9 Towns in Wisconsin With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024
If you really want to know more about a place, the best way to do it is to explore its downtown. Often referred to as the beating heart of a community, the downtown district showcases a city's culture, personality, and charm. Wisconsin, the “Badger State” of the US and “America’s DairyLand”, has that in spades!
From grand urban centers with gorgeous waterfront views to charming village-like cities with vibrant festivals and a fondness for cheese, you’ll fall in love with these towns in Wisconsin that have the best downtown areas. Need help with your itinerary this 2024? Read on for some downtown recommendations!
Madison
Being the state capital of Wisconsin and an active urban destination, it’s no surprise that Madison has one of the best downtowns in the area. Even the Wisconsin State Capitol itself, a majestic government structure built in 1837, is a must-visit stop for its historical tours. Surrounding it are more spots for history and art enthusiasts, like the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison Children’s Museum, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Arts.
For a wonderful waterfront view of Lake Monona that’s not too far from downtown, head to Monona Terrace and grab brunch at Lake Vista Cafe. With this, the city center has an active culinary scene fit for a foodie tour, like the retro-style tavern The Old Fashioned, Italian resto Cento, and the sushi bar Tavernakaya.
Cedarburg
Unlike the exciting urban jungle that is Madison, Cedarburg is perfect for travelers who prefer idyllic village-like vibes with historic architecture in its downtown. Start your trip with a stay at Washington House Inn—a bed and breakfast built in 1886, then grab a cheese pastry at Boulangerie Du Monde, before heading across to Cedarburg History Museum.
Visitors can plan their Cedarburg visit during the town’s major annual festivities. The dog-tastic K9 Carnival and berry-filled Strawberry Festival happen during summer, while the Wine and Harvest Festival and Oktoberfest are in the fall. Lastly, don’t leave the town without visiting the repurposed Cedarburg Mill, which is now a creek-side bar!
Prairie Du Chien
The river town of Prairie Du Chien exhibits a sense of welcome while enjoying waterfront views of the Mississippi River, so make sure you stay closer to the river while you’re downtown. For a scenic vacation, book your accommodation at the River District Hotel, a stone’s throw away from the town’s visiting center and a short drive to the Fort Crawford Museum.
Popular local grubs you shouldn’t pass up are Pete’s Hamburger Stand—a beloved Prairie Du Chien establishment by now—and Fort Mulligan’s Grillpub, an 1800s building that was turned into a saloon. Prairie Du Chien’s downtown is also right across St. Feriole Island, where more of the town’s historic spots are located.
Sturgeon Bay
The beautiful and historical harbor city of Sturgeon Bay has an equally beautiful downtown, starting with Bayview Park and the Door County Maritime Museum, which both overlook the city’s namesake bay that flows to Lake Michigan. After learning about the city’s shipbuilding history, cross to the other side of downtown through the Historic Sturgeon Bay Bridge to visit other museums, like the Door County Historical Museum and the Miller Art Museum.
If museums are not your thing, you can opt to taste the city’s maritime heritage instead. You’ve got Bluefront Cafe and Greystone Castle for true-blue American grubs and the popular watering hole Kitty O’Reilly’s Irish Pub. Summer is a special season for the city, as it celebrates its annual Wooden Boat Show and Harmony By The Bay concert series.
Stoughton
Three things make Stoughton a stand-out downtown destination in Wisconsin: the unique celebration of its Norwegian heritage, its opera house, and its culture around “coffee break”. Every May, it celebrates Syttende Mai, the Norwegian Constitution Day, and its unique downtown comes alive with street parades, art fairs, and Norwegian dances.
While in this town, visit the Livsreise-Norwegian Heritage Center to learn more about the city’s Norwegian history and toast with the locals at the highly-fitting Viking Brew Pub. Then, catch a live music performance at the grand Stoughton Opera House. Need a break? Get some coffee during the city’s Coffee Break Festival and sip a cup of joe at Koffee Kup or Wildwood Cafe.
Baraboo
Come one, come all, to the circus town of Baraboo! This Wisconsin city was where the Ringling Brothers got their start before exploding into one of the biggest circuses in the United States. You’ll find lots of circus-related attractions downtown, like the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center, Circus World Museum, the Al. Ringling Theatre, and the AL. Ringling Mansion.
The first two spots have clown-related artifacts, exhibits, and demonstrations. You can even catch live circus performances if you drop by the museum in the summer. The theater, built in 1915, was put up by one of the Ringling Brothers, Albert Ringling, as a gesture of gratitude to the city they called home. The 1906 mansion is open for tours to anyone curious about the life of these legendary performers.
Mineral Point
Meandering through Mineral Point’s downtown is like stepping into a vintage-artsy wonderland, thanks to its historic architecture, love for the arts, and the town’s Cornish heritage. The Mineral Point Historic District alone has more than 500 preserved buildings that have now been transformed into shops and galleries—a wonderful backdrop during their annual Cornish festival.
Start with a stay at Mineral Point Hotel and marvel at its “Italianate Stone” architectural style built in 1857. Stroll up the street to explore numerous galleries, like the Longbranch Gallery, Globe Clay Center, and Prairie Oak Artisans. Crafters and collectors are likely to love The Yarn Station, Mulberry Pottery, and Against the Grain antique store. Don’t forget to try a Cornish pasty at Red Rooster and grab some cheese gifts at Hooks Cheese—a perfect blend of the town’s Cornish origin and cheese-loving Wisconsin heritage.
Burlington
As the commercial hub in western Racine County, two of the biggest (and sweetest) reasons to visit downtown Burlington are its annual Burlington Chocolate Sale during spring and its Experience Burlington Days in late July. The latter festivity closes Burlington’s downtown street, so people can safely explore the many pop-up shops and activities during the celebration (book sale and rubber duck race, anyone?).
If you’re visiting another time, the doors of the Malt House Theater are always open for visitors who love the performing arts. This 1800s brewery is now a hub for musicals and theatrical arts. Need somewhere to dine? Try The Charcoal Grill and Fred’s Parkview for “a dinner and a view” of Fox River.
Sister Bay
With its picturesque beach sunsets and lush greenery, Sister Bay has one of the most beautiful downtowns in Wisconsin and is the go-to al fresco destination in the area. Everything you need for a great summer vacation can be found in the street of Bay Shore Drive, including swimming at Sister Bay Beach Park, concerts at Beachfront Stage, boat docking at Sister Bay Marina, and a hotel stay at The Dorr.
While here, don’t pass up on the extra-large pizzas of Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza or artisanal cheeses and gelato at Door County Creamery—as expected of any dairy-loving Wisconsin city. Lastly, experience the city’s fondness for goats during its annual Roofing of the Goats Festival, where downtown is filled with parading goats. Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant downtown is even the only US restaurant that markets itself by having goats graze on the roof every summer!
Takeaway On Wisconsin Downtowns
Evident in its varying European heritage, festivals, and locations, Wisconsin has some of the most interesting and vibrant downtowns in the United States. No matter what kind of traveler you are—whether you prefer to explore a concrete jungle, have a beach vacation, or stay at a quaint locale—these towns in Wisconsin have something for you.
Most importantly, it’s a delectable haven for people who love cheese and other dairy products! Wisconsin and cheese are two peas in a pod, and the state has a long-standing cheese-making tradition, which can be strongly seen in some of these towns. Don’t miss out on trying its artisanal cheeses and desserts, and maybe pack an extra bag for any cheese gifts you’ll bring back.
