Celebrate the New Year in Wisconsin
Across the state, Fireworks on the Bluff is the highlight of every New Years Eve. The midnight fireworks, set off from Grandad Bluff, can be seen up close by climbing the bluff, or from much of La Crosse. Some even watch while ice fishing on the river, cross country skiing or sledding. There is also an early show at 6 PM, for the little ones.
On the way to the fireworks, take a drive through Riverside Park; it's the last night the park will be lit with more than 560,000 lights and animated displays. Open from 5 to 10 PM daily.
Madison Area
For the 3 to 5 year olds, Canterbury Booksellers and Coffeehouse in Madison, hosts Memorable stories at 11 AM, read by booksellers and parents, with refreshments following.
Spend New Years Eve day enjoying the hundreds of blooming poinsettias that form the back drop for large scale model trains of the Wisconsin Garden Railway Society. December 31 is the last day of the show at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison. Admission to the tropical Bolz Conservatory is included. Stay for the New Years Eve family fun sponsored by USBancorp at the Holiday Flower and Train Show.
If you enjoy plants, join the eighth annual celebration of the turn of the year with a quiet walk through the Arboretum at the UW Madison, 6:30 to 8 PM.
Holiday Fantasy of Lights in Madison continues until January 1, open from 4:30 until dawn. If you didn't make it earlier plan to go now, or go again. More than 30 animated and lighted sculptures will delight you at Olin-Turville Park.
Others
If you are near Eagle River, in Wisconsin's far north, plan on visiting the magnificent Ice Palace built by the community every year. Made with more than 1500 ice blocks and illuminated with dozens of colored flood lights, the Ice Palace is a don't miss stop on New Years Eve.
Spend New Years Eve at the Bear Paw Inn. Take a Snowshoe Torchwalk to the Chalet for appetizers around a bonfire. Walk back to the Inn for the Dinner Party.
If skiing, snowboarding, and family fun is your idea of a good time, consider taking the family to Devil's Head Resort's, at Merrimac, for New Years Eve. The festivities include fireworks, a torchlight parade, DJ Dance Party, and a Children's Party.
Cascade Mountain Resort, Portage, is having a New Years Eve Ski Party. There is
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