Driftless day trips - Viroqua and more
Sightseeing
Where the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers meet. Start your day off or end it with a hike or drive at this fantastic park along the Mississippi River. Take in the grand view at the Wisconsin Ridge Campground area off the Old Wagon Road Trail or Bluff Trail, then drive down Long Valley Road to the boat launch.
Here's a link to a map of the park, trails, and sights:
https://cf-store.widencdn.net/widnr/b/1/2/b1236744-c48d-4530-b57b-e6ba0daca03d.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Wyalusing_Map.pdf%22&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&Expires=1632591107&Signature=geJwcQrkKVgwmnHgPELNsbWb0AnLssPEgIfXNff0c3xKNHyKaq3qVN9FSmpYxPu6uBWUW2L9eUjN4lC2b~rUNIG8kXhg8F8YUQfvSYzJc961uxf91hsCMuuQ0d45NR3ojQhv2ZvaR9XYnnSvisHS1Z6JEL~DYolmtPRU5VnTss2dAhKts-UGhDIhJoGbi7ql0FwRQkpg~jjq4l1k82QhU9XEL9qEwSrUVlBCXUbdlwoi6MsQ5if8O2m3s-OL8nWaLtprk~PQW4quGOmmqNKa9~N8MAPfz-BVYim~1yIxdfk-TQSnQjEMKuIdRvJXrhS5gt-4lDVaHmNC4zt3D3rBlA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJD5XONOBVWWOA65A
23 locals recommend
Wyalusing State Park
13081 State Park LnWhere the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers meet. Start your day off or end it with a hike or drive at this fantastic park along the Mississippi River. Take in the grand view at the Wisconsin Ridge Campground area off the Old Wagon Road Trail or Bluff Trail, then drive down Long Valley Road to the boat launch.
Here's a link to a map of the park, trails, and sights:
https://cf-store.widencdn.net/widnr/b/1/2/b1236744-c48d-4530-b57b-e6ba0daca03d.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Wyalusing_Map.pdf%22&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&Expires=1632591107&Signature=geJwcQrkKVgwmnHgPELNsbWb0AnLssPEgIfXNff0c3xKNHyKaq3qVN9FSmpYxPu6uBWUW2L9eUjN4lC2b~rUNIG8kXhg8F8YUQfvSYzJc961uxf91hsCMuuQ0d45NR3ojQhv2ZvaR9XYnnSvisHS1Z6JEL~DYolmtPRU5VnTss2dAhKts-UGhDIhJoGbi7ql0FwRQkpg~jjq4l1k82QhU9XEL9qEwSrUVlBCXUbdlwoi6MsQ5if8O2m3s-OL8nWaLtprk~PQW4quGOmmqNKa9~N8MAPfz-BVYim~1yIxdfk-TQSnQjEMKuIdRvJXrhS5gt-4lDVaHmNC4zt3D3rBlA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJD5XONOBVWWOA65A
Outside Spring Green. Understand where it all began - see how the hillsides and overall landscape directly influenced Frank Lloyd Wright's esthetic. Note: it's pricey but worth it.
Would recommend ordering tickets in advance, especially on weekends. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive - I got turned around the first time I went, and my group almost missed the tour bus from the visitor center up to the house (the house is not accessible by personal car).
15 locals recommend
Taliesin
5481 County Rd COutside Spring Green. Understand where it all began - see how the hillsides and overall landscape directly influenced Frank Lloyd Wright's esthetic. Note: it's pricey but worth it.
Would recommend ordering tickets in advance, especially on weekends. Give yourself plenty of time to arrive - I got turned around the first time I went, and my group almost missed the tour bus from the visitor center up to the house (the house is not accessible by personal car).
Food scene
If you plan to take a scenic drive north from Wyalusing, follow the Great River Road (WI-35) north past Ferryville then cross over the Mississippi River to this perfect brunch spot with great eats and a wine/beer menu. It closes after the lunch rush though (2pm most days, 1pm Sunday), so plan accordingly.
11 locals recommend
Coffee on the River
60 S Front StIf you plan to take a scenic drive north from Wyalusing, follow the Great River Road (WI-35) north past Ferryville then cross over the Mississippi River to this perfect brunch spot with great eats and a wine/beer menu. It closes after the lunch rush though (2pm most days, 1pm Sunday), so plan accordingly.
This place put Viroqua on the map as a foodie scene. It's been in all kinds of publications in the midwest and nationally. Make reservations if coming for dinner; this is a more expensive option than most but well worth it.
67 locals recommend
Driftless Cafe
118 W Court StThis place put Viroqua on the map as a foodie scene. It's been in all kinds of publications in the midwest and nationally. Make reservations if coming for dinner; this is a more expensive option than most but well worth it.
For those craving a great meal but not wanting to drop as much $ as Driftless Cafe, stop here before leaving Viroqua.
14 locals recommend
Pacifico Mexican Grill
113 N Main StFor those craving a great meal but not wanting to drop as much $ as Driftless Cafe, stop here before leaving Viroqua.
Best all-around eatery in Spring Green. The new name is actually LAST LEAF PUBLIC HOUSE now. Great gastropub fare, and a perfect stop after Taliesin. Everything from salads to burgers. The place was originally a bank... the vault is still there!
13 locals recommend
Freddy Valentines Public House
North Washington StreetBest all-around eatery in Spring Green. The new name is actually LAST LEAF PUBLIC HOUSE now. Great gastropub fare, and a perfect stop after Taliesin. Everything from salads to burgers. The place was originally a bank... the vault is still there!
City/town information
Spend the afternoon in this little town with a lot of personality. A major foodie town, it also hosts a bookstore, Wisconsin's oldest public market, and many more attractions for the whole family.
26 locals recommend
Viroqua
Spend the afternoon in this little town with a lot of personality. A major foodie town, it also hosts a bookstore, Wisconsin's oldest public market, and many more attractions for the whole family.
Spring Green
The jumping-off point for local history and culture.
Shopping
Get acquainted with the town at this indoor market with over 100 local vendors, cute little shops for kids of all ages.
11 locals recommend
Viroqua Public Market - Main Street Station
215 S Main StGet acquainted with the town at this indoor market with over 100 local vendors, cute little shops for kids of all ages.
Pop into the largest used bookstore in the old Viroqua Leaf Tobacco Company building. Note: summer hours are generally 10-6; cold months they are open infrequently, so call ahead.
28 locals recommend
Driftless Books and Music
518 Walnut StPop into the largest used bookstore in the old Viroqua Leaf Tobacco Company building. Note: summer hours are generally 10-6; cold months they are open infrequently, so call ahead.
Pick up some groceries at this local co-op. Everyone can shop here, and it's owned by community members. They emphasize organic and local foods and products.
41 locals recommend
Viroqua Food Co+op
609 N Main StPick up some groceries at this local co-op. Everyone can shop here, and it's owned by community members. They emphasize organic and local foods and products.
Very well curated, long-time Spring Green staple. Great ambiance, with a cafe that sells pre-packaged baked goods and on the go lunches, plus wine and beer!
17 locals recommend
Arcadia Books
102 E Jefferson StVery well curated, long-time Spring Green staple. Great ambiance, with a cafe that sells pre-packaged baked goods and on the go lunches, plus wine and beer!
Sips and such
Viroqua. Great for an all-adult group for a late afternoon sip or even dinner (bistro style dishes).
22 locals recommend
Tangled Hickory Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge
120 S Main StViroqua. Great for an all-adult group for a late afternoon sip or even dinner (bistro style dishes).
On the way to Viroqua, this is a major local favorite. It does have limited hours, so check ahead. They often have live music.
15 locals recommend
Driftless Brewing Company
102 Sunbeam Blvd WOn the way to Viroqua, this is a major local favorite. It does have limited hours, so check ahead. They often have live music.
About 1h 10 mins away, northeast of Madison. This place actually has decent red wine! So many of the wineries in the Driftless are fruit wine which is not everyone's jam. But this place does red wine pretty well.
57 locals recommend
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery
7876 WI-188About 1h 10 mins away, northeast of Madison. This place actually has decent red wine! So many of the wineries in the Driftless are fruit wine which is not everyone's jam. But this place does red wine pretty well.
This is a trek... a little over 2 hours from the cabins, this really is a solid day trip away, but could work well if you swing back around through Viroqua for dinner on the way home.
31 locals recommend
Elmaro Vineyard
N14756 Delaney RdThis is a trek... a little over 2 hours from the cabins, this really is a solid day trip away, but could work well if you swing back around through Viroqua for dinner on the way home.
Just west of New Glarus, between Madison and the cabins. Highly recommended in The Cabins podcast, this place packs an experience: actual grape wines, music regularly, and pizza/good eats.
17 locals recommend
Bailey's Run Vineyard
N8523 Klitzke RdJust west of New Glarus, between Madison and the cabins. Highly recommended in The Cabins podcast, this place packs an experience: actual grape wines, music regularly, and pizza/good eats.
The all-important groceries
The closest grocery store at about 20 mins away. While I hate to recommend chains, it's for the location and selection - it has some organic, and has a decent wine/beer selection.
Piggly Wiggly
106 W Oak StThe closest grocery store at about 20 mins away. While I hate to recommend chains, it's for the location and selection - it has some organic, and has a decent wine/beer selection.
Traveler advice
What to pack
Leave the nice shoes at home.
Pack shoes and clothing as if for camping - rubber boots/wellies, hiking boots, flip flops in summer... leave the leather at home. Layers are great, including hoodies, wool caps, zip-ups, athleisure attire, puffer vests.
Getting around
Mind the deer
These gorgeous creatures are everywhere, and can pop out of nowhere onto the roads, so take it easy on the gas peddle. Expect it actually will take you as long as GPS says...
Customs and culture
It takes longer out here...
As a decades-long city girl, I have to remember this every time I come out to the Driftless. But it's the reason this place is awesome. Everything out here is farther away - the drive is part of the fun. In towns people expect eye contact, a short... or long... conversation, and patience when they're catching up with a regular customer. Smile, wave, laugh with them, and enjoy the experience.
Don't miss
First time in the Driftless? Listen to this podcast
Great recommendations in this podcast:
https://the-cabin.simplecast.com/episodes/unforgettable-wisconsin-the-driftless-experience