Sugar River Valley Kids Tour

Soak up the sun at Fireman’s Park Beach. This former limestone quarry is now a swimming hole with a beach, splash pad, waterslide, picnic tables, and several shade structures. There is also a shelter with changing rooms and concessions. You'll also find a fishing pier and basketball court to enjoy too.

Satisfy your kids' (and your own) sweet tooth at Icki Sticki, with locations in Verona, Mount Horeb, and Madison. Families can indulge in self-serve frozen yogurt, ice cream, and candy galore. It's the perfect place to stop with kids on a hot summer day or when you simply have a craving for something sweet.

Have a "fur baby" instead the human kind? Prairie Moraine County Park is an 80-acre, off-leash dog exercise area – the largest in the county. It's a dog-owners dream come true. With miles of trails and varied terrain, you can explore for hours with your furry friend. Kids, of course, are welcome too!

The New Glarus Cow Parade got its start when two New Glarus shopkeepers saw a cow parade in the airport in Zurich, Switzerland. Since the cows are manufactured in Zurich, and New Glarus is in dairy country, the painted cows seemed a perfect fit. Cows were imported from Switzerland and painted with unique designs by area artists. Today, the cows reside in various locations around town. See if you can spot them all!

Check out this local New Glarus Cow Parade map for all of the cow locations.

Little historians will love The Swiss Historical Village & Museum, a fascinating cultural and educational destination vividly bringing to life an original Swiss settlement. A perfect place for kids to adventure and explore, Today the Swiss Historical Village features 14 buildings (some replicas and some original) like the Settler’s Cabin, Smoke House, Collectibles building, and an old rural schoolhouse.

What kid doesn't love pizza?! The Sugar River Pizza Company is a local staple for cheesy goodness – dedicated to creative pizza and delicious comfort food with 3 locations in Verona, Sun Prairie, and New Glarus.

Village Park is one of several parks in New Glarus for kids to enjoy. Explore the parks within New Glarus, where kids find ways to have fun no matter if it's snowing or sunny outside. Climb on jungle gyms in winter coats, run through the grass in shorts, or crunch through leaves in the fall – your family will surely make the most of every playground visit in New Glarus.

Have kids who love spending time in nature? New Glarus Woods State Park is a 435-acre state park offering camping, hiking, picnicking, and snowshoeing just south of the city of New Glarus. The park also has direct access to the Sugar River State Trail, a 24-mile linear trail surfaced with compressed limestone screenings, for walking, bicycling, hiking, and snowmobiling.

This local gem is more than just a museum. Wander through different exhibits, shop all things trolls in the gift shop, and make sure to get some ice cream on your way out too. Here, you'll find a unique Mount Horeb Area Historical Society collection that preserves and makes accessible the physical remnants of the human and natural history of the Mount Horeb area.

What kid doesn't love chocolate?! Visit the delectable Sjölinds Chocolate House & Chocolate Factory in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. Dedicated to artisan chocolate, fresh confection and a from-scratch bakery, kids and parents alike will love this tasty tour stop.

Kids can get hands-on with history, science, arts, and nature at Black Earth Children's Museum, an intimate museum that offers families a delightful retreat. Located in the heart of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, the museum provides hands-on learning experiences in a cozy, small-town setting. It's the perfect pitstop for young explorers.

You can hunt for trolls in and around Mount Horeb. Your adventure starts at the Mount Horeb Welcome Center where you'll begin your journey to find all 25 hand-carved and crafted trolls throughout town. Mount Horeb's carved trolls are known to relax while watering flowers, tending chickens, playing music or just plain ol’ hamming it up for your viewing pleasure.

Head underneath the earth at Cave of the Mounds, where it’s 50 degrees all year long and amazing rock formations dazzle visitors. Open year 'round for guided tours, this beautiful natural limestone cave offers guided walking tours following paved, lighted walkways. The tour is easy and accessible for all ages. Kids can also fill their pockets with treasure at the Gemstone Mine & Fossil Dig or discover unique natural items in our amazing Rock & Fossil Gift Shop. The Visitor Center has a variety of educational displays about the natural and cultural history of the area.