal River near Waupaca and the Tomorrow River at Amherst.


I went to the Energy Fair last year for the first time. There were some good educational opportunities and some fun things too. And live music in the evening.

On edit: You'll also be close enough to visit the Dells of the Eau Claire, a Marathon County Park near Hatley, Wisconsin ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018671812

[ewagner]

3. Scuba's right..

Appleton is a good idea because it's about an hour away from Custer and a straight shot down high way 10...4-lane and relatively new....

I live near Central Wisconsin Airport and it's a nightmare with cancelled flights, and remodeling of the terminal which has been going on for 2 years now.

I'm going to a meeting at Central Wisconsin Airport this morning and it's going to be a hassle...but for some reason the Wisconsin Counties Association books their basement meeting room for the quarterly regional Legislative Briefing from all the local legislators...mostly Repubs since 2010...

Waupaca area is pretty...Stevens Point is sort of a fun City.. We drive from our home to a little town called Weyauwega (Why- a -waga) to a cheese factory there called Weyauwega Star...best 6 and 10 year old aged cheddar I've ever had..it's right off of highway 10.

[ewagner]

4. Oh yeah...forgot...

If you get into Stevens Point...don't forget to try some Point Beer from the brewery...Point Amber is great!!!!

[mahina]

13. Hey brother.

mahalo nui loa. Here's a little happy mele you might like

[Scuba]

15. Ha, that's great! Thanks.

[sybylla]

5. If you can't afford the extra expense of a flight that gets you closer, then consider

I prefer the Minneapolis to Custer drive just for the pure scenery. You'll pass through Menominee where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in her "Cabin In The Woods" if you're looking for a diversion. Eau Claire, Wausau, and Stevens Point - all on your way to Custer - offer a variety of opportunities for entertainment depending on what you're looking for.

From Milwaukee, you can take two routes. The first is a little longer, but you can take the Interstate to Madison and see our most lovely capitol. In the old days, you could see it from the Interstate, all lit up at night. Now there's too much growth on the east side. Also in Madison there is the zoo and the beautiful Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

The second route from Milwaukee is shorter and it takes you through the Lake Winnebago area - the largest inland lake in the state, ringed by Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and it's flying museum, and Appleton.

And if you're in Milwaukee, don't forget to visit the incredible art museum on the lake and the botanical gardens there as well. There are a lot of Milwaukeans here who I am sure will have suggestions for other things if you have a long weekend.

Enjoy the Energy Fair. I live a little over an hour away and have been there several times. It's a great experience.

[Lifelong Protester]

10. Being from Pepin

I am not going to let you off the hook by saying Laura Ingalls Wilder lived in her "Cabin in the Woods" (actually it's her Little House in the Big Woods) near Menomonie. It's here, 7 miles outside of Pepin! I have staff that drive from Menomonie so I know that's definitely further away!

[sybylla]

11. Thanks for clarifying!

All I know is that there are signs along the interstate at Menomonie for a Laura Ingalls Wilder thing. I was sure that's what locals told me ir was.

No intent to slight Pepin, one of my favorite cities along the Great River Road.

[mahina]

14. Mahalo!

Here's our great navigator, talking about his amazing teacher, papa Mau.

no.

[Ellipsis]

6. well... if you want a road trip

Depends on your interest... Amish, antiques, nature, trout fishing, etc ,this will work for starters.


Take 41 to hwy 33 west to 22 north. coming into Wild Rose take AA then west on P and North on J...J zigs and zags but will take you right to Custer ... In Custer there is a noteworthy establishment called Clancy's good beer and bar tucked back in by the railroad tracks. Airport to Custer is about 3 hours on the interstate. This will add about 1.5 hours to your cruise . Check out Amherst about 10 miles from the fair. Hit the bakery.


Good people at the fair... Check out farmshed.org Interesting project.

If you pick up a Wis gazetter I,ll give a great litlle local drive outside Custer Amherst area.

[mahina]

19. Mahalo nui!

Braddah Iz singing about our Hokele'a, which is a whole other story

Imua (Onward) Feingold! Imua Wisconsin!

[mahina]

21. Arg, I don't see any air b n b listings in Amherst. That would be perfect-

the ten miles, not the bakery so much, though I'm sure it's yum. I shouldn't !

Can you help me understand about the Wis gazette and great little local drive outside Custer Amherst area? I'm intrigued and really want to get an eyeful of the cool parts of Wisconsin. Have always had a soft spot for your state and never in a million years imagined butthead Walker et al could possibly win.

MAYBE I WILL find a place and register to vote! Not fake kind, for real kind. I can give up voting in Hawaii, we go blue all the time anyway.

aloha...

[Ellipsis]

24. In town

http://amherstinn.com/

I would think they'll be booked.


http://crystalriver-inn.com/



http://www.amazon.com/Wisconsin-Gazetteer-Delorme-Mapping-Company/dp/089933251X

Pretty much in at most larger gas stations

[dembotoz]

7. milwaukee to custer good roads all the way not as sure about twin cities to custer

mapquest says twin cities route longer. Looks like freeways from twin cities to like tomah not sure what kind of roads you get heading east from there....


touristy stuff..... summerfest in milwaukee--lots and lots of music and crowds.
oshkosh--check out the eaa if you like airplanes...

You could take 94 past madison to 39 in portage and that north....near the dells--wisconsins largest tourist trap....
drive past plainfield where ed gein lived.....


mmmmmmmmmmm if my butt was doing the driving i would do milwaukee up to oshkosh and then 10 to custer.....

[Goblinmonger]

8. You can go all 4-lane

Take 94 to 29. 29 goes to 51/I39 which takes you to point. 10 to Custer.

I live in Oshkosh and go to Twin Cities and ND often. It's the quickest route.

ETA: quickest route from Oshkosh to Twin Cities not necessarily the options in the OP.

[mahina]

18. Thanks much.

[sybylla]

9. From Minneapolis, 4-lanes all the way

Just catch Hwy 29 to Wausau and then Hwy 39 south to Stevens Point where you catch Hwy 10 to Custer. Time for travel is about the same as from Milwaukee airport, give or take 15 min.

Could also stay on the Interstate to Hwy 10 at Osseo and have a very scenic country drive straight to Custer, but that might take more like 4 hours.

[mahina]

17. Thank you! Here's a lovely moment with our Waimea Williams, now hala'd, who was a gift and a joy.

[mahina]

16. Mahalo

nui!

This mele always lifts my heart.

Ku'e i ka enemi o ka mo'i.

Aloha aina ho'i e!

[mahina]

20. Thanks all. If I missed anybody, or anybody responds later, thank you so very much for taking time.

Aloha mau.

SORRY about the ad, skip that, then enjoy:

hui hou!

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

22. Dont know, but if you're going by Osseo on I-94 you should stop at the Norske Nook for pie

https://norskenook.com/

Agree w others that wandering through all the little river towns along the Mississippi makes for a good road trip - Milw to Stevens Point, not so much.

[DrCyCoe]

23. North of 8

Last edited Sat Jun 13, 2015, 07:56 PM - Edit history (1)

We have a saying "North of Eight is great." That is Highway 8. If you fly into Minneapolis or CWA and want some suggestions that take you into the true forest or to see some pristine waters I can help. Now that i live the life of a hermit on the South Fork of the Flambeau I rarely go south of 8. When i do its usually to go to CWA in Wausau. On my way home I like to hit country roads from CWA to Timms Hill. You could do that, then head East to Tomahawk and then South back to Wausau. Just enough to feel like Lewis and Clark without getting lost in the Nicolet, drivi g on dirt roads or being surrounded by Wolves.

If you want to see more, then head north on 13, where it intersects 8. What lies ahead is called the most geographically isolated area in Wisconsin for a reason. Come up to Phillips, then cut East across the forest to Woodruff and then South to Tomahawk and Wausau.

Lugerville area is like ground zero/Bermuda triangle for Bigfoot hunters. IMHO your time is better spent fishing or walking trails but if you want to see a BF, on dark moonless nights its easy to believe they are here.