Whether you're looking for a week of theme park action and shopping, or a quiet retreat in the woods, Wisconsin has plenty to offer for families on a budget, from its picturesque lakeside towns to its bucolic farmlands and attraction-filled cities.

Wisconsin Dells

Picture relaxing among 15 miles of rustic, weathered sandstone cliffs and cool, wooded gullies with creeks and lakes. Or not. A lot of visitors to this most popular Wisconsin attraction ever see the Dells themselves. They spend most of their time at the ubiquitous water parks, amusement parks and shopping attractions.

Door County Coast

Think Maine, without the salt water. Door County is 75 mile-long peninsula of cliffs and beaches between Lake Michigan and Green Bay where you are never more than 10 minutes from a water view. The coast is dotted with tiny villages once supported by commercial fishing that now hook travelers with scenic vistas, quaint architecture and cozy inns and restaurants.

Milwaukee Waterfront

Sure, Milwaukee is the fictional home of "The Fonz" and the MLB Brewers -- be sure to check out the statue to the former, and take in a home game with the latter -- but book plenty of time on the city's waterfront: the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Boerner Botanical Gardens, Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin and, ladies and gentlemen, the International Clown Hall of Fame. For break, head over to Riverwalk Boat Tours & Rentals.

Hudson Hot Air Affair

A hot spot in winter, the Hudson Hot Air Affair is a hot air balloon festival in the St. Croix Valley in west central Wisconsin. Along with more than 50 balloons taking off over a snow-covered meadow both by day and night, the event boasts a torchlight parade, craft fair, geocaching, kiting, karaoke, marching kazoo bands and a huge chili cook-off. Who knew the depths of winter could be so much fun?