Southern Wisconsin is teeming with wonders worth a thousand words – which is why these 10 spots are best explored through a lens.
Any shutterbug knows perfect photo ops rarely fall into your lap. You have to make them.
When it comes to setting up that share-worthy photo, you have to have the right timing and the right location. Thankfully, the state of Wisconsin offers up an abundance of picturesque locations, and its southern counties offer up views every day of the week.
From historic covered bridges to commanding vistas of the Mississippi River, these 10 photogenic gems in southern Wisconsin are truly worth a thousand words.
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Run to New Glarus
If the rolling hills and vineyards at Bailey’s Run Vineyard & Winery aren’t photo-worthy, we don’t know what is. So, pull up a chair at the patio and soak in the views while enjoying a few sharable dishes at Barley’s Bourbon Kitchen, one of two dining options on-site.
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Say Hoi to the Chalet Landhaus
Why book a photo shoot in Switzerland when New Glarus will do? Chalet Landhaus is a Swiss chalet-style hotel and restaurant that offers an authentic backdrop for all things Swiss. Search the grounds for wood carvings of cows and farmers, which make perfect pose partners for any closeup.
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Duel With ‘The Devil’ in Janesville
The rugged limestone steps of the Devil’s Staircase can literally take your breath away. Its peak leads into a 1.5-mile foot path on the National Ice Age Scenic Trail, where you’ll not only find unique angles of the Rock River but also close-up shots of native wildflowers.
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Unwind in Garden Gazebos
It’s one of the most photographed corners of Janesville’s very photogenic Rotary Botanical Gardens, where you’ll also find hackberry trees provide ample shade at the elegant Japanese arched bridge.
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Join the Circus in Delavan
A trip to Delavan isn’t complete without a selfie at Romeo the Killer Elephant, a 7-foot fiberglass icon that’s towered over East Walworth Avenue since 1985. Standing on his hind legs with his trunk raised in the air, Romeo offers whimsical photo opportunities. Look for the life-size fiberglass giraffe nearby – another homage to the city’s rich circus history.
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Stroll the Path in Lake Geneva
The public footpath that straddles the Geneva Lake shoreline tramps past some of the region’s most beautiful estates. Each homeowner has creative license along their stretch of pathway, but few go as wild as the Miracle Path, located southwest of Big Foot Beach and The Geneva Inn. This colorful section features fences festooned with motivational quotes. Sign the guest book, ring the bell and expect a miracle.
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Journey through the Ages in Beloit
The Beloit College campus is a fascinating blend of old and new, as gleaming metal-and-glass structures mix with members of the National Register of Historic Places. Middle College, one of the campus’ oldest buildings, is easily recognized by its red brick facade and four white columns. It’s a gem in itself, but you’ll also want to see the college’s 2,000-year-old burial mounds from the Late Woodland peoples and the Powerhouse Building, a renovated factory that World Architecture Festival called the world’s best future building.
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Explore a Bridge in Brodhead
This nationally recognized replica covered bridge stretches across Norwegian Creek as part of the Sugar River State Recreation Trail. Built by the Brodhead Jaycees, it’s the star of this city’s Covered Bridge Days festival.
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Capture a Courthouse in Monroe
The city’s historic square is brimming with 19th century architecture that’s full of charm. The 1891 courthouse at its center makes a terrific backdrop for your picture-postcard moment, but you’ll also find plenty of specialty shops, restaurants and boutiques to fill out a photo album.
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Time Travel to Cassville
The historic village at Stonefield can make anyone feel like they’ve been whisked back by a century. Capture many sights at the historic mansion, which was owned by Wisconsin’s first governor. Then, take in the surrounding scenery at his namesake Dewey State Park, where you’re walking atop a 500-foot bluff that overlooks the Mississippi River.