Winter in Wisconsin: Date Ideas for Every Couple

Wisconsin knows how to do winter right, which means endless possibilities for special dates together, both indoors and outside. Here are more than a dozen possibilities, some romantic and others just plain fun.

For Outdoor Lovers

When you and your favorite person want to embrace the fresh winter air together, you have plenty of options for memorable fun throughout the state. Experience a magical candlelit ski or hike at many of Wisconsin’s state parks that regularly host winter events.

Or, plan ahead for events like the Bayfield and Fish Creek winter festivals that also light pathways through snowy trails perfect for exploring together. Most events end with cocoa sipping around a toasty bonfire. Horicon Marsh also hosts candlelit hikes as well as winter hikes under the full moon.

For ice skating fun, head for Madison's Tenney Park, one of the most romantic skating spots in the state. The park straddles the winding Yahara River and features several picturesque bridges. Skate hand-in-hand in the lagoon or glide under the park's steel pedestrian bridge. Afterward, snuggle in front of the fire glowing in the warming shelter.

Other romantic ice skating spots include The Plaza in Neenah, Titletown in Green Bay and Red Arrow Park in Milwaukee which also offers adaptive skate skis.

For Adventure Seekers

Those looking for both romance and adventure should take a trip to the spectacular caves at Red Cliff Bay. When conditions are right, snow and ice create awe-inspiring frozen formations perfect for visiting with your favorite person.

For another icy and fun outing, sign up for an ice-climbing session at Governor Dodge State Park with Vertical Illusions. Aimed at beginners, you'll learn how to scale a natural frozen waterfall at this scenic Dodgeville-area park.

Or, try your hand at winter ziplining with Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures, BigFoot Zipline in Wisconsin Dells and Northwoods Zip Line near Minocqua. You’ll never forget soaring through snow-covered landscapes with your special someone.

For Art Fans

Winter is a great time to check out some of Wisconsin's impressive art museums with loved ones. In Madison, wander through the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, which hosts ever-changing exhibits and offers free admission. Designed by renowned architect Cesar Pelli, the eye-catching, glass-laden structure features spacious galleries and a rooftop sculpture garden and restaurant.

Another popular date spot is the Milwaukee Art Museum, which boasts an astounding 30,000 works of art from past to present. The facility has some of the most famous collections of American decorative arts, German Expressionism, folk and Haitian art and American art after 1960. Time your visit to catch the opening or closing of the museum's moveable sunscreen, which sports a 217-foot wingspan.

In Oshkosh, the Paine Art Center and Gardens has the look of a romantic castle and will transport you to another time. With rotating exhibits including the popular “Rooms of Blooms” in early March, experiencing colorful flower arrangements here will make it feel like spring has come early.

If you prefer to create your own art, head for the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek, which offers open studio time from November through April. You can try everything from printmaking and ceramics to drawing from a live model.

For Foodies

Always wanted to take a cooking class? There's no better time to head into a warm, fragrant kitchen than winter. Glorioso's Appetito in Milwaukee offers cooking classes focused on Italian cuisine as well as other themed nights. Learn how to make fresh pasta with carbonara sauce and savory Spanish paella. They even have special Valentine’s Day classes!

At The Palate in Stockholm, you may find classes and demonstrations featuring scone baking and international brunch dishes such as breakfast pho or shakshuka. Be sure to stop in the foodie experience store for a wide variety of gourmet goods to take home.

And don't forget about special events. Take a magical horse-drawn carriage ride with your special someone through the sugarbush at Glenna Farms’ Maplefest. With a free pancake breakfast, syrup-tapping demonstrations and drawings for maple products, this is one special Wisconsin experience you’ll remember for years to come.

Discover more one-of-a-kind getaways and stay in these Wisconsin winter cabins made for two.