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Oshkosh Public Museum

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions To See and Popular Activities To Do In Oshkosh, Wisconsin (2024)

A charming city in Winnebago County, Oshkosh is surely a one-time visit city. It is one great place for employment, a safe place for living, and a beautiful city to explore. There are several water bodies, forest trails, art galleries, historic landmarks, and a range of great indoor attractions in Oshkosh.

Oshkosh is not only popular for visiting places but also for the array of things to do. Throughout the year, there are an array of events, festivals and activities organized in the city. From the EAA AirVenture, the world’s largest aviation event, to Oshkosh’s Celebration of light, Nutcracker in the Castle and more, there’s so much to do for an enthusiast.

Visit Oshkosh: 12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions To See and Popular Activities To Do In Oshkosh

So why wait? Jump right to our choicest picks and plan a quick trip to Oshkosh. We can bet you are definitely going to love this Wisconsin city.

1. EAA Aviation Museum

EAA is a world-class Aviation Museum in Oshkosh featuring the preservation and display of historic and experimental aircraft and related memorabilia. The museum is home to over 200 aircraft, exhibited indoors and outdoors in the most appealing display. There are classic aircraft to warplanes, antiques and many more notables. The aviation museum in Oshkosh also features a dedicated kid’s section for little visitors, ensuring they get their fair share of engagement and entertainment. Apart from the permanent display, the different summer activities are highlighted here. It may include AirVenture fly-in and air shows and a range of aircraft rides. Considering the museum is just next to Wittman Regional Airport, there’s a huge ground for safe take-off and landing. The EAA Aviation Museum operates throughout the year except on some prominent annual holidays.

2. Military Veterans Museum and Education Center

The Military Veterans Museum and Education Center in Oshkosh is a space for World War II veterans. The museum is dedicated to preserving soldiers’ experiences and stories of military life. Inside the museum lies a variety of artefacts, artworks, books, documents, photographs, and personal items, all of which belongs to either war veterans or their families. The highlight of this space is over 20 military vehicles from WWII through the Gulf War. Some notable pieces include the Battleship USS Arizona, a “Quad 50? Anti-aircraft mount and a WWII Soviet-built T34-85 tank. The museum operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.

3. Menominee Park Zoo

The Menominee Park Zoo is a small 8 acres zoo but definitely one of the must-visit tourist places in Oshkosh. The Zoo is part of the huge Menominee Park and surrounds the lagoon at the park’s centre. It is basically a seasonal zoo housing nearly 50 animals, some endemic while others are exotic. The animal variety here includes otters, elk, wolves, tortoises and several seasonal animals. One of the most beautiful sites here is when guests capture peacocks roaming freely around the zoo premises. Besides that, to ensure total guest engagement, there are several amusement rides, a merry-go-round, paddleboats on the lake, and a miniature train as well. The Menominee Park Zoo operates from May’s first weekend to the last of September.

4. Oshkosh Public Museum

The Oshkosh Public Museum in Oshkosh is an ultimate example of Edwardian elegance. It is located inside the Edgar and Mary Jewell Sawyer House, which is also a prominent part of the Algoma Boulevard Historic District. The museum features several stained-glass windows, an ornately carved staircase, a folk-art clock named Apostle’s Clock, a Regina music box and multiple other period artwork. All the art display and information are dedicated to Oshkosh and the Lake Winnebago region’s history. Further, there are even documents relating to the arrival of immigrants from Eastern Europe into this region. There’s also a 1913 Harley Davidson, a must-watch if you are a bike enthusiast. The museum operates from Tuesday through Thursday (10 am to 4:30 pm) and Sunday (1 pm to 4:30 pm).

5. Morgan House

Morgan House is a piece of Oshkosh history and thus holds a crucial spot to visit amongst the notable spots in the city. Exploring the house is like stepping back into the 1880s when Victorian living was at its peak. Morgan House today operates as a museum along with the Historical and Archaeological Society. Inside the house, the very first visuals bring the reflection of upper-middle-class Victorian living into life. While exploring around, guests can observe several splendid woodworks in their original condition. Every single component here is so splendid that no one can go back without getting impressed. The Morgan house museum operates from June through September offering free tours to visitors. The tour operates from 10 am to 1 pm, of which every single of them last for half an hour. For visiting the house during the offseason, one needs to take an appointment before.

6. Wiouwash Trail

Oshkosh is a part of Winnebago County, which is highly popular for its Wiouwash Trail. It is basically a rail trail that passes through four counties, including Winnebago, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Shawano. A basic though interesting fact shows how that trail name is derived from the first two letters of each of the four counties. This 41-mile trail is divided into two sections, of which the 22 miles of southern portion goes from north of downtown Oshkosh towards Hortonville. It is popular for hiking, biking, and horseback riding during summers. Whereas during winters, snowmobiling becomes the common and most loved sport here. Along with that, travellers at Wiouwash trail also get to see a wide variety of Flora and Fauna, especially birds and waterfowl. For anyone who loves hiking in nature, this is definitely one of the best out-and-back trails in central Wisconsin.

7. Vines and Rushes Winery

Nearly 20 miles from Oshkosh, the Vines and Rushes Winery is located in the serenity of Ripon. It is located on the Prellwitz family farm, which is also known as the famous Strawberry farms of Wisconsin. Vines and Rushes, though, are new to the business but today they are producing cold-hardy grape varieties on 5 acres of land. Some of their prominent produce includes Marquette, St Pepin, and Petite Pearl. Guests visiting here can access their tasting room and sample the finest wines, including red and white wines and hard ciders. Along with that, they also serve traditional Neapolitan style wood-fired brick oven pizza, which is definitely a must-try. The Winery operates throughout the week from afternoon until evening or night. Weekends at Vines and Rushes are all about live music and other entertainment.

8. Asylum Point Lighthouse

The top-rated tourist attraction in Oshkosh, the Asylum Point Lighthouse, is a place one cannot dare to miss. It sits on a small island in Lake Winnebago’s Asylum Bay, not more than some feet away from land. Asylum Point Lighthouse is a historic landmark of Winnebago County, and no matter if you are a local or a tourist, this a something you must explore. Accessing the lighthouse is possible through a wooden bridge; however, their tours rarely operate. Still, guests can access the surrounding grounds for picnicking or observing the views of the gorgeous Lake Winnebago. For catching the best views, either choose Falls or snowy Winters for your visit here.

9. Pollock Community Water Park

When with family, the best thing to do in Oshkosh is to visit the Pollock Community Water Park. The waterpark operates seasonally from the 1st of June to the 21st of August. Throughout its operating season, the waterpark features water-based engaging activities and a variety of fun rides. There is a 3,500-square-foot playground with features like dumping, pouring and water spraying. Further, there is a 16,500-square-foot swimming pool with everything from diving boats to sun decks, umbrellas etc. Guests who want to stay in water for longer can access the Lazy River with overhanging water features. The best part is that Pollock Community is cheaper than most waterparks, yet the fun quotient here never compromises.

10. On the Loos Cruises

The most popular activities in Oshkosh are present at the On the Loos Cruises. It is a family-owned and operated business that offers cruise services on Lake Winnebago, Lake Butte des Morts, and the Fox River. Participants can choose from standard journeys or customized trips depending upon their interests. For example, one can celebrate weddings and birthday parties on the cruise or organize corporate gatherings as well. On the Loos Cruises, riverboats feature spacious upper and lower deck seating areas, modern bathroom facilities, drinking and dining services, clean restroom facilities and unparalleled water views. Choose the sunset cruise and end it with ultimate drinks and dinner for the best option.

11. Stevens Park

If you want to enjoy some outdoor fun, then Stevens Park is a must-visit in Oshkosh for you. It is basically an urban park and a favourite amongst the locals. The park is home to an extensive picnic ground along with basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, and softball fields. Even a long settlement of Asphalt trail operates for walking, jogging, running, and cycling. There are restrooms, on-site parking, and spacious grounds for visitors’ ease. Be it summers or winters, spending time here is ultimate fun and leisure.

12. Christmas Festivities

Winters in Oshkosh, though, are cold, but with Christmas festivities and warmness, everything turns interesting. Some of the must-attend Christmas festivities in Oshkosh includes the Annual Celebration of light and Nutcracker in the Castle.

Annual Celebration of light begins from Thanksgiving weekend and goes all the way to the 1st of January. The event features over one million lights creating beautiful decoration at Menominee Park. Throughout its season, one can visit the event from 5:30 pm to 9 pm for just $10. The event authorities also organize carriage rides; however, it goes full before a blink.

Whereas the Nutcracker in the Castle organizes at Paine Art Centre & Gardens. It operates from the third quarter of November all through New Year’s Eve. The event features an array of sights, sounds, and surprises altogether, creating fairy tales. There are elaborately decorated rooms, and even when it is snowing outside, the weather barely interferes with the experience.

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