Things to Do in Fond du Lac

Carved out of 640 acres of Wisconsin farmland, the 4.048-mile, 14-turn racetrack at Road America allows roadsters of all size and stripe to careen the original track design throughout the raceway’s full season of stock-car, motorcycle, and vintage-car collecting events. The iconic raceway, one of the fastest permanent road-racing tracks in the world, nurtures aspiring Andrettis through its driving school and accommodates gatherings with group outings, such as go-karting, snowshoeing, or geocaching adventures. On race day, guests can take advantage of golf-cart rentals to enjoy the action and fill up on snacks at some of Road America’s 13 concession stands.

Being a health-conscious foodie can be a challenge, because it’s not always easy to determine the history of how and where food is produced. The owners of Armstrong Apples Orchard and Winery have created such a narrative for their clients, growing fruit deeply rooted in their commitments to community and homegrown produce.

Sixteen years ago, they planted their first apple orchard, calling on friends and neighbors aged 8 to 80 for help. Since then, the farm has expanded and now grows 14 varieties of apples, peaches, pears, and grapes, which they serve fresh, baked into pies and turnovers, and pressed into their award-winning wine. Of these libations, apple wine is the owners' specialty, and it ranges from the very dry—best paired with meat—to the cinnamon sweet—best paired with Halloween costumes.

In addition to fresh fruit, baked goods, and adult beverages, the farm boasts entertainment for kids and adults alike, including a playscape and a zorb ball, which is a 12-foot high hamster-ball-like contraption that guests climb inside to travel across an open 5-acre field.

More than three decades spent trolling the fish-filled waters of the Great Lakes have allowed USCG-licensed captain Kevin Williams to master the art of freshwater and ice fishing. While leading expeditions for intrepid participants both young and old, Kevin leverages his unparalleled knowledge of marine speakeasies to catch fish by surprise—and when that happens, the fisherfolk in his boat are ready and waiting with the proper angling gear, be it their own or Kevin's. The captain sets out on warm-weather trips in a 19-foot Weldcraft Maverick equipped with GPS, a trolling motor, and a fish finder, and hosts winter fishing in a heated icehouse accessible by ATV or speed-skater piggyback rides. Fishermen can keep whatever they catch, and may head home after the excursion with buckets full of whitefish, perch, and walleye.

Katie Brucks heads a team of experienced riding instructors at Lucky Stables LLC who teach students proper horsemanship in an indoor arena. The stable’s gentle, people-friendly horses let riders improve their technique during lessons geared to help them accomplish specific goals, whether that involves showing competitively or searching for a new way to cheat in the Tour de France.

Pepper Hill Farm owner Erica Savary passes on more than two decades of riding experience during lessons, assisted by experienced equine instructors. The farm specializes in Saddleseat, a non-jumping form of English riding, and Erica tailors lessons to each rider’s goals, whether they would like to ride for enjoyment, compete in shows, or save gas money by traveling via the original horsepower. Lessons take place inside a heated indoor arena with a second-story viewing lounge, where friends and relatives can watch.

Little Amerricka takes young thrill-seekers on a journey into the past with its 1950s wooden roller coaster, The Meteor, as well as several restored rides from amusement parks of a bygone era. More than two-dozen rides and attractions cater to all sizes and shriek tendencies of visitors, from adrenaline-pumping go-kart races (for riders 56 inches and taller) to relaxing rotations on the kiddie ferris wheel. The conductor of the Whiskey River Railway chugs the train along 2-mile treks through the rustic Wisconsin countryside, where runaway bumper boats graze native grasses before being lassoed and brought back to the amusement park.