North Fond du Lac is a village close to lake recreation
North Fond du Lac is a village bordering the larger city of Fond du Lac, which translates to “bottom of the lake,” a nod to the city’s location along the southern shoreline of Lake Winnebago. The nearly 140,000-acre lake provides the two neighboring communities with a scenic waterfront and activities like swimming, fishing, paddling and jet skiing. “It’s a small, tight-knit community within minutes of everything. You’re close to [Interstate] 41, so you can go up and down the valley. And it’s growing,” says Anne Lisowe, a Realtor with Preferred Properties, who graduated from high school in North Fond du Lac. “They’re a little shy in restaurants, but again, they’re so close to Fond du Lac, it doesn’t make any difference at all.”
Houses range from American Foursquare to new ranch-style homes
The village of nearly 5,000 people has homes on gridded streets with narrow walking paths. Many residents also live within a short walk of neighborhood parks with amenities like playgrounds and basketball courts. Houses include Queen Annes, American Foursquares, bungalows and gablefront homes. There are also a number of ranch-style homes, including newly built properties. “The north side of North Fond du Lac has really expanded,” Lisowe says. “They have multiple subdivisions now that are being built.” Depending on size and condition, most homes in the village go from about $130,000 to $400,000. A few homes sell as investment properties and fall below that range.
Outdoor amenities include Lake Winnebago, parks and golf course
In addition to boating and other outdoor activities, Lake Winnebago has attractions like the Fond du Lac lighthouse. Lakeside Park, located along the lake in neighboring Fond du Lac, hosts events like June’s Walleye Weekend. The annual celebration includes a fishing contest and a massive fish fry. “The whole park shuts down, and there are multiple bands,” Lisowe says. Village Park is North Fond du Lac’s main outdoor site. The park has a couple of baseball fields, a basketball court and a playground with a few slides and swings. Many come to North Fond du Lac Pool during the summer to swim and play in its splash pad. Oakgreen Golf Course has two public nine-hole courses and a driving range.
North Fond du Lac has its own school district
The village falls under the coverage of The School of District of North Fond du Lac, which receives a B-minus grade from Niche. Students in 4-year-old kindergarten may start at Early Learning Center. They may then attend Friendship Learning Center, which covers kindergarten to fifth grade and gets a C-plus grade. Bessie Allen Middle School receives a C, while Horace Mann High School gets a B-minus. The district also offers two charter school options. Treffert Charter School covers kindergarten to eighth grade, while Exploration High School enrolls ninth to 11th graders. Horace Mann High offers outdoor activities through its archery, fishing and trap shooting clubs.
Village has organic coffee, pizza and late night hangouts
Local staples include Beans & Bites, which runs out of a small farm building. The cafe serves organic coffee and meals made with locally sourced ingredients. Its menu includes various baked treats, sandwiches and pizzas. Los Compadres Meat Market doubles as a small Mexican grocer and takeout restaurant. The Last Shot Bar & Grill stays open until early morning on weekends. The bar offers pool games and often hosts live music. Located near the railroad tracks, Charlie’s Banquet Hall & Pub is another late night hangout with even more pool tables. Fond du Lac’s Pick ‘n Save and Save A Lot are some of the nearest grocery stores.
North Fondy Fest involves various activities and contests
In June, the village hosts North Fondy Fest at Village Park. The festival involves cornhole and three-on-three basketball tournaments and live music. The North Fond du Lac Fire Department also attends the event and shows children how to handle a fire hose.
I-41 and U.S. 45 go to several regional neighbors
North Fond du Lac is located right between Interstate 41 and U.S. Highway 45, which both provide direct routes to other cities in the region. I-41 goes to Appleton and Appleton International Airport, about 40 miles north. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, about 75 miles south, offers more flight options. SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital is about 5 miles away.
Winter can bring frigid weather
The community averages a winter low of 10 degrees. North Fond du Lac also receives just over 40 inches of snowfall per year, many inches more than some parts of Milwaukee to the south.
