Looking for a German Experience in Wisconsin.

[tarheelmjfan]

I know this may sound crazy, but I'm going to ask anyway. I remember seeing a show on the Travel Channel about a place in Wisconsin that had a strong German influence. (This was back when they used to actually do shows about travel, so it's been several years.) The restaurants, bars & shops were predominately German. It was supposed to be similar to being in a German village. We have another last minute, free weekend & I would like to visit that area, if it's not too far away & it's still the way they described it. Is there a small town like that or were they possibly talking about an area in Milwaukee? I was thinking Milwaukee had a strong German influence, but I can't find an area there like that. Am I just missing it? Searching the net isn't getting me anywhere. I did find a great town in Michigan, but that's not in the cards at the moment.

ETA: If I'm totally delusional & this doesn't exist, should we go to Madison or Milwaukee for a short weekend getaway? Either one is a reasonable drive from where we're leaving from & going to.

 

[kdonnel]

Helen in Georgia is a Bavarian themed tourist city. Exactly as you describe, wrong state though.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Helen in Georgia is a Bavarian themed tourist city. Exactly as you describe, wrong state though.

Thanks. We drive through GA often. I'm definitely adding this to my list of places to visit soon.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I know this may sound crazy, but I'm going to ask anyway. I remember seeing a show on the Travel Channel about a place in Wisconsin that had a strong German influence. (This was back when they used to actually do shows about travel, so it's been several years.) The restaurants, bars & shops were predominately German. It was supposed to be similar to being in a German village. We have another last minute, free weekend & I would like to visit that area, if it's not too far away & it's still the way they described it. Is there a small town like that or were they possibly talking about an area in Milwaukee? I was thinking Milwaukee had a strong German influence, but I can't find an area there like that. Am I just missing it? Searching the net isn't getting me anywhere. I did find a great town in Michigan, but that's not in the cards at the moment.

ETA: If I'm totally delusional & this doesn't exist, should we go to Madison or Milwaukee for a short weekend getaway? Either one is a reasonable drive from where we're leaving from & going to.

https://www.visitmadison.com/things-to-do/

https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/

 

[georgina]

A quick google search turns up Germantown, WI and Ferg’s Bavarian Village in the WI Dells. Maybe look at those and see if either appeals.

 

[sunshine1178]

Looks like it might have been Germantown. All of these sound fun, though!

https://www.travelawaits.com/2555912/us-bavarian-villages-that-feel-like-germany/?amp

 

[dazedx3]

While Germantown is a nice town, other than the one bar, I can’t think of much else specifically German.

 

[Mango7100]

I am from Wisconsin, and there is a ton of German influence all over (I think Wisconsin has the largest percent of German Americans in the US). Milwaukee would be a fun weekend, especially if you do Octoberfest which is huge. Door County farther north is more of a Scandinavian influence but it’s a beautiful long weekend trip as well.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Looks like it might have been Germantown. All of these sound fun, though!

https://www.travelawaits.com/2555912/us-bavarian-villages-that-feel-like-germany/?amp

New Ulm sounds interesting. Unfortunately, it's in the opposite direction than we're going.

While Germantown is a nice town, other than the one bar, I can’t think of much else specifically German.

Germantown was the first place I looked into. I got the same impression.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We're currently thinking we'll go to Madison, because it's on the way to our next destination. DS is flying to meet up with us for Labor Day weekend. If we're still in Wisconsin, we'll take him to Milwaukee. That said, I'm not booking anything yet in case I have more replies in the morning.

 

[Buzz Rules]

We're currently thinking we'll go to Madison, because it's on the way to our next destination. DS is flying to meet up with us for Labor Day weekend. If we're still in Wisconsin, we'll take him to Milwaukee. That said, I'm not booking anything yet in case I have more replies in the morning.

Why the inflatable flamingo is popular there (and their pro soccer team’s nickname).

https://www.uwalumni.com/news/celebrating-40th-anniversary-of-flamingo-invasion/

https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2018/11/18/the-story-of-madisons-pink-flamingos/

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Why the inflatable flamingo is popular there (and their pro soccer team’s nickname).

https://www.uwalumni.com/news/celebrating-40th-anniversary-of-flamingo-invasion/

https://www.forwardmadisonfc.com/news/2018/11/18/the-story-of-madisons-pink-flamingos/

So, I can't tell. Are you trying to talk us out of going to Madison?

 

[Buzz Rules]

So, I can't tell. Are you trying to talk us out of going to Madison?

Nope. Just wanted you not to think the place is weird for having a flamingo obsession.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Nope. Just wanted you not to think the place is weird for having a flamingo obsession.

Too late. A flamingo obsession is definitely weird.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Too late. A flamingo obsession is definitely weird.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Too late. A flamingo obsession is definitely weird.

You should check out a soccer game while you are there though.

 

[lovesmurfs]

You didn't ask, but New Glarus is a Swiss village -- we used to camp near there. Close to Madison. They have some great festivals, including Octoberfest. Great place.

https://www.swisstown.com/

 

[tarheelmjfan]

You didn't ask, but New Glarus is a Swiss village -- we used to camp near there. Close to Madison. They have some great festivals, including Octoberfest. Great place.

https://www.swisstown.com/

That's awesome. DH would really prefer to stay in the same hotel all 3 nights, but he'll do what I want to do. Would you spend 3 nights near there & drive to Madison, spend 3 nights near downtown Madison & drive there or split the stay? It appears the New Glarus hotels have Madison addresses anyway. I'm just not sure which area to stay in, without having a lot of time to research. We're leaving here in a few hours having no idea where we're going.

TBH, I'm not thrilled about going to Madison. That was DH's idea, because it's close to our next destination. I'm afraid it will be similar to Tallahassee, which I don't enjoy visiting. I was seriously considering vetoing that idea & going to Milwaukee anyway. Adding on a visit to a Swiss town makes Madison sound much more appealing to me. DH would thank you for helping him finally win one.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Decision made. I booked 2 nights in Madison & am getting ready to book Sunday night in New Glarus.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

If you are looking for another German experience for another trip sometime. Try southern Indiana especially like Jasper. Evansville also has a lot of German stuff, like Germania Maennerchor. They have a Volksfest every year. I have been inside that place, during the Volksfest and it is really cool. They also have a German restaurant Gerst Haus not too from there (no more than a couple miles).