"Danish heritage, cheese packing, paper-making, Appleton-bobbing, and Wolf fishing"

Western terminus: Waupaca County, at U.S. Highway 10 in Fremont

Eastern terminus: Brown County, at the I-43 interchange (Exit 171) at Denmark

Mileage: about 55 miles

Counties along the way: Brown, Outagamie, Waupaca

Sample towns along the way: Denmark, Kaukauna, Little Chute, Appleton, Grand Chute, Fremont

Bypass alternates at: Appleton

Quickie Summary: State “Trunk” Highway 96 begins in Denmark. No, the town. It may hold the record for the funniest - or unlikeliest - town names along its path, since Shirley, Lark, Combined Locks and Dale all greet you. From Denmark to Appleton, Highway 96 has been around for a while; west of Appleton, it follows what used to be U.S. Highway 10 all the way to Fremont before the new U.S. 10 freeway opened in 2003. In doing so, you cut through the heart of paper-making country east of Appleton, the middle of Appleton itself, and hey, you get to see Denmark!

The Drive (East to West): Highway 96 begins on the west end of Denmark (pop. 1,958), a charming hamlet that, well, emulates a lot of Danish things. Racine would probably argue over which city in Wisconsin is the most Danish, but Denmark certainly makes a strong case. Denmark is enjoying a growth period, pulling businesses and bedroom commuters since its's perched right in between Manitowoc and Green Bay along I-43, and Highway 96 serves as the "Denmark connection" to points west, including the Fox Cities. So let's head west along Highway 96...

A charming, peaceful start to Highway 96 begins with a gentle cruise through Denmark. Danish flags adorn streets, street signs and knick-knacks in gift shops. We'll have to see if there's a Danish influence at the McDonald's up the street along I-43...

It's a long, peaceful drive for a while along Highway 96, which is lasts for a few miles as Shirley Road (who's Shirley?), ducks south as Dickinson Road, and then west again through the settlement of Lark and across Highways 32 and 57 in the crossroads of Greenleaf. Shortly after Greenleaf, you cross the Fox River (which, amazingly, the Fox Cities are named after) in Wrightstown (pop. 2,257). It's the first incorporated place since leaving Denmark, and its downtown, though small, has a number of charming little buildings. The Fox River flowing through town is one of the few northward-flowing rivers in the country, and heading west on 96 will have you going against its flow all the way through a string of upcoming towns.

Kaukauna to Fremont is coming soon!

End of a sunny 72-degree day in October over the Outagamie County Regional Airport in Appleton, as Highway 96 heads out west of town.

Upcoming events in places along Highway 96:
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Home Games, Grand Chute, now through September 1, 2008
The Nation's Largest Flag Day Parade, Appleton, June 14, 2008

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