Travelog WI

A hiker on the trail in a Wisconsin forest

11 Great, Free Daytripping Attractions In Southern Wisconsin

By LakesEdition Content Manager • March 1, 2025
11 Great, Free Daytripping Attractions In Southern Wisconsin offer a safe way for building family traditions.

From London To Rome Summer Staycations In Southern Wisconsin's Unincorporated Towns

By Susan Siemens • September 4, 2024
(Photo of Morovian Church in London, Wisconsin) No overcrowded sandy beaches, or raucous nightlife these unincorporated towns in Southern Wisconsin have much to offer for the ultimate, Spring break staycation. There are so many often overlooked villages in our region that are car-stop worthy. In no particular order, as Summer break is all about spontaneity and freewill here are a number of towns for consideration. London, Newark, and Rome are not just major, international airport hubs they are also destination worthy, towns in Southern Wisconsin. N ewark The town of Newark for example, is the birth place of Dorr Eugene Felt (1862-1930.) If you have ever used a Comptometer then you know who to thank. The Comptometer is the world's first, mechanical calculator. According to the U.S. Patent Office Mr. Felt, though only attending high school for one year, produced over 25 foreign and 46 domestic patents. He also wrote and a number of publications, and papers related to labor relations in the U.S. Loyola University in Chicago is home to a number of his writings. Newark's most famous resident the Beckman Mill is worth a visit any time of year. Built in 1868, the mill continued to operate until the late 1950s. In 1977 the Beckman Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The best thing about a stopover in Newark, you can break a sweat while learning about history, Beckman Mill County park offers 50 acres of wetlands, woods and a garden.
Second Summer is Outdoor Fun in the Sun. Pictured is a female wearing sunglasses

School Is Back and Second Summer Is Here

By Web Content Manager • September 17, 2021
Forget the long lines, large crowds, high humidity and heat Second Summer is back and more beautiful than ever. These are the days in the 70s and lower 80s and crisp, clear nights to open the window to.

As of June 1st Wisconsin state parks have opened facilities as more Wisconsinite are vaccinated

By Web Content Manager • June 14, 2021
Pictured above is Devils' Lake State Park Another sign that normalcy has returned to the Summer vacationing season in Wisconsin, the DNR announces on June 1st a number of changes to its' operations across the state. As the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in the Badger State continues to decline and the number of vaccinated Wisconsinites rises DNR officials are now allowing indoor group camps, with both indoor and outdoor camps returning to their capacity of 350. State park properties and State Natural Areas (SNA) which were closed last summer and now open incliude: Gibraltor Rock, Pewitt's Nest, Dells on the Wisconsin River, and the popular Rock Island State Park. Also, in time for Summer all enclosed shelters are now open, as well as playgrounds and towers such as Lapham Peak State Park and Peninsula State Park. Open air shelters and amphitheaters can have maximum capacity or 350 people, as well o utdoor-only concession activities. However, visitor centers, office buildings, and nature centers remain closed until further notice. Some state park, drive-up windows may be open for admission purchases. If you are not sure where facilities are open or closed you can now visit DNR service centers Fitchburg, Green Bay, Madison and Spooner to purchase a state park sticker or fishing license. The DNR assures that it will continue to operate with safety in mind for all visitors and staff based on the Badger Bounce Back Plan COVID-19 precautions such as encouraging social distancing, and park capacities are still in place. The DNR recommends visitors enjoy parks at off-peak times or other properties less popular. State parks that are subject to capacity limits include: o Copper Falls o Devil's Lake o Governor Dodge o Governor Nelson o Harrington Beach o Hartman Creek o High Cliff o Interstate o Kinnickinnic o Kettle Moraine Southern Unit o Lapham Peak o Perrot o Rib Mountain o Roche-a-Cri o Whitefish Dunes o Willow River The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommends you visit those natural areas listed above during non-peak hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. According to the DNR "The majority of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources properties are open, with special conditions to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect natural resources."

Post-Pandemic RV Downsizing Trend Drive High Demand for Teardrop Campers In WIsconsin

By Lakes Edition Web Content Manager • June 1, 2021
LIght weight, and relatively inexpensive, teardrop campers offer affordable alternatives for camping in the great outdoors with the little comforts of home.

May Is National Health and Fitness Month

By Greg LakesEdition • May 21, 2021
The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (ODPHP) have created the "Move Your Way" campaign

Taking the Earth Day Pledge Every Day

By Web Content Manager • April 22, 2021
" O ur goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures," Wisconsin's "conservation governor" Gaylord Nelson said of Earth Day the worldwide event he had founded. On April 22, 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated by over 20 million Americans. The event brought communities across the country together to support the environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrating its' 51st year and while the mission is the same the message is more clarion and dire than ever before. But in this media landscape of doom and gloom there are signs in Washington D.C. and small towns across the U.S. that people finally understand what Gaylord Nelson's Earth Day truly is. This single day event has brought communities across the globe together to think sustainably, plant trees, save rain forests, prairie and wetlands and foster meaningful legislative action from the world's largest economies to those countries less economically blessed in the global south facing the constant threat of climate change every day. The United Nations Climate Change Conference which will hold COPP 26 in Glasgow this November owes a great deal to Wisconsin's very own, the man from Clear Lake, Gaylord Nelson. In the age of the internet, Earth Day is not only a one day worldwide celebration but a dedicated website https://www.earthday.org/ that nurtures community connections and actions in a Social Media driven context.. The website is vast and somewhat daunting for a first time visitor. If you were fortunate enough to visit Earthday.org on Earth Day you were treated to a livestream of dignitaries and every day people speaking up for the environment and highlighting the actions their communities or organizations have taken to make this planet a healthier place for all of us to live. But the Earth Day website outside of April 22nd offers -downloadable toolkits and action plans that even a single individual can take on. There is the "Earth Challenge" which invites citizens around the globe to document point sources of pollution. The Great Global Cleanup (#GreatGlobalCleanup) encourages people to seek out groups in their community that are cleaning up trash around their neighborhoods and parks. Or you can pledge to make your next meal plant based. These are just a few Earth Day actions that you can do every day, whether your at home or on vacation use Earthday.org as your guide to live a greener, cleaner life and as U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelosn succinctly put it, "(create) an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."

Healthy To Go Meals For Your Day Trips To Southern Wisconsin

By Lakes Edition Web Content Manager • April 1, 2021
Healthy to go meals for your day trip adventures through Southern Wisconsin
a native Wisconsin timber wolf in snow covered forest

Getting On The Ground Level With Your Local Animal Friends This Winter

By Lakes Edition Web Content Manager • February 19, 2021
Enjoy your local animal friends before it's too late. We have to appreciate what we have now because they may not be around in the future.
Cave of the Mounds a balmy 50 degrees in February

Winter Is A Great Time To Socially Distance In Wisconsin's Oldest Classroom

By Lakes Edition Web Content Manager • February 10, 2021
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From London To Rome Spring Break Staycations In Southern Wisconsin's Unincorporated Towns

(Photo of Morovian Church in London, Wisconsin)

No overcrowded sandy beaches, or raucous nightlife these unincorporated towns in Southern Wisconsin have much to offer for the ultimate, Spring break staycation. There are so many often overlooked villages in our region that are car-stop worthy. In no particular order, as Spring break is all about spontaneity and freewill here are a number of towns for consideration. 

London, Newark, and Rome are not just major, international airport hubs they are also destination worthy, towns in Southern Wisconsin. 

The town of Newark for example, is the birth place of Dorr Eugene Felt (1862-1930.) If you have ever used a Comptometer then you know who to thank. The Comptometer is the world's first, mechanical calculator. According to the U.S. Patent Office Mr. Felt, though only attending high school for one year, produced over 25 foreign and 46 domestic patents. He also wrote and a number of publications, and papers related to labor relations in the U.S. Loyola University in Chicago is home to a number of his writings. Newark's most famous resident the Beckman Mill is worth a visit any time of year. Built in 1868, the mill continued to operate until the late 1950s. In 1977 the Beckman Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The best thing about a stopover in Newark, you can break a sweat while learning about history, Beckman Mill County park offers 50 acres of wetlands, woods and a garden.

(Entrance to Glacial Drumlin Trail in London)


If you are in either Dane or Jefferson County there is a chance you may encounter the unincorporated town of London. This village named for immigrants from London, England resides in both counties. Two historic sites worth visiting are the Moravian Church and Community Center. The clapboard sided, structure dates back to the 1889 and is the oldest Moravian Church in Wisconsin. The Moravians are one of the oldest Protestant denominations in the world dating back to the 1500s. More significantly, London is a major, access point for the 52 mile, Glacial Drumlin Trail. The trail which connects Cottage Grove in the west to Waukesha in the east is great path to bike or hike, but remember to share the trail..


Rome, Wisconsin is not just the fictitious setting for the 1990s' sitcom "Picket Fences" it is a quaint, unicorporated town nestled along the Bark River in Jefferson County. Brian Bettinger owner Picket’s Country Store knows the story of the famous television show quite well. "The opening credits of show featured exterior shots of Rome," such as the old feed mill, the old baseball field and log cabin where refreshments are served. There was even an entire episode of "Picket Fences" shot on location in Rome, many of the actors and actresses stopping by. Bettinger's store situated on the Bark River and nearby a popular destination for bicyclists and canoeists alike. Brian allows kayakers and canoeists to launch from his property, "there is no charge to launch, just if you need some beer or ice come on in."


The outdoors are front and center here. Rome is home to The Rome Mill Pond where anglers can find Panfish, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike. Another natural treasure lies a mile east of the town is the 2,500 acres, Rome Pond Wildlife Area, a great destination for birding, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking. 


Laura Ingalls Wilder's grandmother; Charlotte Holbrook was born in Rome and is buried in the town's cemetery.


No zip code or passport required there are so many unincorporated towns in Southern Wisconsin ready to explore just be prepared to stop, and use a little spontaneity and freewill.


Travel Itinerary 


Start your Spring break staycation in Newark. Beckman Mill Park is located 6 miles west of Beloit, Wisconsin at 11600 South County Road H. 


From Newark to Rome: Turn left onto CTH-H. Turn right onto W Beloit-Newark Rd. Turn left onto S Riverside Dr. Turn right onto W B-R Town Line Rd. Turn left onto CTH-G. Turn right onto WIS-11 E,

Take a slight left turn to merge onto I-39 North toward Madison. Take exit 171A toward WIS-26, Janesville. Keep left onto Milton Ave. Take exit 17 onto WIS-26 toward Fort Atkinson. Continue onto Janesville Ave. Continue onto Robert St. Turn right onto Riverside Dr. Take a slight right turn onto Sherman Ave W. Turn left onto CTH-D. Turn right onto CTH-Y. Continue onto Main St. And that is the quickest way!


From Rome to London: Continue onto CTH-Y.. Turn left onto US-18. Turn right onto Hope Lake Rd. Turn left onto Britzke Rd.. Turn right onto WIS-134. Turn left onto W Main St. Turn right onto Holly Ridge Ln. Turn left onto London Rd.


Contact Information


Glacial Drumlin State Trail - West

1213 S Main St. Lake Mills, WI 53551

Phone: (920) 648-8744


Trail passes are required for any person age 16 or older for biking and in-line skating. A state trail pass is not required for walking, hiking, or skiing along the Glacial Drumlin Trail.. 


President Biden is hopeful that enough vaccines will be administered across the U.S. in American's arms that will all be able to celebrate the Fourth of July safely. But in the meantime, we all need to continue wear masks and practice safe distancing.