New Glarus is steeped in Swiss culture
In the 1840s, immigrants from Switzerland’s canton of Glarus settled and formed New Glarus, Wisconsin. This community of over 2,000 people honors its heritage in areas like its historic downtown, which has several Swiss chalet-style buildings. Wide eaves and half-timbered siding are some of the buildings’ distinct features. Several shops, restaurants and bars also bear German names and Swiss flags. They include Chalet Cheese Haus, which carries delicacies like Limburger cheese. “I think people come here because it’s a really beautiful area, and you have a lovely small town community,” says Annie O’Connor, executive director of the New Glarus Chamber of Commerce. “It’s close enough to all the big cities around us, but it also has all the amenities we need in town. You don’t really need to leave New Glarus often.”
Queen Anne, ranch-style and modern traditional homes make up housing
New Glarus is both a village and a town in the rural area south of Madison. Homes in the village are located along mostly gridded streets, while the outside town area consists of rolling farmland and acres of crops. New Glarus has Queen Anne, ranch-style and split-level homes. The community also has modern traditional homes, and O’Connor says plans call for more new houses in the future. Homes mostly go from about $250,000 to $600,000. However, some homes on the multi-acre farmland run between $700,000 and $1.2 million.
Dining scene offers Swiss cuisine, bratwurst, craft beers and wine
Pedestrians often walk to the restaurants and shops in downtown New Glarus. Landmarks include the brick Gothic Revival building that houses Swiss United Church of Christ. Downtown’s dining options include Swiss cuisine at Glarner Stube. Puempel’s Olde Tavern, a destination for bratwurst and craft beers, has been around for over 130 years. The restaurant has a tradition that lets patrons stick dollar bills on its ceiling. Other area staples include Bailey’s Run Vineyard & Winery, which is surrounded by rolling farmland. The community is also home to New Glarus Brewing Co., which has a campus that looks like a Bavarian village. The brewery makes the signature Spotted Cow beer. “It’s probably the beer of Wisconsin,” O’Connor says. “A lot of people come to New Glarus for the beer aspect of it,” she says. Roy’s Market is a community grocery store.
New Glarus offers several parks, a bike trail and golf
Community amenities include Village Park’s seasonal outdoor pool. The park also has a playground, open space and several picnic tables next to mature trees. Veteran’s Memorial Park has a baseball field and tennis and pickleball courts. Local cyclists and joggers have quick access to Sugar River State Trail, a 24-mile path that crosses streams, various habitats and a wildlife refuge. The trail reaches Brodhead, a city 25 miles southeast of New Glarus. The trail also passes by Edelweiss Chalet Country Club, a public 18-hole golf course just east of the village. New Glarus Woods State Park is another nearby destination. Activities at the scenic 435-acre park include hiking, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
New Glarus hosts several cultural celebrations
During Polkafest in June, many come to downtown New Glarus to listen to live music, dance and sample local beer. Wilhelm Tell Shooting Park hosts Volkfest, the local celebration of Swiss Independence Day. Entertainment at the August event includes yodeling and alpenhorn performances. Downtown New Glarus also hosts Oktoberfest, the community’s largest event. “We see about 25,000 people come through on that weekend,” O’Connor says.
Strong New Glarus district serves the community
New Glarus School District serves the community and receives an A from Niche. Students may start at New Glarus Elementary School, which gets an A grade. They may then continue to New Glarus middle and high schools. New Glarus Middle gets an A, while New Glarus High receives a B-plus. The high school partners with nearby Belleville to form the boys soccer team. The squad, called Belleville/New Glarus Sugar River Raiders, won a state title in 2023.
Commuters travel on Wisconsin Route 69
Wisconsin Route 69 passes through New Glarus and connects to U.S. Highway 18. U.S. 18 goes to Madison, located 25 miles north of New Glarus. Madison is home to Dane County Regional Airport, the region’s hub for commercial flights. Madison is also home to University Hospital, the UW Health system’s flagship facility. However, SSM Health Monroe Hospital in Monroe is the closest hospital to New Glarus. The Monroe hospital is 16 miles south of the village.
Newcomers should expect frigid winter weather
The New Glarus area gets over 35 inches of snow annually and averages winter low temperatures of 11 degrees. The community is also at a major risk of flooding, according to firststreet.org. The most prone areas are along Little Sugar River.
