Reedsburg, Wisconsin has something special for every type of traveler. Take a minute to view some of the area’s websites that will entice you to visit our beautiful area.
Art and Antiques
The third weekend of October is the annual Fall Art Tour. Visit the studios of artists from Baraboo to Mineral Point. There are two antiques stores in Reedsburg with more in surrounding communities. In LaValle, WI, seven miles from Parkview B&B, is Treasure Mill, known as the last functioning turbine-run mill in the state. It contains a wide variety of merchandise including antiques and collectibles and Amish-made products.
Biking
The 400 Trail begins three blocks from Parkview B&B at the Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce office located in the historic railroad depot. Bike rentals are available there (800-844-3507, 608-524-2850). The 400 Trail follows the Baraboo River 22 miles to Elroy where the Elroy/Sparta Trail begins. Some of our guests like to ride all four trails, the 400, Elroy Sparta, LaCrosse River, the Great River Trail ending north of Trempealeau, a total of 101 miles. Bike4trails has information about the four trails. Off-trail biking can be done in the area too. Ask us for suggested routes.
Canoeing
In 2001 the last dam was removed from the Baraboo River, and today the river runs free from its headwaters north of Elroy to where it joins the Wisconsin River near Portage. It is a beautiful river to canoe and fish. In nearby Wonewoc, WI, Beyond Boundaries rents canoes, kayak and bicycles and has shuttle service. It is located in a historic feed mill on the 400 Trail. The last Saturday of July is the Lazy Beaver Canoe Race from LaValle to Reedsburg. The communities are working to revitalize this restored river. Dell Creek, Mirror Lake, and Devil's Lake are popular places to canoe also as is the Kickapoo River.
Cheese Factories
Wisconsin and cheese are a natural! Why not visit a cheese factory while in the area? There are two cheese factories in the area that have a wide variety of cheese including the popular "cheese curds". One of the cheese factories is Carr Valley Cheese Factory outside LaValle, WI about 12 miles from Parkview B&B. Sid Cook, owner of Carr Valley Cheese Factory, is a master cheese maker and the most awarded cheese maker in the country! The other factory near Spring Green, Cedar Grove Cheese Factory, is about one mile outside the village of Plain, WI about 20 miles from Parkview B&B.
Cultural & Historical Attractions
One of the favorite activities of our guests and ours too is to attend plays at American Players Theatre in Spring Green about one-half hour away. The plays run from early June through the first weekend of October. It is an outdoor theater with five different plays performed by professional actors. Since APT is outside, one dresses causally and for the weather. APT does provide mosquito repellent but the whippoorwills often provide natural sound effects to the plays! A popular thing to do is to bring a picnic with a bottle of wine to enjoy before the play. There are plenty of picnic tables and gas grills available. Meals may be ordered in advance from APT's office. In July 2009 an indoor theater opened there also.
Very near APT is Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin. Tours are available to walk the grounds or to enter some of the buildings. Three Sundays in the early summer, Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society performs classical concerts in the theatre of the Hillside School there.
Wollersheim Winery is located about 35 miles from Parkview. The winery is known for its award-winning wine, Prairie Fume. Tours are available. The first weekend of March is their spring open house. Their vineyard is on the slopes of the Wisconsin River near Sauk Prairie.
Children of all ages enjoy the Circus World in Baraboo. See not only the big top show, but learn about the history of circus and its importance in Wisconsin in the past.
The Mid-Continent Railway Museum is located between Reedsburg and Baraboo in the small community of North Freedom. They have special rides during October's fall colors and February's snow train. Railroad buffs really enjoy this place!
Geocaching
Geocaching is enjoyed by all age groups with a strong sense of community and support for the environment. While staying at Parkview B&B, look for caches hidden by a former guest.
Golfing
There are many fine golf courses in our area. The Reedsburg Country Club is open to the public and is a challenging course. There are several golf courses in the Wisconsin Dells area as well as courses in Plain, Spring Green, and Baraboo.
Horseback Riding
There are several stables where one can go horseback riding in the area. One is E-Z Roll Stables between Reedsburg and LaValle and the others are in the Wisconsin Dells area.
Nature & Wildlife
One of favorite places to send our guests and to visit ourselves is the International Crane Foundation between Baraboo and Wisconsin Dells. It is the only place like it in the world where you can see all 15 species of cranes. Did you follow the story of the whooping cranes trip to new winter grounds in Florida to their return to Wisconsin? Be sure to visit this most amazing place!
We are also located close to the Big Cat Rescue Center in Rock Springs, Wisconsin. Check out their website for information on viewing these incredible animals, helping with feeding and more. www.wisconsinbigcats.org
Are you a fisherman? Tom is and he would love to tell you about some of his favorite fishing spots and share fishing stories with you. Dutch Hollow Lake, Lake Redstone, and the Wisconsin River are some of his favorite places to fish close to home. The third week of June he likes to go Canada on a fly-in fishing trip.
Quilting
If you enjoy quilting, Quintessential Quilts is a must see store. In this converted home you will find rooms of fabric organized by colors. Some of the fabric from this store has been used in quilts in guest rooms at Parkview. There is a quilt store in Spring Green too and others in the surrounding area.
Relaxation & Dining
There are several places to relax with a cup of coffee and enjoy a dessert all within a block of Parkview. These include the Deli Bean and The Coffee & Candy Connection and Greenwood’s Cafe. A cozy Italian restaurant, Calabria, is across the street so is a convenient place to walk to dinner from Parkview. Reedsburg has a variety of dining choices including a steak house, Irish Pub, Mexican and Chinese restaurants, bars with food, a café, family dining and of course, fast food.
State Parks
Many of our guests enjoy one of the Wisconsin’s most popular state parks, Devil's Lake. Two glaciers met there to form its beautiful lake and bluffs. No gas boats are allowed on the lake and scuba diving is one of the many activities people enjoy here. There are canoe rentals available in the park and it has wonderful hiking trails ranging from easy to areas for rock climbers. For those who are interested in rock climbing at Devil's Lake, check out Devil's Lake Climbing Guides. During the winter, cross-country skiers use the groomed trails of the park. Mirror Lake is another nearby state park. The Seth Peterson cottage designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is located here and is open to the public the second Sunday of the month from 1-4 p.m. for a $2 admission. One of our favorite canoe trips is to start below the park in Dell Creek, canoe through Mirror Lake and up to the dam at Lake Delton. There are some beautiful sandstone bluffs along the way.
© 2010 Parkview B & B
Design and Photography by Don Trueman, ParamountPixels.net