Wisconsin has a wide range of beautiful landscapes and off-the-beaten-path places to see. What better way then Wisconsin's scenic byways? In that spirit of adventurism, I am starting a new segment for More Than Curds: Our Favorite Drives.
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Photo: Wikipedia |
First up is State Trunk 23. Often called Highway 23, this road stretches from Shullsburg on the border of Illinois to Sheboygan on Lake Michigan. The route was established in 1918 and has been popular ever since. 23 sees a wide-variety of landscape, but my personal favorite is in the southern portion, through the Driftless Region. Here's what you do:
Start your day just off just south of Shullsburg on Highway U. Follow signs and you'll find the
Gravity Hill. Throw your car in neutral, and it'll begin rolling uphill! Next, head up to 23 and you'll see
Roelli Cheese Haus. This is a small, artisan cheese plant owned by the same Swiss family for generations. Stop in to pick up some of the best Wisconsin cheese in the state! Our recommendation? The Dunbarton Blue is great with almost any beer in Wisconsin.

Keep driving north and enjoy the view. You'll drive through some of the gently rolling hills of the Driftless landscape. This area is hope to happy cows and beautiful vistas of traditional family farmland. Soon, you'll reach
Mineral Point. This exceedingly quaint town is home to a
brewpub,
cheesemaker, amazing
Japanese cuisine, Wisconsin's
Cornish history, and a slew of art galleries and studios. Take your time and wander the granite-built streets of this near 200-year-old town.
Onward. On your way north, you'll soon run into Dodgeville. Dodgeville is home to Wisconsin's oldest
courthouse, and
Land's End clothing. Stop by the Land's End outlet for some amazing clothing deals, then explore Wisconsin's
mining heritage. Dodgeville is also gateway to
Governor Dodge State Park (one of my personal favorite hiking and camping spots in the state).
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Governor Dodge State Park. Photo: Wisconsin DNR |
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Photo: TLC |
Leaving Dodgeville, you'll find some interesting sights along the road. On the left is the
Don Q Inn, the charmingly eccentric hotel with the Boeing C-97 in front. Farther north, the road will dip and twist more as the hills express themselves through the forested landscape. On the ridges, you'll see spectacular vistas of the Driftless, speckled with red barns and black cows grazing on the pastures. Eventually, you'll come across
The House On The Rock. Built by Alex Jordan Jr. in 1959, House On The Rock is now one of the most famous attractions in Wisconsin. Some may call it a tourist trap, but I'll let you decide that for yourself.
If bizarre collections in a nonsensical house doesn't appeal to you, maybe you're just at the wrong house. Not much further up 23 is a house of international fame. Designed by Wisconsin's own
Frank Lloyd Wright,
Taliesin was the personal home of the architect. Truly a spectacular work of art, the house is just south of Spring Green. Spring Green is also home to
American Players Theatre. I'd recommend stopping at the
Driftless Depot for local provisions before enjoying open-air productions of Shakespeare and other greats.
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Photo: About.com |
There is a lot more to see on Highway 23. The ride to Reedsburg will reveal soaring hills and cool valleys, and cutting across Wisconsin to Sheboygan will open up to the prairie plains, but the southern leg of 23 is always my favorite. Rememebr: it's not the destination, it's the journey.