What is better than growing up in a small town in Wisconsin? It’s safe, there’s a great community always there to help you when you’re in need, and you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great lifestyle. We’re looking at some of the best and most beautiful small towns in Wisconsin:
- Cedarburg
James Jordan/Flickr
Michael Pereckas/Flickr Cedarburg is a small town with a lot of things going for it, like a winery, art museum, cultural center, and the General Store Museum. The limestone buildings are breathtaking and there are several that are listed on the National Historic Register. And at no point are the buildings or town more beautiful than at Christmastime. You’ll be happy you visited during the holidays. This is one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Cedarburg. Cedarburg, WI, USA
- Lake Geneva
atramos/Flickr
atramos/Flickr Lake Geneva has an absolutely fantastic downtown with ice cream and fudge shops, as well as more upscale retailers. Soak up some rays on the beautiful beach or take an architecture cruise. Walk the 25 mile trail around the lake. It’s one of the most charming small towns in Wisconsin to reconnect with your spouse or spend the day with the kids.
Visit the Lake Geneva website for more information. Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA
- New Glarus
Ben Miller/Flickr
Cliff/Flickr New Glarus is known internationally for its craft beer. So a huge selling point is getting some awesome samples of their brews. It’s great for foodies, with some awesome restaurants. But it’s also a great place to hike. Check out the Badger State Trail, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight when going through the 1,200 foot Stewart Tunnel.
Visit the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce website for more information. New Glarus, WI 53574, USA
- Mazomanie
Jason Stutzman/Flickr
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr Mazomanie is a step back in time and one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin with housing still intact from the mid-1800s. Old buildings have become new places, like libraries and restaurants. Check out some great art galleries as well as B&Bs. The town’s prime location by Madison and Wisconsin Dells makes it a great place to stop in and stay a while.
Visit the Village of Mazomanie website for more information. Mazomanie, WI 53560, USA
- Port Washington
clare_and_ben/Flickr
Lakeside lodging and dining makes Port Washington a great place to spend a few days. Check out the Interurban Trail, which is great to hike, bike, or even observe some of Wisconsin’s great birds. Shopping is excellent, with a nice blend of boutiques and specialty food shops.
Visit the Port Washington website for more information. Port Washington, WI, USA
- Ephraim
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
Matt Lewis/Flickr Ephraim is the crown jewel of Door County, in my humble opinion. This quiet place is one of the most charming small towns in Wisconsin and has some of the best ice cream in all of the state! Rent a boat and head out on the idyllic water. Explore homes that are on the National Register of Historic Places on a self-guided waking tour.
Visit the Ephraim website for more information. Ephraim, WI, USA
- Stockholm
Matthew Deery/Flickr
Stacy/Flickr Stockholm has a good deal of Swedish influence, which means you can sample tons of Scandinavian foods. Drive down the Great River Road for some absolutely breathtaking views. Check out the Stockholm Pie Company for the some of best sweet and savory pies you’ll ever sample.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Stockholm. Stockholm, WI 54769, USA
- Bayfield
Aaron Carlson/Flickr
Michael Hicks/Flickr Bayfield is famous for the Apostle Islands, 21 islands to explore by boat or through hiking. The islands are considered some of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin. This small town of 550 has some great food offerings, including a great slice of pie.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Bayfield. Bayfield, WI, USA
- Sheboygan
kenneth casper/Flickr
Brett VA/Flickr Known as the “Spirit on the Lake,” Sheboygan offers some beautiful shots of Lake Michigan. There are plenty of places to get out on the water, whether you want to swim, boat or fish. Also, Sheboygan is the bratwurst capital of the world…which means you can get some great brats!
Visit the Sheboygan website for more information. Sheboygan, WI, USA
- Columbus
Downspec/Wikimedia Commons
Walcott Studio/Wikimedia Commons Columbus is just 5,000 residents but there proximity to Madison makes it a popular place to stop off. First on most people’s lists is the Antique Mall and Museum. The Christopher Columbus Museum is a cute little place worth checking out. There is also Arts & Ales, which is a celebration of–you guessed it–crafts and beers. Is there a better way to celebrate summer in Wisconsin?
Visit the Experience Columbus website for more information. Columbus, WI 53925, USA
What do you think of this list of beautiful small towns in Wisconsin? What’s your favorite small town in the state? Let us know in the comments.
James Jordan/Flickr
Michael Pereckas/Flickr
Cedarburg is a small town with a lot of things going for it, like a winery, art museum, cultural center, and the General Store Museum. The limestone buildings are breathtaking and there are several that are listed on the National Historic Register. And at no point are the buildings or town more beautiful than at Christmastime. You’ll be happy you visited during the holidays. This is one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Cedarburg.
Cedarburg, WI, USA
atramos/Flickr
Lake Geneva has an absolutely fantastic downtown with ice cream and fudge shops, as well as more upscale retailers. Soak up some rays on the beautiful beach or take an architecture cruise. Walk the 25 mile trail around the lake. It’s one of the most charming small towns in Wisconsin to reconnect with your spouse or spend the day with the kids.
Visit the Lake Geneva website for more information.
Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA
Ben Miller/Flickr
Cliff/Flickr
New Glarus is known internationally for its craft beer. So a huge selling point is getting some awesome samples of their brews. It’s great for foodies, with some awesome restaurants. But it’s also a great place to hike. Check out the Badger State Trail, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight when going through the 1,200 foot Stewart Tunnel.
Visit the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce website for more information.
New Glarus, WI 53574, USA
Jason Stutzman/Flickr
Jerry Huddleston/Flickr
Mazomanie is a step back in time and one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin with housing still intact from the mid-1800s. Old buildings have become new places, like libraries and restaurants. Check out some great art galleries as well as B&Bs. The town’s prime location by Madison and Wisconsin Dells makes it a great place to stop in and stay a while.
Visit the Village of Mazomanie website for more information.
Mazomanie, WI 53560, USA
clare_and_ben/Flickr
Lakeside lodging and dining makes Port Washington a great place to spend a few days. Check out the Interurban Trail, which is great to hike, bike, or even observe some of Wisconsin’s great birds. Shopping is excellent, with a nice blend of boutiques and specialty food shops.
Visit the Port Washington website for more information.
Port Washington, WI, USA
Richie Diesterheft/Flickr
Matt Lewis/Flickr
Ephraim is the crown jewel of Door County, in my humble opinion. This quiet place is one of the most charming small towns in Wisconsin and has some of the best ice cream in all of the state! Rent a boat and head out on the idyllic water. Explore homes that are on the National Register of Historic Places on a self-guided waking tour.
Visit the Ephraim website for more information.
Ephraim, WI, USA
Matthew Deery/Flickr
Stacy/Flickr
Stockholm has a good deal of Swedish influence, which means you can sample tons of Scandinavian foods. Drive down the Great River Road for some absolutely breathtaking views. Check out the Stockholm Pie Company for the some of best sweet and savory pies you’ll ever sample.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Stockholm.
Stockholm, WI 54769, USA
Aaron Carlson/Flickr
Michael Hicks/Flickr
Bayfield is famous for the Apostle Islands, 21 islands to explore by boat or through hiking. The islands are considered some of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin. This small town of 550 has some great food offerings, including a great slice of pie.
Read our previous coverage for more information on Bayfield.
Bayfield, WI, USA
kenneth casper/Flickr
Brett VA/Flickr
Known as the “Spirit on the Lake,” Sheboygan offers some beautiful shots of Lake Michigan. There are plenty of places to get out on the water, whether you want to swim, boat or fish. Also, Sheboygan is the bratwurst capital of the world…which means you can get some great brats!
Visit the Sheboygan website for more information.
Sheboygan, WI, USA
Downspec/Wikimedia Commons
Walcott Studio/Wikimedia Commons
Columbus is just 5,000 residents but there proximity to Madison makes it a popular place to stop off. First on most people’s lists is the Antique Mall and Museum. The Christopher Columbus Museum is a cute little place worth checking out. There is also Arts & Ales, which is a celebration of–you guessed it–crafts and beers. Is there a better way to celebrate summer in Wisconsin?
Visit the Experience Columbus website for more information.
Columbus, WI 53925, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Small Towns In Wisconsin August 20, 2021 Melissa M. What are the most beautiful places in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is quite stunning, isn’t it? Among some of the most beautiful places to visit in the state are Cave of the Mounds, Devil’s Lake State Park, and Horicon Marsh which is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country. Read more in our post, 10 Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Wisconsin That Will Always Be Waiting For You. What is the smallest town in Wisconsin? With a population of approximately 200 residents, Eland is considered the smallest town in Wisconsin. Technically a village, it was incorporated in 1905. What are some of the best small-town restaurants to visit in Wisconsin? Many of the small towns in Wisconsin have some of the best restaurants in the state. When in Stockholm, stop by the Stockholm Pie Company for a slice of one of their famous pies. Located in Cedarburg, you’ll find the best steaks at The Farmstead. Read our post about The 13 Best Food Towns In Wisconsin for more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Beautiful Small Towns In Wisconsin
August 20, 2021
Melissa M.
What are the most beautiful places in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is quite stunning, isn’t it? Among some of the most beautiful places to visit in the state are Cave of the Mounds, Devil’s Lake State Park, and Horicon Marsh which is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country. Read more in our post, 10 Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Wisconsin That Will Always Be Waiting For You. What is the smallest town in Wisconsin? With a population of approximately 200 residents, Eland is considered the smallest town in Wisconsin. Technically a village, it was incorporated in 1905. What are some of the best small-town restaurants to visit in Wisconsin? Many of the small towns in Wisconsin have some of the best restaurants in the state. When in Stockholm, stop by the Stockholm Pie Company for a slice of one of their famous pies. Located in Cedarburg, you’ll find the best steaks at The Farmstead. Read our post about The 13 Best Food Towns In Wisconsin for more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Wisconsin is quite stunning, isn’t it? Among some of the most beautiful places to visit in the state are Cave of the Mounds, Devil’s Lake State Park, and Horicon Marsh which is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country. Read more in our post, 10 Staggeringly Beautiful Places in Wisconsin That Will Always Be Waiting For You.
What is the smallest town in Wisconsin?
With a population of approximately 200 residents, Eland is considered the smallest town in Wisconsin. Technically a village, it was incorporated in 1905.
What are some of the best small-town restaurants to visit in Wisconsin?
Many of the small towns in Wisconsin have some of the best restaurants in the state. When in Stockholm, stop by the Stockholm Pie Company for a slice of one of their famous pies. Located in Cedarburg, you’ll find the best steaks at The Farmstead. Read our post about The 13 Best Food Towns In Wisconsin for more.
