This Is The Most Welcoming Town In Wisconsin

Among the Midwestern states, Wisconsin is known for being a very welcoming place, with friendly, polite folks happy to show you around their communities. Some of the most welcoming towns in Wisconsin have one particular quirk that defines their communities. That is definitely the case with the quirky town of Warrens.

This community is called the Cranberry Capital of Wisconsin, and its residents wear that title on their sleeves through their rich cranberry-focused community events during the fall, cranberry-themed restaurants, and farmers' markets. This unique, hidden Midwestern gem is the most welcoming town in Wisconsin.

History of Warrens

This humble farming community was not always so invested in the land. In fact, it began as a lumber town. George Warren and James Gamble established this village in 1868 to take advantage of the lumber in the region. They began clearing the land when they arrived, and a general store, two mills, a creamery, a hotel, and a bank were built. It was originally called Warren Mills until the name was officially changed to Warrens in 1892.

These settlers used the West Wisconsin Railway to move the logs across the country. Even farmers would work in logging to earn some extra cash. Eventually, the logging business dried up, and village residents had to turn to other means of making a living. To do so, they began growing cash crops such as strawberries, mint, and sphagnum moss. The most important fruit they grew was cranberries. The area has been producing cranberries from marshes for quite some time, and today it is what the town is most known for.

There are two museums in the area around Warrens that are worth visiting to learn about its history. The first is in the nearby town of Millston at the Millston Area Museum. It contains information about the entire region, from old photographs to displays on the logging industry and how these settlers transformed the landscape.

The other is right on Main Street, Warrens, at the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center. Cranberries are the number one fruit crop of Wisconsin, and this museum displays the history within an old cranberry warehouse. It is noteworthy for its fun exhibits, such as a cranberry corralling game. Try out a bowl of cranberry ice cream or purchase other cranberry-inspired foods from its gift shop.

Festivals in Warrens

Every September, Warrens comes alive with the Cranberry Festival. The festival first began in 1973 with 75 booths and 3,500 visitors. Today, this is a massive celebration that sees an average of more than 145,000 visitors and more than 1,200 booths.

The festival has more than three miles of booths, offering a wide variety of goods from wood sculptures to metal garden art, and knitted treasures. The goods at the Cranberry Festival are also worth checking out, and there are all sorts of cranberry creations from deep-fried cranberries, kettle corn, pancakes with cranberry syrup, coffee, and much more. There are also non-cranberry dishes there, like pizza or BBQ. Flea markets also come out for the celebration, selling fishing supplies, antiques, and other treasures.

For a cranberry experience that is a little less busy, come back in October for the Cranberry Harvest Days. This slower event has cranberry wines for sale along with fun pumpkin patch rides.

The community comes alive during the holidays as well, with its Warrens Area Youth Association putting on great shows, like street dances during the Warrens Independence Day Celebration or Halloween fun during the Halloween Bash. There is a lot of small-town fun to be had in Warrens.

Markets and Shops

This farming town has a number of markets and greenhouses for those looking to buy produce, fruit, or other goodies to take back home. First off, there is the Moseley Roadside Market, which sells honey, fruits, vegetables, and maple syrup. It has been in business since 1960 and offers a pick-your-own blueberry patch. For those big apple eaters, check out Rex Moseley's Fruit & Vegetable Farm, which has been producing apples since 1875 and has over 12 varieties for sale.

The Rabbit's Greenhouse is ideal for picking flowers, herbs, or seeds to grow a garden. There is more to buy in Warrens than just fruits and vegetables. Purchase a custom-made wreath or centerpiece from Boothill Expressions, or browse candles at Kindred Candles (yes, they do have cranberry-scented ones available). D's Red Shed Creations is also worth checking out at the Cranberry Discovery Center, thanks to its essential oils, bath salts, soaps, and lotions.

Restaurants

In the mood to try something a little different? Warrens' restaurants are heavily influenced by cranberry flavors, with Shirley Ann's Cafe, housed within the Cranberry Discovery Center, serving cranberry chicken salad and chicken bacon ranch quesadillas along with seafood specials like deep-fried battered cod and bluegill.

Within the Three Bears Resort, try out great pub food with beautiful rural views all around. There are nachos, breakfast pizza, sandwiches, and a whole host of beers on tap at the 1878 Restaurant, while Clyde's Cafe offers fresh pastries, sandwiches, and snacks 24 hours a day.

This resort in particular is fun for the whole family as it houses a 60,000 square foot indoor waterpark that is open all year.

Outdoors

Warrens has two main free parks. The first is the Warrens Ball Park, a family spot with a baseball field, picnic area, playground, and zip line. The other is the McMullen Memorial County Park. First set up in 1958, it has been attracting local campers and outdoorsy folks ever since.

The park offers 1,000 acres of camping sites, hiking trails, and Lake Wazeda. There is a fishing pier and a boat launch site right by the lake. Anything you catch can be cleaned and ready to cook at the on-site fish cleaning house.

Explore the Driftless Forests in Black River Falls

For a great time outdoors, drive a bit north to the town of Black River Falls. It is nestled in what is known as the Driftless Region. During the last Ice Age, much of the Midwest was flattened by melting glaciers drifting across the hills. However, the Driftless Region was missed by those glaciers, which means there are a lot of bluffs and hills here.

The Black River Forest is one of the best places to go hiking in Black River Falls. Made of pine and oak trees atop sandstone ridges, go hiking, hunting, ATV offroading, or wildlife watching here. Lucky visitors might spot a rare elk, which was reintroduced to the area in 2015.

The town is of great importance to the Ho-Chunk Nation, many of whom were forcibly removed to the Omaha Reservation. Some stayed in Wisconsin and maintained their traditions through the Ho-Chunk Nation Labor Day Contest Pow Wow, held at the Andrew Blackhawk Memorial Pow-Wow Grounds. This event is open to the public and is a great way to experience traditional Ho-Chunk dancing along with purchasing Native-made goods.

Warrens Wear Their Heart on Their Sleeves

This town clearly is passionate about cranberries, and it is not ashamed of that fact at all. That is what makes it such a lovely, welcoming town. Some of the friendliest people are the most passionate after all. Feel right at home during the Cranberry Festival or by visiting the Cranberry Discovery Center when the town isn't so bustling. Or easily escape into the woods of the Driftless Region by driving to nearby Black River Falls. This Wisconsin town will bring out its freshest cranberries to sample, no matter when you visit.