Not everyone always wants to take cross-continental road trips or spend hours on a plane to have new experiences. In this series, I look for those towns, and other rarely talked about locations that may be worth a quick day trip or weekend adventure. I spend twelve hours in a place, exploring, talking to locals, and finding things to do, see, and taste.

The Place 

Wisconsin is a State known for many things. Cheese, cows, cold winters, and deer hunting. It’s earned that reputation for good reason, too. But when I think of Wisconsin, I only think of one thing. The city of Sheboygan. Running directly into the western banks of Lake Michigan, it is a big town with a small feel. The people are friendly and helpful, the buildings and houses are hunkered against the ground cozily, and the cold wind from the lake runs through the streets, greeting you like an old friend with open arms. I first traveled to the city a few years ago on my way to the Upper Peninsula, but my most recent trip reinforced many of the impressions it left on me then; Sheboygan is a place with lots to offer those who are willing to take a chance on visiting it. 

The History 

The land on which Sheboygan sits first came into American possession in 1831, as part of the Treaty of Washington. Shortly after, settlers hailing from New York, Michigan, and New England flocked to the fresh ground to start new lives. Even today, Sheboygan makes me think of New England. I’m still trying to figure out why, but it does. It just has that feeling to it. 

By the mid-1800s, Sheboygan had become known for its German influences and population. See, after revolutions sparked across the confederation of German states in 1849, many people were forced to seek refuge in America. Many of these people came to Sheboygan. The German influence is still noticeable as well. You don’t need to look far for a beer and a bratwurst. But despite its early ties to Germanic ways, Sheboygan is, for all intents and purposes, a true melting pot of cultures and peoples. Since the 19th century, Germans, Dutch, Irish, and even Hmong people have come to the little town to secure a piece of land and chase the American dream. 

Activities

Since my trip to Sheboygan, I often wonder if its residents ever get bored. Surely not. It seems impossible when they are surrounded by so many opportunities to dash boredom away. Just inside the city limits, you can go to the performing arts center, stroll along the boardwalk, relax in one of its 36 different parks, or surf on Lake Michigan. I wasn’t aware there was a freshwater surfing capital of America, but apparently, Sheboygan is it. And if you’re feeling really brave, you can head west, outside the city. There, an outdoorsy individual will be in paradise. You can fish for stubborn and strong salmon who return to breed yearly, or lace up some boots and go for a gorgeous Autumn hike. Do you prefer something competitive? Luckily, there are multiple golf courses outside Sheboygan, namely the Whistling Straits, which has hosted multiple PGA tournaments. The possibilities to entertain yourself are as vast as the army of Packers fans. And after a long day of adventures, it is all too easy to find a warm place to sink in and grab some dinner.

Grub and Refreshments 

It’s rare that you find a place where every meal you have, every restaurant you eat at, lives up to your expectations. Somehow, it always seems to be the places you don’t expect that have the best food, though. I went to Sheboygan and Kohler, the small village just outside the city limits, not expecting anything remarkable to eat. I assumed it would be more of what I was used to living in the Midwest, but to my delight, I was blown away. Not only by the sheer variety of cuisines to choose from, but by the overall quality of every dish I tasted. Maybe I should have expected fresh fish and other water-faring creatures like lobster to be so abundant and delicious there since the town is right on the water, but I didn’t. I had some of the best lobster tails I’ve ever had in Sheboygan. Even if you don’t like seafood, there are plenty of options for fresh, delicious meals. My suggestions for a few dining options are The Horse and Plow, The Blind Horse, and The Tavern on Woodlake, but I would strongly urge them to venture out and find places that call to them. It really is hard to go wrong there. 

The Sum of it All

Sheboygan really does seem to have it all. Especially if you are someone who loves the great outdoors. I mean, what more could someone want? Golfing, hiking, surfing, and even salmon fishing. There are spas, top-notch restaurants, cafes, and parks. For the night crowd, there are clubs, dive bars, sports bars, anything you could want. It’s got a little bit of everything. The city has slowly become what I consider a hidden gem in the U.S. The fact that it isn’t well known makes the experience there all the more relaxing. You can walk around, taking in everything the town has to offer, and feel like you’ve stumbled upon something all to yourself. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to Sheboygan, Wisconsin.