12 Prettiest Downtown Strips In Wisconsin
The downtown square is the lifeblood of any destination you travel to, whether a bustling city or a sleepy small town. It is the ideal starting point to explore a new place you're visiting and offers a feel for the character and personality. Although Wisconsin houses numerous towns, some stand out for their adorable downtown strips. These are riddled with cultural venues, museum buildings, shopping areas, and entertainment centers, culminating in a vibrant corridor worth discovering.
Unlike the crowded streets and constant traffic in big cities like Milwaukee, these small towns offer pedestrian-friendly corridors without the hustle and bustle, making them perfect for strolling at a comfortable pace. From the stunning Swiss architecture in New Glarus to the historic streets of Mineral Point, the following places have the prettiest downtown strips in Wisconsin.
Burlington
Downton Burlington is a mixed bag of surprises, offering a little bit of everything to ensure all tourists have something to enjoy. For instance, art enthusiasts can watch exciting stage productions at the Malt House Theatre. The venue hosts plays, musicals, and dramas and sits in a beautiful location overlooking the Fox River. If you enjoy the movies, Plaza Theater 4 showcases the latest films across four screens, elevating the movie-watching experience with an in-theater dinner service.
If you visit Burlington with kids, you can take them to Intents Inflatable Indoor Fun Center, which presents an indoor party venue with multiple bounce houses. Finally, Burlington's rich craft brew scene is apparent from the many downtown breweries, and you can always stop by Low Daily for a taste.
Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay is a picturesque town on the Door Peninsula known for its maritime heritage and easygoing atmosphere. It boasts a walkable waterfront downtown with an eclectic mix of local businesses, museums, galleries, and restaurants. Strolling down the corridor's quiet streets brings you to the Door County Maritime Museum, whose exhibits depict the area's nautical heritage. This is a short distance from the Door County Historical Museum, a great stop if you need a wider view of Sturgeon Bay's past.
Art is a big part of the community's culture, promising newcomers multiple visual and performance opportunities. The Miller Art Museum impresses with the largest collection of works by artist Gerhard CF Miller, while Third Avenue Playworks is where people gather for dramas, musicals, and other live productions by homegrown performers.
Mineral Point
History, culture, and commerce collide in this adorable village in Iowa County, about an hour outside Madison. Mineral Point's bubbly downtown features a busy Main Street with a collage of historical and cultural treasures, starting with the Mineral Point Opera House. This restored building was constructed in the 1910s and has since captivated locals with world-class theatrical performances. You will notice multiple galleries in the neighborhood, from Wantoot Gallery to Brewery Pottery, each showcasing a curated art collection by regional and national artists.
The Mineral Point Railroad Museum hints at the town's rich history. Stored inside the 19th-century depot is a pile of railroad artifacts and relics dating back to the Victorian eras. As you learn about Mineral Point's earlier days, Ifinder welcomes you to hunt for unique souvenirs among its selection of vintage jewelry, books, art, crafts, and more.
Baraboo
Popularly referred to as "Circus City," Baraboo made a name from its historic association with the circus world. Its heritage intertwines with the iconic Ringling Brothers, who left a lasting influence visible throughout downtown Baraboo. The AL. Ringling Mansion is a spectacular sight, sporting a conspicuous red-stone design from 1905 with original windows and a mahogany staircase. Additionally, the AL. Ringling Theatre treats residents to captivating performances in an opulent theater venue built in 1915.
If you enjoy craft beers, chances are you'll find yourself at the AL. Ringling Brewing Company sampling locally crafted brews. However, those with an alternative taste can try house-brewed spirits at Driftless Glen Distillery and take in the Baraboo River views.
New Glarus
This Green County community charms travelers with its distinct Swiss heritage and beautiful skyscape punctuated by unique chalet-style architecture. Downtown New Glarus delivers an immersive cultural trip right from the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum. Besides its cool Swiss-style design, this rustic building houses cultural artifacts accumulated by Edwin Barlow over decades. Guests can indulge in tasty Swiss cuisine at the New Glarus Bakery, which specializes in baked goods, but Glarner Stube is where you go for a full-course Swedish dish.
Meanwhile, the New Glarus Brewing Company invites first-timers for self-guided tours of its facility, with a promise of refreshing tastings of freshly crafted beer. Finally, spare time to stop by Brenda's Blumenladen for a possible gift souvenir before leaving the town.
Cedarburg
Cedarburg boasts one of the most impressive downtown strips in Wisconsin, owing to its rich mix of attractions. The quaint district houses museums, art centers, entertainment venues, and dining spots, resulting in an all-around experience for tourists. At the Cedarburg History Museum, vacationers can explore the town's chronology since it was established in the mid-19th century. Elsewhere, the Cedarburg Cultural Center displays different art forms by crafters and makers from southeastern Wisconsin.
There is more to see at the Cedarburg Art Museum, where an impressive collection of exhibits sits inside a gorgeous Victorian-style home with a red brick facade. Lastly, remember to sample the local wines by touring Cedar Creek Winery for delicious tastings.
Stoughton
Stoughton is an interesting small town in Dane County that leaves a lasting impression with its unique Norwegian heritage. It welcomes visitors to explore its lively Main Street Commercial District, where an eclectic blend of culture, arts, history, and commerce keeps the area busy. The Norwegian Heritage Center preserves and interprets the community's roots using piles of archives and artifacts. Elsewhere, the Stoughton Opera House connects people with the arts through musical concerts and other stage shows in a small but intimate location.
Main Street is also home to the Abel Contemporary Gallery, which displays the creations of two exceptional artists inside a restored tobacco warehouse. Lastly, antique lovers won't mind searching for a cute treasure at Stoughton Buy & Sell Shop to take back home.
Beloit
This Rock County town was nationally recognized for its romantic Main Street, the epicenter of a delightful downtown district. Beloit's town square is riddled with restaurants, galleries, music venues, and theaters, so it's never a dull time for first-timers. Every Saturday from May through October, the Beloit Farmers' Market draws a lot of local vendors who decorate the street with baked goods, farm produce, jams, spices, and jellies for people to buy. Also, Silver Screen enthusiasts can catch new releases at Classic Cinemas Beloit XQ.
The historically inclined will enjoy browsing thousands of archeological specimens at the Logan Museum of Anthropology. But if you gravitate more towards the arts, you'll be better off examining the over 6,000 artworks across the five gallery spaces of the Wright Museum of Art.
Hudson
Hudson's serene location on the banks of the St. Croix River results in a soothing atmosphere that stretches to its quaint downtown region. The pedestrian-friendly district has numerous points of interest, with art connoisseurs finding the perfect pursuit inside Seasons Gallery. This cultural hub displays more than 100 regionally and nationally recognized artists. Furthermore, the Phipps Center for the Arts welcomes travelers to watch enthralling artistic performances, ranging from dance and music to drama.
You can get a special glimpse of the past by touring the Octagon House Museum, which impresses with a stucco octagonal design and provides a window to life in the 1800s. After a fulfilling tour, you can sit down for a hearty meal of pork chops at the romantic Black Rooster Bistro.
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva has attracted summer vacationers looking for a quiet waterfront escape since the 1800s. Its charm stretches beyond the sandy lake shores to a lovely downtown square. Highlights include the Lake Geneva Museum, where first-timers can peruse diverse artifacts to learn about the community's dynamic heritage. The Tristan Crist Magic Theatre also delights guests with award-winning illusions, magic, and comedic performances suited for the whole family.
Antique hunters can stop by My Sister & Me to check out a cute selection of gifts and primitives, including furniture, jewelry, art, and vintage clocks. Lastly, spare time to check out the local nightlife by enjoying a cold drink at Champs Sports Bar & Grill.
Chippewa Falls
Chippewa Falls complements its serene setting on the Chippewa-Mississippi River confluence with a site-rich downtown area where you can find all the fun attractions. The area is home to the Chippewa Falls Museum of Technology, which pays homage to the evolution of technology with captivating and interactive displays dating to the early days. It also houses the Chippewa Area History Center, whose role is to preserve and interpret the region's past using an assortment of memorabilia, relics, artifacts, and archives.
The Hyde Center for the Arts turns heads with an opulent Neoclassical architecture style from 1907, inviting guests for art exhibitions, musical performances, classes, workshops, and related events. Finally, those with a sweet tooth can indulge their cravings for sugary gummy bears, chocolates, ice cream and other candy at the Chippewa Candy Shop.
Marshfield
Downtown Marshfield stands out for its spectrum of attractions, which includes everything from whimsical buildings and art venues to museums. One of the most recognizable points of interest here is the World's Largest Round Barn, which was constructed in 1916 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Marshfield Heritage Museum displays is the ideal destination for American war historians, displaying vast military artifacts, dioramas, and stories about the Civil War, the War in Afghanistan, and other past conflicts.
If you appreciate the arts, you won't think twice about visiting the Chestnut Center for the Arts, which unites the community through art shows, performances, events, and workshops. Wrap up the trip by getting up close to beautiful North American wildlife at the Wildwood Park and Zoo in its natural habitat.
Final Thought
The Dairy State's charming diversity shines through the prettiest downtown strips in Wisconsin, where culture, history, nature, and commerce harmoniously converge. Their walkable and easygoing atmospheres allow newcomers to immerse in the local attractions without worrying about large crowds or too much traffic. Whether walking down the busy Main Street in Beloit or discovering the unique culture in Stoughton, tourists can look forward to fulfilling moments in the often-overlooked small towns of the Badger State.
