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.