Neenah, WI Outdoor Activities

Captain Zach Burgess and his experienced crewmembers are determined to get you out on Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay, come rain, snow, or zombie apocalypse. For walleye fishing in the warmer months, they prep a bathroom-equipped 25-foot Tiara Pursuit, whose deep sides provide stability and built-in canvas keeps passengers warm on wet days. Come winter, they roll out 8'x10' ice shacks that can hold up to five people seeking perch and whitefish near the warmth of a wood stove.

Draped over 270 acres of rolling woodland terrain, Branch River Golf & Tennis’s 18-hole course funnels dimpled orbs through a circuit of arching fairways dotted with lush trees. After two generous starting holes, golfers must face Branch River’s daunting “Monster” hole, a 584-yard behemoth where players must tunnel drives though a fairway hemmed by trees, before determining how best to approach a creek-fortified green with a false front and fake ID. High-risk, high-reward shots abound throughout, forcing golfers to exercise sound course management as they drink in views of the picturesque par 72 course.

Along with pristine links, Branch River Golf & Tennis houses three tennis courts, a full-size outdoor pool, and an area for trap shooting. After a long day of spirited sport and swimming, guests can take a load off at dining facilities that overlook the course and graciously supply booster seats so anthropomorphic sand wedges can partake in the meal.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 72 course
• Course rating of 72.5 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 125 from the farthest tees
• Four tee options
• Click here for course layout

Two people glance nervously at each other. Then, at the tops of the trees surrounding them. Then, down at their feet. Over their toes gush torrents of water. To keep from slipping, they whiten their knuckles around the metal bars. They count down from three, rocking back and forth with each number, and then hurl their bodies down the chute. A steep first drop accelerates them as wind and water rush past their ears. Toes pointed, arms folded, their bodies bank tightly around corners and loop quickly around a 360-degree turn. The race ends with a splash into a pool and an argument over who won.

The twin 350-foot waterslides at Harbour Village Resort are the most prominent feature in the park, but there are plenty of attractions for everyone. Ballers hoop on the basketball courts; fishermen cast and reel at the fishing pond with small-mouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. Even the solitary hiker trekking one of the nature trails will find company in the chattering wildlife of chipmunks, bald eagles, and foxes.

Themed activities dress up the family campground and water park. During Christmas in July, Santa swaps his heavy red cloak for a svelte candy-caned-striped speedo. Water wars break out during Pirate Weekends, and on Father’s Day, clipper-brandishing kids sheer their father’s manes in the “shave dad’s head” contest. On the weekends, glow rides trick out tractor-trailers and its passengers with glow sticks that stream to the rhythm and beats of DJ music.

Guests refuel for extra rounds of mini golf or bonus rolls on the skate park’s pipes at ice-cream socials or at the onsite store. Others readily spot the blue tongues of those who’ve been slurping slush puppies or making out with a Smurf.

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.

Green Bay Whitefish joins forces with Door County's expert ice-fishing guides to help anglers of all experience levels snag whitefish and walleye throughout winter months. The team stays up to snuff on the area's fishy goings on, ensuring every trip plants clients in highly populated spots. During those outings, Green Bay Whitefish provides all the necessary supplies, from transportation on and off the ice to a spacious, heated shack stocked with some of the industry's latest electronics.