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Top 10 Reasons You Should Visit Watertown, WI
Enjoy family friendly events in Watertown, WI!
Watertown, Wisconsin is full of activities and amenities to enjoy in the final months of 2019. We’ll take out the guess work and give you our top 10 reasons to explore this historic city!
#10 Historic Walking Tours
Watertown has five nationally registered historic districts, which can be enjoyed by picking up a walking/driving tour brochure. The mild fall weather is the perfect time to stroll through the districts, learning more about early settlers, historic Main Street, Watertown’s brewery history, and so much more. Pickup a Brochure at the Watertown Area Chamber of Commerce or download the Historic Walking Tour Guide from the Watertown Chamber’s Website.
#9 Pumpkin Palooza
Pumpkin Palooza, held in historic downtown Watertown gives you all the feels of fall, with horse-drawn wagon rides, sidewalk games, face painting, and Main Street Trick-or-Treating, and more. Our favorite part? The costumes! Family-themed costumes, adults, children, and even pets get in the spirit. We promise, you’ll be impressed. October 26, 2019 – activities run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with the very popular Main Street Trick-or-Treat set for 1-3 p.m. at participating businesses.
#8 Fall Foliage-Enjoy it on the River!
It’s a beautiful time of year to enjoy the sights and smells of fall. But have you ever done it from the river? The Tree-lined Rock River winds through Watertown and just might be the best “highway” to experience the fall foliage. Map for the Put In/Take Out sites in Jefferson County.
#7 Craft Fairs
This community knows how to put on a craft fair, and there are several to enjoy. November 1st– Marquardt Village Holiday Craft & Gift Fair, 1045 Hill St. November 2nd – MBU Craft and Gift Fair, 745 W. Main St. November 24th – Turner Hall Craft Fair, 301 S. Fourth St. The Turner Hall Craft Fair has been running for nearly 4-decades and includes 2-floors of quality craft and artisan items. Plan on getting your Christmas shopping done at this event!
#6 Octagon House Annual Christmas Play
Not only do you get to experience the Octagon House Museum, but you get to enjoy a holiday play in the historic home. This year’s play is The Gift of the Magi. Each scene of the show takes place in the four main rooms on the first level of the Octagon House Museum. The actors will lead the audience through the show, and afterwards those attending will be invited to enjoy holiday treats. The show will be presented on November 30th and December 1st, from 11:00 to 3:00 each day, with a new performance approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day. Tickets are available at the event on the day of the show at 919 Charles St.
#5 Watertown Window Wonderland
This event grows every year. Watertown has one of the largest Main Streets in Wisconsin, with nine blocks of store-fronts! Beginning on Thanksgiving weekend, participating store owners elaborately decorate their store-front windows for the holidays in order to win the public’s vote for best holiday window. The store owners’ competitiveness is a big win for the community, as the city streets glow throughout the season. Pick up a ballot at any participating business and stroll the downtown, choosing your first, second, and third favorite window. The contest runs from December 1-December 15, with windows remaining decorated through New Year’s.
#4 Christmas Parade of Lights
This after-dark parade ushers in the holiday season. You’ll enjoy live bands, unique parade units, dancers, stilt walkers, and lots and lots of lights! Don’t forget to bring an empty bag to catch all of the candy and handouts. The parade runs in historic downtown Watertown on November 30, 2019, and starts at 5:30pm. Visit Santa in his house after the parade in the downtown plaza (read below).
#3 Santa House
Did you know that Santa has a beautiful home in Watertown, located in the downtown plaza during the holiday season? Santa House is open for visits according to the schedule below in 2019. The house is wheelchair accessible so every child has an opportunity to visit with their Christmas wish list. Please note that these dates/times are subject to change due to weather conditions. 2019 hours:
- Nov 30, 7-8 pm
- Dec 5, 6-8 pm
- Dec 7, 2-4 pm
- Dec 9, 3-5 pm
- Dec 10, 6-8 pm
- Dec 12, 4-6 pm
- Dec 15, 6-8 pm
- Dec 18, 6-8 pm
#2 Seasonal Ice Cream
Your love of ice cream doesn’t go away when the temperatures go down, and Mullen’s Dairy Bar completely understands! Their lineup of homemade ice cream flavors brings customers from all over the country, and their seasonal flavors can’t be beat. How about some pumpkin, caramel apple pie, or chai flavor? You bet! But you have to be quick, because their seasonal flavors are just that – seasonal. Mullen’s Dairy Bar is located at 212 W. Main Street.
#1 CP Holiday Train
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolls through communities in U.S. and Canada during the holiday season, brightly decorated with lights galore. The train stops in several communities along the way, and Watertown has been chosen as a stop year after year. One boxcar is turned into a traveling stage, and it opens up to entertain the crowd with a live band performing a 30-minute set of lively holiday music. The free event acts as a fundraiser for local food banks and attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate. December 3, 2019, Brandt-Quirk Park (time and additional details TBD. Follow Watertown Tourism on Facebook for updates).
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