Visitors consistently rank Cedarburg as one of Wisconsin’s favorite small-town getaways. The city’s beautifully preserved downtown offers a delightful array of specialty stores, restaurants, spas, museums, and historic inns. Add a full calendar of festivals, shows and special events, and it’s no surprise that so many visitors find Cedarburg irresistible. Walking along Washington Avenue downtown is
like journeying 150 years back in time. Many of the limestone and brick buildings look exactly as they did when they were built in the early 19th century. These early structures aren’t museum pieces; they’re at the center of community life, housing many of the city’s businesses and shops. Preserving these landmarks is a community-wide commitment, and their presence is a point of pride for newcomers and founding families alike. With more than 200 historically significant buildings, the city is a favorite destination for history and architecture buffs. The city has two separate districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to Wisconsin’s only remaining covered bridge. Cedarburg is also known for its fun-filled, family-oriented festivals and events, which attract thousands of tourists each year. The Chamber of Commerce coordinates the annual Fourth of July Hometown Celebration, Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, and free Trolley rides and luminaries during Festive Friday Eves during the holidays. Maxwell Street Days, hosted by the Cedarburg Fire Department in Fireman’s Park, features over 1,000 vendor spaces replete with antiques, collectibles, and crafts. Strawberry Festival, held the fourth full weekend of June for over three decades, showcases fruits produced by local growers, with contests, hundreds of vendors displaying various wares, fine arts and crafts and winery tours. Visitors at the Wine and Harvest Festival during the third full weekend of September can try their luck at grape-stomping in addition to a bounty of fall farm produce and art from local artisans. The Winter Festival, held the third weekend in February, includes an ice-sculpting contest, plus bed races across frozen Cedar Creek. And, the growing Oktoberfest, held the second full weekend in October, yields music, fun, and traditional German fare. The Cedarburg Visitor Center is coordinated by the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce and housed within the Cedarburg History Museum, at N58W6194 Columbia Road. We are located about a block off Washington Avenue at the Columbia Road intersection. Our staff at the Visitor Center is happy to be your guide during your time in Cedarburg. Need help finding one of our historic buildings or learning more about a Cedarburg store, restaurant, or business? Please stop by the Visitor Center and we are glad to help! Cedarburg takes great pride in its history and is committed to preserving its historic landmarks for generations to come!
