Monticello, WI (located just minutes south from New Glarus)
Lake Montesian and Montesian Gardens...
Beautiful Lake Montesian is the first thing visitors see upon entering Monticello. Its very scenic shores offer fantastic picknicking grounds. A curved footbridge connects visitors to the lake's island. On the east side of the lake, there's an octagon shelter house that is great for larger gatherings. Next to the lake, there are two rows of over one hundred beautiful blossoming crab trees. By walking along the path from Main Street, you will find Montesian Gardens. Montesian Gardens is a wonderful community garden full of beautiful flowerbeds. It is a lovely place to take a relaxing stroll and "stop and smell the roses."
Cheese factories...
Monticello is home to some of the finest cheese. Located at W6117 Cty. C is the Edelweiss Creamery. Five-time Wisconsin Master Cheesemaker, Bruce Workman's Emmentaler cheese is made using raw milk and a traditional Swiss copper vat. Edelweiss Creamery also makes Harvarti, Dill Harvarti, Butterkase, Farmers, Muenster, And Lacy Swiss. Edelweiss Creamery is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until noon. Phone number: 608.938.4094
Silver-Lewis Cheese Co-op is also located in Monticello at W3075 Cty. EE. It's open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. -3 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. Josh Erickson is the head cheesemaker and with his wife and daughters, he's operated the business since 2004. Favorites at Silver-Lewis include Muenster, Brick, and other Farmers cheese. Phone number: 608.938.4813
Swiss Heritage Cheese Factory is located at 114 E. Coates Ave in Monticello. Swiss Heritage specializes in Brick, Muenster, marble Muenster, and Farmer cheese. A special treat is the Muenster cheese curds, which are hand-dipped in batter created from a secret family recipe. Swiss Heritage is open Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Phone number: 608.938.4455
Edelweiss Town Hall is located at W6117 Cty. C and offer cheese for sale most weekday mornings. Edelweiss Town Hall makes 200-pound wheels of Swiss cheese. They also specialize in Lace kase, Butter Kase, havarti, and string cheese. Phone number: 608.938.4094
Recreation...
In Monticello, bikers, hikers, runners, snowmobilers, and cross country skiers can enjoy either the Sugar River State Trail or the Badger State Trail. The Sugar River State Trail is 23 miles. It begins in New Glarus, goes through Monticello and Albany, and ends in Brodhead, WI. The Badger State Trail, which intersects with the Sugar River State Trail runs 40 miles between Madison and the Wisconsin-Illinois border. It features the 1,200 foot long Stewart Tunnel built in 1897 between New Glarus and Belleville. Bring a flashlight for the tunnel! Monticello also offers swimming at the community swimming pool, playgrounds, volleyball, and basketball courts at the its large park. Fishing is also available year round on Lake Montesian.
At The Glarus Woods State Park you will find marked nature trails, picnic, playground, and camping.
Festivals...
Don't miss Monticello's Homecoming Weekend during July, which features delicious food, great music, fireworks, beer stand, a parade, softball tournament, fish boil, a talent show, and more.
Belleville, WI (located minutes northeast of New Glarus)
Lake Belle View and Community Park...
Belleville's largest park features Lake Belle View. People enjoy fishing along the beautiful shores of Lake Belle View and watching herons, ducks, and geese swim along in the large lake. The community park offers a walking trail along the lake, tennis courts, basketball courts, and a many beautiful places to picknick. There are five parks in Belleville which include horseshoe pits, soccer fields, softball fields, and volleyball courts. They are great places to relax, exercise, or watch the sun go down over the lake.
Badger State Trail...
The 40 mile trail runs through Belleville. Its a great trail for all ages and all skill levels, whether its biking, running, walking, snowmobiling, or cross country skiing. The trail is level and made of crushed limestone. The Stewart Tunnel is located on the Badger State Trail, which is 1,200 feet long, with a slight bend in it. Bring a flashlight!
Ice Age Trail and Brooklyn State Wildlife Area...
The Ice Age Trail offers additional hiking and walking areas within the Brooklyn State Wildlife Area located minutes from Belleville. Brooklyn Wildlife Area (associated with Story Creek Stream Bank Protection project) is located between Villages of Oregon, Brooklyn and Belleville, straddling the Dane/Green County line, about 15 miles south of Madison. Access from Dane County Highway D, 2 miles east from Belleville.The property consists of sedge meadow marsh, riparian hardwoods, oak ridges, restored prairie, and farmed cropland. 2534 acres are owned, 337 acres are eased, and 234 acres are leased under Brooklyn Wildlife Area project, plus another 435 acres eased under Story Creek Stream Bank Protection project, for a total of 3540 acres available for public hunting, fishing and other recreation. **Information taken from http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/wildlife_areas/brooklyn.htm**
Festivals and Activities...
Belleville's Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon in the town's historical library park beginning in May and ending in October.
Belleville's American Music Festival has been held the last three years at Lake Belle View. Features great rock and blues music acts, food, and beer stand. Usually held in July.
Belleville Community Fest is held in August and is one of Belleville's most popular events. There's great food, refreshments, and entertainment for everyone.
Belleville's UFO Days celebrates UFO sitings reported in Belleville in 1987 with a parade, dance, food and drink, games, and contests. It's fun for everyone.
