You don't ever have to step foot outside of the continental US to be able to do a bit of European traveling Wisconsin style ? steer instead straight for very Norwegian Mount Horeb or distinctly Swiss New Glarus, the only thing noticeably absent are fjords and soaring Alpine peaks. Whether you're around town to get back in touch with your ancestral roots, sample a seemingly endless array of cheeses or enjoy a peaceful stroll through a charming historic downtown area you'll find this stretch of the state a splendid mix of eats, natural retreats and cultural fetes.
The hard part about visiting this region can be deciding which destination to use as a base. New Glarus has a Swiss Village Museum, a lovely historic chalet and a top-notch brewery. Do a spot of hiking in the New Glarus Woods State Park near by, or tackle part of the 23-mile long Sugar River State Trail running to Brodhead.
Mount Horeb is known not only for being very "Norwegian", but also for the fascinating collection of condiments on exhibit at the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum. Warp across the Atlantic on a tour of "Little Norway", a living history attraction, then hustle along through Dodgeville to enjoy a good walk in the Governor Dodge State Park. There are more sites of historic interest around, like the Folklore Village, and anyone with a fascination of earthy things can learn more about fluorites and calcites at the Museum of Minerals and Crystals.
Most visitors agree that Mineral Point, just south of Dodgeville, is a gem, boasting a positively picture-pretty renovated downtown area that makes this town's mining past look like a treat.
Dodgeville is 23 miles west of Mt Horeb, 38 miles from New Glarus and eight miles north of Mineral Point.
