10 Most Unconventional Towns In Wisconsin
Wisconsin has more than 1,200 small towns spread across its territory, and while each has a unique personality, some stand out for their unusual twists, like these 10 most unconventional towns. From peculiar locations and quirky attractions to weird traditions and haunted places, this touch of extraordinary captures the attention of thrill seekers after a novel experience. They serve as an excellent escape for some people to live their fantasies in real-life situations. From a whimsical community of trolls living alongside humans in Mount Horeb to a herd of rooftop goats in Sister Bay, these unconventional towns in Wisconsin leave many first-timers scratching their legs. If your concept of adventure tends toward the odd and unexpected, be sure to include these towns in your next itinerary.
Sister Bay
This small town in Door County is known for its vibrant restaurant scene, with eateries serving diverse flavors. However, Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant leaves many first-time patrons stunned by the small herds of goats grazing on its grass roof. This quirky aspect draws tourists itching to sample authentic Swedish cuisine, including Swedish pancakes and meatballs. There is even a Viking ship replica outside, emphasizing the Swedish theme.
After a hearty meal, you can relax on the sandy shores of Sister Bay Beach and watch the boats sailing by. Alternatively, consider getting on the water courtesy of Sister Bay Scenic Boat Tours to admire the area's outdoor scenery. This easygoing cruise straddles the Sister Bay shoreline and explores notable landmarks, with a resourceful narrator providing information about them.
La Pointe
This isolated getaway in Lake Superior provides the perfect base to explore the Apostle Islands, renowned for their unprecedented beauty. Accessible via the Madeline Island Ferry Line, La Pointe excites visitors with the underwater sea caves of its islands. While these are stunning, they are even more impressive in the cold season when the lake freezes over, and dramatic icicles and other formations cover the caves, transforming them into a winter wonderland. The Capser Trail provides an excellent avenue to explore La Pointe on foot. It is accessible throughout the year and accommodates hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers. But if you prefer to take it easy and relax, the sandy shores of Joni's Beach will be an ideal alternative.
Sparta
Sparta surprises visitors with hundreds of discarded fiberglass molds at Fiberglass Animals, Shapes, and Trademark. Better known as the FAST Fiberglass Mold Graveyard, this accidental sculpture park with weird molds of giant skulls, shark heads, and animals has created a surreal and eerie feeling of an experiment gone bad. Naturally, some people find strolling through the park and inspecting the strange figures satisfying. Sparta is notably home to "Ben Bikin," a quirky roadside attraction and the world's largest bicycle statue at 32-feet high. The sculpture was created to signify the town's heritage as the "Bicycling Capital of America." Meanwhile, the Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum is another of Sparta's many atypical points of interest. The museum exhibits an eccentric collection of over 70 bikes, NASA artifacts, and such items chronicling the evolution of transportation.
Washington Island
Washington Island is a refreshing escape from mainland Wisconsin, known for its unmatched scenery and cozy atmosphere. It takes a 30-minute ferry ride on Lake Michigan to access the island, home to the one-of-a-kind Schoolhouse Beach Park. The gem is said to be one of five such places in the world, unique for its incredibly smooth and rounded pebbles that seem to have been carved by hand. Removing the rocks is against the law and could earn you a fine, so admire them but leave them where you found them. Washington Island hides a historical treasure in the heart of its backcountry. The Stavkirke, or Church of Staves, looks like something out of a Viking movie. Its medieval facade was fashioned after an ancient Norwegian Borgund church and is a testament to superior traditional craftsmanship. If you have enough time to burn on the island, consider catching an entertaining play at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center.
Blue Mounds
This secluded village in Dane County delights tourists with a unique underground adventure exploring a magical scene at Cave of the Mounds. Unlike other caverns, the site stands out for its incomparable beauty, stemming from colorful mineral formations called speleothems. Dramatic stalactites and stalagmites create a visual spectacle that will leave you in awe. But if the caves are too eerie for comfort, visitors can enjoy the open spaces at Brigham County Park. The 232-acre reserve is full of lush forests, grassy fields, and storybook views of the Wisconsin River Valley, beckoning hikers, campers, picnickers, and other adventurers for a fantastic time outdoors. When you need to grab a bite, Hooterville Inn serves delicious comfort foods in a family-friendly setting, including cheeseburgers and sandwiches.
Mount Horeb
Mount Horeb leaves its visitors startled by the series of wooden trolls and themes dominating businesses and many community areas, making it one of the most unconventional towns in Wisconsin. These sophisticated sculptures reflect Mt. Horeb's Norwegian heritage and are inspired by Scandinavian folklore. The town even calls its main street "Trollway." There is much to uncover about local heritage at the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society. It has a lovely selection of materials, documents, and archives depicting both human and natural history in the region. Natives and visitors alike often camp at Stewart Lake County Park for the best moments in the great outdoors. This nearly 200-acre space fuels a number of fun recreational activities, including swimming, kayaking, and swimming in the lake. The pleasant hiking trails also turn into accessible snowshoeing trails when it snows. Visitors might also enjoy hiking part of the 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail, which connects Mount Horeb with other communities, including Blue Mounds.
Shullsburg
Established in 1827, Shullsburg has a rich historical heritage intertwined with the mining and mining industries. However, it dazzles travelers with a stretch of road where the laws of physics don't seem to apply. At the mysterious Gravity Hill, cars roll uphill when parked on a slope and placed in neutral gear, which leaves people questioning their perception of reality. Shullsburg's Water Street Commercial Historic District offers a window into the past through dozens of old buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Brewster House Hotel is a fine example of the town's pioneer years, constructed in 1855. Elsewhere, the Roelli Cheese Haus helps maintain the town's longstanding cheese-making heritage. It welcomes holidayers for the ultimate Badger State experience of sampling handcrafted cheeses from age-old recipes, including baby Swiss and sharp cheddar.
Wisconsin Dells
Nicknamed the "Waterpark Capital of the World," Wisconsin Dells is a magical escape for family-friendly fun, celebrated for its series of world-class amusement parks, such as Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park Resort. However, one establishment, Wizard Quest, raises eyebrows with its interpretation of child-centered fun. This magnificent, 30,000-square-foot facility thrusts kids into a fantasy world, turning them into little wizards as they explore an elaborate labyrinth with hidden passageways, traps, obstacles, and puzzles. Kalahari Resorts provides guests with the trademark Wisconsin Dells experience at America's largest indoor waterpark. The amusement center boasts an array of facilities, from waterslides and arcades to a golf club and a spa, delivering unadulterated entertainment for the whole family. Later, you can take the kids to the Tommy Bartlett Exploratory for an engrossing dive into the world of science. It hosts over 175 interactive science displays, including an original Russian Space Station MIR core module.
Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa is a bustling community just west of Milwaukee that offers visitors a sense of small-town charm with all the creature comforts of a big city. It houses a series of delightful Victorian buildings, but its most notable structure is easily the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Designed by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the chapel sports an unorthodox UFO design with alien curves, unlike any other church in the country. You can shop till you drop at the Mayfair, home to over 150 shopping, dining, and entertainment venues featuring nationally recognized brands like Ann Taylor and Loft. Meanwhile, escaping Hoyt Park isolates visitors from crowds, allowing them to relax and revel in a peaceful, green environment. The sanctuary offers a 1.9-mile loop walkway along the Menomonee River and past a seasonal beer garden.
New Glarus
Popularly known as "Little Switzerland," New Glarus makes visitors feel lost in a traditional Swiss village. Swiss immigrants founded the community in 1845, maintaining its cultural identity through events like the Swiss Volksfest. This pays tribute to its pioneers and features traditional Swiss entertainment like yodeling, accordion music, flag throwing, and folk songs. The European roots are evident from the Swiss Alps chalet-style architecture in downtown New Glarus, as seen in the Chalet of Golden Fleece Museum. Inside the venues lies a whimsical array of crafts, art, antiques, and artifacts collected by Edwin Barlow from around the world. The cultural experience is complete only after sampling the town's authentic flavors, featuring traditional Swiss delicacies like wiener schnitzel at Glarner Stube and Swiss croquettes at the New Glarus Bakery.
Sometimes, a break from the normal is just what you need to add a spark to your adventure, and these 10 most unconventional towns in Wisconsin prove their unique charm by embracing their oddities. Whether you want to get lost in a distant Swiss village by traveling to New Glarus or explore otherworldly winter caves in La Pointe, you are guaranteed a unique experience almost impossible to replicate elsewhere in the United States. So, skip the normal and indulge your fantasies in these hidden gems of the Badger State.
