This Is Wisconsin's Quirkiest Little Town

Nicknamed America’s Little Switzerland, New Glarus, Wisconsin, is one of those places that makes you pause and wonder if you are still in Wisconsin or somehow ended up in the Alps. The town, surrounded by woodland pastures and rolling hills, was founded by a group of Swiss pioneers in 1845, preserving its Swiss folk dances, music, and language for nearly two centuries. Today, travelers can experience this preserved cultural heritage through polka festivals, harvest celebrations, and Christkindl Markets, as well as museums like the Swiss Historical Village, which offers a glimpse into 19th-century immigrant life. This year, you can leave your passport at home, because New Glarus brings a quirky, European-style trip right to Wisconsin!

Cultural Activities And Festivals

New Glarus expresses its Swiss culture and cuisine through a variety of eccentric festivals throughout the year. The Beer, Bacon, & Cheese Festival takes place earlier in the summer, around mid-June, and per the name, features craft beer, local specialty meats, and artisan cheeses that attendees can sample with just one wristband. Shortly after, the town comes together for the Polkafest, a two-day festival that takes place in a giant festival tent downtown with Polka music and dancing. The best part? The event is completely free!

Later on in the year, New Glarus celebrates the fall season with its renowned Oktoberfest. This event, which takes place in late September, brings Bavarian culture to Wisconsin with craft beer, traditional Swiss and German bites, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Attendees are invited to dress in dirndls and lederhosen as well. The Swiss Historical Village Harvest Fest is another significant celebration of Swiss culture, taking place in October and showcasing what life was like for 19th-century Swiss immigrants. Cheese making, yarn spinning, blacksmithing, basket weaving, and brätzeli cookie-making are a few of the cultural demonstrations that you can appreciate during the event.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in a charming, European-style Christmas celebration, you will also love the New Glarus Christkindli Market, which occurs over a weekend in December. As you stroll through the market’s mini chalets, you will find all kinds of high-quality artisan products, including seasonal foods, handcrafted goods, and Christmas decorations. There are also several Christmas activities to get you in the holiday spirit, such as horse and sleigh rides and a meet and greet with Santa Claus.

Quirky Museums

Even if you miss one of New Glarus’s festivals, you can still explore the town’s Swiss heritage at a couple of fascinating museums. Open from late May through early October, the Swiss Historical Village should be the first stop on your itinerary. This historical museum attempts to recreate early immigrant life in the New Glarus area, featuring 14 buildings with different artifacts that date back as far as the mid-19th century. A few of the highlights in the museum include a cheese factory with a massive cheesemaking kettle, a one-room settler’s cabin, a one-room country schoolhouse, a Swiss-style bee house, and printing press equipment from the 1880s through the 1980s. Guided tours of the facility are available periodically throughout the week, lasting roughly 75 minutes.

Afterwards, head over to the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum to learn about one of New Glarus’s most renowned Swiss immigrants: Edwin Barlow. During his global travels in the early to mid-1800s, Barlow gathered an extensive collection of artifacts, many of which are now on display in the museum. A few of the artifacts you will be able to appreciate throughout the museum include Swiss folk art and carvings, and relics from ancient Mexican and Egyptian tombs. The building itself is also a beautiful Swiss Alps chalet-style home, listed on both the National and Wisconsin State Registers of Historic Places.

New Glarus Woods State Park

Covering 435 acres, New Glarus Woods State Park is just south of town and is a popular place to go hiking, biking, snowshoeing, camping, or picnicking. There are eight miles of hiking trails throughout the park to explore, ranging from a tenth mile in length up to 4.2 miles. The trail network winds through restored prairies, mature forests, and meadows, allowing hikers to see a variety of native wildlife. Animals you might spot during your trek include turkeys, deer, woodpeckers, and songbirds. If you are hoping to learn more about the park’s history, flora, and fauna, consider hiking the Basswood Nature Trail, a short 0.4-mile trail with interpretive signs that highlight each of these topics.

Interested in spending the night outdoors? The park also offers several primitive campgrounds. 18 of the campsites are drive-in, compatible for both tents and RV camping, while another 14 are “walk-to” sites suitable for tent camping. For a picnic, check out the state park’s large picnic area, which consists of barbecue grills and picnic tables. The picnic area also has a playground, an open picnic shelter with electricity, restrooms, and drinking fountains.

Final Thoughts

If you are looking to shake up your travel plans this year, New Glarus is definitely a town to keep on your radar. Not only does it have all kinds of eccentric Swiss-influenced festivals, but it is also home to a massive state park that is just a 5-minute drive from downtown! A visit to its museums is a worthwhile experience as well, letting you see plenty of Swiss artifacts and chalet architecture. By the end of your trip, you will likely come away with a whole new appreciation for the town’s quirky personality!