Wisconsin
Experiences|Museums

You’ll Absolutely Love A Ride On Wisconsin’s Majestic Baraboo Hills Train This Summer

Experience a magical ride on a vintage train through scenic Wisconsin at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Published Jul 18, 2022

Written by 

Ben Jones

If you want to experience a bit of magic, take a ride on a vintage railway. A century ago, a trip like this represented both ordinary life and extraordinary progress. It was a golden era, a time when people dreamed about a future filled with technology, opportunity, and convenience, and a simple stretch of train tracks presented unlimited possibility. It’s still a special ride and a Sauk County museum has your ticket. Just head to the Mid-Continent Railway Museum and enjoy a trip on a vintage train through one of the most scenic areas of Wisconsin. Here’s what’s waiting for you on the train.

The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is located in North Freedom, a village with just 700 people along the Baraboo River. It’s near some of the state’s most popular vacation destinations – the Wisconsin Dells, Baraboo, and Devil’s Lake State Park.

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

The railway was not originally built as a tourist attraction. It was built as a spur off a Chicago and North Western Railway mainline to service the iron mining industry.

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

While the railway briefly helped transport ore from the mines, its time as an iron mining railway here was relatively short lived. Water infiltrated the mine shafts, making iron mining expensive and difficult. But, the railway continued to serve quartzite mining operations nearby until 1962.

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

About 60 years ago, railway enthusiasts in Milwaukee obtained a steam locomotive and other railway cars and reached an agreement with the railway for a venture offer public train rides.

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Every summer since, rides have been offered to the public on North Freedom. A small rail yard was gradually built to hold a growing collection of preserved rail equipment.

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

The ride covers seven miles and it’s a spectacular journey through a valley in the Baraboo Hills. Trains leave from North Freedom, pass through the former mining community of La Rue, and turn around at a rock quarry, returning on the same route. It’s a ride you won’t forget!

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Facebook / Mid-Continent Railway Museum

Learn more about train rides, ticks and schedules on the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website. If you enjoy riding the rails, here are some more amazing trips in Wisconsin that you can take by train.

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Experiences|Museums

Few People Realize How Much Railroad History Is Preserved In The Small Town Of Ladysmith, Wisconsin

Ladysmith, Wisconsin, is a historic railroad town with free train displays and beautiful fall foliage.

Updated Jun 13, 2024

Written by 

Ben Jones

The little town of Ladysmith, Wisconsin has been a railroad town since its earliest days. It was founded at the intersection of a major railroad and an important river and more than a century later, it still lives its railroad history. There are admission-free train displays right in Ladysmith – it’s a free Wisconsin attraction that’s a must-visit if you’re a train buff. It's one of the many wonderful things to do in Ladysmith, WI. Here’s what you need to know about the history of Ladysmith, WI:

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Ladysmith, pop. 3,400, is a city in northwest Wisconsin – it’s the county seat of Rusk County, and it’s located right on the Flambeau River. It was founded in 1885 at the intersection of the Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (Soo Line) and the river.

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Google / Alex Giles

When you arrive in town from the south, you’ll immediately encounter some railroad industry. The town’s visitor center is located in a carefully re-created replica of an old-fashioned railroad depot.

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Google / Kevin Stewart

The depot is filled with interesting bits of train history, along with visitor information about the area. But even more incredible displays are located outside.

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Google / Kevin Stewart

Outside the depot, there’s a carefully remodeled boxcar and caboose that are open to the public. You can climb up inside the rail cars and they make a great photo opp.

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Google / Kevin Stewart

Nearby, you’ll also find a big vintage locomotive and more. The Soo Line Diesel 550R Engine stands proudly, along with Post Office Express Car 552, Passenger Baggage Car 358, First Class Coach 998, and the Soo Line Caboose.

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Google / Kevin Stewart

Head downtown to see an even older train. "Old Smoky" is a steam engine located at Westgate Plaza. Not far away, in Pioneer Park, you’ll find an old hand car and baggage wagon.

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Rusk County

Have you ever been to Ladysmith Wisconsin? If so, what were your favorite things about it? Let us know about them in the comments. Check the Rusk County Visitor Center for current hours of operation. The boxcar and caboose at the Visitor Center are open during the summer season, or by request at the center. Come back and visit Ladysmith in the fall and see how beautiful the fall foliage is here:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/wisconsin/underrated-fall-foliage-destination-wi/

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Experiences|Museums

I Toured A Cheese Museum In Wisconsin Because Of Course I Did

Published Apr 19, 2024

Written by 

Ben Jones

Wisconsin is famous for its wonderful cheese, and the heart of Wisconsin cheese country can be found in Green County. Like any Wisconsin native, I love some good cheese - give me a bag of fresh curds, some 10-year cheddar, or perhaps some fiery spiced cheese, and I’m a happy man. I had the opportunity to visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum in Monroe, and I think it's one of the best things do in Monroe, Wisconsin. If you love delicious cheese as much as I do, you’ll want to pay a visit to this place. Here’s why.

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You’ll find this unique museum in a place that refers to itself as the "Cheese Capital of the USA." The area has a long history of cheese making that dates back to the 1800s, when European immigrants settled here.

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Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState

Green County cheesemaking began about 180 years ago, and this area was once home to hundreds of small cheese factories.

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Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState

The tradition continues today – the area is home to many award-winning cheese producers. Some of my favorite cheeses are made in Green County!

The National Historic Cheesemaking Center Museum tells the area’s story of cheesemaking.

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Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState

While I have loved cheese all my life, my appreciation deepened with a trip through the museum.

The museum's collection includes vintage cheese making equipment, historical photographs, and interactive displays that illustrate the evolution of cheese making techniques and technology over the years.

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One of the coolest things about this museum can be found on the grounds of the facility.

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Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState

There’s a restored farmstead cheese factory that was moved here from Illinois. I was able to see how this little operation created Brick, Swiss and Limburger cheese using milk from a 40-cow herd.

The museum’s staff is helpful and has first-hand knowledge of the cheese industry.

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Their expertise and storytelling really completes this museum - if you have cheese questions, they have answers!

When I left, I was hungry to explore a little more in Wisconsin cheese country.

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Ben Jones/OnlyInYourState

There was plenty more to explore – you're never far from a great cheese factory in Green County!

Learn more about the National Historic Cheesemaking Center on the center’s website, including the seasonal opening dates. I can’t wait to return! Make your cheese country travel plans on Booking.com, and here’s where to find more Wisconsin adventures.

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