Looking for a road trip that combines history, beauty, and a touch of Jazz Age glamour?
This Gatsby-inspired journey through Wisconsin will lead you to some of the state’s most breathtaking estates.
1. Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum (Milwaukee)
Our first stop is the Villa Terrace, a slice of Mediterranean paradise plopped right in the heart of Milwaukee.
This Renaissance-style villa is so fancy, it makes my apartment look like a cardboard box under a bridge.
As you approach, you’ll be greeted by a grand staircase that would make Scarlett O’Hara swoon.
It’s flanked by meticulously manicured gardens that scream, “I have more money than I know what to do with, so I’ll just throw some at these shrubs.”
Inside, it’s a treasure trove of decorative arts.
Think of it as a really, really expensive Instagram filter for your life.
The lake views from the terrace are so stunning, you’ll be tempted to break out into an impromptu tango.
Just remember, unlike Gatsby, you probably can’t afford to replace any priceless artifacts you might knock over in your enthusiasm.
2. Pabst Mansion (Milwaukee)
Next up, we’re heading to the Pabst Mansion, because nothing says “I’ve made it” quite like a house built on beer money.
This Gilded Age gem is so ornate, it makes Versailles look like a starter home.
Captain Frederick Pabst, the beer baron himself, spared no expense in creating this masterpiece.
The interior is a riot of carved wood, stained glass, and more gold leaf than a rapper’s dental work.
It’s like walking into a life-sized beer stein, minus the foam.
The best part?
Unlike Gatsby’s parties, you don’t need a secret invitation to get in.
Just bring your sense of wonder and maybe a cold PBR for the Captain’s ghost.
Who knows, after a few sips, you might start seeing flappers doing the Charleston in the ballroom.
3. Ten Chimneys (Genesee Depot)
Hold onto your top hats, folks, because we’re rolling up to Ten Chimneys, the former summer home of Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
This place is so theatrical, even the squirrels in the garden know how to tap dance.
The estate is a delightful mishmash of styles, much like a Broadway musical where the costume designer went rogue.
From Scandinavian-inspired cottages to a main house that screams “I’m ready for my close-up,” Ten Chimneys is a feast for the eyes.
Legend has it that if you listen closely, you can still hear the echoes of witty banter and champagne corks popping.
Just don’t be surprised if you suddenly feel the urge to break into a soliloquy while touring the grounds.
It’s all part of the Ten Chimneys charm.
4. Hearthstone Historic House Museum (Appleton)
Lights, camera, action!
Or should I say, “Lights, electricity, amazement!”?
Welcome to Hearthstone, the first house in the world to be lit by a centrally located hydroelectric station.
Thomas Edison himself would be green with envy.
This Queen Anne-style mansion is like a steampunk fantasy come to life.
Imagine Victorian elegance meets a mad scientist’s lab.
The original light fixtures are still in place, ready to dazzle you with their 19th-century glow.
It’s like stepping into a time machine but without the risk of accidentally becoming your own grandfather.
As you wander through the rooms, bathed in the warm glow of historic bulbs, you might find yourself pondering life’s big questions.
Like, “How many Wisconsinites does it take to change a light bulb from 1882?”
5. Black Point Estate and Gardens (Lake Geneva)
Ahoy, mansion lovers!
Our next stop is Black Point Estate, a summer “cottage” that puts my entire living space to shame.
Perched on the shores of Lake Geneva, this Queen Anne-style beauty is so picturesque, it makes postcards jealous.
Built by a beer baron, Black Point is a testament to the fact that “summer home” meant something very different in the 1880s.
We’re talking 20 rooms of pure, unadulterated luxury.
The best part?
You can arrive by boat, just like the original owners did.
So channel your inner Gatsby, don your finest striped swimsuit, and prepare to make a splash.
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Just remember, unlike in the roaring twenties, it’s frowned upon to throw champagne-fueled parties that last until dawn.
Save that for after the tour.
6. Fairlawn Mansion (Superior)
Up next on our magical mansion mystery tour is Fairlawn, the crown jewel of Superior.
This Victorian masterpiece is so grand, it makes Mary Poppins’ magical bag look like a fanny pack.
Built by lumber and mining baron Martin Pattison, Fairlawn is a 42-room testament to the power of saying “More is more” and really meaning it.
With its towering turrets and intricate woodwork, it’s like a dollhouse on steroids.
But here’s the plot twist: after the Pattison family moved out, Fairlawn became a children’s home for 42 years.
Imagine going from rags to riches, literally overnight.
It’s like Annie, but with more ghosts and fewer musical numbers.
As you tour the mansion, keep an eye out for the secret compartments.
Who knows, you might find a forgotten stash of lumber baron gold.
Or, more likely, a really old piece of gum.
7. Taliesin (Spring Green)
Buckle up, architecture aficionados!
We’re heading to Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal Shangri-La.
This isn’t just a house; it’s a 600-acre middle finger to convention, a love letter to organic architecture, and proof that Wright was playing 4D chess while the rest of us were still figuring out tic-tac-toe.
Taliesin is like a chameleon made of stone and wood, blending seamlessly into the Wisconsin landscape.
It’s so at one with nature, you half expect the walls to photosynthesize.
Wright spent over 50 years tinkering with this masterpiece, proving that some men build model trains in their basement, while others… well, they build this.
As you wander through the rooms, each one flowing organically into the next, you might find yourself wondering: “Is this a house, or am I inside the world’s most beautiful Tetris game?”
The answer, of course, is yes.
8. Villa Louis (Prairie du Chien)
Saddle up, partners!
We’re moseying on down to Villa Louis, a mansion so fancy it makes the Wild West look positively tame.
Built by the Dousman family, fur trading tycoons, Villa Louis is what happens when you say, “You know what this frontier needs? A touch of Victorian elegance.”
This cream-colored beauty sits on St. Feriole Island, which is less “tropical paradise” and more “mosquito’s all-you-can-eat buffet.”
But don’t let that deter you!
The mansion’s interior is a riot of color and pattern that would make even the most flamboyant peacock say, “Whoa, tone it down a notch.”
From the billiards room to the meticulously restored kitchen, Villa Louis is a time capsule of frontier luxury.
Just resist the urge to trade your car for pelts in the gift shop.
9. Hixon House (La Crosse)
The next stop on our mansion marathon is the Hixon House, a testament to the fact that sometimes, more really is more.
Built by lumber baron Gideon Hixon (sensing a theme here?), this Italianate-style mansion is so ornate that it makes baroque look positively minimalist.
Step inside, and you’re transported to a world where no surface was left unadorned, no ceiling left unpainted, and no piece of furniture left un-tasseled.
It’s like the Victorian era threw up… in the most elegant way possible.
The best part?
Almost all the furnishings are original to the house.
That’s right, you’re seeing the exact same gaudy… I mean, gorgeous decor that the Hixons enjoyed.
It’s like a time machine, but with better upholstery and significantly less risk of altering the space-time continuum.
10. Rahr-West Art Museum (Manitowoc)
Last but not least, we’re pulling up to the Rahr-West Art Museum, a mansion so fancy it decided to become a museum just to show off.
Originally built for Joseph Vilas, a wealthy entrepreneur, this Queen Anne-style stunner is now home to an impressive art collection.
But let’s be real, the house itself is the real masterpiece here.
With its turrets, gables, and more architectural flourishes than you can shake a paintbrush at, it’s like a Victorian fever dream come to life.
It’s the kind of place that makes you want to spontaneously grow a handlebar mustache and start saying things like “I say, old chap!”
Inside, you’ll find an eclectic mix of art from Picasso to Warhol, proving that this old dog can indeed learn new tricks.
Just remember, no matter how inspired you feel, resist the urge to add your own masterpiece to the walls.
Your crayon drawings, while undoubtedly brilliant, might clash with the Renoir.
And there you have it, folks!
Ten mansions that prove Wisconsin is more than just cheese and Packers fans.
Adventure is calling!
Use this map to steer your road trip in the right direction—and maybe discover a surprise or two along the way.
So grab your ascot, polish your monocle, and hit the road.
Just remember, unlike Gatsby, try not to end up face-down in a pool.
The mansions are much more enjoyable when you’re conscious.