Visiting Monroe, Wisconsin Cheese Capital USA

Monroe's Baumgartner Tavern Sidewalk cafe

Monroe Wisconsin – Gateway to Cheese Country

Billing itself as the Cheese Capital of USA there are about twenty cheese factories and producers within 25 miles of Monroe. While best known for its cheesemaking and related dairy industries, the town itself is steeped in Swiss Heritage. Lots of interesting things to see and do. I cover some of them in this article.

1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)
1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)

Downtown Monroe has a traditional historic town square, centered by the 1891 Green County Courthouse with a 120 foot clock tower. All around the square are interesting shops, restaurants, and retail operations.

Monroe Area Cheese Factories and Stores

In addition to being the home of National Cheesemaking Museum, the Monroe area is home to several prized cheese factories, many with retail factory outlets that will give you an opportunity to taste and buy exceptional and frequently award-winning Wisconsin cheese.

One of the largest of these cheese outlets is the Alp & Dell Cheese Store located adjacent to the Emmi-Roth Cheese Maker’s factory and warehouse.  In addition to being able to browse and sample over a 100 different varieties of locally produced cheese and sausages, there is a a viewing hall where you can watch the Roth Kase cheesemakers at work. Currently they offer 17 varieties of state, national, and international award winning cheese including Gran Cru, Grand Queso, Butter Kase, Vintage VanGogh and Raclette. The store also offers imported cheeses from Europe and a selection of wines, distilled spirits, and locally produced beers.

Alp & Dell Cheese Store is the factory outlet for Emmi-Roth, a world class cheese producer.
Alp & Dell Cheese Store is the factory outlet for Emmi-Roth, a world class cheese producer.

Here’s a list of Monroe Area Cheese Factories and Outlet Stores.

Visit the National Historic Cheesemaking Center and learn about the Cheesemaking process, Monroe’s Cheesemaking past, and present cheese producers

More Monroe Wisconsin Visitor Attractions.

The Historic Town Square, surrounded by the stately 1891 Green County Courthouse, is not only steeped in well-restored historical structures (built between 1870 and 1910) it hosts several unique shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, pubs, and retail businesses.

One of my favorite town square establishments is Baumgartner’s Tavern and Cheese Store. We always have a great time enjoying a draft beer, a bratwurst, a cheese sampler in a real swiss tavern. They’ve been doing business in the same location since 1931.

Having a brat, cheese, and a beer at Baumgartners

Here’s a slide show of just a few of the interesting shops around the square, all of them located in historically significant buildings.

Slide Show: Walking Around the Monroe Town Square


Edelweiss Gifts Monroe WIrainbow confections Monroechocolate temptations MonroeBaumgartner's Tavern & Cheese Store Monroe, WI


Visiting the Monroe-Huber-Minhas Brewery

About two blocks off the square, within walking distance, is one of Monroe’s oldest establishments – the 1845 Joseph Huber Brewery – now doing business as the Minhas Craft Brewery and Distillery.

The Minhas Brewery offers tours and their own retail store and sampling room.
The Minhas Brewery offers tours and their own retail store and sampling room.

Minhaus claims the title to the Midwest’s oldest brewery, originally founded as the Monroe Brewing Company in 1845. It became the Blumer Brewery in 1906 and continued operations under that name until Joseph Huber purchased the brewery in 1947. The Huber family managed the brewery for several years until 1994 and then was sold to Weinstein family who continued to operate it under the Huber name. In 2006 the Minhas family acquired the brewery, modernized its operation, and renamed it the Minhas Craft Brewery.

The Brewery Sampling Room has an old world pub look and feel to it.
The Brewery Sampling Room has an old world pub look and feel to it.

Minhas Brewery Tours

Minhas Brewery offers tours 7 days a week. When my wife and I took the tour two years ago, we also received a complimentary six pack of 4 craft beers, a Blumers Soda, and Minhas Sampler glass. After the tour we were able to sample up to 30 different brews in their tasting room. It was a fun and interesting tour.

While modern methods and business practices are used in the Minhas Brewery, they have retained some traditional brewing methods and traditional equipment. So you’ll see a mixture of old and new in the brewery facilities. It will be quite a contrast to those who have taken the New Glarus Brewery (15 miles north on Hwy 69) tour, a very new facility that is the apex of automation and modernization.

Minhas brews quite a variety of brews and most of them are not under their own label. An important part of their business is private label brewing and bottling for a number of smaller breweries using their recipes and specialty brewing for other retailing entities (like Trader Joes) who want their own branded beer product.

The Welcome Center and Gift Shop is very modern and filled with several varieties of beer at sale prices, and beer and brewing clothing, glassware and collectibles.



Top Monroe Restaurants

Turner Hall provides one of several excellent restaurant options while visiting Monroe. Turner Hall is located in a historic building with a Swiss Ratskeller atmosphere & Swiss cuisine in their restaurant.

The Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
The Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places.

The Monroe Turner Hall organization was established in 1868, it is believed to be the only Turner Hall of Swiss origin left in the United States, and is likewise one of the oldest, continuously-running Swiss entities in this country. The building, a Swiss Emmenthal-style chalet designed by German architect Max Hanisch, is listed on both the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is handicapped-accessible.

The original structure burned to the ground in 1936 and was replaced on the same site by the current swiss chalet style building in 1938.

Within the historic Monroe Turner Hall is an authentic Old World Ratskeller Restaurant, an elegant Grand Hall with the area’s largest wooden floor, and a “retro” 8-lane Family Bowling facility. Its’ Swiss Heritage Series of special events features an annual line-up of programs, concerts and events that perpetuate and nurture all things Swiss.

The weekend after Thanksgiving Turner Hall hosts their annual Christkindlmarkt – Old World Holiday Shopping Market Christkindlmarket is a German tradition dating back to the 14th century, the Christkindlmarkt features unique items from hand-selected quality vendors for your holiday gift-giving.

Here’s some more Monroe Area Attraction Links

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Cheese Country Scenic Drives – Gratiot – Monroe – New Glarus

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Historic Shullsburg Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin – Driftless Area Scenic Drive

Shullsburg History

Founded in 1827, Shullsburg’s early development, like many communities in SW Wisconsin, came from lead mining. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad established rail service in the 1880s which added more impetus to the development and prosperity of the town. Most of the brick buildings that now occupy the Water Street Historic District were built from 1880 to 1900. Mining remained an important economic mainstay to the Shullsberg economy well into the 1940s but ceased altogether by the 1970s.

Visitors can learn about Shullsburg’s mining history at the Badger Mine and Museum. Several exhibits and artifacts illustrate Shullsburg’s mining history and guided tours are available through what is said is the only primitive lead mine open to the public in the country.

Cheese Factory & Store

Dairy products and cheese is another lynchpin in Shullsburg’s development in the 20th century. The Shullsburg Creamery began operations in 1934 and continues to this day manufacturing and selling Shullsberg Cheese.

Shullsburg Creamery

The Shullsberg Cheese Store is the factory outlet for the Shullsburg Creamery products. They also package products from other area cheese producers in their private label. Like many other factory outlet cheese stores along the Cheese Country Scenic Drives, the Shullsberg store offers an array of other artesianal food products, including craft beers. You can purchase pre-packaged cheese products or have your cheese cut to your desired amount from their deli case.

Shullsburg Creamery Factory Outlet Store
The Creamery Outlet Store also has many other artisanal products and unique gift items

Beginning in the 1980s local business people and civic minded entrepreneurs began restoring the old and abandoned commercial buildings along and near Water Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. Today there are 44 buildings that are part of Shullsburg’s historic district that now contain interesting retail shops, artisan galleries, gift boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and pubs, inns, and of course cheese shops. See our slide show below from some of the historic buildings in downtown and lower down the page see our link to the “Walking Tour of Historic Shullsburg.” 

Slide Show: Walking around Downtown Shullsburg


  • shullsburg creamery
    The 1881 Brewster Hotel building currently hosts the Shullsburg Cheese Store and Brewster House Restaurant.
  • Kingsley Crossing
    Located in the 1887 former Hillenmeyer general store, Kingsley's is a unique shop offering home decor, gifts, coffee, ice cream and other attractions.
  • Risken Lee Building Shullsburg
    The 1842 Edward Vaughn building is now home to the Risken-Lee Gift Shop in the lower level
  • water street market
    Built in 1894 and for many years a grocery store, it is now the home of the Water Street Market, an eclectic emporium of antiques, house and garden furnishings, etc.
  • Water Street Place
    The 1883 building was the former home of the Douglas Bank is now a Restaurant-Pub with a B&B rooms on the second floor.

A unique Shullsburg Attraction: See our video of coasting UP the amazing Gravity Hill


Shullsburg Restaurant Reviews

Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this buildings was originally a three shop building built in 1886.
Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this location was originally part of a three shop building built in 1886.

Dining Review The Burg Tavern.

We first dined at the Burg Classic Tavern on a late Sunday afternoon when the other popular dining establishments were closed. The Burg opened in November 2015 after remodeling a space that had served a variety of business enterprises since 1886. The ceiling was raised and plaster removed from the walls to reveal beautiful brick stone work. The high ceiling and brickwork present a nice combination of historic and new, offering spacious and comfortable dining with a touch of sports bar atmosphere provided by several large flat screen TVs. Jo had her favorite sandwich, a ½ pound Mushroom and Swiss Burger that came with a fresh portabella mushroom vs the canned stuff you sometimes get with this style burger. While the burger was large, the bun wasn’t overly big which made it easier to eat. Taste-wise it rivaled some of the best she has had. I had the Chicken Ceasar Wrap which came nice and hot, good portion size, and very tasty. We loved the sweet potato fries side dish. Service was super-friendly and efficient. Price was decent for the quality. The Burg menu, in addition to sandwiches, wraps, and pizza also offers a good variety of traditional dinner entrees – steaks, seafood, chicken, and ribs.

The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.
The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.

Second impressions. We did a return visit on the first Saturday in November of 2016 to see how things were going at The Burg. Upon arrival we were greeted by the friendly bartender as soon as we were in the door. I ordered a Leinie Oktoberfest while Jo sample tasted the cabernet and merlot (eventually picking merlot) while we deciding on our late lunch. We decided to split a 12 inch veggie pizza and each order a salad bar add-on to go with it.

The pizza was decent, but what we found exceptional was the salad bar, offering a wide variety of salads and fresh vegetables. It would have been easy to make a meal from the salad bar alone. Jo felt it was one of the best salad bars she’s had in ages. And as an add-on to a sandwich or pizza for only $3 more it was a terrific deal.

Later one of the owners, Jeff Doyle, whom we met a year ago, returned to working behind the bar. That’s another thing I like about the place – ownership is on site and working side-by-side with the staff. So the Burg continues to get high marks from us for service, good food, and a comfortable atmosphere.

Two other restaurants in Shullsburg get very good reviews in Trip Advisor (see below). We’ll have to try them the next time we are in town.

Brewster House Restaurant & Cafe
Located next to the Shullsberg Creamery, in the former 1886 Brewster House Hotel. It gets strong favorable reviews on the Internet with many repeat customers who make it part of their tradition in visiting Shullsburg. The restaurant is connected to the Shullsburg Creamery Cheese and Gift Shop, another favorite stop for Shullsburg visitors.

Water Street Pub & Restaurant
The Water Street Pub is part of the Water Street Place Inn originally built in 1883 and for a time served as the First National Bank of Shullsburg. The bank ceased operations in the Great Depression and later was home to variety of professional services and offices. In 2001, after being vacant for 20 years, it was purchased and remodeled by Chuck and Jill Staab, experienced Inn Keepers and Restaurant Managers. The Staabs continue to run both the historic hotel and the Pub & Eatery. It gets 4 ½ stars from Trip Advisor. Reviewers particularly like their Reuben Sandwich and enjoy the old time atmosphere including the old bank vault which has been re-purposed as part of the Tap Room.



More Shullsburg Visitor Attractions Links:

Cheese Factory Scenic Drive – Mineral Point to Shullsburg

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Fall Cheese Country Scenic Drive

Scenic Fall Drive, Mount Horeb to Monroe, Wisconsin

Featured attractions in this article: Yellowstone Golf Course, Toy Train Barn, Monroe Town Square

On beautiful October fall day, we decided to take a trip to Monroe, Wisconsin following rural roads through one leg of our Wisconsin Cheese Country Scenic Drive (see our Map). Our trip began at Hwy 78 west of Mount Horeb (Wisconsin’s Troll Capital) and proceeded south. We experienced some decent views of Blue Mounds and some nice color shots along the ridge heading towards the burg of Daleyville and later along the route to Blanchardville.

Fall color along highway 78 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along highway 78 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along Highway 92 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along Highway 92 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Argyle, Wisconsin

We continued south on Hwy 78 another 8 miles to the village of Argyle. A little northwest of the village is the Yellowstone Golf Course and Gnarly Oak Restaurant. We had read online of their “senior fall special” green fee and cart for $13 so Jo and I packed our clubs to give the course a try. A bonus was some nice color in the trees surrounding the course.

Slide Show: Yellowstone Golf Course Argyle, Wisconsin


  • yellowstone golf course
  • yellowstone golf course
  • yellowstone golf course

Yellowstone Golf Course Review. It is a links style course with only a sprinkling of trees here and there lining the fairways. But the course is surrounded by woods so it is not as open as some links style courses. They have 3 sets of tees (Blue – 3158 yards for longer hitters; White – 2766 yards for the regular Men’s tees; and Red – 2324 for Ladies Tees) . We found the fairways, tee boxes, and sand traps were in decent condition and the greens offered some challenge but had fair pen placements. Overall a well-maintained course and I liked the variety of holes, each one with a distinct character. The #1 handicap hole is the Par 5 #6 playing 545 yards from the Blue Tees and 512 yards from the White Tees. I saved some of my best drives and shots for this hole and managed to par it! Every tee box had a nice graphic of the hole layout but we found a few gave mis-information, indicating a fairly straight shot towards the green from the tee when the hole actually had a pronounced dog leg. So some golfers new to the course will get some surprises. The club house is the Gnarly Oak Restaurant and Bar, set in an attractive log chalet style building on a hill overlooking the course. They have Friday Fish Frys 12 months a year; we plan to catch one of them next golf season as we do plan to return for golfing; it’s a fun course and decent rates. By the way, the restaurant also offers Ribs, Steaks, and Shrimp dinners as well as occasional buffets. http://yellowstonegolf.com/

toy train barn argyle wi
Kids can actually operate the trains at the Toy Train Barn

Another interesting Argyle attraction is the Toy Train Barn, about 3 miles east on Highway 81, provides fun for the entire family and an ever-expanding layout. Here, you’ll see an extensive collection of model train layouts in the barn, plus a 12″ gauge railroad that visitors are able to ride known as the Argyle & Eastern Railroad, built on 18 scenic hilly acres (near the highest point in Green County) that include a natural springs and creek. The Argyle & Eastern Railroad features a turntable, water tower, depots. There are many curves and trestles, semaphore signals, wig-wags etc. Retired train engineer Buck Guthrie built and runs the attraction. Among other trains, the museum features Buck’s extensive collection of American Flyer model trains (which is the model train I ran as a kid). We were anxious to get to Monroe before the Minhas Brewery closed so we didn’t have time to stop on this trip. But the Toy Train Barn is on our must see for the future.


Update: We made good on our promise to visit the Toy Train Barn!
See our pictures, article, and video on Visiting the Toy Train Barn


Our main Cheese Country Scenic Drive route continues through Wiota to the village of Gratiot and then to the historic town of Shullsburg (see our Scenic Drive Map below). On this day, however, we drove to Monroe (via Hwy 81) which is Wisconsin’s Cheese Capital. Along the route you’ll see several large dairy farms nestled in the hills. You’ll also pass the Klondike Cheese Co http://www.klondikecheese.com/ a huge operation producing Muenster, Brick, Havarti and Feta Cheeses as well as Greek Style Yogurt. Unfortunately there is no retail store at the facility nor do they offer tours due to sanitation, health and safety standards.



Arriving in Monroe Wisconsin

1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)
1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)

Monroe, the unofficial capitol of Cheese Country and a town steeped in Swiss Heritage, has done an excellent job preserving the viability of their downtown square, anchored by the historic courthouse. Some of Monroe’s  best shopping, dining, and entertainment venues are located around the square. One of our favorites is Baumgartner’s Tavern and Cheese Store, a Monroe institution.

Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern is located across from the courthouse in the city square. Baumgartners offers a large variety of cheeses produced under their private label by a number of Monroe area Cheesemakers. They are Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store, open since 1931. The adjacent Tavern, offers a ton of atmosphere & nostalgia, some terrific Swiss and German sandwiches, and 24 beers on tap. Fast and friendly service. In the past I’ve had their terrific Reuben sandwich. On our latest visit I went with their smoked bratwurst with kraut and onions. Jo elected their all beef hot dog with a side of cole slaw. The sandwiches came with a dill pickle and a hunk of Muenster cheese. Both were tasty and topped off with cold pints of beer. Funky atmosphere with Swiss and beer memorabilia hanging from everywhere. Good food, good brews, superb service, and a fun experience.


Edelweiss Gifts Monroe WIrainbow confections Monroechocolate temptations MonroeBaumgartner's Tavern & Cheese Store Monroe, WI

Cheese lovers will also want to stop at another Monroe institution, the Alp and Dell Cheese Store, 657 2nd Street. Here you can peruse a wide selection of locally produced cheese and sausages. From a total of over 100 different cheeses you are able to taste many of them in their store. They are also the flagship store for Roth Kase Cheese Factory. Viewing windows provide an opportunity to see Roth cheese being made.

See our more extensive profile of things to see and do in Monroe, Wisconsin with pictures and links to attractions.

Southwest Wisconsin Scenic Drives

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.