Lake Michigan Circle Tour-Wisconsin Virtual Cache

visit and take a photo of every marked waypoint.

There are 23 spots that involve art, architecture, animals, and history. You will wind along Lake Michigan, going through many interesting lake/beach towns.

The Waypoints

Wisconsin State Line. N 42° 29.598′ W 87° 49.311′ As you begin your trip, you will start at the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Your adventure is just beginning. Welcome to Wisconsin, I hope you enjoy the tour. Take a photo of the Kenosha Co./North 32/Circle Tour signs.
Christopher Columbus Statue N 42° 35.226′ W 87° 48.570′ \Kenosha, Wisconsin | He was the explorer who found the new world....or did he. You will see a statue of someone who was here before him in Milwaukee. Maybe the fountain will be going when you visit, it was not for mine. Take a photo of the statue.
Racine Overlook/ Racine Breakwater Lighthouse N 42° 43.999′ W 87° 46.331′ Racine, Wisconsin | At the point of Racine South Pier is this elevated lookout. Great views of the lake, pier and lighthouse from here. Two miles east of here was the Reef Lighthouse which marks the Racine Reef. The Racine Reef is a major hazard to navigation not only for shipping in and out of Racine harbor, but also for traffic between Milwaukee and Chicago. A steel tower replaced the house that was once out there and remains in service. Take a photo from the overlook with Breakwater lighthouse in the background.
Seven Bridges N 42° 55.380′ W 87° 50.891′ South Milwaukee, Wisconsin | If time is on your side wind your way through the ravine on unpaved and lannon stone paths, lannon stone staircases, and numerous foot bridges. Following the trails, you'll be led among enormous trees such as the native beech, along creeks, into secluded areas, and onto the shore of Lake Michigan. Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Take a photo of the covered bridge at the entrance with the phrase on it.(Enter this....)
"Keep Cudahy Fun" House N 42° 57.721′ W 87° 51.022′ Cudahy, Wisconsin | This house is a local landmark that might appear to be a bunch of random stuff but is actually a nod to Wisconsin history. The owner is always adding to it. Take a photo of your favorite angle of the property.
Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse N 43° 01.561′ W 87° 53.735′ Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Visitors can walk a short pier to reach this red, painted light station, operational since 1872. Further out into the lake is Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse. The Hoan Bridge here lights up at night on the west side. Colors are changed up for different occasions. Take a photo of the Pierhead Lighthouse.
Leif, the Discoverer N 43° 02.650′ W 87° 53.854′ Milwaukee, Wisconsin | A bronze sculpture of Leif Ericson created by American sculptor Anne Whitney. The statue was erected on November 15, 1887 here in Juneau Park. The first casting of the statue resides in Boston, Massachusetts on Commonwealth Avenue. Leif Erikson, was a Norse explorer who is thought to have been the first European to set foot on continental America, approximately half a millennium before Christopher Columbus. Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Take a photo of Leif, the Discoverer statue.
The Lions Bridges and Northpoint Lighthouse N 43° 03.923′ W 87° 52.267′ Milwaukee, Wisconsin | The bridges were designed by local engineer Oscar Sanne to cross the two branches of the south ravine on either side of the lighthouse, carrying carriage and pedestrian traffic in and out of Lake Park. The eight Stone Lions is a set of Bedford limestone or sandstone sculptures by Paul Kupper. The North Point Lighthouse was built in 1888. Today it is a museum that is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.; visitors can also climb to the top upon entry. The nearby historical marker nearby is a good read. Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Take a photo of one of the Stone Lions and the Northpoint Lighthouse together.
The Fisherman and the Breakwater Lighthouse N 43° 23.230' W 87° 52.061' Port Washington WI | Welcome to Rotary Park in the Port Washington harbor. The signs located around the Fisherman give a glimpse into the past thriving fishing town. Beyond is the symbol of Port Washington, it's lighthouse. Built in 1935 at the entrance to the Port Washington harbor on Lake Michigan, it remains an active aid to navigation. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Take a photo of the Fisherman Statue with the Breakwater lighthouse in the background.
The Lottie Cooper N 43° 45.180′ W 87° 42.226′ Sheboygan, Wisconsin | The three masted wooden schooner Lottie Cooper was built for the Truman-Cooper Lumber and Flour Mill, Manitowoc. She was built by Rand & Burger in Manitowoc in 1876. Lost to the lake in 1894 when it was caught in a howling northwest gale that sank her. It was rediscovered in 1992 prior to the construction of the marina and placed on shore in a public display. Take a photo of the remains of the Lottie Cooper.

Shipbuilder Badger and Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse

N 44° 05.487′ W 87° 39.080′
Manitowoc, Wisconsin| Need a shortcut across to Michigan? The S.S. Badger Car Ferry docks here too. This sculpture is designed to be turned 360º for the perfect photo. Get the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse in the background.

Take a photo of the Shipbuilder Badger with the Manitowoc North Breakwater Lighthouse in the background.

Rogers Street Fishing Village & Museum

N 44° 09.193′ W 87° 33.744′
Two Rivers, Wisconsin |Rogers Street Fishing Village exhibits an 1886 historic lighthouse, shipwreck displays and artifacts, and commercial fishing exhibits. Listed January 6, 1987 to the National Register of Historic Places.

Take a photo of Lighthouse and Rogers Street Fishing Village sign.

Worlds Largest Grandfather Clock, Ahnapee State Trail

N 44° 27.607' W 087° 30.231′
Kewaunee, Wisconsin | The clock was built in 1976 by Svoboda Industries as a bicentennial project. The 35-foot and 10-inch clock is located at the Ahnapee State Trail head which is also a portion of the Ice Age Trail. The Ahnapee State Trail spans about 50 miles between Kewaunee, Casco, Algoma and Sturgeon Bay. At the time of my visit the clock was in need of mechanical repair. When completely functional, it has working chimes that can be heard on the quarter, half and full hours.

Take a photo of the Grandfather Clock and Ahnapee Trail sign

Christmas Tree Point and Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse

N 44° 36.457' W 087° 25.928′
Algoma, Wisconsin | Interesting history here as this was port was home to many "Christmas tree" Captains and crew. In the late 1800's to early 1900's 52 schooners transported Christmas trees to Milwaukee and Chicago. The Fresnel lens that lit the lighthouse here till 2019 was placed on display at the North Point Lighthouse museum in Milwaukee. (Another stop on this tour)Park hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m..

Take a photo of the Christmas Tree sculpture and sign with the Pierhead lighthouse in the background.

Boynton Chapel

N 45° 02.389′ W 87° 07.674′
Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin | Handcrafted by Winifred and Donald Boynton between 1939 and 1947 on the grounds of their summer residence, the chapel is modeled after the Garmo stave church at Maihaugen in Lillehammer, Norway. A popular site for weddings and a favorite stop among Door County tourists, the chapel contains 41 hand-painted frescoes and numerous exceptionally fine carved-wood furnishings. PLEASE do not disturb any wedding service that may be going on at the time of your visit. Optional: Chapel tours are given twice weekly during the summer season. The chapel is open for tours from mid-June to late August, Monday and Wednesday afternoons, from 1:00-4:00 p.m. The tour fee is $5 per person.

Take a photo of the Boynton Chapel.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

N 45° 11.414′ W 87° 07.199′
Sister Bay, Wisconsin| When one thinks of Sister Bay one thinks of the restaurant with the goats on the roof. Very unique place. They even have a goatcam located to view the goats from the comfort of your home. The goats are out during the day late May through mid-October.

Take a photo of the Al Johnson's sign. (with goats in background if out)( Hopefully you have a less windy day)

Anderson Dock

N 45° 09.726′ W 87° 10.375′
Ephraim, Wisconsin | The tradition of leaving a mark on the walls of the Anderson Warehouse began when sailors arriving in Ephraim painted the name of their ship and the date on the side of the building to mark their safe arrival in Ephraim. Today what once was a visible reminder of the sailors and ships that arrived in port has now become a log book of visitors to the Anderson Dock Historic Site. Bring some paint along if you'd like to add your name.

Take a photo of the Anderson Warehouse Building

Egg Harbor Marina

N 45° 03.009′ W 87° 17.070'
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin| Egg Harbor Marina is a full service public marina offering boating, fishing and recreational enjoyment. Take a walk down to The Seafarer" sculpture and take in the sights of the harbor.

Take a photo with the Seafarer sculpture

Wooly the Mammoth

N 44° 49.857′ W 87° 23.099′
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | “Still roaming in Wisconsin,” reads a plaque from Green Bay sculptor Carl Vanderheyden who created the steel and concrete woolly mammoth in 2017. Woolly lived at Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Fish Creek for four years until Sturgeon Bay was named an official Ice Age Trail Community and local resident Chris Kellems got it in her head that Woolly would be the perfect Ice Age trail ambassador.

Take a photo of Wooly

Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

N 44° 31.649′ W 87° 58.449′
OPEN 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.. The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is a 600-acre municipal urban wildlife refuge. It is the largest park in the Green Bay, Wisconsin Park system and home to the second largest wildlife rehabilitation program in Wisconsin. Facilities include a nature education center, observation building, hiking trails, woodland building and numerous animal habitats. The Wildlife Sanctuary is open 363 days a year (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day) For a $2 dollar donation you can get a bag of corn at the Observation Building nearby.

Take a photo with the "Why don't ducks and geese get cold feet?" sign in Winter and "Birds of a Feather" sign in the Summer.

45th Parallel Marker

N 44° 59.936′ W 87° 51.211′
Sponsored by Frank E. Noyes The plaque is labeled "Theoretical Half Way Point" because Frank knew that the 45th Parallel is not, in fact, the halfway line. The Earth is an oblate spheroid, flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator because of its rotation - which shifts the halfway line slightly north.

Take a photo with the 45th Parallel marker.

Peshtigo Fish Viewing Platform

N 45° 03.203′ W 87° 44.816′
Peshtigo, Wisconsin | Downstream of the dam on the Peshtigo River the wooden platform stretches 160 feet across the water. Just below, at certain times a year there will be different fish gathering and spawning. Around the platform are signs describing the different types of fish that call this river home.

Take photo of the Dam from the platform.

Red Arrow Park

N 45° 05.215′ W 87° 35.296′
Marinette, Wisconsin | This park is dedicated to the gallant men of the Thirty-Second Red Arrow Division who made the supreme sacrifice in both World wars. The 32nd Division was organized in 1917. Originally it was made up of National Guardsmen from Wisconsin and Michigan. There is another memorial here memorializing locals and the fishing community. Park hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m..

Take a photo of the memorial.