Road Trip: South Central Wisconsin to Western Wisconsin

Western Wisconsin looks close on a map… and then Wisconsin whispers: “Yes, but have you considered snacks, tunnels, and tiny downtowns with suspiciously good food?”

Here are two solid ways to turn the drive into a mini adventure.

Route A: The easy “I-90 with personality” plan

Best if you want great stops without turning the trip into an all-day saga.

Baraboo (downtown stroll + surprising food/drink)

Baraboo is the “why is this town so charming?” stop: walkable blocks, lots of local shops, and plenty to eat. Downtown Baraboo’s site has a handy directory if you want to pick your vibe (boutiques, gifts, specialty shops).

If you want one “destination” meal: Driftless Glen is a distillery + restaurant right on the Baraboo River—great for a longer stop.

Optional quick nature reset: Devil’s Lake State Park is right there, with 29 miles of trails ranging from easy to “I accidentally joined a leg-day cult.”

Optional family/nostalgia detour: Circus World is a legit Baraboo classic.

Reedsburg (coffee + downtown breather)

If you’re craving a low-key refuel in a cute downtown setting, Deli Bean Cafe is a simple, reliable “stretch + caffeine + something tasty” stop.

Mauston (CHEESE + meat sticks, a.k.a. the cooler-filler level)

This is your power-up zone.

• Carr Valley Cheese Store (Mauston) — a super easy on/off stop for Wisconsin cheese shopping.

• Wisconsin River Meats (Mauston) — if your “bonus points” category is smoked meats, sticks, and roadtrip-friendly protein.

Tomah (butcher shop stop)

Tomah has strong “sleeper hit” energy for meat markets:

• The Meat Shop, LLC (Tomah) — full-service butcher shop with retail counter.
  Also handy: Cranberry Country Market for local foods and groceries.

Route B: Driftless detour (off the beaten path)

Best if you want scenery and small towns that feel like a setting for a cozy mystery novel (minus the murder).

Kickapoo Valley Reserve (La Farge area)

A gorgeous Driftless-area stop for quiet trails and scenery—good for a walk-and-reset break.

Viroqua (food town energy)

Viroqua punches above its weight for dining. The Driftless Café is the kind of place that makes you consider moving to a town you’d never previously Googled.

Westby (cheese shop bonus)

If you like the idea of showing up in Sparta with a cooler full of glory:

• Westby Cooperative Creamery has a dedicated cheese store right in town.

Sparta: do the weirdly awesome stuff

The Deke Slayton Space & Bicycle Museum (Sparta)

A delightfully specific museum combo (space + bikes) in downtown Sparta.

Elroy–Sparta State Trail tunnels (near Sparta)

Three historic railroad tunnels are the signature feature—bring a flashlight and a layer because they’re dark and cool even on bright days. Also: tunnels close seasonally Nov 1–Apr 30, so it’s a warm-season play.

Meat-market victory lap (Sparta)

If you want to arrive and immediately complete your “bonus” objective:

• Foss Fine Meat (Sparta) is right in town.

Tiny roadtrip pro-tip

Bring a small cooler + a couple ice packs. Wisconsin will tempt you with cheese and meat at every turn, and the universe punishes warm curds.

If you tell me what town you’re starting from in south-central WI (Madison? Janesville? Wisconsin Dells-ish?), I can tighten this into a “stops in order” itinerary with minimal backtracking.