For Locum Tenens and Physicians
One of the biggest perks of working as a locum tenens or a physician on contract is choosing a location that fits your interests and lifestyle. While it’s tempting to think of big cities as those with the best attractions, the truth is the road less traveled makes for an equally interesting ride. At Premier Physician Services LLC, we believe that Wisconsin, our home state, has much to offer the nature-loving, adventurous physician that’s looking for career advancing opportunities. Keep reading our Wisconsin travel guide to find out why you should consider America’s Dairyland for your next job opportunity.
Wisconsin Travel Guide by Season
Winter
Supper Clubs
Does a prime rib dinner and a good stiff drink sound like the ideal way to spend a cold winter’s night? If so, you’ll enjoy dining at any of Wisconsin’s 250+ supper clubs (located throughout the state). A quintessential feature of the state’s dining landscape, supper clubs are frequently owned and operated by a single family and are known to offer a higher quality of service than chain restaurants. Furthermore, these iconic eateries provide the opportunity to sample “traditional” Wisconsin cuisines (i.e. relish trays, Friday night fish fries and brandy old fashioneds). Click here to learn more about this unique dining experience.
Winter Sports
From December through February, Wisconsin is a winter wonderland, perfect for those who enjoy activities in the great outdoors. With an average annual snowfall of 45 inches, visitors can enjoy the state’s snow-globe-like majesty while cross-country skiing or snowshoeing the hundreds of miles of available trails. Looking for something that requires a little less manpower? The “motor toboggan” (aka the snowmobile) was invented in Wisconsin by Carl Eliason in 1924. Today, Wisconsinites pay homage to this favorite winter pastime by maintaining over 25,000 miles of well-groomed trails and 350 miles of snowmobile superhighways. Dog sledding, ice fishing and skijoring are just a few of the other winter sports that guests can enjoy during their stay.
The Ice Caves
Located in Wisconsin’s beautiful Apostle Islands, the ice caves form each winter as the water from Lake Superior splashes against the surrounding sandstone cliffs and caves, creating dazzling ice formations. Pillars of ice, extending from the tops of the cliffs to the frozen lake, form giant frozen waterfalls while needle-like icicles delicately hang from the caves’ ceilings. No two formations are exactly alike and their appearance changes from day to day. Ice cave visitors will need to be prepared to trek one mile over frozen Lake Superior to access the formations (2 miles roundtrip). Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear crampons on their boots and carry ski or hiking poles as the frozen terrain can be extremely slick.
Spring
Boerner Botanical Gardens
The Boerner Botanical Gardens, located on the grounds of Whitnall Park in Milwaukee County, is the perfect place to take in all of Wisconsin’s springtime glory. Spanning more than 40 acres, visitors can easily spend hours exploring the thousands of colorful plants found here. Twelve formal gardens, including a rose garden, a peony garden and a daylily garden, provide a fragrant retreat from life’s daily cares. Vegetation enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy visiting the Trial Gardens where horticulturalists evaluate the overall regional performance of newly developed plant varieties. Concerts, classes and community events are just a few of the additional activities offered here.
Waterfalls
When you think of Wisconsin, waterfalls are generally not the first thing that comes to mind. However, Wisconsin is home to more than 40 major waterfalls and springtime is the best time to see them. As the temperatures begin to rise and the snow begins to melt, waterfalls that are barely a trickle in the summer are filled with torrents of rushing water. One waterfall that is especially impressive is Big Manitou Falls. Located in the northwest corner of the state, Big Manitou Falls has an impressive 165-foot vertical drop. Top put that in perspective, it is only two feet shorter than Niagara Falls. These iconic water features are sprinkled throughout the state and provide the perfect backdrop for a springtime picnic.
The Frank Lloyd Wright Trail
Frank Lloyd Wright is widely regarded as America’s greatest architect and Wisconsinites are proud to claim him as one of their own. Although Wright achieved international acclaim in his lifetime, he was proud to call Wisconsin home and built more than 40 structures here. The Frank Lloyd Wright trail is a self-guided, motor route that pays homage to this Wisconsin icon. Stretching across 200 miles and nine counties, the Frank Lloyd Wright trail links together nine Wright-designed sites in his home state, including Wingspread, Taliesin and the First Unitarian Society. Architect enthusiasts and nature lovers will both enjoy everything this trail has to offer.
Summer
Fairs & Festivals
Do you enjoy exploring other cultures? Does the idea of attending a world-class music festival excite you? Summertime in Wisconsin means fair and festival season. With over 17 ethnic festivals, 20 music festivals and 75 fairs to choose from, you won’t need to worry about how you will spend your free time. Dance the polka and sample authentic German beers and bratwursts at the state’s annual German Fest. Take in the sound of over 800 musicians over the course of 11 days at Summerfest (aka The World’s Largest Music Festival). Try to eat an oversized cream puff in one sitting at Wisconsin’s State Fair. Regardless of where your interests or food preferences lie, Wisconsin has a fair or festival that is sure to pique your interest.
Water Sports
While Minnesotans boast on their license plates that their state is home to more than 10,000 lakes, Wisconsinites can proudly proclaim that their state is home to more than 15,000 lakes. Additionally, more than 12,600 rivers meander their way through 84,000 miles of Wisconsin’s beautiful terrain. In other words, Wisconsin is a paradise for those who enjoy being out on the water. Whether you’re looking to reel in a Largemouth Bass, jet ski like you’re a villain in a James Bond movie or find your inner Zen while meditating on a paddle board, Wisconsin is sure to have a body of water that will meet your needs.
Wisconsin Dells
If you’re looking for a way to beat Wisconsin’s summertime heat and humidity, Wisconsin Dells is the place to go! Located in the south-central portion of the state, Wisconsin Dells is a city that takes its name from the Dells of the Wisconsin River (a scenic, glacially formed gorge that features sandstone formations). Known as “the waterpark capital of the world,” Wisconsin Dells is home to the largest concentration of waterparks in the world, including Noah’s Ark (America’s largest outdoor waterpark). Visitors looking to cool off while taking in Wisconsin’s natural beauty can dip their toes in Lake Delton, a beautiful man-made lake. Outlet malls, golf courses and amphibious boat tours are just a few additional ways that visitors can enjoy their time here.
Fall
Door County
Located on a peninsula between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County contains over 300 miles of shoreline and is the ideal place to view the color change of the leaves each fall. While peak leaf viewing seasons only lasts from the end-of-September until mid-October, there is still plenty to do and see. Stay at a charming bed and breakfast and then spend the day exploring one of the region’s 11 light houses. Visit a local vineyard and enjoy an afternoon of wine tasting. Treat yourself to a fish boil at night (another famous Wisconsin culinary tradition). Then hop aboard the “Trolley of Doom” and listen to tales of ghostly sunken ships, haunted lighthouses and mysterious happenings.
Lambeau Field
Fall in Wisconsin can only mean one thing…it’s Packer football season again. As the third-oldest NFL franchise and the only non-profit, professional major league team in the United States, the Green Bay Packers are proud to call Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin home. Football enthusiasts looking to capture the “cheesehead” spirit can schedule a Lambeau Field stadium tour where they will have the opportunity to step out onto the field and learn more about this unique franchise’s history. Conveniently located on the main floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium is the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame (a 15,000 square-foot, two-level museum dedicated to the Packer’s 100-year legacy). While you’re there, don’t forget to stock up on official paraphernalia for game day!
Breweries and Beer Gardens
The influence of Wisconsin’s early German settlers can still be felt today at any of the state’s breweries or beer gardens. Originally home to several of the nation’s largest beer barons (Pabst, Schlitz and Miller…to name only a few), visitors to Wisconsin can see the brewing process in action when they tour Miller Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewing Company or any of the 100+ microbreweries that dot the state’s landscape. Be sure to stay until the end of your tour to enjoy some complimentary samples. Looking to enjoy a cold one while taking in the fresh fall air? Beer gardens, taken from the German biergarten, provide a way for participants to sample craft brews, local cuisine and music in an outdoor area. Find out more about this iconic Wisconsin tradition here.
Has our Wisconsin travel guide convinced you that the Badger State is the right fit for you? Don’t wait! Click here to be connected with one of our experienced physician recruiters today.