At New Glarus Woods State Park, you can choose among named trails by distance; the Swiss Historical Village Museum tells the immigration story behind the town’s founding. There is also a Wilhelm Tell pageant performed since 1938 and tastings at the New Glarus Brewing Company. Nature, history, and culture are distinct travel interests to explore side by side.
Hiking Trails at New Glarus Woods State Park
New Glarus Woods State Park is located within the Town of New Glarus and offers eight miles of hiking trails. Examples include the 0.1-mile Chattermark Trail loop and the 4.2-mile Havenridge Nature Trail. These two named routes differ considerably in length and form: you can compare a loop with a longer nature trail. The total figure of eight miles describes the extent of the trail network, while the two examples identify specific options within it.
Another connection is the New Glarus Spur: it passes through the Walk-to-Campground and connects with the 24-mile Sugar River State Trail. The 24 miles refers to the length of that State Trail, while the Spur provides the connection to it. This puts the park’s trails and a longer named trail on a different scale side by side. If trail length is a factor in your choice, you can distinguish between specific routes in the park and the connection to the Sugar River State Trail.
Immigration History at the Museum
The Swiss Historical Village Museum recreates the lives of immigrants from the Swiss Canton of Glarus who founded New Glarus, Wisconsin, in 1845. The connection between their Swiss origins and the town’s founding is the historical focus. The museum includes 14 buildings, some of them original structures from the New Glarus community. The story is conveyed not only through immigration and the founding year, but also through buildings that came from the community.
There are different ways to tour the museum: self-guided tours are available at any time, and docent-led tours are also offered on some weekdays. If you prefer to explore the exhibits on your own, you can opt for a self-guided tour. If you prefer a docent-led tour, plan around the weekdays on which they are offered.
A Labor Day Weekend Tradition
The Wilhelm Tell pageant offers another way to connect with history. New Glarus residents have performed it on Labor Day weekend since 1938. Unlike a museum tour, this experience takes place on a specific weekend. If you’d like to plan your trip around the performance, check the Labor Day weekend dates for your chosen year.
The Chalet of the Golden Fleece
In the Village of New Glarus, the Chalet of the Golden Fleece is listed in the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places as an outstanding authentic Swiss chalet. It is one of only three such chalets in Wisconsin. This distinction makes the building a separate point of interest for travelers interested in Swiss architecture and historic preservation.
Personal tours are available at any time by contacting the chalet by email or phone. Arrange an appointment before your visit, as arrangements may change. This makes clear the difference between visiting the museum for a self-guided tour or a docent-led tour on some weekdays and arranging a personal chalet tour.
Beer Tastings with a Wisconsin Connection
The New Glarus Brewing Company offers tastings of craft-brewed beers available only in Wisconsin. In addition to hiking trails and historical attractions, a tasting is another activity to consider. If you’d like to include one in your travel plans, check before your visit whether tastings are offered on your chosen date; availability may change.
Discover more destinations: Brodhead, Browntown.
For the broader travel overview: Green County.
