This Small Wisconsin Town Is One Of The Most Diverse Cheese Destinations In The U.S.
By Ben Jones|Published January 06, 2022
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
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.”
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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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