Cedarburg

Cedarburg is a small city in Wisconsin, about 30 minutes by car north of Milwaukee. It is known for over 200 19th century buildings in its historic downtown and popular year-round festivals. == Get in == Cedarburg is easiest to visit by car as part of a day trip from Milwaukee. Exits for Cedarburg are clearly marked on highway 43. The Ozaukee Interurban Trail crosses downtown and is a great way to get to town for cyclists. == Get around == Walk! == See == 1 Washington Avenue Historic District. Collection of 216 historically-significant buildings. On the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Feb 2025) 2 The Woolen Mill (Hilgen and Wittenberg Woolen Mill). Founded in 1854, which today is host to dozens of shops, two restaurants and a winery. On the National Register of Historic Places. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Covered Bridge Park, 1700 Covered Bridge Rd, ☏ +1 262-689-4684. 6AM-9PM daily. The bridge, built in 1876, is the last remaining covered bridge in Wisconsin and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The park has space for picnicking and grilling, as well as bathrooms. (updated Feb 2025) 4 Cedarburg Cultural Center, W62N546 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-375-3676, CCCmail@artmusichistory.org. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM (closed winters). Hosts art shows. Also sponsors musical performances, the Kuhefuss House Museum, and the Cedarburg General Store Museum. (updated Feb 2025) 5 Ozaukee Historical Society (Ozaukee County Historical Society Hazel Wirth Archives & Research Center), N57 W6406 Center St, ☏ +1 262-377-4510. Tu 9AM-3PM, 1st Sa of month 9AM-noon. Former interurban rail station. (updated Feb 2025) 6 Wisconsin Quilt Museum (Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts), N50W5050 Portland Rd, ☏ +1 262-546-0300. W-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. $10 (adults), $8 (seniors, 65+), $5 (children, 6-17). (updated Feb 2025) 7 Cedarburg Performing Arts Center, W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd, ☏ +1 262-888-3341. Draws theatrical and musical acts from around the nation. (updated Feb 2025) == Do == Cedaburg Festivals, ☏ +1 262-377-3891, info@cedarburgfestivals.org. Cedarburg is known for its festivals celebrating the seasons. (updated Feb 2025) Winter Festival is held in February, featuring the ice sculptures, naturally, as well as bed and barrel races on Cedar Creek. There is a parade, a chili competition, and other family-friendly activities. There is a new theme every year. The arrival of summer is the time to celebrate the ripening strawberry crop, and Cedarburg celebrates with the Strawberry festival. The Plein Air painting competition draws dozens of artists, and you find strawberry-flavored everything from wine to bratwurst. Games, live music and dozens of stalls transform Washington Avenue from main thoroughfare into summertime party. More than 100,000 festival-goers attended in 2009. Arrival of fall brings celebration of the harvest at the Wine & Harvest festival. Traditional autumnal festivities include apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, live bands and plenty of good food. Other festivals include German Fest and the Cedarburg Cycling Classic in July, and several Maxwell Street Days held throughout the warm season. 1 Ozaukee County Fair, W67 N866 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-375-6185. Showcases the county's farm economy, sponsoring musical acts and other events, and featuring a classic midway. Free. (updated Feb 2025) == Buy == Cedarburg's shops are most well known for jewelry, artwork, and antique home furnishings. An excellent time to shop in Cedarburg is during one of the many annual festivals. Maxwell Street days at the County Fair Grounds hosts small vendors selling everything from antiques to collectibles, knick-knacks, curios and odds-and-ends. The Cedar Creek Settlement, at the Woolen Mill, offers a variety of shops, and many more are located up and down Washington Avenue, including bookstores, flower shops, jewelers, art galleries, furniture stores, clothing boutiques, and much else. 1 Armbruster Jewelers, W62 N620 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-377-0480. Tu Th F 9AM-5:30PM, W 9AM-8PM, Sa 9AM-3PM. Known around town for its green clock out front, this jeweler which has been a fixture of the town for well over a century. Its current location on Washington Avenue was built in 1908. (updated Feb 2025) 2 The Gem Shop, W64N723 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-377-4666. Sells rocks and gems from around the world that were found by the shop's proprietors. (updated Feb 2025) == Eat == 1 The Chocolate Factory, W62 N577 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-377-8877. M-Sa 10:30AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. A great place to go for sandwiches and ice cream. (updated Feb 2025) 2 Amy's Candy Kitchen, W62N579 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-376-0884. M-Sa 9AM-8PM, Su 10AM-7PM. A huge variety handmade chocolates, fudge, and other sweets. (updated Feb 2025) 3 Tomaso's Pizzeria, W63N688 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-377-7630, tomasoscedarburg@hotmail.com. Su-W 11AM-3PM (carryout until 8:30PM), Th-Sa 11AM-8:30PM. Sells locally famous pies and serves craft Wisconsin brews in a classic “small town midcentury” restaurant (updated Feb 2025) 4 Sal's Pizza, W63N635 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-375-0011. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-10PM. Pizza by the slice. (updated Feb 2025) At the Cedar Creek Settlement, at the corner of Bridge Street & Washington Avenue, there are two notable eateries. The Cream & Crepe Cafe serves crepes, soups, sandwiches and other tasty meals in a pioneer-styled section of the settlement next to Cedar Creek. The Anvil is a newer restaurant opened in the former blacksmith's shop, and it serves a variety of meals and Wisconsin-brewed beer. Cedarburg also offers a thriving cafe culture. The Java House, just north of City Hall, was the first to open in 1992. The Cedarburg Coffee roaster has earned a reputation in the Midwest for excellent coffee, and beans are roasted on the premises of the Washington Avenue coffee house. There are several classic drive-ins, including Wayne's Drive-In at five-corners, featuring roller-skating servers, Out-and-Out south of downtown, creating dozens of healthy sandwiches and wraps, and Hefner's, which is just east of downtown on Columbia Avenue and servers burgers and home-made custard. Up the main drag in the “new” part of town is a steakhouse named the Farmstead which is always popular. == Drink == There are several old-school bars downtown. Popular among these is Morton's WisconsInn just off of Washington Avenue at Center Street, C. Weislers on the south end of downtown, and the ever-popular Maxwell's at Bridge & Washington. For wine drinkers, Ernie's wine bar is a located a few blocks from downtown, and the August Weber Haus serves wine, fondue and dinners. At the Cedarburg Mill on Columbia Avenue you will find the town's local brewery and beer garden, Silver Creek, which brews a lager, a porter, a weiss beer and an India pale ale. == Sleep == The two local stays are at the Washington House Inn, a stately bed-and-breakfast, and the Stagecoach Inn, which has a more rustic feel. Nearby Grafton and Mequon also have locally owned and chain hotels a few miles away. 1 Washington House Inn, W62 N573 Washington Avenue, ☏ +1 262 375-3550, toll-free: +1 888-554-9545, info@washingtonhouseinn.com. Boutique hotel that has 34 rooms with fireplaces, whirlpool tubs, an afternoon wine reception and breakfasts. $139-269. 2 Stagecoach Inn, W61N520 Washington Ave, ☏ +1 262-375-0208, stagecoachinnwi@gmail.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Bed and breakfast. five20 Social Stop, a pub serving wine, beer, and cocktails, is open Th-Sa 4-10PM. $134-200. (updated Feb 2025) == Connect == 1 Cedarburg Public Library, W63 N589 Hanover Ave, ☏ +1 262-375-7640. M-Th 9:30AM-8PM, F 9:30AM-5PM, Sa 9:30AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Public access computers. (updated Feb 2025) == Go next ==