Keene This small town is home to Road America, a historic (and fast) permanent racing track set on a 600-acre complex. Located at 2202 Post Rd, Plover, WI 54467. Sample some farm-to-table goodness at the James Beard-nominated Driftless Cafe, grab breakfast and a solar-powered cup from Wonderstate Coffee, and pop into the Viroqua Food Co-Op for edible souvenirs. In Monowi, Nebraska, theres only one tavern. Population: 6,392 If youve ever wondered where to find the best downtowns in Wisconsin, you need to visit its charming small towns. Located at 1208 Half Moon Lake Dr, Mosinee, WI 54455. The citys canal still sees the passage of some large ships and its a beautiful backdrop to the town. Near the Twin Cities, in Chippewa Falls, enjoy the River Inn Bar known for its giant, broasted chicken wings and arcade games. Its true that bars close at midnight in Oxford (the county seat of Lafayette County), but thankfully there are a ton of great spots packed into a small area, The Square, so you can get your fill in record time. Estabrook Beer Garden 72 Bars & Clubs By sassynesswithasmile Located right on Lake Metigoshe, the triangular oasis serves as a warm and comforting place to enjoy walleye and the requisite shot-skis in the winter in its cabin-like ambiance, while the summer takes full advantage of the property's sprawling deck, where BBQ and live music complement the laid-back vibe. To learn more, visit their website. You won't be sorry. Kill Devil Hills is located in the heart of North Carolinas Outer Banks, and the towns history as the location of the Wright Brothers first flight is only matched by its beachy drinking scene. Located at N2161 Town Club Rd, Kaukauna, WI 54130. Let's just say you won't find Clark and the rest of the National Lampoon gang running amok inside this famed American institution. Population:~1,000 To find the real beauty and character of Wisconsin, all you need to do is step onto Main Street. What are the best places to get steaks in Wisconsin? Boat tours, history. It helps that the place is also the best damn whiskey bar in eternally thirsty South Dakota, serving 150+ bottles of the brown stuff from around the world, which you can drink while playing cards with a dude dressed as Bill Hickok himself. For a while there, this dusty old saloon -- the exact kind of place you might envision collecting dust in a one-horse town in the middle of Kansas, but also the exact kind of place it's hard to imagine still exists -- looked like a goner. You dont even have to do the ski part of apres ski to have a good time at the Paul Bunyan Room, you just have to show up ready to party. For more reading on the Badger State check out: Best Places To Live In Wisconsin; Cheapest Places To Live In Wisconsin; Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin; The 15 Best Small Towns In Wisconsin For 2022 One of America'spremier (and more low-key) party islands, Block Island puts forth a welcome lack of pretension relative to certain other New England destinations (stares daggers at Martha's Vineyard). Grab a lakeside beverage at the more-than-a-century-old Thirsty Whale and enjoy a meal at the Boathouse, before retiring to one of the area's many rustic, lodge-style accommodations. Anyone who grew up in Eastern PA knows that New Hope -- a seemingly sleepy small town nestled on the Jersey border -- is one of the most overlooked and underrated destinations in the entire state. Close your eyes and think of a Wyoming bar: you'll likely envision mounted cattle horns, faded Native American murals, a big-ass whiskey-soaked dance floor populated by cowboy hats as country bands play, antique pianos, oil lamps, taxidermy, and charmingly surly bartenders armed with side-eyes and smiles. East Grand Forks Those days are long gone, but theres still Branson, the heart and soul of Missouri wine. Its hard to stand out when youre in the middle of California wine country, yet Sebastopol manages to do so. 1. With a population number just under 2000, you might not think the quaint Coal Country town of Whitesburg would attract many big names -- but that's where Summit City comes in. 164 N 3rd Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Among the booze offerings are 23 taps, including local faves like 16 Mile and Fordham & Dominion. Simply put: you just aren't supposed to attract talent this big in a town this small. The 'tails are curated by the boozehounds at Mile High's popular The Way Back, and a rotating menu of food options pops up depending on the weekend. If you know anything about beer, you know that Stowe is one of the most cherished towns with one of the most cherished breweries: The Alchemist. Key Largo The town is just north of the Mexican border, and is populated by hippies, artists and bikersall of whom, it appears, love a good drinking scene. If you know two things, it's that they produce a helluva lot of scrapple, a regional morning-time delicacy. Its bordered by Mobile Bay on one side, a little inlet of the Gulf of Mexico, that gives the whole area a casual beachy vibe to it. Their website, NoCoorsLight.com, hints at this, as does the enormous collection of craft beer paraphernalia that surrounds 17 clean-as-a-whistle taps pouring everything from local gems like BLDG 8 and Honest Weight to reliable favorites like Dogfish Head and Founders. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Population: 4,014 You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. The Old West "gentlemen's saloon" sits in an 1853 brick building with oil lamps hanging from the ceiling, a diamond-dusted mirror behind the bar, and photos of everything from Old West icons to modern-day movie stars lining the wall. Happy hour, or any hour really, is a time best spent with a quality beer in hand, a laid-back setting and great company. It's smoky, the pool table is precious real estate, and, unlike many bars in Gatlinburg, it's kids-free. Sturgeon Bay Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse at sunset The tiny community of Sturgeon Bay is the largest town in Door County, the peninsula of Wisconsin surrounded by the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. There are a few items on the menu reminiscent of those old days and Old Fashioneds come served in a mason jar, but everything at Van Abel's is updated and amazing. You might not know about these, but they definitely deserve to be on your radar: Did your favorite small town supper club make the list? But luckily for everyone, Spirit Room stuck around. (715) 386-2109 Order online. If youre selecting a small town for a getaway event, consider hosting your party at the Smooth Ambler distillery in Lewisburg, which offers cocktails and space for 60. The town is also home to Talbott Tavern, the oldest bar in Kentucky. It's all best experienced on Tuesdays, when the traditional Beat the Clock special has draft beers for 75 cents beginning at 8pm and going up a quarter every half hour. Toppling Goliath is the biggest draw, but there are also places in town making great beer with less hype like Pulpit Rock Brewing. 24 One of the longest running celebrations of the beer-fueled bash, Helens Oktoberfest will transport to a little village around the world. Case in point: Pleasure Island, a 1,600-square-foot tiki paradise where you can roll up by car or boat and enjoy drinks like the Bahama Who? Exemplifying the free-wheeling and vibrant spirit of the town -- and coupling that spirit with copious amounts of booze -- is John & Peter's Place. Oklahoma lake bars range from holes in the wall to rowdy college-style fiascos, but there are few more simple pleasures in the Sooner state than sitting with an ice cold beer and watching the sunset. If you love breakfast, youll adore this special spot. Its history lives on in the restored skylights and exposed brick walls. Population: 5,981 Yes, we know this story is dropping in the throes of winter. Were not sure where youd expect to find an absinthe bar (except maybe a dark side street in Paris), but Jim Thorpe is definitely not high on the list. If you dont believe us when we say the area is worth a visit, trust Channing Tatum, whos Born and Bred Vodka is made at Grand Teton Distillery. Wisconsin truly has everything, from epic natural wonders to dynamic cities to a thriving farm-to-table scene. The old mining town has mainstays like the St. Elmo Bar, which has been around since 1902 and welcomes all walks of life, and other saloons, dives, wine bars and cocktail bars. And they're worth the trip. Germantown, WI 5. To learn more, visit their Facebook page, The rare mix of supper club and tiki bar, Jake's is on Tainter Lake and is known for its prime rib, the outdoor tiki bar and live music on the weekends. Wisconsin's Door County draws visitors from all walks of life: families, boaters, hippies, college kids, Bon Ivers, you name it. Taste classic Irish drinks and fare at the oldest operating tavern in Wisconsin . Located at N18078 County Road T, Galesville, WI 54630. Wherever you decide to enjoy a pint or two, be sure to raise a glass with your loved ones and cheers to a wonderful vacation. A quick survey of Arthur doesnt reveal much. When you're there, it's a necessity you order one of their burgers, as long as you don't make any substitutions. Since booms often bust, what was once the third largest city in Arizona became a literal ghost town. Tourists enjoy lounging in their tables on the sand before heading into the water for snorkeling or strolling a short way down the beach to see sea turtles pulling up on the beach. The final stop on this tour of Wisconsin is the charming little college town of Ripon. But those in the know are aware it's actually the entrance to the lodge's secret speakeasy, open to the public and one of the great hidden bars you'll ever see at a ski resort. And it's all wrapped up in one pretty little indoor-outdoor package, complete with a handsome vintage dark wood bar, plenty of communal tables, and a slew of colorful tiki-inspired bric-a-brac strewn about for good measure. Located at 8599 Big St Germain Dr, St Germain, WI 54558. It's cozy as all get out, of course, with killer fish and chips, lots of old-timey board games to fuel your drinking, and a weekly trivia night that attracts a serious portion of the town's 5,235 residents. This is a place that makes bar food into its own liberal art. So it makes sense that Jeff's started in '77 across from a scrapple-filled joint. The 12 rooms have all the expected amenities, including the possible presence of supernatural phenomena. Whatever your drink of choice is (even if your drink of choice is green tea-infused whiskey) the town has something for you. There are a number of things that you can only get in and around the brewery, making it a destination in and of itself no matter how many times youve seen Spotted Cow before. Outside of beer, Stowe has an impressive apres ski scene thanks to live music bars like the Rusty Nail Stage and the food, drinks and dancing at the Matterhorn Restaurant. Don't get us wrong, you're still definitely paying a premium when you hit Ballard's, the island's premier option for beachside imbibing, but once you wrap your hands around a Rum Runner-filled pineapple and survey the sea of umbrellas while pondering whether or not to go full Maverick out on the volleyball courts, you won't be worried about such trivialities as money. Be sure to add this, This old shipbuilding town in Door County has become a tourist Mecca, and the downtown has been transformed into a charming and welcoming vacation spot. And if you think the only things Maryland does right is crab cakes and football, you've clearly been spending too much time in the Old Line State's cities. Holdrege Sure, Gatlinburg is a tourist town thanks to its proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort, but it's also arguably one of the best small towns in Tennessee, and here the moonshine-loving locals flock to Hogg's. When it does, you too can experience the majesty of a truly lit barn with a cupful whiskey and a crowd of amped line dancers. Deadwood and chow down on artisan pizza. Here, kids can choose from nearly every milkshake flavor, and if youre over 21, you can add Kahlua or RumChata liqueur to the mix. Port Townsend The idyllic Berlin clinched the title of Coolest Small Town in Budget Travels annual contest (it was probably this amazing song, Cool Berlin, by a local songwriter that did it), and were sure the local drinking scene helped. Bring an extra dollar so you can write your name on it and tape it to the ceiling. Tribute Brewery and Taphouse 73 Bars & Clubs Breweries By 391barrye Stopped in for a couple of beers with my dog and had a great time. To learn more, visit their website, If you're having an event in Galesville, you're having it at Arctic Springs. But the odd place you'll find both locals and tourists drinking happily together is here along Anaeho'omalu Bay on the Big Island. Disney Unlike other upscale second home spots, these properties are accessible for ogling via the 26-mile-long Geneva Lake Shore Path. Three other nearby wineries have tasting rooms in town. With a sprawling balcony overlooking the main drag, Hogg's is arowdy sports bar with live music (this is Tennessee, after all) lined in neon, its wraparound bar the centerpiece and meeting place for the locals who stick around long after the tourists leave. And while there are nice little pubs dotted around the state, we're going the unexpected route and throwing in Ballard's, one of the best damn beach bars in America. A solid food menu helps offset the stiff tropical drinks, and also makes it a place people feel perfectly fine bringing their kids for a sunset dinner. Or just wait till the Goble Warming music festival every summer: The music twangs, the meat's smoked on hickory, and if you overindulge you can camp in the backyard. (715) 634-4211. Population: 567 It's a friendly, close-quarters affair that splits the difference between high and low boozy comforts, a place that's as down to serve you a cup of coffee spiked with Fireball as a craft beer, a nice glass of wine, or a fancy cocktail as a roster of local musicians hold court by the front window. While you should follow the distillers lead and spend your time hiking, camping, hunting and generally living it up outdoors around Salida, youll also find quite a few tap houses in town, including the tasting room at Soulcraft Brewery, where you can pick up some boozy provisions for your next rural outing. Decor-wise, it's classic Irish pub all the way: green walls, dark wood furniture, a bar table fashioned from a Guinness barrel, and knick-knacks harkening back to the Emerald Isle. There are hundreds of cool saloons dotting South Dakota. The owner, boots still caked with dirt, treats newcomers with initial skepticism, but don't be fooled: Once you've had a few rounds, you're family here, and that family includes Butch, the cook who cantankerously whips up one of the best burgers you've ever had, provided he shows up. Population: 5,855 Population: 632 Come along for the ride! This small town in Door County may be one of the most walkable vacation spots in all of Wisconsin. Lazy B Bar and Cafe looks like a debaucherous community center, while something literally called Western Bar is decked out in wood and Flintstones-esque faux stone, but its Buckhorn Bar where you want to spend your time for a true Western drinking experience. This relaxing East Coast retreat is filled with bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Descend. The bars on this list represent the absolute best small-town drinking experiences in their respective states. 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