Wisconsin
Trip Ideas|Small Towns

This Small Wisconsin Town Is One Of The Most Diverse Cheese Destinations In The U.S.

Monroe, Wisconsin, is a diverse cheese destination known for its rich cheesemaking history and vibrant cheese culture.

Published Jan 6, 2022

Written by 

Ben Jones

In southern Wisconsin, there’s a town that’s pretty un-brie-lievable. When it comes to all things cheese, the city of Monroe is the big wheel! From classic squeaky curds to European-style rare selections, the city offers cheese lovers plenty to savor and it's the heart of Wisconsin’s famous cheesemaking industry. Here’s why Monroe is the country's most diverse cheese destination.

Monroe, pop. 10,600, is the county seat of Green County and the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA.”

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Facebook / City of Monroe

One of the most famous cheesemakers around can be found in Monroe. Emmi Roth is a company that produces world-class cheeses, right in Monroe. The company has a cheese store and a bustling factory.

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Tripadvisor / Kat H

Explore the rich history of cheesemaking in Monroe’s National Historic Cheesemaking Center. The center tells the story of cheesemaking, from the 1800s to today. Retired cheesemakers help lead the tours and provide a behind-the-scenes perspective on the industry.

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Facebook / National Historic Cheesemaking Center

There’s a tavern in Monroe that has a cheese sandwich that is so stinky it comes with a breath mint! Baumgartner’s Cheese Store & Tavern serves up a Limburger and onion sandwich on rye that’s better than you might imagine. While there, you can browse the selection of cheeses and even pick up some cheese for the road – Baumgartner’s is the state’s oldest cheese store!

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Facebook / Baumgartner Cheese Store and Tavern

Just outside of Monroe, you’ll see why this town is ground zero for cheese. The area surrounding Monroe is filled with dairy farms. You’ll see lots of cows out grazing on warm days, and some farms even offer tours.

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Facebook / DeVoe Family Farm and Tours

On even-numbered years, you’ll find one of Wisconsin’s most beloved festivals taking place in Monroe. Cheese Days was founded in 1914 and includes carnival rides, food stands, polka music and, of course, lots and lots of cheese!

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Facebook / Cheese Days Festival

There’s a lot more to discover in Monroe, including great beer! Learn more about this unique community here. If you enjoy exploring Wisconsin’s unique heritage, here are some of the state’s oldest towns – they hold some big surprises!

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

This Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Town in Wisconsin Is So Worth Exploring

Ellsworth, a charming small town in Wisconsin, is the self-proclaimed "Cheese Curd Capital."

Published Sep 13, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

The Badger State is full of wonderful small towns that are all unique in their own special ways. Some are known for something made there, others have a fascinating history or are home to an attraction or natural wonder, and still others are simply charming. There's one small town in Wisconsin, though, that has a little bit of everything, and we think you should spend some time exploring it. Come along with us, as we take a look at the sweet little town of Ellsworth, Wisconsin.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

Ellsworth is a village of around 3,300 people and the seat of Pierce County, Wisconsin, which is in the extreme western part of the state, near the Minnesota border. Named for Colonel Elmer Ellsworth - the first Union officer to die in the Civil War - the town is home to several historic buildings, including the Pierce County Courthouse. The main business district also exudes the kind of small-town charm you'd expect to find in a tidy, Midwestern county seat.

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Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

And in a state that's renowned for - and takes fierce pride in - its cheese, Ellsworth makes the bold claim of being "The Cheese Curd Capital," and, frankly, few would dispute it. The cheese curds from Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery are known far and wide and sold at retail outlets throughout the Midwest.

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Courtney "Coco" Mault/Flickr

As far as natural beauty goes, Ellsworth is located on Isabelle Creek, atop a high ridge in western Wisconsin's Driftless Area. Just half an hour west of the village, you'll find Kinnickinnic State Park, on the wild and scenic St. Croix River at its confluence with the park's eponymous river. With more than nine miles of hiking trails tracing the bluffs and the park's rivers, this is a spot you could easily spend a day exploring from your Ellsworth base camp. Bring along AllTrails Plus for downloadable trail maps and other resources.

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Aaron Carlson/Flickr

We absolutely think you'll enjoy exploring this charming small town in Wisconsin. It's a perfect destination for a day trip or even a weekend adventure. You could even spend some time exploring the area with a side trip down to nearby Stockholm. It's about 30 minutes from Ellsworth, on the Mississippi River, and it's renowned for its eateries, including its famous pie. Or head 20 minutes west of Ellsworth to Prescott, at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, to learn more about the Great River Road, which passes through Pierce County on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, at the Great River Road Visitor and Learning Center.

Have you visited Ellsworth, WI, "The Cheese Curd Capital?" Let us know in the comments, and tell us about some of your favorite small towns - and cheese curds - in Wisconsin.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Enjoy The Simple Life When You Visit This Tiny Rural Community In Wisconsin

Clam Lake in Wisconsin offers outdoor activities, elk viewing, and a simple rural lifestyle.

Updated Aug 2, 2024

Written by 

Rachel Pfutzenreuter

Do you find yourself dreaming of a getaway to the Northwoods of Wisconsin? Enjoy the simple life when you visit the tiny rural community of Clam Lake in Wisconsin. Nestled in the thick of the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest, and less than a two-hour drive from Minnesota, it offers fine outdoor living, and even elk viewing.

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Clam Lake is the Elk Capital of Wisconsin! Did you know that?

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Facebook

If you visit in the fall season when the leaves are changing and the scenery is so gorgeous, you might even hear them bugling at twilight. You never know when you may see one or two, or four.

You will most definitely want to seize the day, spending time on the lake fishing or boating.

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Clamlakewi.com/Facebook

Hire a fishing or hunting guide while in the area.

Enjoy the simple life in Clam Lake...

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Clamlakewi.com/Facebook

...and a superior scenic sunset could be in your future.

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Come for the blue waters of the lake, the changing fall colors, and the trails.

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Clamlakewi.com/Facebook

There are hiking, biking, and ATV trails nearby, along with opportunities for camping.

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Perry Dissmore/500px via Getty Images

Wildlife is all around us in Clam Lake.

Find all the essential outdoor gear you need, in addition to tasty pizza and motel rooms, when you stop at Chippewa Outpost.

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Clam Lake Junction & Chippewa Outpost/Facebook

Then stop by Ransom’s Place to help fend off those hunger pangs - get your bait and tackle, and fishing and hunting licenses too.

You can’t miss Clam Lake as you drive into town, a tiny rural community with amusements in all seasons.

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Clamlakewi.com/Facebook

If you come during the winter months, you will thoroughly enjoy ice fishing competitions, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing trails.

The elk will be waiting for you in Clam Lake.

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Clamlakewi.com/Facebook

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) began re-introducing elk in 1995. It is estimated that there are over 300 elk in the Clam Lake area now.

You can’t help but enjoy the simple life when you visit this tiny rural community in Wisconsin, Clam Lake. I think you will like what you find. Everyone should see the Elk Capital of Wisconsin - and a waterfall is not far away either. For lodging, dining, and outdoor fun, visit the Clam Lake website, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest website, the Copper Falls State Park website, the Chippewa Outpost website, and the Ransom’s Place Facebook page.

Read our other articles to learn about fascinating tiny towns and scenic fall drives in Wisconsin.

Need a place to stay? Rent this highly-rated rustic Vrbo cabin in Clam Lake when you come through town.

So, have you ever been to Clam Lake in Wisconsin? If so, what was your favorite part? What are some of your favorite small towns in Wisconsin? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore hikes in and around the area, you can find some great trails by going to the AllTrails website.

A lot of hikers also love to go camping. If you'd like to try it in an RV but don't have one, visit RVShare. And whether you are new to RVing or are a seasoned pro, here are some great RV tips for your next adventure!

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