Arts and Culture Road Trip

New Glarus is a charming Swiss-inspired village with a rich history that asks travelers to step back in time. Founded in 1845 by Swiss pioneers who sought a new beginning in America, this enchanting town retains the Old World charm and Swiss culture that arrived with the immigrants. The choice of this location by the Swiss immigrants was deliberate, as they were drawn to the rolling landscapes and fertile soil that reminded them of their homeland in Switzerland. Read here for more history.

Our first stop, the Swiss Historic Museum & Village, was a treasure trove of Swiss pioneer life. Each of the 14 artifact-filled Swiss Historical Village buildings, including a settler's cabin, a collectibles shop, a school, a blacksmith's workshop, and more, offers a glimpse into the past. Don't miss this immersive experience.

Next, visit the Swiss United Church of Christ, a historical gem built in 1900 that features Swiss architecture and stunning stained glass. It's a testament to the Swiss settlers who arrived in 1845. Services were conducted in German until 1950, and the church bells themselves were imported from Switzerland in 1852.

Don't forget to explore the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum, a Swiss chalet listed in the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places. The chalet features Swiss folk art, crafts and artifacts from the 16th - 19th centuries.

Indulge in Swiss-inspired cuisine at Glarner Stube. Try the Prime rib sandwich or Kalberwurst, paired with a side of Rösti, a giant cheesy hash brown pancake. The restaurant boasts a unique copper bar, and you'll find an impressive selection of New Glarus beers on tap.

Start your day with breakfast at Sow's Ear, a great cafe and legitimate yarn shop in Verona. We recommend trying the Broccoli Cheddar quiche and Peanut Butter and Jelly on house sourdough.

Next, head to Paoli Mercantile, a charming shop with plans to offer classes in linocut, printmaking, jewelry, and basic metalworking. While you're there, explore the selection of pottery, jewelry, and art. Continue the artistic journey by exploring the various other shops in the heart of Paoli.

Check out Discover Paoli for a local map and list of merchants.

Grab lunch at Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro, an upscale American bistro fare & wines in a restored 19th-century schoolhouse with a gift shop. Located on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli, WI.

A working art studio specializing in Ceramic Art. They offer classes, workshops and memberships to help you get your hands in the clay! Visit the Crimson Artist Collective for more info.

Located on the West edge of town in the beautiful Verona countryside, Epic is a destination in itself. The company’s campus is straight out of a fantasy novel with themed buildings that include nods to Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and more. The experience is like no other. You will be amazed at the incredible art, architecture and landscaping on this sprawling campus. Bring your walking shoes!

Parking is available in the Visitor Parking Lot on Northern Lights Rd. Check in at the main reception desk in the Andromeda building. More info on the Self guided tour

A delightful women-owned bookstore in the heart of Verona. This beautiful centrally located store features a plethora of books and a well apportioned reading area. Open Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 7pm. Visit Kismet Books online.

Wisconsin cultural mainstay is the Friday night fish fry. 5th Quarter in Verona has a dedicated fish fry menu and does it right. View the menu Our favorite is deep fried cod, with baked potato and a side of brandy old fashioned, sweet.

Wisconsin Riverside (formerly Shifflet’s Bar and Grille) offers a huge outdoor patio overlooking the Wisconsin River and a large menu with local favorites. Click here to view the menu.

Immerse yourself in the performing arts at the American Players Theatre. Check online to see what's playing at this outdoor theater, a truly unique experience. APT is a professional theater located just outside Spring Green, Wisconsin. Situated on 110 acres of hilly woods and meadows, APT has two theaters, the newly renovated 1075-seat outdoor amphitheater and the 201-seat indoor Touchstone Theatre. From June through November, APT produces nine plays in rotating repertory. With annual attendance of around 100,000 and an annual budget in excess of $10 million, APT ranks as the country’s second largest outdoor theater devoted to the classics.

Tour Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin for a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's home, studio, school and estate. Taliesin is a National Historic Landmark and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We recommend the 2-hour Highlights Tour as your introduction to the estate. Fun fact: the property once included a total of 1600 acres but in the 1990’s, the 800 acres with no buildings were sold off. Also, Wright allowed any married students (and any employees) to build and own their houses (and own the land) on the property. Another interesting site is the Midway Barn, a historic space that once housed Wright's personal animals and now stores farming equipment used on the vegetable farms.

Continue your exploration at the Driftless Historium, a museum delving into the history of the driftless region, local history and nordic history. The exhibits traced the evolution of the driftless area through time, from 30,000 years ago to modern-day tourism, commerce, and the resurgence of small-scale sustainable farming. Closes at 4pm daily

Shop Open House Imports, an expansive store founded in 1966 that’s dedicated to all things Scandinavian, including a wall filled with clogs. Closes at 5pm!

Open House Imports is the historical center of Mt. Horeb’s Trollway so while you’re there, count as many of the trolls as you can (click here for a map). After all, this is the “Troll Capital of the World.”

End your journey with a visit to Skål Public House. Try their roast beef lefse wrap paired with one of their 24 tap beers. If you're feeling adventurous, give axe-throwing a shot.