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Scenic Highway 55
Wisconsin Highway 55, which once started in Milwaukee, currently begins where US151 veers away from Lake Winnebago on its way to Chilton in Calumet County and heads north. At a strategically placed scenic wayside overlooking the lake, US151 heads east as Wisconsin Highway 55 continues north, running within eyeshot of the eastern shore of the rural side of Lake Winnebago. Lake Winnebago is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S. and is one of the largest lakes in the nation entirely within one state. It is visible from space. While the lake’s west side is home to cities like Fond du Lac, Oshkosh, and the southern Fox Cities, the east side of Lake Winnebago is characterized with the topography of serene shorelines, rolling hills and rocky cliffs-the exact opposite of its western shore.
When starting your tour of Highway 55, during the months of September and October, a stop at Heritage Orchard is a must. Heading north on 55, you will want to turn left only a short 100 yards after the Highway 55 and Highway 151 split. Turn onto Ecker Lakeland Dr and head west for about a half mile to a left turn to Lake Shore Dr. Heading south on Lake Shore Dr for less than a half mile, Heritage Orchard will appear on your right. With Lake Winnebago as a backdrop, this orchard and its country store is must-see. Sixteen varieties of apples are available pre-picked or for pick your own patrons. Heritage Orchard also has pumpkins, apple baked goods, award-winning cider and a crafters loft too. Call ahead or check the website for hours.
The Calumet County section of Highway 55 is an inviting scenic wonder that offers some fun places to stop for a great meal as well. One such place is Schumacher’s Shanty in Stockbridge, the “Sturgeon Center of the World.” Located directly on Highway 55, Schumacher’s Shanty is the perfect spot to stop for a homemade pizza, with friends or family, and to soak in the atmosphere and unique Wisconsin culture of one of Calumet County’s most popular places to gather.
Only a few miles north of Schumacher’s Shanty on Highway 55, you will arrive at a T-intersection with County Highway EE. Do yourself the favor of turning left and following EE to its conclusion (less than 1-mile) where you will discover Calumet County Park. Some of the best year-round views of Lake Winnebago await in one of the most scenic county parks in all the Midwest. Calumet County Park is the perfect spot for families with children who want to enjoy a lakeside picnic on the scenic shores of Lake Winnebago. The kids can play and explore, and you can fish from the marina or launch your boat and even stay for the night on a shoreside campsite.
Heading back on EE and turning left back onto Highway 55, you will soon pass High Cliff State Park. Named for a limestone cliff of the Niagara Escarpment, High Cliff is fixed on Lake Winnebago’s northeastern shore. Boating, sailing, year-round fishing, and swimming are as abundant as the trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Inside the park are areas of both shaded and exposed cliff habitats and talus slopes supporting wet-mesic forest. Outstanding examples of conical and effigy mounds are located above the escarpment as well as a 40-foot observation tower offering a breathtakingly spectacular panoramic view of Lake Winnebago and its surrounding landscape and communities. High Cliff is arguably Wisconsin’s most beautiful and diverse state park.
A perfect pit stop on your scenic Highway 55 drive would be to grab some soft serve ice cream at Frogg’s, a longtime Calumet County/Highway 55 iconic destination. Easy to find on Highway 55 in Sherwood, close to High Cliff State Park, this ice cream shop specializes in unique creations like their “Frogg-in-a-Blender” treats (don’t worry, no frogs are harmed in the process). This attraction is only open from April-Labor Day, so plan your stop accordingly.
Finally, what better way could you end your excursion on Wisconsin Highway 55? Just down the road and about a half-mile off of Highway 55 is The Granary, Sherwood’s classic supper club. Calumet County, the Supper Club Capital of the Midwest®, is home to many supper clubs with The Granary being one of the most historic. Despite what the name implies, no memberships are needed at these dining establishments. A supper club is a dining experience like no other that includes a whole lot of food for not too much money. Your experience starts at the bar where the most popular drink ordered is the Old Fashioned. A typical meal may include a relish tray, bread, soup, salad, an entrée such as steak, chicken or fish and ice cream drinks for dessert. Most supper clubs are multi-generational family run businesses and feature recipes that have been around just as long. You can’t be in a hurry though. The experience could take a couple of hours, especially if you go on a weekend. A visit to The Granary would definitely be a triumphant end to the quintessential Wisconsin Highway 55 road trip experience.