When you need to escape reality for a few days and are searching for a pick-me-up, there is a small town in Wisconsin that you need to visit — Alma. Not only is this river town gorgeous, home to many excellent businesses and restaurants, and the host to multiple events and festivals throughout the year, but it is also the friendliest town in Wisconsin.

Alma, Wisconsin, sits right along the Mississippi River, near the Wisconsin and Minnesota state line. This delightful little town is certainly small with approximately 800 residents.
Ty Nigh/Flickr
The first settlers to this beautiful area arrived in 1848, and Alma officially became a village in 1868. The town was named by riverboat pilots for a prominent rock formation located on the bluff. This formation was used to guide boats and log rafts down the Mississippi River.
Jenni Konrad/Flickr
Due to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, this small town is only two blocks wide and seven miles long. There are two streets that connect the town — Main Street and Second Street — with shorter streets connecting to them. However, a dozen of these streets are simply flights of stairs and only accessible by foot.
ALMA Wisconsin: Historic River Town/Facebook
With the Mighty Mississippi so close, there are plenty of opportunities to spend your time near and on the water.
Sandor Weisz/Flickr
You can find three different boat landings around town — Brekow’s Landing, Dairyland Landing, and the Alma Marina — if you want to hop in a canoe, kayak, houseboat, etc. There are also beaches where you can spend the day in the sun.

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For an unforgettable and mesmerizing sight in Alma, take some time to go birding. During the winter months, this small Wisconsin town comes alive with bald eagles near the water.
Lorie Shaull/Flickr
Bald Eagles aren’t the only birds you may see in Alma. In the fall and spring months, you may catch a glimpse of Tundra Swans. You may even be lucky enough to see a Trumpeter Swan or a Peregrine Falcon during your visit as well.
Of course, if you want to capture the most breathtaking views while visiting the friendliest town in Wisconsin, head to Buena Vista Park. Here, you will find the most spectacular views of the Mississippi River and the surrounding area.
Dick Kruse/Google
From this overlook, you can also capture views of the Mississippi River Lock and Dam No. 4, a large structure that was built back in the 1930s.
Despite being small in size, this town offers delicious restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and more. One tasty place to eat is Alfresco Pizzeria. This pizza joint is located on Main Street and is the only pizza place in town. You’ll not only enjoy delicious food when dining here, but you are likely to receive excellent customer service as well.
Alfresco Pizzeria/Google
This restaurant offers quite an assortment of pizza, salads, pasta, and breadsticks. You can learn more about this restaurant on the Alfresco Pizzeria website.
Alfresco Pizzeria/Facebook
There’s no doubt that Alma is a small town with lots of charm. It’s definitely the friendliest town in Wisconsin and is one place where everybody knows your name.
Tony Webster/Flickr

Have you spent time in Alma, Wisconsin? What did you do during your visit? Do you agree this is the friendliest town in Wisconsin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! And if you’re curious about more things to do in Alma, Wisconsin, check out this YouTube video c/o Nelson Media Company:

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More to Explore

Friendliest Town in Wisconsin

Sarah M. | March 13, 2023

What are the most charming small towns in Wisconsin?

Alma is known as the friendliest town in Wisconsin, but there are many, many more charming towns in Wisconsin to explore, like:

  • Port Washington. This lakeside community is just north of Milwaukee and it has a gorgeous waterfront. A historic downtown is filled with charming shops and restaurants.
  • Ephraim. In the 1800s, Moravian immigrants settled this little village and it hasn’t lost its lakeside charm. Take in an awesome sunset on the gorgeous and walkable waterfront or stroll a quiet road.
  • New Glarus. When you arrive in this charming Wisconsin hamlet, you might feel like you’ve stepped into the old country. In a way, you have – New Glarus is incredibly proud of its Swiss heritage and it's eager to blow its horn!
  • Platteville. This charming Wisconsin town grew up during the state’s early mining days. While the lead boom is long over, you can still explore mining history here and even climb a giant M just outside of town!
  • Mount Horeb. If you visit Mount Horeb, you’ll have some unusual company downtown. This town is filled with large troll statues, as well as a nice mix of stores and restaurants.
  • Bayfield. For a trip you won’t forget, head to far Northern Wisconsin. The little town of Bayfield has it all – sea caves, offshore islands, apple orchards, art, and more.
  • Pewaukee. Longtime locals remember time when the Pewaukee waterfront wasn’t lined by adorable shops. Live in the now – get an ice cream, and soak up the sun on this walkable stretch of stores and restaurants.
  • Stockholm. Feeling hungry for pie? Head to this charming waterfront town to get your fill of the state’s best pie, as well as a great view of Lake Pepin.

 

All of these charming towns in Wisconsin make for excellent WI day trips, too! How many of them have you visited recently?

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Alma, WI 54610, USA