Visiting Cedarburg is like journeying back 150 years, as many of the limestone and cream city brick buildings from that era remain unchanged. Consistently ranked as a favorite small-town getaway, visitors are always charmed by the delightful mix of unique shops, gracious inns cozy cafés, art galleries and museums, many nestled inside meticulously maintained historic buildings, and all within walking distance of one another.
A good place to start your day might be the Cedar Creek Settlement, on the corner of Washington and Bridge. Saved from demolition more than 40 years ago, the former 1864 woolen mill is now home to a variety of specialty stores, art studios, restaurants and a winery. Tour, taste and enjoy Cedar Creek Winery’s award-winning wines, or cross the street and sample wines from Chiseled Grape Winery, newly arrived in Cedarburg. If craft beers are more to your taste, stop at one of the charming gastropubs on Washington Avenue, and have fun browsing galleries and boutiques along the way.
Every year, thousands of tourists flock to the city’s four famous, family-oriented festivals…Winter Festival in February, Strawberry Festival in June, Wine & Harvest Festival in September; and Oktoberfest. Our Fourth of July Parade is the largest hometown celebration of its kind in south eastern Wisconsin, and the popular free Summer Sounds concerts pack Cedar Creek Park every Friday night from June through August. Cedarburg has also earned a well-deserved reputation as a respected arts enclave. Watch artists working at their art easels during the June Plein Air painting event and, in fall, visit their home studios during the Covered Bridge Studio Art Tour.
No matter the season, take time to bike or hike the Ozaukee Interurban Trail that passes through the heart of downtown Cedarburg, or picnic in one of the city’s beautiful parks. Enjoy a concert at the Cedarburg Cultural Center of the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, and don’t forget to check out the most recent exhibit at the various museums.
Like to find out more? Our Visitor Center in the General Store Museum is open Monday through Saturdays, and Sundays, too, during festivals.
(Credit: OzaukeeTourism.com)
