Summer is a time for relaxing with family and close friends. Although many individuals remain hard at work, there is almost nothing better than retreating to the family cottage or finding some spot of sun-kissed sand.

Our end-of-summer staff picks:

Wisconsin sports fans live for September’s triple-threat season, where weekends are devoted to the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers.

If you need a vacation away from the capital, head out west. Prairie du Chien has been Wisconsin’s hidden gem for centuries.

Located in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, Spring Green is an agricultural hub with an artsy flair. Just over two hours from Milwaukee, this eclectic community has much to offer, including the following:

Enjoy a road trip by bicycle through the Northwoods on a 100-mile loop through the northern half of Vilas County. Begin and end at the Discovery Center, located just north of downtown Manitowish Waters, then ride over paved bike trails, county highways and country roads as you make your way past lake-lined roads, rolling hills and dense forests.

Clean your beer stein, grab your dirndl and celebrate at one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the Midwest. Oktoberfest USA will host its 58th annual festival starting Sept. 27 in La Crosse.

Enjoying a good brew by the flickering light of a bonfire is a perfect fall activity. But what if you added a beautiful garden?

Just outside of Milwaukee you’ll find a one-stop shop for all your seasonal and traditional fall activities. Apple Holler, a family-run business since 1987, offers 78 acres of orchards for exploration, 40 different varieties of fruit to taste, a restaurant serving home-style cooking and a bakery offering fresh pastries.

Nonprofit organization Wisconsin Scottish Inc., will host its annual Wisconsin Highland Games over Labor Day weekend at the Waukesha Expo Center. Whether you’re interested in axe throwing, caber tossing, traditional dance, clan dueling, dog herding, live music, pub activity or cultured cuisine – the games host an impressive array of authentic scenes, celebrating culture from across the British Isles and all Celtic nations.

Take a drive over Labor Day weekend to check out the Ho-Chunk Native American tribe’s semiannual, open-to-the-public powwow in Black River Falls, an hour south of Eau Claire. The powwow celebrates the Ho-Chunk culture and serves as a festive, educational and diverse gathering of individuals who travel from across the country.

Every Labor Day, thousands of motorcycles ride through Milwaukee and its surrounding suburbs for a rumbling rally. This year, the event coincides with Harley-Davidson’s 115th anniversary, making celebrations that much more spectacular.