The Best Small Towns in Wisconsin to Visit This Fall

Best Small Towns To Visit In Wisconsin This Fall
Daniel Fishel/Thrillist

Once again, summer's in the rearview mirror -- but Milwaukee can be too. Fall is the perfect time for a road trip, and that's a guaranteed way to get over your post-warmth hangover. Festivals are still happening, there are so many main streets to explore, and you don't have to worry about snow just yet. Plus, if you head far enough up north, you'll hit the peak fall color season there, and return to a double dose of autumn back home. These are the small Wisconsin towns with big personalities to put at the top of your must-visit list.

Leinie Lodge

Chippewa Falls

Why it's so great: More charming than its larger neighbor, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls feels like a village with some city amenities. Leinenkugel's Brewery is located here, and you can tour its Northwoods-themed visitor's center and taproom. Lovers of the outdoors will appreciate 40 public boat landings in the county, 35 miles of ATV routes, the Hickory Ridge mountain biking trail, and about a million lakes nearby for fishing. On the south end of Lake Wissota lies County Highway X, lined with taverns, restaurants, and supper clubs with stunning lake views.  
 
Must-eat foods: Steak and a brandy alexander at Loopy's High Shores Supper Club; whatever flavor catches your eye at Olson's Ice Cream; homemade pizza at West Hill Bar & Grill.

"Scout it Out" in Princeton, Wisconsin

Princeton

Why it's so great: Forget the college town in New Jersey; Princeton, WI is a bargain hunter's dream destination. It's home to "Wisconsin's largest weekly outdoor flea market," which is admittedly a lot of descriptors for a flea market. Nevertheless, it's a great place to find anything you could ever want, plus lots of things you never knew you wanted, like dragon lawn ornaments. Once you're tired of browsing knick knacks at 10am (it starts at 6am every Saturday), switch gears and head over to some of the town's many antique stores.
 
Must-eat foods: Breakfast bread pudding or sticky bun French toast at Once in a Blue Moon Cafe; burger and cheese curds at Buckhorn Bar & Grill.

New Glarus Brewing Co.

New Glarus

Why it's so great: If you've never heard the words "New Glarus," then you're not from Wisconsin. It's the name of one of our most beloved breweries, which is named after the town it's located in. Yes, you can certainly tour the brewery and visit the taproom and gift shop, but there's so much more to do. This small town was originally settled by Swiss immigrants, and you’ll see that influence throughout: Many buildings look like chalets, Swiss flags hang right next to American flags, and the place is full of traditional Swiss foods like kalberwurst and Stollen. Hit up the Swiss Historical Harvest Fest in October to connect with 19th-century Swiss immigrant life and pet a super adorable Bernese mountain dog.
 
Must-eat foods: Roesti or fondue at Glarner Stube; savory French toast with Door County cherries, pork belly and sunny-side-up duck egg at Cow & Quince; fudge from Maple Leaf Cheese & Chocolate Haus.

Flickr/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Minocqua

Why it's so great: When you think of "up north," you're probably picturing someplace like Minocqua. It's heaven for fans of watersports (the town's center is even located on a peninsula surrounded by lakes), and fishing, boating, and water skiing are the most popular activities around here. When you've had enough of the water (or it's just dark out), head to a supper club for dinner where you can feast on the walleye everyone caught but you. And don't skip visiting Northern Waters Distillery where you can sample spirits, take a tour, and throw back a few cocktails.

Must-eat foods: Broiled walleye almondine at Norwood Pines; all-you-can-eat lumberjack breakfast with buttermilk donuts at Paul Bunyan's; Chicago-style dogs at Hoggie Doggies.

Flickr/Kevin Tao

Spring Green

Why it's so great: This town of about 1,600 people is home to two of the biggest tourist attractions in Wisconsin: Taliesin and The House on the Rock. Taliesin was built by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1911, though it was rebuilt a number of times due to fires, and he used it as his peaceful summer home and studio for most of his life. The House on the Rock, on the other hand, is a kind of frenetic museum of insane collections. (If you're a fan of American Gods, then you're already familiar with its insanity.) If the self-playing orchestras don't creep you out, then the room of antique dolls certainly will. The glass "infinity room" that juts out over a ravine for a panoramic view is also scary, but in a less nightmare-inducing way. Be prepared to walk a whole lot if you go through the whole thing, as it's deceptively large and winding.
 
Must-eat foods: Smoked trout dip at Freddy Valentine's; trout dinner, available some Fridays, or any deli sandwich at Driftless Depot.

The American Club Resort

Kohler

Why it's so great: Incorporated as a planned industrial community in 1912 and designed by the same landscape architect as Central Park in NYC, Kohler is pretty much one giant resort town. Thanks to the money the Kohler Co. is raking in from manufacturing kitchen and bath fixtures, you can now golf at a couple world-class courses (the 2020 Ryder Cup is at Whistling Straits), stay in a hotel room with a shower that jets water from six different places, and eat at the resort's many fancy restaurants. The resort's spa offers a ton of hydrotherapy and bathing treatments, naturally. Check out the Kohler Food & Wine festival every October for seminars, demonstrations and tastings related to all things food, alcohol, and appreciating the finer things in life.
 
Must-eat foods: Fried cheese curds at The Horse & Plow; Sunday brunch at The Wisconsin Room; tasting menu at The Immigrant.

Flickr/WisconsinKaasKop

Mount Horeb

Why it's so great: Mount Horeb is a town filled with trolls: not the bullying internet type, but the Norwegian folklore variety. Harking back to the town's Scandinavian heritage, the Chamber of Commerce decided to embrace the quirkiness and named the main street the Trollway to attract visitors after a highway bypass was created around the town in the ‘70s. There are dozens of wooden trolls around the town, carved by one local man, Michael Feeney, and there's even a troll map, so you can be sure to get an Instagram-worthy selfie with your favorite one.

Must-eat foods: Beer and an "uff da" pretzel at Grumpy Troll Brewery; any breakfast pastry or Swedish meatballs at Sjolinds Chocolate House.

Little Bohemia Lodge

Manitowish Waters

Why it's so great: Infamous gangster John Dillinger loved vacationing "up north,” and when he and his gang stayed at the Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters one weekend in 1934, the FBI got wind of their whereabouts. What followed was a botched raid on the lodge where the Dillinger gang escaped. You can visit the lodge and see bullet holes from the raid, check out historic memorabilia, and eat a tasty meal. It was also where parts of the movie Public Enemies was filmed, making it a destination Johnny Depp fans as well. Besides the lodge, you’ll find all the classic northwoods activities like fishing, hiking and drinking on pontoon boats, plus a museum dedicated to the grocery chain A&P.

Must-eat foods: Schnitzel at Little Bohemia Lodge; anything Cajun or Creole at Blue Bayou Inn; cheeseburger at The Pea Patch.

Flickr/Tom Gill

Baraboo

Why it's so great: Baraboo often gets overlooked for its more touristy brother, the Wisconsin Dells -- but if you've ever taken a Dells boat tour, then you know that the entire area has some amazing scenery. Head just south of Baraboo to Devil's Lake State Park for some of the most scenic vistas in the state; just east is Parfrey's Glen, a ravine trail that looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings; and nearer to town is Pewits Nest, a glacial gorge with a majestic waterfall that's open for swimming. If all of that's still not enough nature for you, head to the International Crane Foundation and check out some of the birds. Nature, you rock.

Must-eat foods: Brandy glazed salmon and a cocktail at Driftless Glen Distillery; Moroccan chicken wrap at Little Village Cafe; cheeseburger and fries at Square Tavern.

Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Bayfield

Why it's so great: The town of Bayfield on the shore of Lake Superior is the jumping off point for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which has some of the best kayaking in the world. There are sea caves -- that turn into ice caves if the weather cooperates in winter -- to explore, lighthouses to snap selfies with, and orchards for picking some snacks when you're out of the water. If you're not into operating water vehicles yourself, take a ferry to Madeline Island or drive to it in winter, where there are plenty of hiking and bike trails. This is one of the most beautiful areas for fall colors, too, and peak color is reached around the second week of October. It peaks a little later here than inland, so plan your trip accordingly, and don't be concerned if you see too many brown leaves on your drive up.

Must-eat foods: Fried Lake Superior whitefish livers surrounded by flamingo decor at Maggie's; Cornish pasty and apple pie at Gourmet Garage; smoked trout crostini at Copper Trout.

Viroqua Public Market

Viroqua

Why it's so great: Think all of Wisconsin is flat and boring? Think again, because we have the Driftless Area. It's where glaciers didn't scour the land clean, so it's full of tall bluffs, deep river valleys full of trout, hills, and rock formations. Viroqua is nicknamed "Doorway to the Driftless Area," so it's a good place to start your exploring. Once you're natured out, head to historic downtown Main Street where you can find many of the local boutiques and restaurants that the town has worked hard to help flourish, earning it another nickname: The Town that Beat Wal-Mart. Find an antique copy of your favorite tome at Driftless Books, hand-dyed wool yarn for your next knitting project at Ewetopia Fiber Shop, and all kinds of locally made gifts and goodies at the Viroqua Public Market

Must-eat foods: Bacon curd burger at Blackhawk Grill; homemade pie at Viroqua Family Restaurant; literally anything at the nationally recognized Driftless Cafe.

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Lacey Muszynski is a Milwaukee native. Follow her on Twitter @worthhersalt.
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