10 Most Hospitable Small Towns In Wisconsin
Visitors will have two great reasons to say "cheese": the state's famous dairy delights and the charm and friendliness afforded in Wisconsin.
Among Wisconsin’s most hospitable towns, you will find Bayfield, a gateway to the stunning Apostle Islands.
There is also the village of New Glarus, known as "Little Switzerland," where Swiss traditions and festivities continue to prosper.
Most of all, in Sturgeon Bay, travelers can immerse themselves in the breathtaking sights of the Door Peninsula. These are just a few of the many hospitable small towns ideal for a long weekend retreat in Wisconsin, so no matter the day or mood, you will be charmed and invigorated by the hospitality of these vacation destinations in the state of Wisconsin.
New Glarus
New Glarus is one of the most immersive and hospitable small towns that offers the charms and amicability of a Swiss village. One can attend the beloved Swiss Volksfest (Swiss Independence Day) on August 4 or even the Wilhelm Tell Festival in September, which pays homage to an archer from Medieval Age Europe who shares similar renown to Robin Hood.
If you wish to learn more about how New Glarus came to be, you can refer to the many informational exhibits and artifacts at the Swiss Historical Village & Museum. Likewise, if you want a taste of Swiss spirits and brews, you can choose between the New Glarus Brewing Company and the Whiskey Run Distillery for your alcoholic preferences.
For those of you enthusiastic for long and leisurely walks in the outdoors, the New Glarus Woods State Park promises exquisite, evergreen enjoyment in the Little Switzerland of Wisconsin. Best of all is the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum, home to a vast collection of unique antiques like a 14th-century wood carvings and a haunted bunny. There are many more things to cherish and discover in the Swiss-themed town of New Glarus, so consider spending your humble nights at either the Chalet Landhaus Inn, The Blanc Chalet, or the Wolf’s Den.
Lake Geneva
Basing its name on Geneva Lake, high in Switzerland’s Alps, the small town of Lake Geneva is a beautiful and friendly village with a spectrum of diverse attractions. Travelers will be astounded and bamboozled by magic shows at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre.
You will also be humbled and engaged by the many exquisite animals during a safari at the Big Foot Beach State Park.
The Black Point Estate and Gardens, the former summer estate of Conrad Seipp, a Chicago beer baron, opens its antiquated vestibules and halls to all. Most importantly, the nearby Yerkes Observatory, one of the most famous observatories in the US, entertains and informs visitors with its instruments that point to the stars, instruments which where many astronomers who have won Nobel Prizes have used since 1897.
You will not be bored or dismayed by the numerous amazing attractions worth seeing in the hospitable small town of Lake Geneva, especially when you spend your nights at either the Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast or Lake Geneva Lodge.
Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls, named after the falls located in this part of the Chippewa River, is an outgoing and welcoming small town that treats newcomers with the same comforts and joys as its townsfolk.
Visitors can sample elegant beer from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company’s Leinie Lodge.
Furthermore, they can go parachuting at the Skydive Wissota and appreciate horseback rides across Lake Wissota State Park like any citizen of Chippewa Falls.
Chippewa Falls is also kind towards animals, as you can see from the Irvine Park Zoo, a rehabilitation center for many animals in Wisconsin and worldwide.
During the month of July, the town hosts the much-anticipated Northern Wisconsin State Fair, founded in 1897 to celebrate the state of Wisconsin with many spectacular events and festivities. If you wish to learn more about Chippewa Falls, you can head over to both the Cook Rutledge Mansion and the Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry & Technology.
In any case, you will undoubtedly fall in love with Chippewa Falls’ laid-back and lovely atmosphere that harkens to simpler and easier times.
Elkhart Lake
On the Sheboygan River, the hospitable town of Elkhart Lake encourages newcomers to go on several treks and adventures in Wisconsin’s outdoors. You can go walloping and traipsing through both the Cedar Creek State Wildlife Area and Kettle Moraine State Forest, wondrous regions teeming with life and dynamic landscapes.
Likewise, the many bodies of water around Elkhart Lake, such as Sheboygan Lake, Sheboygan River, and the Sheboygan Marsh State Wildlife Area, are great destinations for appreciating the biodiversity and geographical formations iconic to Elkhart Lake.
If you would rather enjoy indoor installations than outdoor recreation, then you ought to learn the history of Elkhart Lake at Henschel’s Indian Museum and the Hidden Springs Trout Farm. Most of all, you should watch a handful of races at the Road America racetrack, which has been around since 1962.
For those of you curious to see more from Elkhart Lake, you can always book a room in one of the town’s quaint lodgings like The Osthoff Resort.
Cambridge
Cambridge is less than 25 miles from the city of Madison, making it a resplendent and comfortable getaway destination for tourists eager to see more unique and stunning landmarks in Wisconsin’s rural countryside. One of the most captivating locations in Cambridge is Lake Ripley, whose glacial waters contain fish for you to catch and boating opportunities for you to explore. Furthermore, you will be enamored by the beautiful camping and picnicking sites of the Ripley Park, which is also a popular venue for the annual Dip for Dozer on February 8, a fundraiser event where people leap into Lake Ripley’s cold waters.
Those who would rather remain dry and walking can go trekking through both the CamRock Trail and Glacial Drumlin Trail. Additionally, you can stand and learn all about Cambridge’s history at the Historic School Museum. You might also want to see adorable dairy cows at Hinchley's Dairy Farm Tours. Whatever your intentions, you will nonetheless have a memorable experience in the small town of Cambridge.
Mount Horeb
Mount Horeb, so named after the biblical Mount Horeb or Mount Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, is an unforgettable gateway to the Driftless Region of Wisconsin.
Only about 30 minutes away from Madison, travelers will be astounded by the unique geographical formations around Mount Horeb which the last ice age and several glaciers shaped.
In the town itself, you will be surprised by how much it resembles a quaint and quiet town from Scandinavia, especially with its wooden troll sculptures from Norway and other Scandinavian artifacts all over town.
You can find many Native American mounds and elevated hills at the Blue Mound State Park. Furthermore, at the Cave of the Mounds, you can go spelunking through subterranean systems with many picturesque stalactites and stalagmites.
Undoubtedly, the most unusual attraction in Mount Horeb is the House on the Rock, an eccentric edifice similar to those found in Japan, which is built with chambers and rooms distinct from each other. Mount Horeb is filled with more attractions and surprises in store, even in one of the town’s lavish accommodations like the Sunniva Inn and The Little Village.
Bayfield
On Lake Superior are the Apostle Islands, 22 special destinations that can be accessed vis-à-vis the small port town of Bayfield. Madeline Island, the biggest of the Apostle Islands, is home to the Big Bay State Park. Meanwhile, Stockton Island shelters and protects the Apostle Islands Maritime Forests State Natural Area, where one can get a grand appreciation of Lake Superior’s island and freshwater biodiversity.
Notwithstanding these islands' popularity, there are also many historic lighthouses scattered throughout the Apostle Islands, among them the Devils Island Lighthouse, which, like its companions, continues to guide ships from Lake Superior all the way to Bayfield’s safe harbors.
Once you arrive at Bayfield from Lake Superior or Wisconsin’s mainland, you will be enamored by the Native American-made boozes and beers from the Copper Crow Distillery, the first Native American distillery in the US. Moreover, you will be captivated by Eckels Pottery’s and Fine Craft Gallery’s impeccable pots and artworks.
In October, the townsfolk celebrate the annual Bayfield Apple Festival for fresh picking at your leisure. Because Bayfield is a prominent and hospitable port town, you can find friendly accommodations at places like the Old Rittenhouse Inn, Lake Superior Lodge, or Pine Cottage.
Sturgeon Bay
As one of the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in the US, according to Coastal Living Magazine, Sturgeon Bay is a good starting point for your many adventures in the Door Peninsula. At the Door County Maritime Museum, one can learn more about Sturgeon Bay and the history of Door County that shaped Wisconsin’s economy.
The Millers Art Museum and Margaret Lockwood Gallery feature fine art. Likewise, the Popelka Trenchard Glass houses some of the best glass-blown masterpieces in Wisconsin.
Sturgeon Bay hosts the much-anticipated and beloved Sturgeon Bay Fine Arts Fair, where one can celebrate all things artistic. If ever you wish to spend a longer vacation in one of the happiest seaside towns in the US, you need not be shy when staying at fine lodgings like the White Birch Inn or The Foxglove Inn.
Hayward
The small town of Hayward is a rewarding destination for newcomers to adore. You can head over to the Bean Brook State Wildlife Management Area and Kissick Swamp State Wildlife Management Area for outdoor expeditions into Wisconsin’s wilderness.
Hayward is famous for its fishing, and the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame houses historic rods and reels that famous fishermen once used.
In August, you can attend the exhilarating Lumberjack World Championship, in which many lumberjacks from around the globe flaunt their expertise.
At the Sevenwinds Casino, Lodge & Conference Center, you can win big or lose all in many games of chance and gambles. If you prefer more leisurely things, you can head to the Joyful Journey Alpacas to pet some adorable alpacas. Finally, if you intend to spend your nights in Hayward, you can seek out accommodations in establishments like the Flat Creek Lodge.
Port Washington
Port Washington is a splendid town on the shores of Lake Michigan. Only about 27 miles north of Milwaukee, travelers will be ecstatic to visit several historic landmarks, like the Port Washington Breakwater Lighthouse, a living museum that continues to guide ships on Lake Michigan to safe harbor.
The hospitable small towns of Wisconsin are no bother for those wanting either a weekend vacation or a longer vacation and getaway from everyday hassle. At Hayward, you can learn how to fish like a master, while at Bayfield, you can hop from one island to another in Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. No matter which destination you choose, you will surely enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the most hospitable towns in Wisconsin.
