By summer, the Apple River and lakes have wide appeal. Year-round, there's the Cattail ATV trail, and Amery Ice Arena is a hub for skaters near and far. Next on the agenda, the mayor says, is housing.

After traveling to all of Wisconsin's 72 counties in one summer, Apostle Islands, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Eau Claire and Amnicon Falls State Park are among the must-see places you should visit.

“It’s one of the most dramatic changes on the upper Mississippi,” Larson said. “It’s everywhere.” In the past several years, wild rice has exploded on this part of the upper river ...