It’s pretty easy to love the Chippewa Valley. But as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder. Sometimes you need to take a day off and go see the rest of the great state of Wisconsin. Here are some suggestions for a few easy and short day trips that are fun for everyone –and quick enough that you can be right back at home by nightfall.

WISCONSIN DELLS

120 minutes • I-94 East | Leave the tourist traps behind and see what else the Dells has to offer! Take in the scenery on one of the Duck or boat tours, ride a horse-drawn carriage on the Lost Canyon Tour, or even zoom along a zip line. In nearby North Freedome, check out the Mid-Continent Railway Museum: an outdoor, living museum  that recreates life during the “Golden Age of Railroading.”

MINOCQUA

150 minutes • East on HWY 29 then north on HWY 51 | If you’re looking for something for a kids – or a kid-at-heart – then check out Wildwood Wildlife Park. The second largest zoo in Wisconsin, it features over 700 animals from across the world. Wildwood offers a lot of up-close-and-personal experiences with their animals, including their new interactive Budgie (parakeets) Encounter. Trust me, this is an awesome place to spend the day.

SHELL LAKE

80 minutes • North on HWY 53 | Home of Wisconsin’s largest landlocked seepage lake, Shell Lake (the town) is a great place to relax. Shell Lake (the lake) is an excellent spot for sailing, swimming, fishing, or just for hanging out on the beach. Catch a show at the Lakefront Pavilion, visit their world -famous Museum of Woodcarving, or check out their Monarch Butterfly Habitat.

LAKE PEPIN

60 minutes • Wisconsin Trunk 85 W and WI-25 S to WI-35 N/Great River Rd in Pepin | Looking for something on the historical side? Then head on over to Pepin, birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. There you can check out the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, which features many items Laura and her family would have recognized and recalls the era in which she lived. Once you check out the museum, you can chillax at Lake Pepin. For bird-lovers, check out Tiffany Bottoms, one of the largest floodplain forests; it’s teeming with nearly every bird you can find in Wisconsin.

RHINELANDER

120 minutes • East on HWY 29 then north on HWY 51 | Located in the heart of the Northwoods, Rhinelander has lots of outdoorsy activities to keep you occupied. Take a trip up the Wisconsin River on one of the scenic Wisconsin River Cruises aboard the Wilderness Queen. They offer a variety of cruises, including sightseeing tours, dinner cruises, a Sunday brunch tour, and some specialty cruises. Just watch out for the legendary Hodag!