Zoo A La Carte

Enjoy food from local eateries while exploring the Milwaukee County Zoo at this tradition that’s fun for the whole family.

Big Bull Falls Blues Fest

Beat the dog days of summer with the blues as Wisconsin’s longest-running blues fest returns to Fern Island Park this summer.

Taliesin Summer Farm Dinner

Experience a four-course farm-to-table dinner with local beer and wine and view world renowned architecture on the grounds of Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal estate.

Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend

This fun fest encompasses four imaginative events throughout the city, including Art in the Park, Festival of Arts, Center for the Visual Arts and Birds in Art. wausaufoa.org/artrageous-weekend

Ironman

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, this iron-willed event features a 2.4-mile swim race, 112-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile marathon. The Madison course is often pegged as a competitor favorite, and spectators can watch and cheer on the participants all day along the race route. ironman.com

Wine & Harvest Festival

Celebrate fall with great food (harvest apple brats, cranberry turkey wraps, gyros, grilled corn), the wines of hometown Cedar Creek Winery and The Fermentorium craft brews (also made locally). Also see more than 250 juried artists in Art on the Avenue, check out the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, participate in Cedar Creek Winery’s Grape Stomp, listen

Doors Open Milwaukee

Take behind-the-scenes tours of over 170 of Milwaukee’s coolest commercial buildings, breweries, apartments buildings, art galleries, community gardens and more during this fun, mostly free event. Many tours have no charge, while others have a nominal fee that detail Milwaukee’s fascinating history and architectural delights in historic neighborhoods. doorsopenmilwaukee.org

Warrens Cranberry Festival

Get ready for a celebration of the state’s fruit at this fun fest. Experience three miles of shopping, a huge Sunday parade and cranberry marsh tours. Also nibble on Cranberries Jubilee, pancakes with cranberry syrup, cranberry cream puffs and even deep-fried cranberries on a stick. cranfest.com

World Dairy Expo

The World Dairy Expo serves as a forum for dairy producers, companies, organizations and other dairy enthusiasts to come together to show animals, exchange ideas, knowledge, technology and commerce. Watch animal competitions, sample dairy delights and meet animals in person. worlddairyexpo.com

Fermentation Fest

Billing itself as “an annual celebration of live culture in all its forms, from dance to yogurt, poetry to sauerkraut” this festival is an eclectic mix of art events, demonstrations, cooking classes and more. Listen to talks on Native American medicines and foods, the future of farming in Wisconsin, kombucha and home brewing, pretzel and cheesemaking,