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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

Here Are The Top 10 Christmas Towns In Wisconsin. They’re Magical.

Wisconsin's small towns offer enchanting holiday experiences with festive decorations and events.

Updated Oct 17, 2022

Written by 

Laura

Does any state get more into Christmas than ours? We think not. Some towns embrace this time of year, and some towns really embrace it, making them the best Christmas towns in Wisconsin. You ought to head to these towns for the ultimate holiday experience - here are some of our picks for the best places to visit for Christmas in Wisconsin! If you're looking for a magical Christmas town in Wisconsin, read on!

1. Cedarburg

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Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce/Facebook

If you are looking for a charming, warm Christmas experience, look no further than Cedarburg. The setting is gorgeous, with its centuries-old limestone buildings, coffee houses, and pubs. The storefronts are adorned with beautifully crafted Christmas decorations and plenty of jolliness. There are all sorts of winter events for you to get involved in, including Festive Friday Eves, the Holiday Art Fair, and other events across town from now through Christmas. Get the details about this year's festivities here!

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2. Milwaukee

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Jessica Fiess-Hill/Flickr

There are loads of holiday events going on in Milwaukee, kicked off by the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival. Jump on the Jingle Bus for a 40-minute self-guided tour via a podcast. Head to the Historic Third Ward to see the tree! Learn more about the tour on the official website.

3. Madison

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Destination Madison/Facebook

There are so many festive things to do in Madison this time of year. There is the Olbrich Holiday Concert Serie - If you play your cards right, you might just run into Santa himself! For some of the best holiday lights, head to Olin Park and drive around for free. You can even get a candy cane at the end of the ride! Take a look at Madison's full holiday itinerary for this year on the official Visit Madison website.

4. Chippewa Falls

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GO Chippewa County/Facebook

The people of Chippewa Falls love their Christmas Village. There are over 100,000 lights that take over Irvine Park. Life-size Christmas scenes are of the Victorian feel, and you can check them out through January 1st. Don't miss this one! Click here to learn more about Christmas Village at Chippewa Falls.

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5. Wisconsin Dells

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Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau/Facebook

You might only think of visiting Wisconsin Dells during summer, but consider heading there during Christmas. There are plenty of places to snowmobile and ski. You can get photos taken with Santa at Outlets at the Dells, too, and you might just meet Santa Claus himself! Click here for some awesome holiday deals!

6. Ripon

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Ripon, Wisconsin/Facebook

In Ripon, it's all about an ode to Charles Dickens, with their Dickens of a Christmas Weekend. Since 1988, it's a unique, Victorian themed festival including Living Windows, carriage rides, and a tour of homes. Check out this website for all the details about Dickens of a Christmas weekend!

7. Elkhart Lake

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Elkhart Lake, WI/Facebook

It's always a good time to visit the Old World Christmas Market, but Christmas is especially awesome. The market is reminiscent of a German Christkindlesmarkt, with all sorts of gifts, toys, ornaments and - of course - FOOD. You can get breakfast with Santa at the Osthoff Resort. The Siberian Outpost offers dog sled rides and demonstrations year-round. There is no shortage of fun holiday things to do here! Click here to learn more.

8. Stockholm

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Stockholm Wisconsin: Small Village, Big Heart/Facebook

Stockholm is a charming little town, and these streets get a holiday makeover this time of year. It truly is an "old fashioned" holiday experience in this Christmas village in Wisconsin, complete with sleigh rides, food, and, of course, Santa. True to its Swedish heritage, Stockholm has "God Jul: A Swedish Christmas." Get the details about this year's festivities here.

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9. Hudson

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Hudson WI Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau/Facebook

Hudson loves Christmas. If you haven't gotten one already, go out to a free farm like Santa's Evergreens Tree Farm and cut your own tree. Enjoy A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol at the St. Croix Off Broadway Dinner Theater. Go ice skating at Burton Field! The possibilities are endless. Check out Hudson's holiday calendar here.

10. Lake Geneva

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VISIT Lake Geneva/Facebook

Many people from Wisconsin and Illinois head to Lake Geneva during the summer months, but Christmas is a great time to head here as well. Head to the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa for lights, music, daily holiday teas, and gingerbread houses. Restaurants offer holiday specials and, trust me, there are loads of shops to find the perfect gift for those who are hard to shop for. It's a holiday tradition you won't forget!

Does your town do Christmas right? REPRESENT in the comments! We love hearing from you, and pictures of the best Christmas towns in Wisconsin are even better! How are you going to celebrate Christmas in Wisconsin this year? What's your pick for the most magical Christmas town in Wisconsin?

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Remote Town in Wisconsin We Simply Can’t Get Enough Of

History buffs, outdoor lovers, and those who just want to explore someplace new will fall in love with Berlin, Wisconsin.

Published Nov 1, 2024

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

When you think of cities and towns around Wisconsin, do you often think of places like Madison or Milwaukee? If so, you aren’t alone. However, one of the many things I love about the Badger State is all of the charming small towns. Places like Cedarburg, Lake Geneva, and Bayfield are picture-perfect and ideal for a day trip. But, there is another remote small town in Wisconsin that I simply can’t get enough of — Berlin.

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Berlin, Wisconsin is located west of Lake Winnebago, approximately 80 miles north of Madison. It’s a town that will immediately capture your heart as it’s home to friendly residents, a rich history, and loads of things to do and see.

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Google Maps

This Wisconsin town sits right along the Fox River, which was once the route fur traders, Jesuit missionaries, Indian tribes, and many others would use to travel from one destination to the next. Today, the river is used as a place for recreation. Head to Riverside Park in Berlin and you’ll find a boat launch, campground, picnic areas, fishing piers, and many other amenities for some time outdoors.

When visiting Berlin, I recommend putting on your walking shoes and exploring the Nathan Strong Park Historic District where you can admire gorgeous Victorian homes. Make sure you also stop at the Huron-Broadway Street District in town to browse all of the locally-owned shops and restaurants.

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Small town America in Berlin Wisconsin

History buffs will certainly want to stop into the Museum of Local History on Adams Avenue. This unique museum is located in a two-story building from the late 1800s. In this museum, you’ll learn even more about the story of this charming town and some of the people who transformed the area into what it is today.

I love to spend time outdoors and there are plenty of opportunities in Berlin no matter the season. When the weather is warm, head to one of the many city parks or explore the Mascoutin Valley State Trail. In the winter, snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile in the area — the opportunities are endless.

And that’s just the beginning. There are not only fabulous places to explore and things to do in Berlin, but this Wisconsin town also has many claims to fame. For example, did you know that it was home to the first milk condenser in the Midwest? It is also the place where Wisconsin’s commercial cranberry industry first started.

With so much to love about Berlin, Wisconsin, don’t be surprised if you fall in love with this charming town after just one visit. We certainly can’t seem to get enough of it.

Have you spent time in Berlin, Wisconsin? Are you planning a small-town getaway? Share this article with your favorite travel partner and add this Wisconsin town to your bucket list.

I love to visit the small towns in Wisconsin on a road trip. Check out a few of our favorite road trip itineraries and plan your next excursion. Just make sure you are prepared with all the necessary road trip gear and delicious car-friendly snacks.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

If You Only Have One Day to Visit This Small Town in Wisconsin, Here Are 3 Things You Absolutely Can’t Miss

If you're looking for day trip ideas in the Badger State, we think you'll love Osceola as a small town getaway in Wisconsin.

Published Oct 29, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

Home to just under 3,000 people, Osceola is a village stretched along the bluffs of the St. Croix River in western Wisconsin. Recognized for its history, charm, and natural beauty, Osceola is a perfect destination for a small town day trip in Wisconsin. But first, a little background.

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Situated at the confluence of Osceola Creek and the St. Croix River, Osceola was founded in 1844 as a logging camp on what had been land occupied by the Ojibwe people. Ready access to the St. Croix River made the site ideal for taking advantage of the area's timber resources, and as people moved to the area, Osceola grew into a vibrant community. Now a well-preserved village - its downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places - the community is one of our favorite day trip destinations in the Badger State, and here are a few things we think you need to see and do while you're there.

1. Go chasing waterfalls

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herreid/Getty Images

There are two waterfalls right in historic downtown Osceola, both on Osceola Creek as it tumbles its way down to the St. Croix. The smaller of the two, Geiger Falls, is slightly upstream and closer to 1st Ave., the main drag through town. Lovely, 25-foot Cascade Falls is just downstream and accessible by a wooden staircase that leads to a viewing platform. Continue along the trail for bluff top views of the St. Croix River.

2. Explore the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

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St. Croix National Scenic Riverway/Flickr

The section of the St. Croix River that flows past Osceola is actually part of a National Park Service unit, the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. This means that the river, for the most part, is in a natural state that's perfect for paddling, fishing, or simply strolling along. You can access several trails that lace the river bluffs right from downtown Osceola, or head a few minutes north of town to Interstate State Park, where you can view the river from the billion-year-old Dalles of the St. Croix.

3. Take a train to Minnesota

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Jerry Huddleston/Flickr

Although operated by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway departs from Osceola's historic depot and meanders through the St. Croix valley on its way to and from the charming town of Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. It's a wonderful way to put a cherry on top of a fantastic day trip to this charming Wisconsin town.

If you'd like to spend more than a day in the area - and there's certainly plenty more to do should you decide to stay - we recommend booking Dr. Combacker's Historic 1880s Home on Airbnb. This property is charming, perfectly located, and affordable - you won't be disappointed. What are some other charming communities that would make perfect small town day trip destinations in Wisconsin? Let us know on our nominations page!

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