Blanchardville WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Blanchardville, Wisconsin.
1. Yellowstone Lake State Park
NATURAL OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Yellowstone Lake State Park offers visitors a lovely green space to explore the great outdoors in Blanchardville. The park provides various recreational activities including hiking trails, fishing, and camping opportunities for nature enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy the serene atmosphere while experiencing the natural beauty of Wisconsin's landscape.
2. Yellowstone Golf Course
SCENIC GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Yellowstone Golf Course presents a picturesque golfing experience in Blanchardville for golf enthusiasts of all skill levels. The course features well-maintained greens surrounded by the beautiful Wisconsin countryside. Golfers can enjoy a challenging round while taking in the peaceful rural scenery.
3. Blanchardville Historical Museum
LOCAL HERITAGE SHOWCASE
Blanchardville Historical Museum preserves and displays the rich history of this community that began in 1848 with Mormon settlers. The museum occupies a historic building that was once a grist mill purchased by town namesake Alvin Blanchard in 1855. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the town's growth following the arrival of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1888 and learn about the area's agricultural heritage, including its prominent dairy industry.
4. Pecatonica River
SCENIC WATERWAY EXPERIENCE
The Pecatonica River flows through Blanchardville, offering recreation opportunities and serving as a key feature of the village. This historic waterway was crucial to the town's development, powering the original grist mill and supporting local industry. Today, visitors can enjoy fishing, canoeing, and appreciating the natural beauty that has been central to Blanchardville's identity since its founding.
5. New Glarus Brewing Company
CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
New Glarus Brewing Company is a renowned craft brewery located in nearby New Glarus, offering brewery tours and tastings of their specialty beers. Their award-winning brews, particularly Spotted Cow farmhouse ale, have gained national recognition despite being distributed only in Wisconsin. Visitors can explore the beautiful facility, learn about the brewing process, and sample unique beers in the tasting room.
6. Cave of the Mounds
NATURAL UNDERGROUND WONDER
Cave of the Mounds is a stunning natural limestone cave located near Blue Mounds, just a short drive from Blanchardville. Discovered in 1939, this National Natural Landmark features spectacular formations including stalactites, stalagmites, and other colorful mineral deposits. Guided tours take visitors through illuminated passageways to explore this underground wonderland maintained at a constant 50 degrees year-round.
7. Blue Mound State Park
HIGHEST POINT IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
Blue Mound State Park encompasses the highest point in southern Wisconsin, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The park features extensive trail systems for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing depending on the season. Visitors can also enjoy swimming at the summer pool, exploring observation towers, and camping facilities in this natural highland retreat.
8. Governor Dodge State Park
DIVERSE OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA
Governor Dodge State Park spans over 5,000 acres of scenic landscape featuring steep hills, deep valleys, and two recreational lakes near Dodgeville. The park offers over 40 miles of hiking trails, swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and horseback riding paths through diverse terrain. Visitors can explore waterfalls, sandstone formations, and abundant wildlife while enjoying camping facilities in this expansive natural preserve.
9. The House on the Rock
ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
The House on the Rock is an extraordinary attraction built atop Deer Shelter Rock featuring bizarrely designed rooms, streets, gardens, and the world's largest indoor carousel. This architectural marvel created by Alex Jordan Jr. contains vast collections of automated music machines, model ships, dollhouses, and countless other curiosities. Visitors can spend hours exploring this surreal complex that blends reality with fantasy across its sprawling sections.
10. Taliesin
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT ESTATE
Taliesin is the famous 800-acre estate of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, showcasing his distinctive organic architectural style in a rural setting near Spring Green. The property includes the main residence, studio, theater, and agricultural buildings that Wright continuously modified over nearly five decades. Guided tours allow visitors to experience Wright's architectural genius firsthand while exploring the beautifully integrated buildings and landscapes.
11. Military Ridge State Trail
HISTORIC RAILWAY TRAIL
Military Ridge State Trail offers 40 miles of scenic pathway following the former Chicago and North Western Railway corridor from Dodgeville to Madison. The trail passes through charming small towns, prairies, woods, and farmlands while featuring interpretive signs about local history and nature. Cyclists, hikers, and winter enthusiasts can enjoy this relatively level trail that connects to several communities and other recreational areas.
12. Little Norway
HISTORIC NORWEGIAN SETTLEMENT
Little Norway preserves a collection of authentic Norwegian buildings and artifacts in a picturesque valley near Blue Mounds. The centerpiece is the Norway Building, a stunning example of stave church architecture originally constructed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Visitors can explore this historic settlement that celebrates Norwegian heritage through its unique structures, traditional furnishings, and cultural displays.
13. Mount Horeb Trollway
WHIMSICAL SCANDINAVIAN STREETSCAPE
Mount Horeb Trollway features dozens of life-sized wooden trolls carved by local artists lining the main street of this charming village with Scandinavian heritage. These whimsical sculptures create a unique outdoor art gallery celebrating the community's Norwegian roots while delighting visitors of all ages. The trolls serve as guides to local shops, restaurants, and attractions in this self-proclaimed "Troll Capital of the World."
14. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts
HISTORIC ARTS COMMUNITY
Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts is a creative community housed in a collection of historic buildings in nearby Mineral Point, offering workshops, events, and gallery spaces. The center preserves 19th-century structures while providing a vibrant environment for artists to learn traditional and contemporary crafts. Visitors can explore the charming grounds, participate in classes, or attend cultural events in this unique artistic haven.
15. Pendarvis Historic Site
PRESERVED CORNISH SETTLEMENT
Pendarvis Historic Site preserves several limestone buildings constructed by Cornish immigrants who came to the area in the 1830s to mine lead. The meticulously restored structures showcase the distinctive architectural style and living conditions of these early settlers. Visitors can tour the historic homes, gardens, and learn about the region's mining heritage and the Cornish influence on Wisconsin's development.