8 of the Quirkiest Towns in Wisconsin
Cheese, badgers, cold winters, and crisp lakes- all of those are things that immediately come to mind for many upon hearing "Wisconsin." But Wisconsin is a special state with a wild variety of things to see and do, especially on the stranger side of things. Small towns are definitely places to enjoy the quirky and distinct differences that an area has, and Wisconsin is no exception.
Hear stories of the monsters of the Northwoods, try a pungent cheese, or try troll-hunting. Unique experiences await in Wisconsin's small offbeat towns! Due to Wisconsin's weather, many attractions are on seasonal schedules, so check availability before heading out on your adventure!
Rhinelander
Rhinelander is the unexpected home of the Hodag, a mythical Northwoods beast dating back to legends of the Native tribes of the area. However, it was not until 1893 that the story went viral, with resort owner Eugene “Gene” Shepard finding the supposed fearsome creature. It was later confirmed by Shepard to be a hoax, but the legend lives on in Rhinelander, as well as on TV and in the Harry Potter universe.
Go on a hodag hunt using the "Hodag Finder" website, with over 25 instances of hodag art in the town, from murals to a variety of statues, from cute iterations to creepy toothsome versions. As you hunt, make sure to look for treasures in the shops along the way, with sporting goods at the historic Mel's Trading Post, solid chocolate hodags at the Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe, and of course, hodag merchandise ranging from beanies to stuffed animals at the Hodag Store.
After working up hunger on your hunt, Rhinelander offers a variety of beers (even Hodag-themed!) at the Rhinelander Brewing Company, iconic supper club fare at the Fireside Supper Club, and classic American at the historic Rhinelander Cafe and Pub.
Mount Horeb
Another place home to mythical creatures is Mt. Horeb, home to over 30 carved wooden trolls (from Scandinavian folklore) throughout the town. Pick up a map at the Welcome Center and stroll through the downtown to discover trolls bicycling, gardening or even promoting dental hygiene.
While exploring, indulge in a sweet snack like fudge or gelato at the Sugar Troll, browse Scandinavian gifts like Swedish clogs and dainty Norwegian sølje (silver filigree) jewelry, and dive into Driftless (an area without glacial drifts) regional history at the Historium.
The troll theme extends into the culinary scene, with the Grumpy Troll Brewpub featuring locally sourced fare like juicy burgers and fresh salads, as well as housemade beers (they even make their own root beer!). Other options include: Brix Cider, with craft ciders and farm-to-table cuisine; Skal Public House for a wide on-tap beer list and pub favorites; and Sunn Cafe for a healthy lunch.
Once sated, Stewart Lake County Park and the Hauge Historic District Park are wonderful areas for a calming pause. Stewart Lake is home to a sparkling lake, watershed trail, and stunning local flora. The Hauge Historic District Park centers around a peaceful log church built in 1852.
Hayward
Far northwest of Mount Horeb is Hayward, with another giant creature, this time of the aquatic variety. A (four and a half stories tall!) muskellunge stands as a "Shrine to Anglers", the center of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum. Visitors can go inside "Big Musky" and get impressive views of Lake Hayward. The museum itself houses over 50,000 sportfishing artifacts.
If aspiring anglers would like to try to catch their own giant fish, the Namekagon River or Lake Hayward provide prime spots. Additional popular outdoor activities are golfing (Hayward has been called the "Golf Capital of Wisconsin") and cross-country skiing.
For a walk on the wild side, the Moccasin Bar (a local legendary dive bar) features weird taxidermied animal tableaux, from raccoons boxing, to chipmunks enjoying a drink. Angler's Bar and Grill is the place to go for hearty favorites such as fried fish and burgers. The Ranch Supper Club serves elevated classics including sizzling steaks and fresh seafood.
If visiting in the summertime, Fred Scheer's Lumberjack Show is a must- family-friendly comedy and Northwoods athleticism combine for a unforgettable event. Hosted in Lumberjack Village, there is mini golfing, ice cream and a river deck restaurant.
Sparta
Yet another large "creature", the world's largest bicyclist known as "Ben Bikin" is the 32-foot tall symbol of the "Biking Capital of America". Created by the local FAST Fiberglass company, the Victorian-era gentleman sits atop a high-wheel bicycle.
The Deke Slayton Memorial Space and Bicycle Museum continues the town's biking obsession, named after Deke Slayton, a Sparta native, World War Two and Korean War pilot and veteran, and NASA astronaut. The museum's exhibits cover fascinating topics from the history of the bicycle, aviation and space (with a piece of moon rock!)
To see more fiberglass statues, the FAST Fiberglass Mold Graveyard is a fascinating stop to see the wide variety of projects the company takes on. Forming an unusual roadside gallery, the stop is perfect for an amble and picture-taking.
Of course, hopping on a bike and taking the 32.5 mile Sparta-Elroy State Bike Trail is the easiest way to truly experience the thrill of cycling itself. Formed from an old railroad trail, it attracts up to 60,000 bikers yearly.
Other attractions in Sparta include the Water Street Commercial Historic District, The Little Falls Railroad and Doll Museum and the Monroe County Local History Room and Museum.
New Glarus
Southwest of Madison, New Glarus almost feels like you have been transported to a quaint town in the Alps- the town has been dubbed "Little Switzerland" for a clear reason! The Swiss culture of the city runs deep, from the architecture, to the cuisine, and the Swiss Historical Village.
The Swiss Historical Village is a great place to start (if it is open for its season). A charming replica of an 1850 Swiss settlement complete with a settler's cabin and schoolhouse, the Village is a lively way to experience the town's history.
An eccentric and exceptional collection of artifacts housed in an authentic Swiss chalet, the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum is an exhibition of the unique collection of Edwin Barlow, including Etruscan earrings believed to be from 600 B.C., historical needlework, and Swiss cultural pieces.
While exploring New Glarus, make sure to look for the cows on parade. Cute painted cow statues throughout the town show Swiss cattle breeds as well as folk attire.
Swiss cuisine is center stage at Chalet Landhaus, with Swiss fondue, schnitzel (breaded cutlets), and rösti on the menu. Enjoy a Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewery (only available in Wisconsin!)
Monroe
Twenty minutes south of New Glarus lies a gateway to "Cheese Country" and the "Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA". Monroe is so tied to dairy that their high school mascot is the Cheesemakers! Home to multiple cheese factories and cheese outlets, Monroe is paradise for cheese lovers.
First, visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center to learn about the history of cheesemaking, as well as see cheese being produced in a restored factory. After that, use the new knowledge to select your favorites and find them in town.
The only factory that makes Limburger cheese in the United States, Chalet Cheese Cooperative was established in 1885 and is well worth the visit. With quality milk from local farms (some even using Brown Swiss cows) and master cheesemakers, their products have won awards at many competitions, even international. Other places to visit include the Colony Brands outlet, the Deppeler Cheese Factory, Emmi-Roth USA and others.
The Minhas Brewery (formerly the Joseph Huber Brewing Company), was built in 1845, and is the second oldest continuously operating brewery in the country. It has now expanded to include a winery and a distillery, so the full spectrum of spirits is available to enjoy.
Baraboo (Circus and Devil's Lake and North Freedom and Forevertron)
Ninety minutes north of Monroe, the town of Baraboo's charms run the gamut from circus museums to Wisconsin's largest state park. One of Baraboo's nicknames is "Circus City", springing from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus having their winter quarters in Baraboo from 1884 to 1918.
Visit Circus World to see performances and historic exhibits featuring a huge assortment of circus wagons, and even clown cars! The historic circus headquarters is part of the museum as well.
History is also a large part of Baraboo's appeal, with the Ringling mansions exhibiting Romanesque and Neo-Revival styles, the Al. Ringling theatre highlighting the Beaux-Arts style, and the sprawling downtown historic district full of over 160 businesses ranging from art studios to antique stores to cafes. The Little Village Cafe and the Old Baraboo Inn (noted as one of the nation's most haunted!) are both historic places to grab a meal.
Devil's Lake State Park was created in 1911. Today it is visited by well over a million people per year. Ancient rock outcrops, effigy mounds created by ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people, and over 100 species of birds and 880 plant species are all great reasons to visit Devil's Lake.
Spring Green
A foray into the unusual sites of Wisconsin would be incomplete without the House on the Rock, a massive and eclectic museum in Spring Green. Built by Alex Jordan atop Deer Shelter Rock, the complex seems to have a life of its own, spilling out over the hills as gardens, model streets and odd rooms sprout up.
From carefully created Japanese and Asian gardens to a cacophony of collections in the Galleries, the House on the Rock provides an otherworldly experience.
After experiencing the House on the Rock, the next stop on any tour should be Taliesin, a massive estate (800 acres and 37,000 square feet of buildings) that include buildings from every stage of Frank Lloyd Wright's career. Hillside (a school he designed), the Romeo and Juliet Windmill Tower, and Taliesin (the main highlight of the property) all provide insight into Wright's design philosophy and life.
If in season, the American Players Theatre is a must-see- founded in 1979, this professional repertory theater is wildly popular. Seeing a play or hearing a musical performance amidst the incredible verdant meadows and woods would be unforgettable.
Wild Wisconsin
Unexpected museums, cheese overload, and gigantic beasts are just a fraction of Wisconsin's wonders. Small-town Wisconsin often feels like the stuff of legends, and these small towns will certainly inspire future stories.
Whether architecture, cryptozoology or cheese, Wisconsin has something to offer every interest. Anyone can find the perfect Wisconsin experience to fulfill their desires- seize the opportunity to encounter the remarkable and plan an astonishing excursion!
