The oldest city in Wisconsin isn't Madison or even Milwaukee. It's actually Green Bay. Its roots go all the way back to French explorer Jean Nicolet who started a small trading post in 1634. It was originally called "La Baie des Puants" or "the stinking bay."

Mount Horeb is full of trolls, but not the online hater kind. A large main street called the "Trollway" is peppered with large statues of the mythical creatures, and visitors can purchase troll memorabilia in gift stores. The unusual theme was inspired by Nordic folklore, as the town was once more than 75 percent Norwegian.

Wisconsin is the only state to offer a Master Cheesemaker program. It takes three years to complete, and you need 10 years of cheese-making experience before you can even apply as a candidate.

Between 1901 and 1914, Wisconsin created the nation's first comprehensive statewide primary election system, the first effective workplace injury compensation law, and the first state income tax.

In 1970, Sheboygan battled Bucyrus, Ohio for the title of "Bratwurst Capital of the World". After a grueling duel, the Sheboygan Press reported on August 14, 1970, that Judge John Bolgert had rendered an official verdict bestowing the title upon Sheboygan and barring all other claimants from using it.

Early colonial settlers named the American robin (Turdus migratorius) for its resemblance to the familiar but unrelated European Robin, which is smaller but also sports an orange breast. One of America's favorite migratory songbirds, they are watched for each year as a herald of spring.

Wisconsin borders two Great Lakes: Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. Although they don't boast about it on license plates, the state also has at least as many inland lakes as Minnesota, if not more.

Contrary to popular belief, the "Cream City" nickname is not related to the dairy industry for which the state of Wisconsin is known. Instead, the term reflects the cream-colored buildings that are common in the city of Milwaukee.

Cranberries were important in the diets of native Americans for hundreds of years before the Pilgrims landed. They ate them raw, dried, boiled with honey or maple sugar, and baked with cornmeal into bread. Today, Wisconsin accounts for over half of the nation's cranberry production.

The blender was first invented by Stephen Poplawski, owner of Stevens Electric Company, in Racine, Wisconsin in 1922. He wanted a way to mix up drinks like malts and milk shakes, which had become popular at soda fountain restaurants.