Vote for the Best Towns in Wisconsin

You picked the finalists

In January, the Traveling Shepherd invited readers to submit nominations for their favorite towns. Our definition of a “town” stated that the community had to be listed on the Official Wisconsin Highway Map published and distributed free by the Association of Wisconsin Tourism Attractions (AWTA) and should have a population of fewer than 15,000 people.

In about a month’s time we received more than 600 nominations. Favorite towns spanned the state from Cornucopia in the north to Cassville in the south, from St. Croix Falls in the west to Port Washington in the east. Many nominators added descriptive comments ranging from almost factual (“Fish Creek is surrounded by water”) to borderline poetic (“Bayfield—the islands, the lake, the hills, the trees!”).

One person, reviewing the “Best Town for a Romantic Getaway,” suggested another category: “How about ‘Most Discreet’? Like when you want to go somewhere with someone else’s lover or spouse? I know from experience this represents a sizable amount of Wisconsin’s tourist demographics.”

To sift and winnow the nominees into top contenders, your Traveling Shepherd editor convened a panel of prominent state travel writers that included Wisconsin’s first lady, Jessica Doyle, author Martin Hintz, travel writer Dennis McCann, frequent contributor Mary Bergin, travel columnist Betty Stark, radio show host Rick Murphy and Web master Mike Peroutka. After much discussion and consideration, the 21 categories were cut back to 20 with five “finalists” per category.

Voting will run from March 1 to April 24 at the Web site www.WondersOfWisconsin.com. One vote is allowed per e-mail address. Winners will be announced in the Shepherd Express in early May.

The Best Wisconsin Towns: Finalists

Most Scenic Beauty
Alma
Bayfield
Green Lake
Ontario
St. Croix Falls

Most Beautiful Town
Cedarburg
Ephraim
Mineral Point
Rural
Stockholm

Most Distinctive Architecture
Cedarburg
Ephraim
Mineral Point
New Glarus
Spring Green

Best Galleries and Arts Scene

Amory
Egg Harbor
Mineral Point
Paoli
Plymouth

Best Theater and Entertainment Town
Bristol (Renaissance Faire)
Fish Creek (Peninsula Players)
Fort Atkinson (The Fireside Dinner Theatre)
Spring Green (American Players Theatre)
Washburn (Big Top Chautauqua)

Best Festival Weekend
Iola (Old Car Show)
Monroe (Cheese Days)

Vote for the Best Towns in Wisconsin

You picked the finalists

Related Content:

Also in Traveling Shepherd: