Montello

Montello combines waterfalls and quarry history with trails through varied landscapes and attractions around the lake and local history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Montello, you can start by considering which of these aspects of the destination you’d like to shape your stay: downtown, trails by the water, or local culture.

Waterfalls and Granite History Downtown

Daggett Memorial Park is home to waterfalls in a historic granite quarry in the heart of downtown. Granite from this quarry was used in famous structures, including Grant’s Tomb. Here, nature and the history of local quarrying come together. The waterfalls are within walking distance of downtown shops and dining options. This makes the park a distinctive place to start if you’d like to combine Montello’s waterfalls with a walk through the city center.

Trails and Landscapes Around Montello

The two-mile Montello segment of the Ice Age Trail passes through public green spaces, by downtown shops, and past a scenic waterfall. It offers a different perspective on Montello than the designated road routes around the lakes. Near Montello, a segment of the Ice Age Trail loops around Ennis Lake at John Muir County Park. The park includes restored prairie, a sedge meadow, and a deciduous forest. There is also a natural playground that children of all ages can use. The park is also part of the John Muir Nature and History Route in Marquette County.

John Muir Preserve offers another perspective on the landscape: a 800-foot boardwalk there provides views across a sedge meadow. The Buffalo Lake Route has a different focus. It starts at Montello City Hall and follows the north shore of Buffalo Lake for 16 miles. The relatively flat road offers several scenic viewpoints. Montello City Park sits on the shore of Montello Lake and has a beach. Andrew Krakow Memorial Public Fishing Area is in Montello, between State Highway 22 and Buffalo Lake.

When planning, it helps to distinguish between these options: the Montello segment of the Ice Age Trail is a two-mile route through green spaces and downtown; the Buffalo Lake Route is a 16-mile road route with scenic viewpoints. This gives you different ideas to consider if you’d rather include a walk through town or a drive along a lakeshore in your stay, without conflating the two routes.

Local History, Movies, and Events

The Montello Theater building was constructed before 1878 and was known as the Opera House or Dodge’s Opera House. Today, the Montello Theater shows movies downtown. Another way to explore the town’s history is the Montello Walking Tour, which takes you on a walk through Montello and shares information about local history.

The Fish N Fun Festival takes place in Montello every year. This family-friendly event centers on fishing, entertainment, and community. If you’d like to time your trip around the festival, check the event dates for your planned stay. This lets you include the annual event in your travel plans without assuming a specific date.

Find Hotels in Montello Based on Your Travel Interests

Whether you’re most interested in the waterfalls and downtown history, the scenery around Ennis Lake, or the viewpoints along the Buffalo Lake Route, the places and activities mentioned offer different starting points for your trip. If your trip is tied to a festival, it’s also worth checking the dates of the Fish N Fun Festival.

For the broader travel overview: Marquette County.