Jefferson

Fall in love with charming Jefferson, Wisconsin. You’ll find yourself adventuring our scenic downtown area (just adjacent to the Rock and Crawfish Rivers), featuring vintage buildings rich with German heritage and beautiful riverfront experiences.

Where the experiences are real instead of virtual.

Outdoor Adventures

Around here, you can explore the outdoors 365 days a year! Bike, walk or run the Glacial River Trail. For the more adventurous, hit the ever-growing Glacial River Trail Mountain Bike Park. Enjoy fishing, kayaking or boating on the Rock and Crawfish Rivers, and you might catch glimpses of our seasonal spring pelican residents. Take a dip at the Jefferson Family Aquatic Center or hit a few rounds of golf at the Jefferson Golf Course – Wisconsin’s ONLY 13-hole golf course! If you’re more into alley-oops and acid drops, meet up at Riverfront Skate Park for some gnarly tricks. Pick up fall favorites in town or enjoy a drive in the country for apple and pumpkin picking…and cider donuts! Once the snow flies, make a day of sledding at both water towers. Stroll through the Winter Nights, River Lights display in Rotary Park and sip some hot cocoa while enjoying the Holiday Parade of Lights.

Entertainment Extravaganzas

Around here, you can experience the life of a local any time! Rotary Park is hoppin’ with Concerts in the Park every Thursday night at 7pm from June-August. We love our festivals! Join us on July 3 for out Independence Day Celebration with family activities, contests, music and FIREWORKS! Come down to Riblicious Rib Fest the fourth Saturday in July for delicious food and great live music. Get the party started early on Thursday at the Rhythm’N’Ribs three-day music event featuring five bands! Got Goats? Yes, we do! Enjoy food, music, games, and GOATS at Goat Fest the second Saturday in August. From June – October you can also see the resident goats on Goat Island located below the Rock River dam or visit them via personal watercraft.

Our German heritage runs deep and is celebrate during Gemuetlichkeit Days September 17-19, 2021 marks Gemuetlichkeit Days’ 50th Anniversary! Throughout the weekend, community members don their dirndls and lederhosen to celebrate their heritage with German food, contests and a huge parade on Sunday at noon. Festivities kick off at the May Ball when the 2021 Gemuetlichkeit King and Queen are crowned (Jefferson’s best-kept secret). Prost!

We are so fortunate to have Jefferson County Fair Park right in our backyard. There’s something going on nearly every weekend at Fair Park! To highlight a few…the Jefferson County Fair will be held July 7-11 and the highly anticipated Madison Classics Car Show & Swap Meet (April 23-25) and (September 25-27).

Dining Delights

Around here, our taste buds are happy all the time! Each morning starts with the heavenly scents from our local bakery and continues with our famous hamburger stand as the noon hour rolls around. Explore the tantalizing menus of our eclectic coffee houses, pubs and diners. Of course, we have some of the best Friday night fish fries; choose your favorite after you try them all!  Sit out on the deck or soak in the historical ambiance while enjoying flights of wine or distilled spirits at Stable Rock Winery & Distillery in our downtown district.

Arts & Historical Journeys

Around here, we’re grounded by our historic roots and inspired by our surroundings. Here we encourage J-Walking…well, walking around downtown searching for J Stops that is. Find all ten historical markers in the shape of a canoe paddle (J Stops) and then head to the Jefferson City Museum for a deeper dive into Jefferson’s rich history.  Be sure to check out their newly added brewing history exhibit!

See Jefferson through the eyes of an artist at Plein Air!  Artists are invited to capture our historic buildings, churches, the beautiful Rock and Crawfish Rivers, landscapes, and other points of interest throughout Jefferson.  Look for artists painting June 23-25 throughout the Jefferson area.  Paintings will be for sale June 26-27 at the historic Woolen Mills.

Shopping & Lodging

Around here, the shopping & lodging season is every season! Our quaint downtown is home to antique & consignment shops, with treasures tucked away in the coffee shops, bakery, spa, flower shop and even the drug store! You can find something for everyone on your shopping list anywhere in Jefferson. We are thrilled to welcome Best Western Plus to Jefferson. Book a room and stay awhile!