One of the best things about living in or visiting Madison? You’re surrounded by some of the most charming small towns in the Midwest—and none of them require a long drive to reach.

From hand-carved wooden trolls and Norwegian heritage to Swiss alpine culture, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, and riverside craft breweries, the communities just west and south of Madison offer the kind of authentic, unhurried experiences that turn a simple afternoon drive into a full-blown adventure. And the best part? Every destination on this list is less than an hour from downtown.

Here are six of our favorite day trips in the Sugar River Valley, the Driftless Region, and beyond—perfect for a Saturday outing, a visiting-friends itinerary, or a spontaneous escape from the Capitol Square.

Mount Horeb — The Troll Capital of the World

⏱ About 30 minutes west of Madison  |  Best for: Families, outdoor enthusiasts, shoppers, foodies

We might be a little biased, but we think Mount Horeb is the single best day trip from Madison—and once you visit, we think you’ll agree.

Start your day with a stroll down the Trollway, Mount Horeb’s one-of-a-kind Main Street lined with hand-carved wooden troll sculptures. Each one has its own personality (and its own fan club). From there, the rest of town unfolds like a greatest-hits list of small-town charm: locally owned shops like Sjolinds Chocolate House and Sugar River Yarns, a downtown family-owned pharmacy with a surprising selection of shopping, and restaurants that range from cozy coffee shops to Italian fine dining at Vita Bella.

For outdoor lovers, Mount Horeb is a trailhead town. The Military Ridge State Trail runs right through the heart of the village so you can hop on your bike and ride through the rolling hills of the Driftless Region, one of Wisconsin’s most stunning and underappreciated landscapes. Pack a picnic, or better yet, plan your ride so you end up back downtown for a cider flight at Brix Cider or a scoop of gelato from Sugar Troll.

And if you’re looking to go beyond the village limits, Cave of the Mounds is just minutes away. This national natural landmark offers guided tours through ancient limestone caverns—a hit with kids and geology buffs alike.

Don’t miss: Browsing Makers Market Square for local artisan goods, grabbing a coffee at MoHo Joes, and counting every troll on the Trollway. (Spoiler: there are more than you think.)

New Glarus — America’s Little Switzerland

⏱ About 35 minutes south of Madison  |  Best for: Beer lovers, history buffs, festival-goers

If you’ve ever had a Spotted Cow, you already know a little something about New Glarus. But this village—founded by Swiss immigrants in 1845—has much more to offer than Wisconsin’s most famous craft beer.

The Swiss heritage here is the real deal. Walk down the main street past chalet-style buildings, stop into the Swiss Historical Village to explore 14 restored structures from the settlement era, and try authentic Swiss cuisine like fondue, raclette, and rösti at local restaurants. The Chalet Cheese Haus is a must for stocking up on Gruyère, Emmentaler, and other Wisconsin-made cheeses.

New Glarus Brewing Company is worth the trip on its own. While the hilltop brewery has been undergoing a major expansion, the original Riverside Brewery downtown has a charming retail store and tastings. And for wine lovers, Bailey’s Run Vineyard and Winery offers handcrafted wines, brick-oven pizza, and live music most weekends.

Time your visit right and you might catch one of New Glarus’s legendary festivals: Polkafest in summer, Swiss Volksfest in August, or Oktoberfest in the fall, complete with lederhosen, carriage rides, and chainsaw carving contests.

Don’t miss: Hiking or snowshoeing in New Glarus Woods State Park, then warming up with a cheese board and a pint.

Paoli — A Tiny Village with a Big Arts Scene

⏱ About 20 minutes south of Madison  |  Best for: Art lovers, paddlers, craft beer fans

Blink and you might drive right through Paoli, but that would be a mistake. This four-corners village on the Sugar River has quietly become one of Dane County’s most beloved getaways, and it punches well above its weight when it comes to things to do.

At the heart of it all is the Paoli Mill, a beautifully restored 1864 limestone building that now houses art galleries, shops, and the Hop Garden Tap Room. Grab a locally brewed craft beer, pull up a seat on the riverside terrace, and listen to live music under the trees. The Hop Garden hosts around 200 shows each season from April through October. Next door, Molino Taqueria serves up food with farm-fresh ingredients, and the Artisan Gallery and Paoli Road Mercantile showcase work from over 50 regional artists and makers.

If you’re the active type, rent a kayak or canoe from Sugar River Outfitters and paddle a stretch of the gentle Sugar River. It’s one of the most peaceful floats in southern Wisconsin, and you’ll end up right back in town ready for another round.

Don’t miss: Paoli Art in the Park, held Labor Day weekend each year—a juried fine art fair in the park setting that draws artists and visitors from across the region.

Verona — Hometown USA with a Fantastical Twist

⏱ About 20 minutes southwest of Madison  |  Best for: Families, hikers, architecture enthusiasts

Verona calls itself “Hometown USA,” and the cozy downtown backs that up with walkable streets, locally owned shops, and a growing food scene. But this town also has a claim to fame that’s unlike anything else in the state: the Epic Systems campus.

Home to one of the world’s largest healthcare software companies, Epic’s 1,100-acre campus is open to the public for free self-guided tours (make sure to schedule your tour in advance). Think themed buildings inspired by Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, and the Wizard of Oz—complete with elaborate art installations, hidden details, and whimsical architecture that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook. Plan for at least two to three hours, and wear comfortable shoes.

Beyond Epic, Verona is a fantastic base for outdoor recreation. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail runs through town with a 6.4-mile segment connecting three county parks. The Military Ridge State Trail also passes through, making Verona and Mount Horeb easy to connect by bike. Downtown, fuel up at local favorites like Alice Good Coffee, Hop Haus Brewing, or the beloved Sow’s Ear—part café, part yarn shop, and all Wisconsin charm.

Don’t miss: Touring Epic’s Storybook campus, then unwinding with a flight at Hop Haus Brewing or a glass at Toot and Kate’s self-serve wine bar.

Spring Green — Where Architecture Meets the River Valley

⏱ About 45 minutes west of Madison  |  Best for: Architecture lovers, theater-goers, art enthusiasts

If Mount Horeb is the Troll Capital of the World, Spring Green might be the cultural capital of the Driftless Region. This small river town is known for three world-class attractions, a thriving arts community, and some of the most beautiful scenery in southern Wisconsin.

The big draw is Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home, studio, and 800-acre estate—and Wisconsin’s only public UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wright began building here in 1911, and the property remained his creative headquarters for nearly 50 years. Today, Taliesin Preservation offers both guided and self-guided tours that immerse you in his philosophy of organic architecture. The on-site Riverview Terrace Café and Wright Gift Shop round out the visit.

Then there’s American Players Theatre, the country’s second-largest outdoor classical theater. From June through November, APT stages nine plays in rotating repertory on a gorgeous hilltop amphitheater surrounded by 110 acres of woods and meadows. Pack a picnic, arrive early, and settle in for a performance under the stars—it’s one of those only-in-Wisconsin experiences.

And for something truly one-of-a-kind, House on the Rock is just outside of town. Part architectural marvel, part eccentric museum, this sprawling complex built atop a rocky chimney features everything from the world’s largest carousel to a 200-foot model whale. It’s weird, wonderful, and absolutely worth the trip. Plan for at least three hours.

Between attractions, downtown Spring Green offers artisan galleries, the charming Spring Green General Store, and spots like the Slowpoke Lounge & Cabaret for craft cocktails and live music. Kayaking on the Wisconsin River is another popular option—the gentle current makes it ideal for a relaxed afternoon paddle.

Don’t miss: Pairing a Taliesin tour with an evening performance at American Players Theatre—it’s one of the best one-two punches in Wisconsin tourism.

Stoughton — Birthplace of the Coffee Break

⏱ About 25 minutes south of Madison  |  Best for: Norwegian heritage fans, theater lovers, antique shoppers

Mount Horeb isn’t the only town near Madison with deep Scandinavian roots. About 25 minutes south of the Capitol, Stoughton sits in a scenic bend of the Yahara River and has been devoutly Norwegian since the mid-1800s. In fact, at one time, as many as 75 percent of Stoughton’s residents spoke Norwegian. That heritage is still very much alive today.

Start at Livsreise (Norwegian for “Life’s Journey”), an interactive museum in the heart of downtown where you can trace the story of Norwegian immigration to Wisconsin through immersive exhibits, genealogy resources, and beautifully preserved artifacts like hand-rosemaled trunks. From there, walk the historic Main Street—lined with boutiques and galleries housed in beautifully preserved 1880s buildings—and peek into the Abel Contemporary Gallery, which recently relocated to a restored tobacco warehouse.

The crown jewel of Stoughton is the Stoughton Opera House, a restored 1901 Victorian theater with sublime acoustics and a packed calendar of musical and theatrical performances. It draws tens of thousands of visitors each year and has been called “Southern Wisconsin’s Most Charming Theater.” For a more casual night out, the Viking Brew Pub serves Nordic-inspired dishes and house-brewed beers right on Main Street.

Time your visit for the Syttende Mai Festival (the weekend closest to May 17) and you’ll experience one of the largest Norwegian heritage celebrations in the country—complete with parades, folk dancing, rosemaling demonstrations, Viking encampments, and enough lefse and krumkake to fuel a week of adventures. Or come in August for the Coffee Break Festival, celebrating Stoughton’s claim as the birthplace of the American coffee break.

Don’t miss: The Livsreise Norwegian Heritage Center followed by a show at the Stoughton Opera House—and ask a local about the coffee break story. They love telling it.

Make It a Loop: The Sugar River Valley Road Trip

Here’s a local secret: many of these towns are connected by scenic country roads that wind through the rolling hills and farmland of the Sugar River Valley and the Driftless Region. Instead of picking just one destination, string several together into the perfect all-day road trip.

Our suggested route: Start in Verona for a morning Epic tour and coffee. Drive south to Paoli for a riverside lunch and gallery browsing. Continue to New Glarus for Swiss culture, cheese shopping, and a brewery stop. Then head west to Mount Horeb for an evening stroll down the Trollway, dinner, and a nightcap at Brix Cider. Total drive time between all four stops? Under an hour combined.

Want to extend the adventure? Head further west from Mount Horeb to Spring Green for Taliesin and a show at American Players Theatre, or loop southeast through Stoughton for a Norwegian heritage double feature that pairs perfectly with Mount Horeb’s own Scandinavian roots.

Each of these communities brings something completely different to the table, but together they tell the story of what makes this corner of Wisconsin so special: deep-rooted heritage, thriving local businesses, and landscapes that remind you why you fell in love with the Midwest in the first place.

Plan Your Visit

Ready to hit the road? Start planning your day trip—or better yet, make it an overnight. The Mount Horeb area offers charming lodging options including Deer Valley Lodge & Golf, GrandStay Hotel & Suites, boutique stays like Sunniva and The Little Village, plus cozy vacation rentals and Airbnbs that put you right in the middle of the action. Explore everything Mount Horeb has to offer at trollway.com, and follow @MountHorebWI on Instagram and Facebook for weekly inspiration, event updates, and all the troll content your feed can handle.