Wisconsin & the Apostle Islands

DAY 1: WELCOME TO WISCONSIN!

Arrive in Milwaukee and enjoy a warm welcome dinner. D

DAY 2: LACLARE CREAMERY, LAMBEAU FIELD

Depart Milwaukee and head north to LaClare Creamery. Visit the goat silo, browse the artisan goat milk products, and even meet some baby goats. Your next stop is the home of the Green Bay Packers, one of the most successful teams in NFL history. Experience Lambeau Field’s electric atmosphere on a guided tour and immerse yourself in the Packers Hall of Fame. B, L

DAY 3: RHINELANDER, MINOCQUA

This morning, journey into the Wisconsin Northwoods. Head to Rhinelander and meet a local historian at Pioneer Park for a lesson on Northwoods heritage. Enjoy some free time for lunch and shopping in Minocqua, commonly referred to as “The Island City” based on its unique geography. Tonight, get a true taste of Wisconsin at a traditional supper club dinner. B, D

DAY 4: CRANBERRY FARM, APOSTLE

Did you know that Wisconsin is the leading cranberry-producing state in the nation? Observe the industry firsthand during a stop at a local cranberry farm. Continue north to the shores of Lake Superior and enjoy lunch in Bayfield before boarding an Apostle Islands cruise. Known for its rugged sea caves, pristine beaches, and coastal lighthouses, this cluster of 21 islands offers a beautiful escape. B, L

DAY 5: MADELINE ISLAND

Take the ferry to Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands, for a special guided tour of the village of La Pointe and surrounding natural areas. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, learn about the history of the island, and take in the stunning scenery. B, L

DAY 6: LEINENKUGEL’S, EAU CLAIRE

Say goodbye to Ashland as you journey south towards Eau Claire. Stop at the historic Leinenkugel’s Brewery, learn about Wisconsin’s brewing legacy at the historic facility, and enjoy a tasting. This evening, stay downtown Eau Claire. B, L

DAY 7: INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION, MUSTARD MUSEUM, SWISS

Today begins with a visit to the International Crane Foundation. This organization is the only place in the world home to all 15 species of cranes, and visitors get a behind-the-scenes look at their conservation efforts. Next, explore the history of mustard at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, where over 5,500 varieties of mustard are on display. Tonight, check into the Chalet Landhaus Inn in New Glarus and enjoy a farewell Swiss dinner with your fellow travelers. B, D

DAY 8: FAREWELL

Return home with new friends and fond Wisconsin memories. En route, stop at a local Wisconsin cheese shop and bring home a piece of the dairy state. B

ACCOMMODATIONS
Night 1: Hampton Inn, Milwaukee-Franklin, WI
Nights 2-3: Best Western Plus Concord Inn, Minocqua, WI
Nights 4-5: Best Western The Hotel Chequamegon, Ashland, WI
Night 6: Lismore Hotel, Eau Claire, WI
Night 7: Chalet Landhaus Inn, New Glarus, WI

Departure Cities:

• St. Louis

Depart: July 12, 2027
Return: July 19, 2027

AND

Depart: October 11, 2027
Return: October 18, 2027

Price per person:

• DB $2,799
• TP/QD $2,699
• SG $3,699

Mobility Note
Guests should be comfortable boarding ferries and sightseeing boats and walking through museums, farms, stadium areas and outdoor attractions. The Apostle Islands cruise lasts approximately 2½–3 hours, so guests should also be comfortable sitting aboard a moving vessel for an extended period. On Madeline Island, walking may include gravel, grass and uneven natural surfaces.

Average Temps
July departure: Daytime 75–85°F; Overnight 52–60°F
October departure: Daytime 48–62°F; Overnight 32–42°F

Northern Wisconsin and Lake Superior can be considerably cooler than Milwaukee, Eau Claire and New Glarus. By mid-October, freezing temperatures and even early snow could be possible in northern Wisconsin.

Packing Tips
Pack comfortable walking shoes, removable layers and a rain jacket. A wind-resistant jacket is especially important for the Apostle Islands cruise and Madeline Island ferry. Temperatures on Lake Superior can be 10–15°F cooler than on land, even during summer. For the October departure, bring a warm coat, hat, and gloves for cool mornings and time on the water.

Hotel Note
Hotel Chequamegon sits directly on the shore of Lake Superior’s Chequamegon Bay and provides easy access to Ashland’s Lake Walk. The hotel is also just one block from downtown Main Street, where guests can see Ashland’s well-known collection of historic murals.

The Lismore is a boutique-style DoubleTree located in the heart of downtown Eau Claire, with a rooftop bar and local coffee shop on-site. Its central location puts guests within walking distance of downtown restaurants and attractions.

The Chalet Landhaus Inn continues the Swiss theme of the final evening with traditional chalet-style architecture and Swiss-inspired décor. The property also includes an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room.

Notes on Highlights
The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore includes 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline, but there are no roads connecting the islands. Experiencing the archipelago by boat gives guests access to scenery that simply cannot be reached on a traditional motorcoach tour.

The Apostle Islands contain the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park System. The cruise may pass landmarks including Raspberry Island and Devils Island lighthouses in addition to sea caves, sandstone cliffs and historic quarry sites.

Lake Superior itself plays a major role in shaping the landscape. Waves, winter ice and erosion have gradually carved the sandstone cliffs into the arches, chambers and passageways that make the Apostle Islands’ sea caves so distinctive.

Madeline Island is an interesting exception within the archipelago: although it is the largest of the Apostle Islands, it is not part of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This allows the island to support a year-round community, roads and businesses unlike the protected islands surrounding it.

The July and October departures offer two very different versions of Wisconsin. July brings lush Northwoods scenery and warmer days on Lake Superior, while the October departure may coincide with fall color across northern and central Wisconsin, although foliage timing varies each year.

Other General Information
Tour Communications: You will receive three key communications leading up to your tour:

• Get Ready: Your email confirmation and initial tour information, sent after you register.

• Get Set: An email with additional tour details, sent approximately two months before departure.

• Go: Your final trip documents, mailed via USPS approximately three to four weeks before departure. This packet will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags, and final departure information.

Travel Protection: Travel Protection is optional but highly recommended and may be purchased until the day before departure. Sunrise Tours offers plans through battleface. Additional information will be included with your Get Ready email and can also be found HERE.

Inclusions: Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes:

• A professional Sunrise Tour Director

• Meals as indicated in the itinerary

• Local step-on guides, including gratuities

• International tour guide gratuities when specified for the individual tour

• Deluxe motorcoach transportation with an onboard restroom

• Admission to activities and events as indicated

• Airfare from designated airports

• Transportation to and from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*

• Luggage handling at hotels when available

Gratuities: We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver is $6 to $10 per person, per day of the tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers also appreciate gratuities for excellent service, with a suggested amount of $5 per person. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or distribute gratuity envelopes.

Refreshments: We are happy to provide refreshments on most motorcoach travel days. We also recommend bringing a refillable water bottle to help you stay hydrated throughout your tour.

Pickup Points: If fewer than four travelers request a particular pickup point, we may ask those guests to select another available pickup location. Travelers are also welcome to join a tour from a city that is not listed as a departure point. Please contact our friendly reservations team to discuss available arrangements. For departure cities not listed, airfare is typically $100 more than the published fare for domestic tours and $200 more for international tours.

TSA PreCheck and Airline Rewards Numbers: TSA PreCheck, Known Traveler Numbers, and airline rewards numbers must be provided to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure. Numbers received after this deadline may not be applied to your reservation.

Airline Seating: Preferred seating may not be available with group airfare. In some cases, seats are not assigned until travelers arrive at the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy-class seat but does not include advance seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available for an additional cost.

Motorcoach Capacity and Seating: To provide one of the most comfortable motorcoach experiences in the industry, Sunrise Tours generally limits motorcoaches to 80% capacity. This allows for a maximum of 44 passengers on a motorcoach designed to accommodate 55. Sunrise Tours reserves the right to amend this practice. Your Tour Director will rotate motorcoach seating each day of the tour. Payment of a single-occupancy fare does not guarantee two motorcoach seats, and you may be seated beside another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.

Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.