Top Things To Do in Fox Cities, Wisconsin
- Adri & Kam
- Jul 22, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Fox Cities: Your Ultimate Guide to Wisconsin's Hidden Gem
Fox Cities: home to the gorgeous Wisconsin region that consists of 19 communities that have plenty to offer! Not only is it a quick 3-hour drive from Chicago, but being located right off Lake Winnebago, the Fox Cities offers lots of outdoor activities, which makes for the perfect escape for the weekend. Regardless of what season you are traveling here, or if you are planning a family or just a couple’s getaway, Fox Cities has plenty to do. Our bucket list below will help you navigate some of the places that should not be missed.
Top Outdoor Activities in Fox Cities
Enjoy 7 miles of trails with great views of the Fox River. This is the perfect place for bird and wildlife watching. They even have goats! Unfortunately, they were not there when we visited, but you may be lucky enough to see them. We would love to go back in the winter and snowshoe on these trails!
We absolutely loved going for a stroll here while enjoying all the wildlife. We were in awe when wild turkeys crossed our path with their babies. This reserve offers a variety of ecosystems such as marshes, prairies, and wetlands, all connected by boardwalks. It’s a fun place to explore and get some steps in!
Located right by Lake Winnebago, this park offers incredible views while being surrounded by lush greenery. Outside of hiking, you can also ride a bike, kayak, fish, and camp during your visit. We highly recommend going on Lime-Kiln Trail, which starts next to lime kiln ruins and takes you to what feels like a Midwest jungle. It is a well-kept area with lots of space and plenty to explore.
This is such a unique and fun stop while in the area. It is owned by a lovely couple who absolutely loves butterflies and educating others. Learn about the butterfly life cycle and gently feed them with Gatorade (yes, they love it!). If you are the chosen one, they may even sit on you 😊. This may be the last season they are open under the current ownership, as it’s being sold to new owners. If you are in the area, we highly recommend it: it’s the best $10 we ever spent!
If you are looking for something indoors, whether to escape the rain or high humidity, visiting this museum was a perfect hidden find during our stay. Not only is it free, but it also offers an extraordinary experience through glass artwork that makes you appreciate this kind of art even more. They also offer classes such as flameworking and creating glass ornaments. This could be a perfect date night idea or a girl’s night out.
Exciting Events and Activities
Baseball games are a true picture of how authentic the fans are, and boy did they show it! It was super fun watching Beloit vs. Appleton at the Fox Cities Stadium. A range of ticket options are available, some of which include food and beverages, so come hungry! On certain days, they host theme nights along with fireworks, which will keep everyone entertained.
If brunch is your love language, then visiting this spot is a must! The atmosphere is super inviting, and the staff could not be more attentive. We highly recommend ordering Brioche French Toast along with Steak and Eggs. Seasonally, they have pastries too, which were the highlight of our visit: Blueberry Scone for the win! We STILL talk about how incredible it was.
As you know, we always love to brewery hop, and Fox Cities did not disappoint! Lion’s Tail’s fun attitude and delicious beers and seltzers create the perfect vibe for a nightcap or post-brunch visit. They offer plenty of seating (inside and out) with house board games, which paired with a flight equals the best time.
This cozy neighborhood bar offers delicious pub fare such as Wagyu smashburgers and smoked fried wings. The modern atmosphere, along with a bit of Bob Ross playing on the TVs, made this dining experience that much more memorable. It’s the perfect stop to fuel up before you start exploring Fox Cities.
This quaint, boutique hotel is located right in Appleton’s downtown. The rooms are spacious and modern. Our favorite part was the fireplace, which added to the nightly ambiance when we watched a scary movie. Since it’s located in the center, it is only a quick walk from shops, the farmers’ market, local bars, and more.
Only steps away from Copperleaf Hotel, you will find 100+ vendors with baked goods, produce, handcrafted items, and so much more. This farm market runs through October 7th, so there is still plenty of time to visit and explore locally sourced items. Additionally, they host free classes from 9-10 AM, which is a combination of yoga, dance, and meditation. It’s the perfect way to start your Saturday!
This brewpub is certainly one of a kind as it has been around for ages and is one of the most loved places by locals. It is also the oldest brewery in Wisconsin, so they certainly know what they are doing. This family-friendly brewpub offers American fare that pairs great with their microbrews.
This place was so fun to visit! They offer free tastings, and you can try fun flavors such as spiked limoncello, green leprechaun, and more. They have a cute gift shop that offers lots of ideas for gifting along with a spacious patio. The owners are super passionate about their creations and love to share their knowledge with others. Stop by and enjoy a glass (or two) in a serene atmosphere.
The Fox Cities has so much to offer, so we hope this quick list helps you narrow down what you’d like to do during your visit.
XoXo
Adri & Kam
