After spending five days exploring the Apostle Islands, I've come to the conclusion that there are five groups of people who need to visit this area of Wisconsin. Now, if you're looking for over-commercialized shops, chain restaurants and ginormous waterparks, you won't see yourself on this list. So give these descriptions a read and see if the Apostle Islands appeal to you for your next vacation.
1) Adventurer. The 22 islands that make up the Apostle Islands (21 of them are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin's only National Park) offer unlimited areas to explore. Getting to the islands is half of the adventure itself. Once you're there, you may find some trails and primitive campsites, but for the most part, you're left to your own devices. If you enjoy open water, there's plenty to paddle, but what I think makes Lake Superior unique are the caves you can kayak in, around and through. Sea caves are located on the mainland portion of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, but also around Sand Island and Devil's Island - which I would say were the most breathtaking. If you're planning a trip to Madeline Island, leave your vehicle on the mainland and explore places like Big Bay Town Park and Big Bay State Park by bike or moped - rentals are conveniently located just blocks from the ferry dock.
2) Site-seer. So you'd like to see some of the things I described above but would prefer to do it from the comfort of a guided tour? Perfect. There are many tours to choose from. During our trip, we took an Evening Grand Tour and a Glass Bottom Boat Tour from Apostle Islands Cruises, based out of Bayfield. Our captain took us past numerous eagles and even talked about bear sightings on recent tours. Depending on the route the captain takes, you'd also see a few of the 8 lighthouses on the islands. During our glass bottom boat tour, we were able to see one of the many shipwrecks in Lake Superior. With deeper water and recent storms, it wasn't possible to see the wrecks that were below 15 feet deep during our trip. There are other tours that allow visitors to get off the boat and stretch your legs as you visit the Raspberry Island Lighthouse or discover the Singing Sands of Julian Bay on Stockton Island.
3) Artist. Whether you're a professional artist or an admirer of the arts, make your way to the Apostle Islands. It's impossible to not be inspired by this place. Sunrises, sunsets, sea caves (and ice caves), lighthouses, northern lights, wildlife, wild flowers and even a storm passing over Lake Superior can be moving. On Madeline Island alone, over 100 artists are represented in galleries and shops. I was told that there are more galleries on the island than bars (...and in Wisconsin, that's saying a lot). We also discovered the Madeline Island School of the Arts, or MISA. Nationally- and internationally-renowned artists are brought in to conduct five-day workshops in media ranging from watercolor painting and photography to quilting and writing. And since you stay right on site, you're able to mingle with the artists throughout your stay - even when not in class.
4) Geologist. Barrier spit, cuspate forelands, sand spits, tombolos and beaches. To many, those words may not mean much (except for beaches - who doesn't love catching the sun on a beach?), but geology lovers may know they describe the five "sandscapes" that appear on the Apostle Islands. The sand on Julian Bay has a "musical" quality that can only be found on 10 percent of beaches in the world - referred to as the Singing Sands. Some of the most notable geological wonders of the islands are where land and water meet. Rock pools have been found on Bear, Devil's and Stockton Islands - each sustaining a micro-ecosystem for a variety of creatures.
5) Historian. For over 400 years, Native Americans, fur traders and missionaries have inhabited Madeline Island with the flags of three nations flown on its shores. It's hard to imagine that just about around the same time the pilgrims were landing on Plymouth Rock, French explorer Etienne Brule visited Madeline Island. Just the maritime history of sailing and boating on Lake Superior could have you immersed for years. Even the lighthouses on six of the islands have unique stories dating back to 1856. Today, you can tour the lighthouses and stop by the Madeline Island Museum which includes the only remaining building of the American Fur Company complex built at La Pointe in 1835. Planning your visit in summer, the museum's "Connecting Cultures" historical encampment demonstrates ink making, stone carving, smoking lake trout over a campfire and so much more.
So if you find yourself in dire need of getting away from it all, turn your technology on silent, get yourself on "island time" and make your way to the Apostle Islands.
- Chad Diedrick is the managing producer for the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin."
1) Adventurer. The 22 islands that make up the Apostle Islands (21 of them are part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin's only National Park) offer unlimited areas to explore. Getting to the islands is half of the adventure itself. Once you're there, you may find some trails and primitive campsites, but for the most part, you're left to your own devices. If you enjoy open water, there's plenty to paddle, but what I think makes Lake Superior unique are the caves you can kayak in, around and through. Sea caves are located on the mainland portion of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, but also around Sand Island and Devil's Island - which I would say were the most breathtaking. If you're planning a trip to Madeline Island, leave your vehicle on the mainland and explore places like Big Bay Town Park and Big Bay State Park by bike or moped - rentals are conveniently located just blocks from the ferry dock.
2) Site-seer. So you'd like to see some of the things I described above but would prefer to do it from the comfort of a guided tour? Perfect. There are many tours to choose from. During our trip, we took an Evening Grand Tour and a Glass Bottom Boat Tour from Apostle Islands Cruises, based out of Bayfield. Our captain took us past numerous eagles and even talked about bear sightings on recent tours. Depending on the route the captain takes, you'd also see a few of the 8 lighthouses on the islands. During our glass bottom boat tour, we were able to see one of the many shipwrecks in Lake Superior. With deeper water and recent storms, it wasn't possible to see the wrecks that were below 15 feet deep during our trip. There are other tours that allow visitors to get off the boat and stretch your legs as you visit the Raspberry Island Lighthouse or discover the Singing Sands of Julian Bay on Stockton Island.
3) Artist. Whether you're a professional artist or an admirer of the arts, make your way to the Apostle Islands. It's impossible to not be inspired by this place. Sunrises, sunsets, sea caves (and ice caves), lighthouses, northern lights, wildlife, wild flowers and even a storm passing over Lake Superior can be moving. On Madeline Island alone, over 100 artists are represented in galleries and shops. I was told that there are more galleries on the island than bars (...and in Wisconsin, that's saying a lot). We also discovered the Madeline Island School of the Arts, or MISA. Nationally- and internationally-renowned artists are brought in to conduct five-day workshops in media ranging from watercolor painting and photography to quilting and writing. And since you stay right on site, you're able to mingle with the artists throughout your stay - even when not in class.
4) Geologist. Barrier spit, cuspate forelands, sand spits, tombolos and beaches. To many, those words may not mean much (except for beaches - who doesn't love catching the sun on a beach?), but geology lovers may know they describe the five "sandscapes" that appear on the Apostle Islands. The sand on Julian Bay has a "musical" quality that can only be found on 10 percent of beaches in the world - referred to as the Singing Sands. Some of the most notable geological wonders of the islands are where land and water meet. Rock pools have been found on Bear, Devil's and Stockton Islands - each sustaining a micro-ecosystem for a variety of creatures.
5) Historian. For over 400 years, Native Americans, fur traders and missionaries have inhabited Madeline Island with the flags of three nations flown on its shores. It's hard to imagine that just about around the same time the pilgrims were landing on Plymouth Rock, French explorer Etienne Brule visited Madeline Island. Just the maritime history of sailing and boating on Lake Superior could have you immersed for years. Even the lighthouses on six of the islands have unique stories dating back to 1856. Today, you can tour the lighthouses and stop by the Madeline Island Museum which includes the only remaining building of the American Fur Company complex built at La Pointe in 1835. Planning your visit in summer, the museum's "Connecting Cultures" historical encampment demonstrates ink making, stone carving, smoking lake trout over a campfire and so much more.
So if you find yourself in dire need of getting away from it all, turn your technology on silent, get yourself on "island time" and make your way to the Apostle Islands.
- Chad Diedrick is the managing producer for the nation's longest-running tourism TV show, "Discover Wisconsin."