5 Best Things to Do in New Glarus, WI

By VI Staff on December 23, 2019 - Updated

New Glarus Chamber of Commerce

New Glarus is a village in Green County, Wisconsin established as a Swiss Colony in 1845. The Village, called Little Switzerland, has many features from the Old Country, with Alpine-style architecture, ethnic festivals and Swiss food. The New Glarus Brewing Company produces six beers available year round and several seasonals. The Sugar River State Trail is a scenic trail that connects New Glarus with Monticello, Albany and Brodhead. Hawks Mill WineHaus is a local winery that specializes in the sweeter blends and fruit wines. Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum features a vast, eclectic collection of items Edwin Barlow picked up during his travels around the world.

1.Sugar River State Trail

The Sugar River State Trail is a scenic trail that winds its way 23 miles through picturesque countryside, connecting four Green County communities - New Glarus, where the trail starts, Monticello, Albany and Brodhead. The trail begins at Trail Headquarters located in the historic train depot in New Glarus. A short trail connects the Sugar River State Trail to New Glarus Woods State Park. There are fourteen trestle bridges that cross over the Sugar River and its tributaries. The trail passes by farmlands, woods, scenic meadows, rolling hills, prairies and glacial topography. Sugar River State was one of the first rails-to-trails conversions in Wisconsin. It is also one of the most beautiful and simple ways to get outside and enjoy nature in south central Wisconsin.

W5508 CTH NN, New Glarus, WI 53574, Phone: 608-527-2334

2.Hawk's Mill WineHaus

Hawks Mill Winery in Browntown opened their second winery, Hawks Mill WineHaus in New Glarus after purchasing Primrose Winery. Hawks Mill WineHaus offers daily wine tastings with many of their popular wines from the Browntown location, with several of the favorites produced by Primrose, including Summer Wine and Classic American. Hawk’s Mill tasting room is located in a late 1800’s historic building in downtown New Glarus. The tasting room has the warm wood interior, wood beams on the ceiling and Swiss-style wood trim. The seating is comfortable but unpretentious and there is no need to be a big wine connoisseur to enjoy their wines. While the winery produces a full range of wines, from dry to sweet, they specialize in the sweeter blends and fruit wines.

500 1st St, New Glarus, WI 53574, Phone: 608-636-2202

3.Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum

The charming Swiss Alps chalet-style home of Edwin Barlow in New Glarus, Wisconsin, is the home to the collection of thousands of artifacts Barlow collected during his travels around the world in the early- to mid-20th century. The museum is located just a couple of blocks from the downtown and is easily recognized as a typical chalet normally found in the Canton of Bern in Switzerland. Barlow’s collection is vast and very eclectic. It includes a peacock pendant and earrings set once belonging to Empress Carlota of Mexico. There is a set of Etruscan earrings from 600 BC. There is jewelry and unusual jewelry cases with a secret poison compartment and exquisite pieces of Waterford and Tiffany china and crystal ware. Donated to the City of New Glarus, Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum continues Edwin Barlow’s pride in Swiss heritage and initiatives promoting Swiss culture.

618 2nd St, New Glarus, WI 53574, Phone: 800-527-6838

4.Puempel's Olde Tavern

Puempel's tavern was established in 1893 by Otto Puempel, whose family ran the bar for 99 years. During Otto's youth Puempel's was a railroad workers' boardinghouse, with meals cooked by Otto's mother, Bertha. Puempel’s is considered an example of rare authentic American taverns, one of the country's "most impressive historic survivors." The comforts, charm, and atmosphere that appealed to travelers back in 1893 have been lovingly preserved in the today’s Puempel’s Olde Tavern. The ambience of old-world Swiss tradition is still there, the menu that contains New Glarus beer, sausage and Green County cheese show a commitment to local foods and drinks. Even the folk art mural with the scenes from the Old Country is still there. The front porch is wonderful during the warmer months.

18 6th Ave, New Glarus, WI 53574, Phone: 608-527-2045

5.New Glarus Brewing Company

The New Glarus Brewing Company is a quaint craft microbrewery in New Glarus, Wisconsin. Its brews, especially everyone’s favorite Spotted Cow, are very popular in Wisconsin. New Glarus beers have also won numerous national and international awards. At the moment, they are only available in Wisconsin, in liquor and grocery stores, or at the brewery's gift shop. The New Glarus Brewing Company produces six beers available year round and several seasonals for various annual holidays. The brewery has a cozy tasting room that is part of the production facility and a gift shop and it offers self-guided tours. Only in Wisconsin! New Glarus brews are only available in Wisconsin. They can be found in liquor and grocery stores, or at the brewery's own gift shop.

2400 WI-69, New Glarus, WI 53574, Phone: 608-527-5850