Begin with considerable land for grazing. Add European immigrants with ancestral cheesemaking information. Season generously with science and innovation … And you’ve got the recipe that launched Wisconsin as America’s Dairyland. In creameries starting from small farmstead operations to giant, state-of-the-art vegetation, Wisconsin cheesemakers are turning out greater than 600 styles of cheese, which collectively have received extra awards than some other state or nation on this planet. Wisconsin is the one U.S. state that has a Grasp Cheesemaker certification program (primarily a Ph.D. in cheese). And, no shock, it holds the Guinness World Report for the “world’s largest cheese board,” too.
For any cheese lover—from die-hard turophiles to these simply starting to discover the world of curd, the state is a dream vacation spot. Within the bucolic countryside south of Madison, you’ll discover the oldest cheese store within the state, a cult-favorite brewery, and a dairy-plant-turned boutique lodge, together with myriad outside and cultural actions.
Attending to Madison is simple regardless of the place you reside—Dane County Regional Airport receives direct flights from 16 U.S. cities. After a leisurely afternoon and dinner in freewheeling Schenk-Atwood or restaurant-rich Willy Road, decide up your rental automobile within the morning and set out on a cheese-inspired street journey by the center of the State of Cheese.
Those that know Limburger both love or hate the odiferous cheese. As soon as made at dozens of Wisconsin vegetation, now it’s produced at only one, in Monroe, an hour south of Madison. Nothing beats tasting the cheese on its house turf, particularly at Baumgartner’s, a downtown stalwart well-known for its no-frills Limburger sandwich: rye topped with a slab of the pliant, washed-rind cheese and uncooked purple onion. Regulars additionally swear by the signature Limburger cheeseburger.
Time it proper and you’ll be part of the households, {couples}, and good friend teams on the garden of this sprawling natural farm for Wisconsin cheese-topped, wood-fired pizza and reside music by native bands. Held on the primary and third Sundays of the month from Might by October, these pizza nights are wildly widespread; make sure you test the farm’s web site for updates earlier than you go.
This little purple Nineteenth-century schoolhouse is now a sublime restaurant with a black-and-white, Belle Époque-meets-modern inside. On the menu, you’ll discover classics like beef Wellington and a Gruyère-topped “bistro burger.” On heat weekends, e book an idyllic brunch on the patio overlooking the Sugar River.
Domestically roasted espresso, an all-day breakfast and lunch menu, and a rotating array of baked items make this New Glarus establishment a must-stop for a pick-me-up between cheese tastings. Positioned in an outdated sawmill alongside the Sugar River State Path, it usually bustles with cyclists refueling after a morning trip.
Firefly’s slogan is “Oregon’s Residing Room” (that’s Oregon, Wisconsin), and years of Madison Journal “Finest Espresso Store” wins again up the declare. Settle into a snug armchair for a beverage and a snack, and ask co-owner Jeanne Carpenter, an American Cheese Society Licensed Cheese Skilled, that will help you select a range or two from the artisan cheese case.
Behind the purple door of this iconic New Glarus spot, “America’s Little Switzerland,” is a cosy, wood-paneled restaurant that feels prefer it’s been beamed over from the Alps. Every part on the old-school menu will get excessive marks, however you’re there for the normal fondue, served in an enameled forged iron pot.
The award-winning brewery based by Deb and Daniel Carey in 1993 doesn’t promote its beers outdoors of Wisconsin—which is cause sufficient to make a particular journey there. Earlier than hitting the tasting room, take a self-guided tour of the hilltop brewery and its grounds, that are landscaped to resemble the ruins of a citadel.
The small-batch beers served listed here are made with hops grown on the house owners’ close by 20-acre farm. The farm additionally gives a lot of the produce for The Cook dinner Home, subsequent door to the faucet room, which presents a menu centered on smoked pork and brisket.
Bailey’s Run boasts a tasting room lineup of 30 wines, pizza, cheese and meat boards, beautiful views of the encompassing countryside, and reside music. Its newly opened sister distillery presents craft cocktails and a pub-style menu in a warehouse-like house warmed by leather-based couches you may sink into.
The second-oldest brewery within the U.S., Minhas occupies three metropolis blocks in downtown Monroe. Don’t miss the spectacular Herb and Helen Haydock World of Beer Memorabilia Museum, then head throughout the road to pattern the signature Punjabi Membership Rye Whisky—named in honor of the present house owners’ household origins.
Residence to Roth Cheese, this chalet-style store is the place to select up Roth-label cheeses in addition to different standout examples from all through the state, together with Joe Widmer’s Brick and Andy Hatch’s Nice Ridge Reserve. If you happen to get there early sufficient, you may even watch the cheesemaking course of from Alp and Dell’s viewing corridor.
This store has perfected the grilled cheese sandwich—with loads of melty pull for that ’gram-worthy photograph. Go for the top-pick 3 Mouseketeer (havarti, cheddar, and Monterey Jack) or one in all seven different sandwiches, and decide up some award-winning cheese curds for the street.
Chris Roelli is the brains behind among the state’s most distinctive cheeses, together with Crimson Rock, an American-style cheddar with blue veining, and Dunbarton Blue, an English-style cheddar additionally shot by with blue.
The longtime house of Paoli Cheese Cottage has been reborn as an eclectic store promoting artisan items, together with jewellery, pottery, artwork, jam, and chocolate by greater than 70 native makers. In a nod to its historical past, it nonetheless shares baggage of recent curds.
Cheesemaker Anna Thomas Bates runs this Paoli store, the place you may order the sandwich that made her a repeat Wisconsin Grilled Cheese Championship winner, plus pantry objects and residential items.
For a glimpse into how cheese was made greater than a century in the past, go to this museum, the place as soon as a season native cheesemakers mud off the outdated copper vats to supply a 90-pound wheel of Swiss.
Residence to boutiques, a seasonal farmers market, and a romantic B&B, the historic mill within the coronary heart of Paoli hosts reside outside music from April by October. Seize a beer on the Hop Backyard and settle in on the garden subsequent to the Sugar River.
The largely flat path follows an deserted railway mattress by the woods for twenty-four miles, with parking and quick access to refreshments at Brodhead, Albany, Monticello, and New Glarus. Bike leases and $5 path passes (required for cyclists over 15) can be found on the New Glarus trailhead. Strolling is free.
Imported from Switzerland and painted with fanciful designs by native artists, the life-size “herd” of cow sculptures provides much more whimsy to New Glarus’ charming downtown. Can you discover all 15 with out checking the map?
With its six-story clock tower and grand turrets, the Inexperienced County Courthouse is a major instance of Romanesque Revival structure and the centerpiece of historic Monroe. Take a self-guided tour to go to the choose’s bench; a gown and gavel invite a photograph op.
A former dairy plant that’s been neatly transformed into an eight-room lodge, Seven Acre Dairy was an on the spot hit when it opened in 2023. A few of the fashionable, ethereal rooms and suites supply Sugar River views, and dinner on the onsite restaurant options house-churned butter and dry-aged dairy beef—what aficionados name “butter beef” as a consequence of its terrific marbling.
As much as 12 friends can share this comfortably appointed farmhouse to expertise life on a family-owned dairy farm that’s nonetheless in operation. You’ll get the possibility to work together with the animals—together with hand-milking a cow—and each youngsters and adults can go for horseback rides.
N. 3808 Duncan Hill Rd., Argyle.
(608) 206-6704
You’ll be able to take within the sounds, scents, and sights of rural Wisconsin out of your comfortable abode on an natural dairy farm at Morning Dew. If you happen to’re so inclined, you may assist with farm chores like gathering eggs from the hen coop (or simply watch should you’re feeling lazy); should you crave a bit extra exercise, Monroe is simply 10 miles away.
Beamed ceilings and different woodsy touches give the rooms at this New Glarus landmark a distinctly Alpine really feel. Benefit from the indoor pool earlier than tucking right into a dinner of conventional Swiss specialties like Wiener schnitzel and cheese fondue, adopted by a nightcap at Älpli Bar.
The route from Madison to Wisconsin’s hilly Driftless Space affords scenic vistas in any season. To make it a day journey, get an early begin and head west on Route 14—additionally known as the Frank Lloyd Wright Freeway—and throughout the Wisconsin River to the village of Spring Inexperienced, the well-known architect’s hometown.
Also referred to as Taliesin East, this 800-acre hillside advanced preserves the legacy of architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright. A go to to Wright’s house, studio, college, and surrounding panorama, which Wright seen as his laboratory, presents a perspective into his theories and processes. Taliesin can also be the house to River View Terrace, the one restaurant Wright ever designed.
Housed in an historic financial institution constructing, one in all Spring Inexperienced’s latest eating places mixes clever delicacies with retro-cool decor and a pleasant, cheerful vibe. The seasonal menu spotlights domestically sourced cheeses, produce, and proteins.
“Go outdoors. Take a snack.” is the tagline for this one-stop picnic provide store, the place the sandwiches are served with a facet of sass. Deal with your self to an artisan cone from Frozen Native, the ice cream store that shares the Wander house.
The world’s largest carousel, a 200-foot-long sea creature, a room stuffed with music machines, and tons of of dollhouses—every uniquely embellished—are only a few of the collectibles you’ll discover at Alex Jordan’s madcap “home,” which he opened as a vacationer attraction in 1960.
One of many nation’s most revered theater corporations for traditional productions, APT presents 9 performs throughout its June to November season. For the complete expertise, arrive early sufficient for a picnic on the stunning grounds.
