Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Horicon Marsh in the early fall. At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States and provides valuable habitat to many resident and migrating birds.

We’ll depart Maywood at 7:30 and enjoy a scenic motor coach ride to the marsh area. 

Our first stop will be the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge where we’ll join in a Whooping Crane Tour that is being offered at the Egret Trail Boardwalk. Led by staff from the International Crane Society, this walking tour, will discuss the history and management at the refuge, the work the International Crane Foundation is doing to conserve Whooping Cranes at Horicon Marsh and throughout Wisconsin, and offer guests opportunities to ask questions and view the cranes. In case of weather cancelation, we will enjoy the 3-mile Autoroute tour of the marsh.

From there we’re off to Blue Heron Landing for a leisurely guided pontoon boat tour of the marsh. Get a close-up view of the marsh while we learn its history and enjoy views only available on the water. We’ll follow up with a delectable box lunch at the Blue Heron with a few minutes to peruse the gift shop there as well. In case of inclement weather, a guided bus tour will be offered in place of the pontoon ride.

Our next stop is the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitors Center. We’ll start off our tour with a short film about the marsh followed by time in the Explorium. to tour the Horicon Marsh through time — from the Ice Age and to present day — through narrated, interactive exhibits. We’ll have a short time for a bird walk or if you prefer stay at the visitors center to enjoy the views and the Flyaway Gift Shop. 

We’ll wrap up our day with a stop for ice cream at Kelley Country Creamery. Choose from 22 daily flavor offerings of their award-winning ice cream.

What’s included in your ticket: Round-trip Discovery motor coach, admission at all stops, guided pontoon (or bus) tour, box lunch at Blue Heron Landing, snacks on the ride, and gratuities. Ice cream will be on your own.

Activity Level: This tour includes several walking activities outdoors as well as touring indoor areas. 

What to wear and what to bring:

·        Dress for the weather and some outdoor portions will be rain or shine.

·        Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots

·        A hat and/or sunscreen. The pontoon tour boat does not have a roof to maximize views of the marsh.

·        Sunglasses

·        Any personal items or medications you need along

·        Binoculars if you’d like to enjoy birding at the marsh

·        Ice cream money

Maywood will provide each participant with a reusable water bottle for the trip and will have extra water along for refills. Please join us in making this tour a little bit “greener.”