Green County: Cheese, Swiss Tradition and Nature

Explore Green County through several distinctive themes: Swiss traditions, cheese history and trails through varied landscapes. In New Glarus, Swiss cuisine and traditions are part of the town’s character, as are colorful festivals featuring yodeling and alphorns. Those who want to spend time outdoors will find biking and hiking trails; museums and a recurring festival put the region’s cheese culture in the spotlight.

Biking Trails and Hiking Landscapes

The Sugar River State Trail follows a disused railroad corridor and runs 24 miles from New Glarus to Brodhead. Along the way, 14 trestle bridges pass through farmland, forests, rolling hills, scenic meadows and remnants of prairies. The landscape, shaped by the Ice Age, is also part of the trail’s character. The trail is designated a National Recreational Trail.

New Glarus Woods State Park covers 435 acres and offers camping, hiking, picnicking and snowshoeing. Eight miles of trails wind through mature forests and restored prairies, where there are opportunities for wildlife viewing. The park also provides direct access to the Sugar River State Trail. This means that within one area, hiking trails and the longer railroad corridor offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area is a day-use area in the Driftless Area, characterized by rolling hills, valleys and spring-fed streams. Eight miles of trails wind through forests, along streams and around lakes; there are also opportunities for wildlife viewing here. Compared with New Glarus Woods State Park, the landscape at Cadiz Springs features streams and lakes alongside forests, while the park’s trails pass through mature forests and restored prairies.

Green County has two biking trails as well as numerous paved secondary roads. The Badger State Trail connects to the Sugar River State Trail south of its rest area near Monticello. Parking is available at the rest area near County Highways C and EE.

Cheese History and Swiss Tradition

The Imobersteg Farmstead Cheese Factory showcases early 20th-century cheesemaking through Brick, Swiss and Limburger cheeses. Its equipment includes original machinery that has remained unchanged since 1917. The National Historic Cheesemaking Center shares the history of cheesemaking in Wisconsin through reproductions of cheese factories. One exhibit focuses on Limburger, which has been made in Green County since the mid-19th century. Together, the two sites offer insights into both historic production methods and Wisconsin’s broader cheesemaking tradition.

Green County Cheese Days is a three-day festival held on the Historic Courthouse Square in Monroe. It celebrates cheesemaking, dairy farming and Swiss traditions; exact dates vary by edition. The traditional program includes cheesemaking in a copper kettle, where visitors can take part in stirring. If you would like to see this demonstration, check the program for the current edition before your trip. The Cheese Days parade in Monroe is led by a herd of Brown Swiss cows; it’s also worth checking the schedule for this event.

Museums and Collections

The Kelch Aviation Museum tells the story of the Golden Age of Aviation through a collection of 19 original historic aircraft. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On holidays or during special events, it’s best to call ahead to check whether the museum may be closed.

The Swiss Center of North America preserves collections related to Switzerland. These include dolls wearing authentic traditional costumes from Swiss villages and cantons. If you would like to use archival materials in person, make an appointment by phone or in writing at least one week in advance. Not all materials are available at all times, and use may be supervised by staff.

Discover more destinations: New Glarus, Brodhead, Browntown, Winnebago, Bayfield County, Dane, Lafayette County, Washington.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.