10 Best Wisconsin Towns For A Weekend Trip
Tourism in Wisconsin is at an all-time high, with over 114 million people visiting the state in 2024. That makes 2026 a fitting time for residents to prioritize exploring their own state, with a free weekend offering an easy place to start. With just two or three days, travelers can visit all kinds of attractions, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Spring Green to boreal forests near Bayfield and annual Norwegian festivals in Stoughton. So mark a free weekend on the calendar and come along to explore some of the state’s best weekend destinations this year.
Spring Green
As the hometown of famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Spring Green is filled with culture and art. Travelers can actually tour Wright’s former residence at Taliesin, his estate that covers 800 acres and includes buildings from nearly every decade of his work. In the summer season, weekendgoers can also catch a play at the American Players Theatre, a company that puts on works by Shakespeare, Thornton Wilder, and other important playwrights. The Spring Valley Inn is the perfect place to spend the night, established in 1990 and located in a relaxing wooded prairie.
Monroe
This next town is for the foodies. Known as the “ Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA,” a visit to Monroe entails a weekend of dairy farms and artisan cheese shops. At DeVoe Family Dairy Farm, for example, visitors can experience farmlife up close, touring the 2,000-acre working farm, gathering eggs, milking cows, and more. Afterward, stop by Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern to pick up some mouthwatering snacks, including Wisconsin cheese, imported cheese, and specialty foods. Once your belly is full of cheese, check into the Carriage House Bed & Breakfast in town, which is just blocks from the town square, set in a restored Greek Revival home from 1864.
New Glarus
Affectionately known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” New Glarus was founded by Swiss immigrants and still preserves that heritage today. If you are interested in learning more about its Swiss history, make sure to stop by the Swiss Historical Village Museum, which features 14 buildings of artifacts and exhibits of the town’s 19th-century life. The Swiss cheese at Chalet Cheese Haus is hard to beat, with the shop also offering ice cream, chocolates, mustard, and more. If you are looking for a local inn or lodge where you can spend the night, look no further than the Blanc Chalet, which is family-owned and centrally located, featuring 25 comfortable rooms to stay in.
Bayfield
If your ideal weekend away is spent outdoors, Bayfield is the town for your next trip. This destination provides convenient access to the Apostle Islands National Seashore, a park with 21 islands, 12 miles of shoreline, sea caves, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park System. Travelers can also spend a day at Frog Bay Tribal National Park, which is home to the rare boreal forest ecosystem, wetlands, and sandy beaches. There are plenty of places where you can spend the night, with Lake Superior Lodge being a great option if you are looking for a place right on the lakeshore.
Egg Harbor
Once the weather warms up a bit, Egg Harbor is the place to be. This little harbor town lies on the shores of Green Bay and has some fantastic resorts and beaches. The Egg Harbor Beach is a great place for sunbathing and water recreation, offering access to amenities like a small boat launch, changing rooms, and a playground for the kids. Golfers will love a sunny afternoon at The Orchards at Egg Harbor, an 18-hole championship golf course, open seasonally, that winds through orchards, hardwoods, and meadows. The perfect day concludes at the Landmark Resort, which has an on-site restaurant, pools, a sauna, tennis and pickleball courts, basketball courts, nature trails, and more.
Cedarburg
Between its wineries and museums, Cedarburg makes a wonderful destination to visit during any season of the year. The Cedarburg Art Museum is a great place to kick off an itinerary, housed in a 1898 mansion and featuring rotating exhibits and community events throughout the year. Cedar Creek Winery provides excellent wine tastings, giving you the chance to try their dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet, and sweet wine selections. One of the most historic hotels in town is the Stagecoach Inn Bed and Breakfast, which dates back to 1853 as a stagecoach stop and today operates as a hospitable bed-and-breakfast.
Stoughton
Stoughton proudly preserves its Norwegian heritage, which visitors can experience each May during the Syttende Mai Festival. Taking place between May 15th and 17th this year, this weekend-long event promises plenty of food, music, art, and even a Norwegian-inspired parade. You can also check out the calendar at the Stoughton Opera House, which hosts classical, folk, rock, and comedy performances. Spend the night at the Naeset-Roe Bed & Breakfast, which is located on the National Register of Historic Places and was built in 1878. Today, three guest rooms are available to lodge in, each of which is individually decorated.
Washington Island
No need to travel to the Caribbean for your island vacation this year, when you can spend a weekend on Washington Island instead. Lying about seven miles from the tip of the Door Peninsula, this island has plenty of nature to enjoy. Little Lake Nature Preserve is one example, home to a 33-acre landlocked lake and 5,000 feet of shoreline. During the annual lavender bloom, you can also stop by Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm, which grows over 20,000 lavender plants. On the northeastern edge of the island, you will find the Jackson Harbor Inn, where you will be close to a wildlife sanctuary and walking trails.
Baraboo
Often referred to as the “Circus City,” Baraboo offers one of the most entertaining weekend getaways around. Travelers can explore this circus history at Circus World, a 64-acre site featuring restored circus wagons and National Historic Landmark buildings that once served as the Ringling Bros.’ winter quarters. For some fun outdoors, you can spend an afternoon at Devil's Lake State Park, which is home to gorgeous 500-foot quartzite bluffs that overlook a lake and 30 miles of hiking trails. Once tired out from the circus going and hiking, you can unwind at the Ringling House, a bed and breakfast that was formerly the home of one of the Ringling brothers.
Sturgeon Bay
Soak in Wisconsin’s maritime history in Sturgeon Bay, a lovely coastal town that lies along Lake Michigan. The history here is largely concentrated at the Door County Maritime Museum, which showcases interactive exhibits and offers tours of a historic tugboat and lighthouse. Cave Point County Park is one of the area’s most beautiful outdoor attractions, located about a 20-minute drive northeast of town. Here, you will find underwater caves, rugged Dolomite/limestone ledges, and a rocky beach, particularly popular for kayaking tours. The White Lace Inn is a cozy place to spend the night, with 18 guest rooms, Victorian beds, and fireplaces, including a full breakfast in the morning.
Stay Close To Home This Year
Long-distance trips are exciting, but an unforgettable getaway does not always have to involve crossing the country or the ocean. Wisconsin residents have some spectacular destinations at their fingertips, often only needing a weekend to explore them. After all, you can have your own Swiss vacation in New Glarus or an island vacation on Washington Island! The weekends this year are starting to look like the most exciting ones yet.
