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Gas Tank Getaways: Have Fun Without Spending Much or Going Far

Come with Patch and explore 22 ways to get out and enjoy the summer without breaking the bank.

Has $4 gas got you down? Perhaps you're canceling that road trip or just need a change of pace for a family weekend bike ride.

If you're looking for more options close to home, keep coming back to Patch. Starting June 20 we're featuring 22 places where you can beat summer boredom on a tank of gas or less.

What makes a Gas Tank Getaway? 

  • It's close, roughly 100 miles or less away from where you live. 

  • It's cheap, with minimal spending required once you get to your destination.

  • It's fun, and offers something a bit out of the ordinary, whether that's the chance to get close to nature, learn something new or find something special.

Here's a quick guide to our three weeks of Gas Tank Getaways. 

















Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, Fox Point/Bayside

*Please note: The original version of this story incorrectly identified the city near Horicon Marsh. It has been corrected.

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Michael Michna June 19, 2011 at 02:43 pm
It's just over the 100 mile range but how about the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay? July 9 & 10 they are having a World War 2 weekend with mock battles and displays. And local Caledonia resident Jessica Michna will be appearing both day as Eleanor Roosevelt.
Lisa Sink June 19, 2011 at 02:47 pm
Great idea, been to the museum with my kids. Worth the trip. Thanks for the idea!
Paul Holley June 19, 2011 at 04:13 pm
As long as you're talking about Green Bay, take in the Bay Beach Amusement Park. It's a city-run amusement park with all the standard rides and a just-installed wooden roller coaster. Best of all, it's family fun at a fraction of the cost of the Dells or Six Flags.
Sarah Millard (Editor) June 19, 2011 at 06:42 pm
Bay Beach is fun -- love the giant slide and swings :)
Heather Rayne Geyer June 20, 2011 at 05:45 pm
I think it may be more than 100...not sure...but we loved Galena recently. Also stayed in Dubuque which was much nicer than expected. Some GORGEOUS state parks. Lots of bald eagles!!
Jo Buth July 16, 2012 at 01:23 pm
Try Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan. It is on the property of UW Sheboygan. Wonderful. Awesome. New. Free. Totally worth the trip.
Check out their website.
Jo Buth July 16, 2012 at 01:28 pm
Check out Bookworm Gardens in Sheboygan on the UW Sheboygan grounds. Free and totally workth it.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Rees Roberts June 6, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Mike Devine June 11, 2013 at 08:52 am
Rees; When the Sacred village Board cloaked the building of a new Village hall for over $17 million,Read More it was brought to there attention to build TWO new fire stations. One south, one north. Instead they built the Taj Mahal and a distance fire station. Maybe the two remaining Trustees could orate their decision for the residents.
Neigbors at green ridge June 18, 2013 at 01:49 am
Mt Pleasant is in need of competent people ! Who would of built the new headquarter on 90th St ?Read More Wouldn't of it made sense to build by the Fire Department on HWY 31 ? Would of made sense you would of at least met the village taxpayer half way ! Oh another thing I noticed Chief Police do your patrol officers think its cool with there phone in there hand while driving its very obvious there not talking business ! If any one gets hit by a patrol car make sure they receive a ticket for inattentive driving !
Chris Larsen June 7, 2013 at 09:40 am
Typical John. Long on vitriol and talking points but no ideas of his own. And what have you done forRead More your district this term John? Have you met with the Boards in the Villages and Towns you represent? Listening sessions in Mt Pleasant or Sturtevant? Que the crickets.......
C. Sanders June 13, 2013 at 12:07 am
John Lehman ... Long on wind and short on accomplishment. another politician on auto-pilot until theRead More next election.
Walker celebrates after defeating the liberal unionista blue fisters
Steven W. Smith June 8, 2013 at 07:40 am
Hmm "make a stronger Wisconsin than ever". Yup Scottie, 44th in the country is the beat!Read More Soon 50th? Inverted math? "The recall brought us closer together" You won spending 6-1 using a majority of out of state $, had 5 times longer to campaign and won because one side failed to confront the second battle of recalls as a whole vs Scotties recall. "For decades we will be able to look up public officials and hopefuls, teachers, neighbors, interviewees" so much for freedom of speech & the recall Scott Walker used to become Milwaukee's head of busted political officials. Scott you were hired to represent all citizens of Wisconsin.
skinnyDUDE May 29, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Site definitely got a nice upgrade. Congrats as its like a new window to this world.
Heather Asiyanbi (Editor) May 30, 2013 at 10:33 am
skinnyDUDE - we like it, too ... just wait until the app comes available. It's so cool!
YankeeVictor June 5, 2013 at 10:18 pm
"Team of geniuses"? Your joking of course. My email box is blown off the planet by youRead More guys. What gives? For a couple of months I really thought this was the place to come to find out what was going on. You were giving the JT a real run for the money. Not any more. Maybe it's just me, and if so, I apologize, but there are better places to waste time then the Patch.