You know the adage. Good things come in small packages. Here’s proof: dozens of delicious little destinations that delight travelers who crave fun, safe, surprising, and under-the-radar escapes from big-city bustle and congestion. Time to downshift and discover the natural beauty, unique spirit, and enduring character of unusual burgs of Wisconsin. An eclectic mix of communities makes the cut for this selective guide to rural treasures, many of which are lesser known because of limited or no advertising. Visit for an hour, day, overnight or longer. All these special places have a population of no more than 5,000 people, and many have less than 1,000.
Every time I travel to Wisconsin, I am immediately reminded of what always brings me back -- it's the small towns, the communities and the people who have managed to stay true to themselves and to the promise of the land. Mary Bergin's Small Town Wisconsin is full of surprising discoveries, a great road map to these towns, hamlets and villages -- but most important a way to embrace culture, community and conversation.
Growing up in Madison as the daughter of an educational book salesman who loved exploring the Badger State’s backroads and byways, I had an early appreciation for its small-town charms. Mary Bergin’s engaging tome has reignited that wanderlust, and I’m looking forward to a homecoming with her guide as fresh inspiration.
In this most interesting travel-oriented book, author Mary Bergin takes the reader to places in Wisconsin that are often overlooked. The little towns scattered across the state each with something special, from places like Belgium in southeastern Wisconsin and Spring Green in the southwest, to Bayfield in the northwest and Egg Harbor in the northeast—a total of 50 places to visit and enjoy. She writes, “Consider this a selective look at places to visit for an hour or two, during a specific time of the year, an overnight stay, or a full-blown vacation.” Small Town Wisconsin is a traveler’s guidebook and much more, as it contains a treasure-trove of fascinating details about these little Wisconsin places.
