Wisconsin Hostels
The Newburg-Wellspring hostel is located along the eastern border of Wisconsin. Located in the small town of Newburg, just 35 miles outside of Milwaukee, the area is known for its various natural phenomena and parks. The nearby Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit is made up of more than 30,000 acres of hills, lakes, forests, and grasslands, and is internationally known for its unique glacial features and hilly terrain. Visitors may hike the glacial features, which are part of the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which stretches through Wisconsin. The Horicon Marsh Wildlife Refuge is a 32,000-acre nesting area for waterfowl and resting area for migrating birds, as well as the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the U.S. More than 200 species of birds have been sighted throughout the years, most prominently ducks, great blue herons, and Canadian geese. Also near Newburg is Wellspring, an educational organization that teaches organic gardening from mid-March through mid-November. Wellspring has six acres of organic gardens, as well as nature trails, woods, meadows, ponds, and an outdoor labyrinth.
Located in the southern region of Wisconsin, the Madison hostel is located in the capital city of Wisconsin. Madison’s main thoroughfare is State Street, which connects the University of Wisconsin campus with the State Capitol Square. This student-friendly, entertaining strip is known for its restaurants, shops, and bars, as well as its street musicians and performers. The entire street is closed to automobile traffic, save for police vehicles and buses. Madison is also the home of the largest single-day event in the state, the annual Rhythm and Booms festival and Independence Day fireworks show held in Warner Park. Always held on the Saturday (rain date Sunday) before Independence Day, Rhythm and Booms is a spectacular 35-minute fireworks display that is choreographed to a local radio station – visitors are encouraged to bring their own radios. Another popular Madison event is the annual Great Taste of the Midwest craft beer festival, the second longest running event of its kind in North America. The festival is held on the second Saturday in August, but be sure to get your tickets ahead of time – tickets usually sell out in less than in hour, upon going on sale in early May.
Just like the Newburg-Wellspring hostel, the Eagle Home hostel in Eagle, Wisconsin is located near the Kettle Moraine State Forest, as well as the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Eagle also offers superb hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing trails. Old World Wisconsin, America’s largest outdoor museum of rural life, is also located in the village of Eagle. Old World Wisconsin recreates the world of Wisconsin’s early settlers through its historic buildings, interpreters dressed in period attire, vintage baseball games, and vegetation and animals raised during Wisconsin’s early days.
Central to southern regions of Wisconsin have a temperate climate, with very cold winters and moderate to heavy snowfall, and hot and humid summers. Winter temperatures range from the low 30s to the teens, while summer temperatures are often in the 80s and 90s. Both spring and fall are cool, with highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s and to lows in the 30s and 40s.
