Want to combine
beautiful scenery with wonderful active communities? Then Fond
du Lac County is your destination. Best known for its proximity
to Lake Winnebago, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, and the National
Ice Age Reserve Unit, Fond du Lac County is also very popular
for watersports, hunting, hiking and more. While the countryside
provides beautiful scenery and exciting recreation, the cities
of Fond du Lac and Ripon provide its visitors with great restaurants,
fine dining, wonderful historical districts and many cultural
events.
Fond du Lac, which
means "Foot of the Lake", received its name from the
French trappers exploring the south end of Lake Winnebago. The
city's 400 acre Lakeside Park serves as a central location to
go and enjoy the outdoors, bringing both families and the community
together. When in the city of Fond du Lac, enjoy touring the many
historical areas and the wonderfully maintained homes and mansions,
with a variety of architectural styling, from the late 1800's
and early 1900's. If you want family fun, make a stop at the Llama
farm or take the twenty-minute drive to Ripon and see the Clydesdales.
In addition to horses, Ripon has more to offer including Ripon
College, a wonderful downtown area, and festivals throughout the
year. Ripon also is proud to have contributed to the political
shaping of our country by being the birthplace of the Republican
Party.Back
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Whether you love
to hike, bike and escape to the great outdoors, or want to soak
up history and admire spectacular architecture, you can do it
in Fond du Lac. And since Fond du Lac's location places it within
1 hour of Wisconsin's major cities - Milwaukee, Madison, the Fox
Cities, and Green Bay - it's Wisconsin's convenient and fabulous
get-away.Back to top
Museums & Historical
Sites
Little White
School House
303 Blackburn Street, Ripon
920-748-6764
The Little White School House became famous one legendary night
in 1854 when a group of Whigs, Free Soldiers, and Democrats held
a secret meeting to try to prevent the extension of slavery into
the north. The result of this meeting was the creation of the
Republican Party - a unified front against slavery. Call for tour
information for this historically and politically significant
home.
1856 Historic
Octagon House
276 Linden Street, Fond du Lac
920-922-1608
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this restored
12-room home was originally built in 1856 as an Indian Fort and
holds a rich history. Once used as a part of the Underground Railroad,
this house contains 9 passageways, a secret room and a hand-dug
underground tunnel. It's even rumored to haunted. Group and family
tours available by appointment, plus special seasonal events.
Admission.
Watson Street
Historical District
Watson Street, Ripon
920-748-6764
Stroll back through time and admire the original architecture
of downtown Ripon, which has been carefully preserved and restored.
The Ripon skyline has even earned a place on the National Register
of Historical Places. This area is also home to the Historic Commercial
District which houses such buildings as the first Marcus Theater,
the Maples House…possibly the oldest building in Ripon, the
original 1st National Bank, and many other historically significant
sites.
Galloway House
and Village
336 Old Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac
920-922-6390 or 920-922-1166
Take a tour of this historic Victorian Village and its main building,
the Galloway House, completed in 1880. This stately 30 room Victorian
mansion boasts a multitude of Italiante details. The village consists
of 23 authentic buildings including a photographer's shop, country
store, a church, one room schoolhouse, a newspaper office and
many other buildings that depict turn of the century commerce
and lifestyle. Open daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
and weekends in September, 10am-5pm; gates close at 4pm. Admission.
Painted Lady-Ebert
Estate
199 East Division Street, Fond du Lac
920-921-2257 or 920-922-0090
This historic Queen Anne Victorian mansion, built in 1892 was
designed to replicate a German Castle and has been painstakingly
restored by the current residents of the home. Take a tour and
see the 8 beautiful fireplaces and the lincrusta ceilings all
designed by Italian artists. Special holiday events
are held throughout the year. Private and group tours available
year round by appointment. Admission.
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Nature Centers &
Parks
Lakeside Park
North Main Street, Fond du Lac With over 400 acres of open recreational
space on the south end of Lake Winnebago, Lakeside Park is a great
place to visit. Summertime brings impressive flower displays,
boating of all kinds, picnics, and children of all ages to the
many playgrounds. Summer also the marks the opening of the Lakeside
Park Light House and its observation tower, open April 15 - October
15, 8am to dusk, weather permitting. Visitors can take nostalgic
rides on the miniature train and enjoy the antique carousel. And
while at Lakeside Park, be sure to visit the whitetail deer exhibit
open year round. Lakeside Park is also host to a spectacular holiday
event filled with Christmas lights, decorations and music.
Henry Ruess
Ice Age Visitor Center
N2875 Highway 67, Campbellsport
920-533-8322
Part of the Ice Age Trail, the Visitor Center provides educational
information, including films, exhibits and panoramas about the
glaciers that carved out Wisconsin; the glaciers in this part
of the Kettle Moraine are specifically highlighted. Open Monday
through Friday 8:30am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 9:30-5pm.
Horicon National
Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Highway Z, north of Kekoskee
920-387-2658 or 1-800-937-9123
Horicon Park is home to 32,000 acres of ice age legacy, beginning
as a lake then gouged out by glaciers and pushed southward. The
land has been used as a wildlife refuge since 1943 and is part
of the National Ice Age Reserve Unit. The many acres of grasslands
and wetlands shelter more than 250 species of birds including
geese, herons, egrets and many songbirds. The marsh is best known
as a rest stop for over 200,000 migrating Canadian Geese during
the spring and fall. The Wildlife Refuge is also home to a variety
of upland game such as muskrats, deer and fox. Trails are open
year round for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and wildlife observation.
Waterfowl and non-waterfowl hunting allowed. Weekend naturalist
programs are offered during the spring and fall at DNR offices.
Marsh Haven
Nature Center
W10145 Highway 49 E., Waupun
920-386-2182
Take self guided nature trails and climb the observation tower
that overlooks the Horicon Marsh. The center houses a wildlife
art gallery, gift shop and museum displays of the marsh. Open
spring, summer, and fall 10am-4pm Monday through Friday, Saturday
& Sunday 9am-5pm. Admission
Ledgeview Visitor
Center
W2348 Short Road, Chilton
920-849-7094
Three natural solution caves carved through the limestone by carbonic
acid over thousands of years are open to the public for tours
led by center naturalists. The center is situated on more than
100 acres with 3 miles of nature trails, a 60-foot observation
tower, and groomed cross-country ski trails,
all of which are open year round. Monday through Friday 8am-4:30pm;
Saturday & Sunday 10am-4:30pm. Back to top
Special Things to
Do
Farmers Market
The farmers market in downtown Ripon is on the Village Green,
June through October, every Tuesday and Saturday morning. In downtown
Fond du Lac, you can find the farmers market from June through
October, every Saturday 6:30 to Noon. Come and enjoy a huge selection
of farm fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, as well
as homemade bakery goods and crafts. The Ripon Farmers Market
is proud to host Pumpkin Fest every October.
Annual IAC
Fond du Lac Airport, Highway 41
1-800-937-9123
Be thrilled by the annual International Aerobatics Competition,
hosted mid-July at the Fond du Lac Skyport. Watch daredevils perform
amazing stunts as they jump out of planes and plunge to the earth
at death-defying speeds. Call for specific dates and times.
RiponFest
Downtown Ripon
920-748-6764
Ripon's annual celebration features bands, games, food, tournaments
and the crowning of Miss RiponFest at the parade. Held the second
weekend of July, be sure to call for exact dates and times of
events.
Ripon Jazz
Festival
Main Street, Ripon
920-748-7466
An annual event featuring live jazz musicians, entertainment,
arts and crafts, bike races and the Taste of Ripon. Held the third
weekend of June; call for a schedule of events!
Village Green
Concert Series
Village Green, Ripon
Perfect for a romantic date or a good time with friends, come
to the open-air concerts and enjoy wonderful music. Free to the
public every Friday evening, June through August. Back to top
Points of Interest
Wille's Wildlife
Zoo
W12599 Sunny Knoll Road,
