14 Best Things to do in Janesville, Wisconsin

© Rotary Botanical Gardens

As a non-profit organization which is funded solely by donations, Rotary Botanical Gardens offers an award winning display to the public which attracts over 100,000 visitors every year. Originally an abandoned sand and gravel quarry, the garden has been lovingly tended to and restored thanks to the donations it has received and teams of local volunteers over the past thirty years so that it is now a majestic 20-acre estate with over 4,000 varieties of beautiful plants. The displays are themed, based on international cultures and styles, and make an excellent choice for wedding venues, community gatherings, family-friendly events and educational programs.

Rotary Botanical Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI 53545, Phone: 608-752-3885

© Camden Playground

Camden Playground was erected in May 1993 by a team of more than 3,000 passionate and dedicated volunteers. As an accessible playground, it provides a safe space for relaxation and play for the children and young people of Janesville, and has gone on to inspire the creation of more than 200 similar projects worldwide. It has been thrilling families for years, and the recent renovation and upgrade in June 2017 means that it can continue to do so for decades to come. Over its years of service, Camden Playground has seen more than 1.3 million visitors.

The Castle Playground, Palmer Park, Janesville, WI, Phone: 608-755-3025

© mangpor2004/stock.adobe.com

Located away from the noise and bustle of the city, Riverside Park was purchased with the sole intention of creating a centerpiece park for the city of Janesville back in 1922. Since then it has grown into the city’s go-to outdoor recreational center. The park offers numerous attractions, including an eighteen hole golf course, shuffleboard and tennis courts, ball diamonds, a wading pool, playgrounds and artesian wells. The park has a rich history and offers a range of special events, including wildflower walks and pickle ball tournaments.

Friends of Riverside Park, Inc. 1163 N Parker Dr. Janesville, WI 53545, Phone: 608-757-3080

© Wisconsin Wagon Company

Traditionally, the Wisconsin Carriage Company had always traded in the highest quality of carriages, sleighs and other horse-drawn contraptions, but with the rising popularity of automobiles in the early 20th century, their focus shifted instead to the production of “skudder” cars, sidewalk toys and coaster wagons under the name of the Janesville Products Company. With the arrival of the Great Depression, they finally had to close their production factory in 1940. Luckily, the old coaster wagon was restored to its former glory in 1978 when a grandfather who had fond memories of his own wagon discovered, to his dismay, that production had long since ceased. He made it his goal to produce a replica of the wagon, and nowadays, the Wisconsin Wagon Company welcomes visitors to see their operations.

507 Laurel Avenue, Janesville, WI 53548, Phone: 608-754-0026

© Flamingo Images/stock.adobe.com

Sitting on 287 acres of forests, prairies and swamp lands, the Gibbs Lake County Park offers a little of everything. The smaller lake is cut off by surrounding red elderberry swampland. The larger lake is shallow and ideal for pan fishing. Walleye and bass fish are frequently seen lazing around in the warm waters. The park offers an exceptional nature trail which is ideal for equestrians, hikers and skiers thanks to the flat terrain with gentle hills. There is also the opportunity to have a cooling swim in the allocated swimming area, and those individuals who enjoy a spot of boating can make use of the private boat launch.

3715 Newville Road, Janesville, WI 53545, Phone: 608-757-5451

© Uptown Janesville

With over 68 tenants, Uptown Janesville has been one of the ultimate shopping experiences in Janesville since it opened in 1973. Originally it had been planned as a Strip Mall, but when the plot of land was purchased, the plans were changed to make it an enclosed mall, particularly beneficial in the chilly climate of Wisconsin. Opening its doors to mall walkers and shoppers alike, the mall offers an extensive range of stores, and food and beverage providers. The mall also hosts a number of events and offers a community room for organizations that need somewhere to hold group meetings.

2500 Milton Ave, Janesville, WI 53545, Phone: 608-752-7845

© O' Riley and Conway Irish Pub

A wonderful slice of Ireland in the heart of Janesville, O' Riley and Conway Irish Pub was created as the reincarnation of its predecessor, Quaerna’s Tavern. Featuring many of the original features, with a little Irish charm thrown in, the pub offers 54 beers on tap alongside the traditionally Irish menu. The pub is warm and welcoming, especially in the cold winter months. The new owners of the pub have the perfect heritage to run it. Both are descendants of Quaerna’s s founder, Oscar Quaerna, and both men boast of an Irish heritage.

O'Riley & Conway's Irish Pub, 214 W Milwaukee St, Janesville, WI, 53548, Phone: 608-752-6099

© The Armory

The Armory is a unique event space in downtown Janesville, offering both indoor and outdoor event space for weddings, meetings and gatherings with friends. With its incredible brickwork and terrazzo flooring, and the breathtaking decorative iron pieces, the Armory is rich in wartime history. Prior to the Second World War, the ‘Janesville 99’ battalion trained there and it later served as a gathering post for the infamous 1941 Bataan Death March in the Philippines. After a period of vacancy, the Armory’s historically significant exterior was preserved to ensure that it will last for generations to come the event spaces available for public hire include The Drill Hall, The Bunker Lounge, The Lieutenant’s Quarters and The Patio.

10 S. High Street, Janesville, WI 53548, Phone: 608-741-7400

© Barkley’s Burgers, Brews and Dawgs

Al Meehan had always dreamed of owning his own restaurant in his home town of Janesville, and his dream come true in 2015. Alongside his long-time friend and now business partner, Greg Hughes, the Barkley’s brand was founded. They aim to provide a unique dining experience and believe that they can fill the gap in the market for quality, freshly-prepared food. They cater for all of the family and provide a large selection of delicious dishes, and best of all, dog owners can bring their pets along for the feast as well.

2710 West Court Street, Janesville, WI 53548, Phone: 608-563-4481

© Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center

Forming an integral part of the Rock County Historical Center, the Helen Jeffris Wood Museum is housed in the historic 1912 Prairie-style building which was the former home of Stanley Dexter Tallman. The center now forms the gateway to the Historical Center, provides a ticketing office and houses an exhibition gallery where regularly-changing exhibitions are held. There are also several interesting inter-active exhibits suitable for both adults and children. The main exhibition features a very fine collection of Pauline Porcelain and Pickard China; the exhibition traces the history of these fine crafts and their makers. Before you leave you can buy some souvenirs at the on-site gift shop.

Helen Jeffris Wood Museum Center, 440 N. Jackson Street, Janesville, WI 53548, 608 756 4509

© El-Ra Bowl

Combining good food (pizza and grill menus available), a wonderful bar and bowling, El-Ra Bowl offers an all-in-one entertainment and dining service, and has been doing so since their opening in 1959. They use the highest quality of modern bowling technology in the industry, the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in Rock County. El-Ra Bowl also offer special bowling events, including glow bowling and league bowling for all ages, from youth right up to seniors.

1942 Center Ave. Janesville, WI 53546, Phone: 608-757-3020

© Fermenting Cellars Winery

Nestled in the heart of the rolling south Wisconsin hills, the Fermenting Cellars Winery is housed in a pretty country log cabin with a spacious outdoor deck. During the warmer summer months guests are invited to stop by for a tasting of their extensive range of Wisconsin wines. These include various white and red cultivars and blends, as well as some decadent sweet dessert wines. Wines are sold by the glass or the bottle and there is a discount for wines by the case. The tasting terrace is open seasonally, but the wines are available for purchase all year round.

Fermenting Cellars Winery, 2004 W. Manogue Road, Janesville, WI 53545, 608 295 8972

© Rock County Brewing Company

You will find the Rock County Brewing Company operating out of the historic Carriage Works building in the heart of downtown Janesville. The brewery specializes in producing premium small-batch craft beers to suit all tastes. Just a few of their flagship brews include the Snowbird (sour, over-fruited with orange, peach and pineapple), their popular Banana Cream Ale and the Jamble Wit, made with organically-grown local wheat. In addition, there are several other IPA’s, ales and lagers to round out the selection. Visitors are welcome to stop by for a tasting or to buy some great beer to share with friends and family.

Rock County Brewing Company, 10 N. Parker Drive, Janesville, WI 53545, 608 531 8120

© Bass Creek Golf Club

Located in the scenic wooded countryside, about 10 miles outside Janesville, the Bass Creek Golf Club offers golfers 9 attractive holes arranged over 3188 yards of play. The course has all the usual hazards, including water features and several bunkers to test your accuracy. To keep you practicing as long as possible during the rainy season, the club offers a covered driving range, PGA lessons and paved cart paths. Seasonal memberships are available for visitors. Before or after your round of golf you can stop by Willie’s Bar and Grill to quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite. You can find everything you need for a great round of golf at the well-equipped Pro Shop.

Bass Creek Golf Club, 1303 S. Murphy Road, Janesville, WI 53548, 608 876 6631