Location: Jefferson
Top Things to do in Jefferson
10 Things to Do in Jefferson That You Shouldn't Miss
Jefferson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States, and is its county seat. It is at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish rivers. The population was 7,973 at the 2010 census. The city is partially bordered by the Town of Jefferson.
Restaurants in Jefferson
1. Fireside Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
The Fireside Dinner Theatre is one of the Midwest's most popular entertainment destinations and the only Actor's Equity dinner theatre in Wisconsin. The Klopcic family is proud to celebrate 50 years of hospitality in charming, historic Fort Atkinson. The Fireside Dinner Theatre, a favorite destination for couples, families and tour groups alike offers a variety of things to do. Browse the unique gift shops, enjoy award-winning cuisine, and top off the evening with one of the best professional theatre experiences Wisconsin has to offer.
Reviewed By Ron W - Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
It's hard to miss any musical at the Fireside but it always a treat to see the Christmas musicals. This year it is "Miracle on 34th street" and Kris Kringle is just awesome. Dinner as always was very good and don't miss the Red velvet cake with cinnamon ice cream.
2. Lewis Station Winery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
We are one of Wisconsin's most unique urban wineries in a re-purposed early 20th-century gas station. We specialize in small-batch, hand crafted "California Style" award-winning wines. We have won many gold and silver medals at the World Wine Competition and Finger Lakes Wine Competition. Free samples available. We also have a large variety of artisan Wisconsin cheeses, craft beers and gourmet chocolates. We've also opened a bistro focused on the farm to table experience. Not only delicious wine but delicious food too.
Reviewed By Ronald T - Lake Mills
We attended a dinner play at Lewis Station. Although the play was great, the food was excellent! It was served buffet style with several choices for salads, main course and dessert. The chef was right at the table watching over it and commenting and answering any questions. Two glasses of Lewis station wine was included in the ticket price. We look forward to attending again!
3. Johnson Creek Premium Outlets
Overall Ratings
4 based on 89 reviews
Johnson Creek Premium Outlets features an impressive collection of the finest brands for you, your family and your home. Include a shopping stop during your next trip to the area. Located between Milwaukee and Madison, you're sure to find impressive savings all year round. Daily bus service is available from Milwaukee and Madison via Badger Bus. Shop & Stay packages are also available.
Reviewed By James A - Windsor, Canada
Johnson Creek Premium Outlets was another winner on this road trip. I found a lot of great stuff at this place and the prices were pretty good also. 4% sales tax in Wisconsin is very reasonable also, and while it was a bit odd to walk around there, I had no trouble finding the stores I wanted to visit. Staff were all friendly and welcoming at each store so I'd say it's a pretty good place to shop if you're looking for a deal. They had nice stuff and at good prices too. Enjoy!
4. Wisconsin Skydiving Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By 586sini - Helsinki
Reservation of tandem skydiving was fast, finding the place was easy, training was sufficient, atmosphere was friendly, staff was extremely knowledgeable and they really made an effort in making the experience best possible - everything was worth it! Special thanks to Bo and Jake for bringing us safely down to earth on our first anniversary.
5. Hoard Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By amyz7890 - amyz7890
Visited here during the Christmas open house. The place was busy for a special event. Visited with a sportsman who enjoyed the exhibits with taxidermied birds and history of duck hunting in the area. I most enjoyed learning about the Native American mounds.
The Christmas open house was a great time to visit with a piano player playing Christmas music, a ginger bread house competition, activities for children and cookies.
You can't beat the admission price - FREE.
6. Highway 18 Outdoor Theatre
Overall Ratings
4 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By Dean B - Cambridge, Wisconsin
We took our kids (8, 5, and 2) here over the weekend (mid July, 2016) to see "The Secret Life of Pets". The show was the first of a double feature with "The BFG" playing second.
Driving up, you're greeted by a large, nostalgic neon sign. Admission is reasonable, especially for a double feature, at $9 for adults and $5 for kids over 5 (kids under $5 are free). There are no carry-ins allowed, as there is a concession stand in the middle of the lot.
We found a spot in the first row, near center and drove up onto the sloped lawn. Had we stayed in our car, the view would have been perfect. Every spot in the first 6 rows has a its own speaker than can be brought into the car. Alternately, you can tune your radio to the indicated radio station.
The lawn area in front of the first row was well taken care of, and there was an old-fashioned playground (actual metal climbing structures/monkey bars and teeter-totters made out of wood with half-tire 'cushions' to land on at the bottom, etc), which the kids (ours and everyone else's) loved playing on. The playground was closed, via an announcement about 10 minutes prior to show time and MOST of the guests left the playground at that time.
We arrived a bit after 8 pm, as there are no hard show times, just "as soon after sun down as is possible". The night we went was clear skies in mid-July, so the sun set about 8:30 pm, and they lit up the screen at about 9 pm. First up was an old Looney Tunes short, which was pretty nostalgic and cool to see. That was followed by a music video of a band playing at an outdoor drive-in, and finally by a single trailer for an upcoming movie.
We'd set up a blanket in front of our car, along with 4 of the collapsible canvas chairs and just relied on the speakers on the poles in between the cars for sound, as did most of the people around us. The sound quality was good...definitely not crystal clear like in a modern movie theater, but after a minute or so of adjustment, I didn't even notice any difference. Even thinking back about it now, I don't recall being disappointed in the sound quality or volume at all.
The picture quality was very good, as they're now using a digital projector, according to their website. Plenty of nice, even brightness, even in the darker parts of the movie.
Before the movie started, we all made a trip to the concession stand. Prices were reasonable, and a large popcorn, large soda, an order of funnel cake fries, and a bag of sour patch kids only set us back about $25, which is right in line with what you'd pay at a modern theater. The service was quick and they got everything right the first time. They do have a grill, with a good number of items, but the items are made when you order, so if you want something like that, you should be prepared to wait.
All in all, it was a good experience. Our kids had a lot of fun the all enjoyed it. Both my 5 year and 8 year old daughters, who 1, rarely agree on anything, and 2, who both usually do their best to impersonate a grumpy, jaded teenager gushed about how much they liked it and asked when we could go back again.
7. Tyranena Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By Crasian2017 - Monticello, Indiana
We were visiting friends up in WI and they took us here to have a few brews. The place is very nice, clean and inviting. They had a great selection of beers and friendly staff. I had the Bitter Woman and my husband had the Down & Dirty. Both were pretty good. The brewery was beautiful with it's 30 BBL Sprinkman brewhouse. Check them out, you won't be disappointed.
8. Dwight Foster Public Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By BadgerBob67 - Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, United States
I confess. I am a reading addict, reading an eclectic variety of books, averaging between 70 and 90 books per year. In my lifetime, I have visited dozens of libraries, in towns from the size of Cambridge, Wisconsin, to the main library in Chicago, or the library of Congress, and many libraries in between. I firmly believe the library in Fort Atkinson, Wi is without par for a city of less than 25000. (Fort is about 12,000).
The children's library alone is worth a visit, whether it is for the Lego creations of preschoolers, or watching children play learning games when not in school, or just learning to use a computer in a safe, supervised environment. The primary feature in the children's area, however, has to be the large upside-down tree, from the roots and small carved underground animals more than 20 feet in the air, to the green "clumps" of leaves, forming shelves for books, or seats for sitting and or reading. near the crown and the floor. If you look carefully, you may spot a cardinal or other bird sitting in one of the leaf clumps. On one wall, you will spot an artistic rendition of the woods where Cristopher Robin may have played with Winnie-the-Poo. The wall is moveable, to open an activity or craft area, for organized crafts.
Take the elevator or climb the curved staircase past the exterior of a 1983 addition, and you find past permanent and temporary exhibits of the works of local artists, current and past, a friendly librarian, ready to sign you on to one of the many computers in the large space for that reason, or assist you in finding that special tome you always wanted to read. This area also includes smaller meeting rooms for groups to meet during library hours, and the fiction books. If you go left at the top of the stairs, you enter a room that has access to rest rooms, and a special room dedicated to a famous local poet. Continuing, you enter part of the earlier additions, where the non-fiction, magazines, and travel sources are located. There also, you may wish to add a piece or two the puzzle or puzzles being worked on by anyone who wishes, out of the libraries extensive collection, or read one of several current papers or magazines.
But that's not all! As you enter the building, if you turn left, you see an exhibit of local patrons at various levels, followed by an art niche, offering natural light and soon, a bronze of "Sarah", reclining and reading a book in front of "A River Runs Through It", a work by a local glass artist, illuminated by natural light. Opposite, you will find public restrooms, and beyond, large public rooms, for use by reservation both when the library is open or not. Served by a friendly and helpful staff, this is truly a wondrous place to visit, but be sure to bring the kids.
9. Tappers Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Christopher R - Chicago, Illinois
Great place to catch a game and enjoy a drink. Came for the 25 cent chicken wings. They were great and sevice was also. Prices are reasonable and they have numerous events through out the year.
10. Glacial Drumlin State Trail West
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By travelingrm - New Jersey
I love the way Wisconsin bike trails are clearly labeled and easy to find for out of state travelers. There is parking. This does not happen all over the US. This trail is beautiful to ride. There are small towns along the route. We felt lucky to be riding on a sunny spring day with lots of flowers blooming, beautiful bridges, rivers and a lake. The scenery was spectacular with newly planted fields. I felt fortunate to have the chance to experience this place.
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