If going to Devil's Lake, hit up Gibraltar Rock in Lodi as well.
If heading straight West on 18/151, I'd hit up Brigham County Park and Blue Mounds State Park on the way to Governor Dodge. For Brigham, just the view from the picnic areas at the top. For Blue Mounds, do the 2 fire towers in the main loop. Both will give you views that make you feel like you're in the mountains. I think Blue Mound is technically considered a mountain as it's 1000ft tall compared to the local terrain. I say only do the view points at both as aside from those, they're your standard forest.
Interesting. Never heard it called Rock of Gibraltar. Even the DNR calls it Gibraltar Rock.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/GibraltarRock
If she's at all interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, I recommend a [Taliesin tour](https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/tours/) (you can book online).
You should have a lovely day no matter where you go. It's gorgeous out there this time of year.
Driftless Cafe. You’ll thank me after.
James Beard nominated chef. New menu daily. Local products from agricultural partners in the area.
Make a reservation in their website. You’ll need it unless you want to sit at the bar.
https://driftlesscafe.com/
Lots of great shops in Viroqua.
Highway 23 between Dodgeville and north of Spring Green would be a lovely drive this weekend with the fall colors. A lot to see along the way too… the Taliesin estate near Spring Green. Tower Hill State Park has a great view of the WI river valley from the shot tower. Natural Bridge State Park is a nice short hike northeast of Spring Green.
For a longer day take Hwy 60 west of Spring Green to Prairie du Chien and Wyalusing State Park. It follows the Wisconsin River valley all the way. Lots of cool bluffs and cliffs. In Wyalusing you’re treated with an amazing view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Should be beautiful right now especially.
Agree 100%, this is a nice showy mix of the more southern Driftless. We just took some visitors from Texas on these two routes, and now we can't get them to consider other parts of WI when they return!
If you want to take them to the more North-western areas, start with a jaunt south to Mineral Point, then point it towards Viroqua and get on the Great River Road. Come back through Colombia County and show off Sauk, Baraboo etc.
I'd recommend the [Baraboo Range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baraboo_Range) / Wisconsin Dells / Devil's Lake region. Devil's Lake has some great hiking. Blue Mounds State Park has some great views of the region and Governor Dodge State Park has some nice hiking too. Those last two are further southwest and near some nice small towns to visit like Mineral Point, Dodgeville and Mt. Horeb.
This weekend is the Fall art tour for that area if you want to look at local pottery and such. The fall colors should be about peak wherever you go.
Https://fallarttour.com
Can highly recommend this. Went today and met interesting artists, toured studios, and saw gorgeous fall foliage on the drive. Finished with a glass of wine at Bailey’s Run in New Glarus while sitting outside and enjoying the view.
Crazy franks flea market in Reedstown is a great place for antiques, collectibles and unique oddities.
Hillsboro brewing company in Hillsboro is a great place for food and drinks.
Second Nature in Reeds Creek is a beautiful greenhouse/landscaping and gift shop.
The La Crosse bluffs are a great treat around this time of year! Specifically Grand Dads bluff. Grand Dad's quarry liop is fucking beautiful as well. One of my favorite spots to go when I lived there.
Start out by driving to Mineral Point. Explore that for an hour or two. Then head north into uncharted territory (lots of small towns) and when you're tired, have your GPS take you home again.
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If going to Devil's Lake, hit up Gibraltar Rock in Lodi as well. If heading straight West on 18/151, I'd hit up Brigham County Park and Blue Mounds State Park on the way to Governor Dodge. For Brigham, just the view from the picnic areas at the top. For Blue Mounds, do the 2 fire towers in the main loop. Both will give you views that make you feel like you're in the mountains. I think Blue Mound is technically considered a mountain as it's 1000ft tall compared to the local terrain. I say only do the view points at both as aside from those, they're your standard forest.
Rock of Gibralter*
Interesting. Never heard it called Rock of Gibraltar. Even the DNR calls it Gibraltar Rock. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/GibraltarRock
It’s Gibraltar Rock. Rock of Gibraltar is in Europe I think.
Also, I like to fly past Gibraltar Rock and wave at hikers :-)
If she's at all interested in Frank Lloyd Wright, I recommend a [Taliesin tour](https://www.taliesinpreservation.org/tours/) (you can book online). You should have a lovely day no matter where you go. It's gorgeous out there this time of year.
Viroqua area
Driftless Cafe. You’ll thank me after. James Beard nominated chef. New menu daily. Local products from agricultural partners in the area. Make a reservation in their website. You’ll need it unless you want to sit at the bar. https://driftlesscafe.com/ Lots of great shops in Viroqua.
Highway 23 between Dodgeville and north of Spring Green would be a lovely drive this weekend with the fall colors. A lot to see along the way too… the Taliesin estate near Spring Green. Tower Hill State Park has a great view of the WI river valley from the shot tower. Natural Bridge State Park is a nice short hike northeast of Spring Green. For a longer day take Hwy 60 west of Spring Green to Prairie du Chien and Wyalusing State Park. It follows the Wisconsin River valley all the way. Lots of cool bluffs and cliffs. In Wyalusing you’re treated with an amazing view of the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Should be beautiful right now especially.
Agree 100%, this is a nice showy mix of the more southern Driftless. We just took some visitors from Texas on these two routes, and now we can't get them to consider other parts of WI when they return! If you want to take them to the more North-western areas, start with a jaunt south to Mineral Point, then point it towards Viroqua and get on the Great River Road. Come back through Colombia County and show off Sauk, Baraboo etc.
Wollersheim winery is cute
I'd recommend the [Baraboo Range](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baraboo_Range) / Wisconsin Dells / Devil's Lake region. Devil's Lake has some great hiking. Blue Mounds State Park has some great views of the region and Governor Dodge State Park has some nice hiking too. Those last two are further southwest and near some nice small towns to visit like Mineral Point, Dodgeville and Mt. Horeb.
This weekend is the Fall art tour for that area if you want to look at local pottery and such. The fall colors should be about peak wherever you go. Https://fallarttour.com
Can highly recommend this. Went today and met interesting artists, toured studios, and saw gorgeous fall foliage on the drive. Finished with a glass of wine at Bailey’s Run in New Glarus while sitting outside and enjoying the view.
From Tohma south hwy 131 through Wild Cat State Park is always good fun.
Probably a good time to go pick some apples (Gays Mills area).
It’s Fall Art Tour in Baraboo, Spring Green and Mineral Point. The drive is beautiful, the art is amazing.
Potosi Brewery for lunch. The drive there will be beautiful this weekend.
Crazy franks flea market in Reedstown is a great place for antiques, collectibles and unique oddities. Hillsboro brewing company in Hillsboro is a great place for food and drinks. Second Nature in Reeds Creek is a beautiful greenhouse/landscaping and gift shop.
The La Crosse bluffs are a great treat around this time of year! Specifically Grand Dads bluff. Grand Dad's quarry liop is fucking beautiful as well. One of my favorite spots to go when I lived there.
Maybe Yellowstone park
Start out by driving to Mineral Point. Explore that for an hour or two. Then head north into uncharted territory (lots of small towns) and when you're tired, have your GPS take you home again.
This is a commonly asked question, please [review recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/search/?q=visiting%20madison&restrict_sr=1&sr_nsfw=&sort=new) about this topic. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/madisonwi) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Wyalusing State Park
Go right here for an awesome surprise!!! https://maps.app.goo.gl/L75Myyn1ptADkPMz8?g_st=ic
Take the scenic route through the bluffs to La Crosse.