There is no Swiss language, but in New Glarus, the German dialect is still heard. Stop at Puempel's Olde Tavern and soak up a little culture. The old square tables still have the glass holders below the surface so as not to interfere with a good game. And there's an icebox to chill the brew. According to Susan Foster of the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce, the tavern still has a stamm or community table, common in Swiss towns.
Neighbors sit at the stamm table and catch up on the latest news.
While you're there, you may get a chance to observe Yass, a traditional card game not easily learned in a day. It's all just part of the friendly atmosphere of this town of about 2,000, said Foster, a place where people greet each other as they walk to work. To get an idea about Swiss history, visit during the Wilhelm Tell Festival, which is performed twice in English and once in German on Labor Day weekend. There are 200 in the cast, from babies to adults, as well as goats, horses and cows. Two historic sites provide an insight.