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Fond of Fun? Check Out These Best Places to Visit and Things to Do in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin!

The name means the far end of the lake, and that is exactly where the city sits today. Everything in this city still runs off that one shoreline. Lakeside Park takes the whole southern end of the water to itself. The downtown sits just back from the shore behind the park. The trails run north and south out of town along the old railroad beds.

Are you planning a trip to Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin? This city sits on the southern shore of Lake Winnebago and runs attractions across the ages. Whether you want time outdoors, art and culture, something with children, or the food and the drink, Fond Du Lac covers it.

Take the historical route through Fond Du Lac and see what the city has kept. Visit the Galloway House and Village, the living history museum covering Wisconsin life in the 1800s. Or take the Children’s Museum of Fond Du Lac, where the learning happens without the children noticing.

If you want the outdoors, Fond Du Lac delivers. Spend a day at Lakeside Park, which runs 400 acres of open recreational ground and enough to do to fill it. Or walk the Wild Goose State Trail, the 34-mile route through the country of Fond Du Lac County.

Key Takeaways

• Fond Du Lac offers a variety of attractions and activities for all ages.
• Take a historical journey through Fond Du Lac and explore its rich history.
• Enjoy outdoor adventures at Lakeside Park or on the Wild Goose State Trail.

The Charm of Fond Du Lac

You’ve heard of Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, surely? The name is French and it means the farthest end of the lake. And that is exactly where the city stands, on the southern shore of Lake Winnebago.

But Fond Du Lac is more than the name and the setting. It’s a city with a real history going back to the mid-1800s. And that history shows in the architecture, with Victorian houses and older buildings through the downtown.

But Fond Du Lac is not only history and architecture. It’s a city that knows what to do with a weekend. There is plenty to do and see here, whether you live locally or you are passing through.

If you want to be outdoors, Fond Du Lac has the ground. Lakeside Park is the one to take, running 400 acres of open recreational space with enough in it for a full day. And if you like being in the water, take the Fondy Aqua Park, the family site with the big wave waterslide and the floating inflatable course.

But it’s not only the outdoors in Fond Du Lac. There is plenty indoors as well. The Children’s Museum of Fond Du Lac is where to take the children, with hands-on exhibits that hold them for hours. And for an evening, the bars and restaurants in this city will handle it.

So history reader, outdoors person, or somebody simply after a good weekend, Fond Du Lac has a version of it. Come and see why this city is better than the map suggests in Wisconsin.

Historical Journey

If you’re a history buff, Fond du Lac has plenty to offer. You can take a trip back in time and learn about the history of Fond du Lac County at the Fond du Lac County Historical Society – Galloway House & Village. This historical society is home to a wide range of artifacts that showcase the region’s rich history.

Rosendale & Ripon

While you are in the area, take the nearby towns of Rosendale and Ripon. These towns carry real history and some of the better architecture around here. You can walk the streets and look up at the Victorian houses along them.

Berlin & Fond Du Lac County

Another great option for history lovers is to visit the towns of Berlin and Fond du Lac County. These towns are home to a number of historic sites, including the Berlin Historical Society and the Fond du Lac County Historical Society. These societies are dedicated to preserving the region’s rich history and are a must-visit for anyone who wants to learn more about the area.

Overall, if you want a day in Fond du Lac that teaches you something, the historical route is the one to take. With this many sites to work through, you will come away knowing the region properly.

Outdoor Adventures

Fond Du Lac suits anybody who likes being outdoors, and not only for the water in front of it. From the hiking to the biking, the options are here. So take the boots or the bike and get out into it.

One of the better places to start the outdoor half of a day is Lakeside Park. This 400-acre park sits at the south end of Lake Winnebago and covers most of what you would want. You can walk the waterfront, fish it, or take a picnic with the family. And if you want more, rent a kayak or a paddleboard and get out on the lake.

For walkers, Mascoutin Valley State Park Trail is the one, though it is a state trail rather than a park and the name here is wrong. This 14-mile route takes walkers, cyclists and horses. You’ll get the forest, the wetland and the prairie as you go. Don’t set out without a state trail pass.

If you hunt, Fond Du Lac has ground for it, though not where this page suggests. Get a trail pass and ride or walk the Wild Goose State Trail, which is an old railroad bed converted for bikes and walkers and is not open to hunting. For the hunting itself, the nearby Kettle Moraine State Forest is the place, with the wildlife to match.

For in-line skating, the Lakeside Park has a paved path that suits it. You can also work the city’s other parks, which give you room for skating, cycling and whatever else you turn up with.

If you want to be on the water, Lake Winnebago is right there, and for camping the page points at High Cliff State Park, which sits across on the far shore rather than beside the city. You can also work the other lakes and rivers around here by renting a boat or a jet ski. Don’t leave the fishing gear behind, because this water is known for it.

In conclusion, Fond Du Lac works for anybody who likes being outdoors. From the hiking to the biking, the options are here. So take the boots or the bike and use the daylight.

Art & Culture

So you want the cultural side of Fond du Lac? Well, you are better placed than you think. This city runs more art and entertainment than its size suggests.

If you look at art, take the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. This place is where the art in Fond du Lac actually happens. They run paintings, sculpture and photography across the year. Plus there are classes and workshops if you would rather make something than look at it.

For something less usual, stop by Lightsmith Art Glass. This is a glassblowing studio where you watch the work being made in front of you. And if you want to try it, they run classes and will put you on the pipe yourself.

If music and theatre are more your thing, you are covered as well. The Fond du Lac Community Theatre puts on productions through the year, and the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts runs live music alongside the exhibitions.

And film. The Fond du Lac Theatre is described here as a classic cinema running for over 100 years, which is worth checking before you plan an evening. They show the current releases along with older titles. Plus the popcorn has a reputation.

Overall, there is more art and culture in Fond du Lac than a city this size should carry. Whether it is exhibitions, glassblowing, live music or films, something here will land. So go and use it.

Family Fun

Looking for a day with the family in Fond Du Lac? Look at what follows. From the safe indoor spaces to the outdoor ones, Fond Du Lac covers the ages.

Learning Through Play

If you want the children learning while they play, the Children’s Museum of Fond Du Lac is the stop. With exhibits built around science and art, they will be busy and taking something in at the same time.

Outdoor Play

If your children want to be outdoors, Fond Du Lac has the ground for it. Lakeside Park runs splash pads, a whip ride and canoes, pedal boats and kayaks for rent. And for the rides and the carnival games, Walleye Weekend in June is the date.

For winter, check out the Blue Line Family Ice Center. This rink runs public skating sessions and lessons for children who are starting.

No matter what your family is into, Fond Du Lac has a version of it. So take the children out and use the day.

Food & Spirits

When it comes to eating and drinking, Fond Du Lac holds up. From the classic American plates to food from further afield, it is all here. Plus there are places to sit down with a drink at the end of a day. Here are the ones worth taking:

Downtown Fond Du Lac Dining

If you want to eat, Downtown Fond Du Lac has the options. Whether you want pizza, a burger or something smarter, it is on those streets. The ones people name are Fat Joe’s Bar and Grill, where the burger and a cold beer do the job, and The Black Sheep, which does the wood-fired pizza.

But if you want something further afield, work through the other kitchens here. La Costena is the one for Mexican cooking, while Pho Viez does the Vietnamese, though that second name looks like a misspelling and is worth checking.

Tasting at Ledgerock Distillery

If you drink spirits, make a stop at Ledgerock Distillery LLC. This family-owned distillery makes vodka, gin and whiskey on site. Take the tour for how it is actually done, then work through the tasting room afterwards.

Ledgerock Distillery also runs events, live music and food trucks among them, so check their calendar before you drive out. Whether you know whiskey or you are starting from nothing, Ledgerock Distillery is the distinctive stop in Fond Du Lac.

Lakeside Park costs nothing and it is the whole point of coming here. The trails cost you a state pass and nothing else at all. The aqua park and the distillery are the two places the money actually goes. The museums are cheap and the festivals are mostly free to walk around. Budget for a meal, a tasting and a trail pass, and then stop there.

Sports & Activities

Are you a sports person? Fond Du Lac has the options through the year. Whether it is winter sport or a summer ball game, this city runs both.

Winter Sports

Winter in Fond Du Lac is when the outdoor sport starts. Cross-country skiing is the local one, and the trails at the Fond Du Lac County Park are where people go. The park runs over 15 miles of groomed trail across the skill levels. So take the skis out and use the season.

If skiing is not for you, take the sledding instead. Grab a sled and head for the Taylor Park. With the hills it has and the length of the runs, this park is the one locals use.

Summer Ball Games

Summer is baseball, and Fond Du Lac has one of the better ballparks in the state. The Herr-Baker Field is home to the Fond Du Lac Dock Spiders, who play in the Northwoods League, which is a collegiate summer league rather than the minor leagues this page describes. The field is well set up and worth the evening for anybody who follows the game.

If you want something less formal, take one of the ball fields around the city. Grab a bat, some gloves and a ball and get a game going. It’s how a summer afternoon should be spent.

In conclusion, whether you play tennis, ski cross-country or follow baseball, Fond Du Lac covers it. So take the gear out and work through what this city runs.

Events & Social Gatherings

Fond du Lac keeps a calendar and knows what to do with it. There are events and gatherings through the year worth planning around. Whether the visit lands in May, June, August, March or any other month, something will be running.

One of the bigger events in Fond du Lac is Walleye Weekend. This annual festival runs in June with live music, food vendors, carnival rides and the fishing itself. It’s how the summer opens here.

If you want something slower, take the farmers’ market. This weekly event runs on Saturdays from May through October, with local sellers bringing produce, baked goods and handmade work. It’s the straightforward way to put money into the local economy and eat well doing it.

For beer people, the Fond du Lac Craft Beer Festival is the date. This annual festival runs in August with over 30 breweries from around the state. You can taste your way through it with live music and food trucks alongside.

Of course, there are other events through the year. From the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in March to the Christmas parades in December, the calendar rarely goes quiet in Fond du Lac. So take the family or the friends and pick one.

Where to Stay

So you have decided on Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Good choice. Now you need a bed, and there are plenty to choose from.

If you want somewhere comfortable and cheap, there are budget hotels and motels around the area. You’ll find the familiar chains alongside places run by people who live here. Just read the reviews before you book. You do not want to end up somewhere closer to the Bates Motel than the Holiday Inn.

If you want something smarter, that is here too. You can take a historic bed and breakfast, a proper hotel, or a cabin out of town. Just expect to pay for the extra room and the finish.

If you are travelling as a group or staying longer, look at a vacation home or a condo. That gives you the space and the privacy, and a kitchen to cook in. Plus you get to live like somebody who actually lives here.

No matter where you sleep, use the days properly in Fond du Lac. And if you want a recommendation, ask a local, because they will give you a better answer than any list.

Shopping Spree

You cannot leave Fond du Lac without doing some shopping. Whether you want souvenirs, presents or something for yourself, the options are here.

One of the places to start is the Forest Mall. This indoor center is listed with over 50 stores, JCPenney, Kohl’s and Victoria’s Secret among them, though that line-up has changed considerably and is worth checking first. You’ll find clothing and accessories through to electronics and home goods. Plus there are places to eat when the walking catches up with you.

If you want something less predictable, head downtown and work the independent shops. You’ll find handmade jewelry and art through to vintage clothing and antiques. And take the Fond du Lac Farmers Market if you are here on a Saturday morning, for the produce, the baked goods and the handmade work.

And if you need present ideas, we have you covered. For anybody who cooks, take the gourmet selection at the Olive Branch. And for the person who owns everything already, head to the Little Farmer for homemade jams, jellies and the rest of it.

So go ahead and shop properly in Fond du Lac. The card may not thank you, but you will come home with something.

Nature & Wildlife

Fond Du Lac holds some of the better country and wildlife in Wisconsin. Whether you follow nature or simply want a slow hour outdoors, there is a version here.

If you want to be outdoors, take the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum. This 40-acre preserve holds plant and animal life across the spectrum, with over 200 species of birds recorded. Walk the prairie for the wildflowers, or take the woods and see what moves.

If you fish, this is your water. Fond Du Lac holds some of the better fishing in the state. Head to Lakeside Park and cast into Lake Winnebago for walleye, perch and bass. And with luck a sturgeon turns up, which is what this lake is known for.

But fishing is not the only way to use the water in Fond Du Lac. If you want something more active, take the Fondy Aqua Park. This family site runs water slides, obstacle courses and more. It’s the answer on a hot afternoon.

Whether you want the country of Wisconsin or simply a day outdoors, Fond Du Lac covers it. So take the rod or the boots and get out into it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a night out in Fond du Lac?

Well, it depends what you are after. If you want live music, head over to Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts. If you want comedy, check the shows at Backstage Bar & Grill. And if you simply want a drink, the bars here are good ones, Fat Joe’s Bar & Grill or Ziggy’s Pub among them.

Where can I find the most unique shopping experiences in Fond du Lac?

If you want something you will not find elsewhere, work the shops in downtown Fond du Lac. You’ll find handmade work at Gallery & Frame Shop through to vintage at Backstage Antiques. And for the outdoor version, head over to the Fond du Lac Farmers Market for the produce and the artisanal goods.

What exciting events are coming up on the Fond du Lac calendar?

There is always something running in Fond du Lac. In summer, take the Fondue Fest or the Walleye Weekend Festival. And in winter, the Sturgeon Spectacular is the one, alongside the Frozen Assets Festival, which is worth checking, because that name belongs to another city. Check the Fond du Lac Calendar of Events for what is actually on.

What are the top-rated restaurants in Fond du Lac?

If you want to eat well, you cannot go wrong with Ledgeview Express or Schmitty’s Oar House Bar & Grill. And if you want pizza, try Sal’s Pizza or Joe’s Fox Hut. For something smarter, check the menu at The Black Pig, which may be the same kitchen this page calls something else earlier.

Is the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac worth a visit?

Absolutely. The Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac is where to take children for an afternoon that actually teaches them something. They’ll take the hands-on exhibits, the giant Lite-Brite and the water play area. And the part nobody admits is that adults enjoy it too.

What interesting facts should I know about Fond du Lac, Wisconsin?

Did you know that Fond du Lac is credited here with the world’s tallest working grandfather clock, and with once being known as The Onion Capital of the World? Both claims want sourcing, because the clock is usually placed elsewhere in the state. And if you have seen the film Public Enemies, some of the city’s older buildings will look familiar, the Hotel Retlaw among them.

Frequently asked questions about Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin

Is Lakeside Park in Fond du Lac really that large?

Yes, roughly. It runs to 400 acres at the south end of the lake, which is why the same park keeps turning up in every section of this page. The splash pads, the boat rental and the old lighthouse are all inside it. The aqua park sits out on that same stretch of water. Park at the north gate instead, because the main lot fills first on any summer weekend.

Is the Mascoutin trail a state park or a trail?

A trail, properly. This page calls it a state park trail, but it is a converted railroad bed, flat and straight, and you need a state pass for it. The Wild Goose is the longer one and it runs south out of the county. Neither of them has any climbing on it at all. Take a bike rather than the boots, because a rail-trail is dull to walk and quick to ride.

Is the Ledgerock Distillery open for both tours and tastings?

Yes, both. It is family-run and makes vodka, gin and whiskey on site, with a tasting room at the end of the tour and live music on some dates. Check their calendar first, because it is the events that actually fill the place. It is one of the more distinctive stops on this page. Take a driver with you, because a distillery tasting and a country road do not combine well.

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