West Bend Four Seasons GeoTour

 

GeoTour Name: West Bend Four Seasons GeoTour
Location: West Bend, Wisconsin
Number of Favorite Points: 362

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Old 1889 County Courthouse and Museum (GC53BB1)

Why West Bend is a great place to visit:
West Bend is nestled in the heart of Wisconsin’s northern Kettle Moraine, but is also close to Milwaukee. The area embodies the best of small town living and big city offerings. From museums and shops to miles of scenic trails and other outdoor recreation, West Bend has something for everyone.

Best time of year to visit:
West Bend is a year-round destination with festivals and fun for every season. In winter, have fun skiing, snowboarding, or tubing on two nearby ski hills. Music on Main is a live celebration every Thursday during summer. Geocachers from all over the globe head to this area for the annual $1000 West Bend Cache Ba$h Mega Event in August.

Must-see attractions:
The Old Courthouse and Jail (GC53BB1) is a standout attraction. Built in 1889, this historic building now houses an outstanding museum with exhibits that tell the story of Washington County from the Ice Age to the Industrial Age including some hands-on interactive exhibits.

The Museum of Wisconsin Art (GC53BBB) houses the largest collection of Wisconsin art, including Milwaukee-born artist Carl von Marr (1858-1936).

Hidden gems only locals know about:
Many locals don’t even know about Shalom Wildlife Zoo, a 100-acre wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to deer, elk, bison, wolves, bighorn sheep, a farm petting zoo, and many other animals. And don’t forget to say hello to brothers Lewis and Clark, a pair of young brown bears that like to show off in front of visitors.

Prizes:
Those who complete the GeoTour Passport receive a special West Bend Four Seasons Geocoin.

Site of Lithia Brewery/Time Capsule (GC53C91) – photo by Ashley Ambur Sanders

What geocachers are saying about South Park GeoTour:
“Made a last-minute decision to drive up for this geocoin challenge with mymowgli today. What a beautiful day of fun caching & great eating! We didn’t have quite enough time to hit all the caches, so we made up for it by taking in some extra meals for our needed points…and the food/hospitality did not disappoint! Thanks much for putting on this geotour/geocoin challenge for us to enjoy!” -ugomaddie

“Completing the West Bend GeoTour this morning before heading back home. I really enjoyed going to all of the historic sites in West Bend. Some I knew but some were new this time around. Top notch tour!” -MoonyMarauder

You can feed the animals at Shalom Wildlife (GC53GBA) – photo by Hack1of2

“A lot of time, thought, and effort was obviously put into the creation of this series, and we wanted to honor that by spending a little bit of time at each location, taking in the surroundings, and learning what we could of the area’s significance….This is turning out to be a great, great series. We are so impressed with West Bend! We’ll be back!” -Hack1of2

Additional Information:
From West Bend, it’s only a 30-minute drive to the oldest geocache in Wisconsin (GC3B1).

The first stop on the tour is the home of the West Bend Chamber of Commerce. Come inside, and the friendly staff will help make your trip a success! For more information about the GeoTour and things to do in West Bend, go to www.visitwestbend.com.

Note: All the above information was provided by the GeoTour host. Copy has been edited by Geocaching HQ.