Wisconsin is more than just cheese and football. Both are a fair starting point. The towns across this midwestern state are friendly and easygoing, with distinct local character. Spring Green has riverbanks and the Frank Lloyd Wright estate. Mount Horeb still carries Norwegian roots and troll statues on Main Street. The nine towns below capture different sides of the Wisconsin experience, each with its own way of taking the pace down a notch.

Spring Green

Set along the Wisconsin River, Spring Green is a small town surrounded by deep green fields and forest. The American Players Theatre is the main draw for many visitors, an outdoor classical theater that runs Shakespeare and other plays through the summer. Architecture enthusiasts make the trip for Taliesin, the home and studio of architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Built to sit in harmony with the surrounding landscape, the roughly 800-acre estate offers guided tours that walk through Wright’s life and work. A trip to Spring Green isn’t really complete without a visit to House on the Rock, the idiosyncratic complex begun by Alex Jordan Jr. in the 1940s and famous for its elaborate themed rooms, gardens, and exhibits, including the 269-horse carousel often cited as the world’s largest indoor carousel. Out in the middle of the midwestern expanse, Spring Green captures a distinctly Wisconsin kind of curiosity.

Ephraim

A small town set in Door County, Ephraim was founded in 1853 as a sanctuary for practitioners of the Moravian Church. Those values held for a long time, and it remained the only dry municipality in Wisconsin until 2016. The shift since has helped open up the local scene, and many outdoor visitors head straight for Peninsula State Park. Hiking, biking, camping, and the open views of Green Bay are the usual reasons to go. Art lovers tend to head for Anderson Dock, the historic waterfront warehouse complex (famous for the graffiti-tradition signatures of visiting boats) that houses the Hardy Gallery. For a classic Door County stop, Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor has been serving ice cream and other treats since 1906.

Cedarburg

Cedarburg sits about 20 miles north of downtown Milwaukee and was first incorporated as a village in 1885. It has since grown into a hub for the local art community. The Cedarburg Art Museum spotlights regional artists and gives a good sense of the creative side of town. Wine fans will want to visit Cedar Creek Winery, housed in an 1860s limestone mill, with tastings and a walk-through of the winemaking process. For an outdoor day, the Ozaukee Interurban Trail runs 30 miles of paved trail that connects Cedarburg with neighboring communities, with easy access for biking, walking, and birdwatching.

Bayfield

Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, with maritime history and natural draw packed into a short visit. The Lakeshore covers 12 miles of mainland coast and 21 Lake Superior islands of sandstone cliffs, old lighthouses, and sea caves. Kayaking is the locally preferred way to see them, and outfitters like Makwa Den arrange guided tours. The Bayfield Heritage Association covers the area’s past through exhibits on Native American history, maritime artifacts, and local lore. Every October, the town hosts the Bayfield Apple Festival, with a wide variety of apple-based foods, a parade, and a full slate of autumn activities.

Mineral Point

Often called a “living museum,” Mineral Point carries deep mining history that dates back to its 1827 settlement and the era of figures like Henry Dodge, later the first territorial governor of Wisconsin. The Pendarvis Historic Site preserves the lives of early Cornish miners with stone cottages and mine shafts you can walk through. The Mineral Point Railroad Museum picks up the same thread, with exhibits on the role of the railroads in 19th-century mining operations. Art lovers should add Brewery Pottery to the list, a gallery housed in a renovated brewery that displays work by local artists across multiple disciplines.

New Glarus

Known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” New Glarus celebrates its Swiss heritage with pride. The New Glarus Brewing Company, famous for its Wisconsin-only distribution and a deep lineup of Belgian-, German-, and American-style craft beers (including the flagship Spotted Cow), runs tours and tastings that pull beer fans in from across the country. The Swiss Historical Village walks visitors through how Swiss settlers lived in the 19th century, with 14 reconstructed buildings on the grounds. For an outdoor afternoon, the Sugar River State Trail covers 24 miles of hiking and biking through woods, meadows, and rolling hills.

Stockholm

Set along the banks of the Mississippi, Stockholm is a tiny Pepin County village where tradition meets creativity. The population sits at fewer than 75, which means you can expect to be treated like a long-lost family member. The Stockholm Pie and General Store is a beloved stop, with pies that have drawn national attention. Nearby Lake Pepin, the largest lake on the Mississippi, is good for boating and fishing. It is widely considered the birthplace of water skiing, after Ralph Samuelson made the first run there in July 1922. Many folks add a tour around Maiden Rock Bluff or the Little House Wayside, a reconstructed mid-1800s cabin marking the birthplace of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Elkhart Lake

Elkhart Lake works for motor enthusiasts and nature lovers in equal measure. Road America, the four-mile road course just outside town, runs as one of the fastest permanent racing tracks in the country. The lake itself is good for boating, swimming, and fishing. Kayaking is common too, and you will often see a group of small boats drifting across the water. The nearby Kettle Moraine State Forest opens up hiking, biking, and camping. The Throttlestop Motorcycle Museum keeps a rotating collection of more than 200 antique bikes alongside cars and vintage engines.

Mount Horeb

Rooted in Norwegian heritage, Mount Horeb pairs history and outdoor access in a single short visit. The region was originally home to the Ho-Chunk nation, and European settlers later named the site after a biblical mountain. The Cave of the Mounds, a National Natural Landmark since 1988, opens up tunnels of limestone formations on guided tours. Mount Horeb’s main street, known as the “Trollway,” is lined with troll statues that give the town its quirky calling card. The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub, a beloved local brewery, serves a variety of craft beers, the consumption of which is arguably the official state sport of Wisconsin.

A State Worth Slowing Down For

These towns are more than dots on the map. They are living, working places that carry old traditions forward while making room for what comes next. Whether the draw is the Swiss heritage of New Glarus, the mining history of Mineral Point, the maritime feel of Bayfield, or the racing weekends at Elkhart Lake, each town shows a different side of Wisconsin life. Taken together, the nine sketch out a state as varied as it is welcoming.

You may think Milwaukee’s summer concert season isn’t quite as hot for 2026 – and you’d have evidence to make your case.

American Family Field will host no major stadium tours for a second consecutive year. The Harley-Davidson Homecoming festival was called off. There have been some high-profile tour cancellations with scrapped local stops from Zayn and Pussycat Dolls. And as is always the case for a music fan in Wisconsin, seeing some of the biggest tours of the season is going to require a road trip.

But even taking all of that into consideration, the city is still overflowing with exciting concert options this June through August, from the largest venues to most intimate clubs.

Here are 15 top summer concert picks – but be on the lookout later this summer for separate recommendation lists for Summerfest and the Wisconsin State Fair.

As rappers who consistently defy convention to push their creativity into new territory, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE have a lot in common. Now the longtime friends have something else that connects them: a new acclaimed joint album, “Pompeii//Utility,” and good reason to hit the road together.

When, where, how much: 7 p.m. June 22, the Rave, 2401 W. Wisconsin Ave. $60.50 to $150 at the box office and therave.com.

When the New York Times published their much-talked-about “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” feature in April, there naturally were some living legends and bona fide superstars in the mix, including Stevie Wonder, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon and Taylor Swift. And there were unexpected and welcome surprises like Brandy Clark, an overlooked Nashville craftswoman behind signature songs for Miranda Lambert (“Mama’s Broken Heart”), Kacey Musgraves (“Follow Your Arrow”) and others, who brings tender musicality and witty wordplay to her own winning catalog.

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. June 22, The Argo, 334 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay. $48.95 to $68.56 at the box office and theargolive.com.

With the dynamic one-two punch of its first two electric art rock albums in 2021 and 2022 – “For The First Time” and “Ants From Up There” – British band Black Country, New Road quickly became a critics’ darling. But a few days before “Ants” came out, frontman Isaac Wood announced he was leaving the group, putting Black Country, New Road’s ascent into jeopardy. Despite the odds, the band’s upward trajectory continued with last year’s “Forever Howlong” that put the band in a new, equally exciting direction. Be sure to show up for opener Horsegirl, another emerging rock band getting plenty of buzz.

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. June 28, Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N. Phillips Ave. $35.98 at the door, the Pabst Theater box office (144 E. Wells St.) and pabsttheater.org.

The last time Julian Casablancas sang “Last Nite” in Wisconsin was 15 years ago as part of Pearl Jam’s PJ20 festival at Alpine Valley Music Theatre. Three Strokes albums will have been released during that absence, including latest “Reality Awaits” coming out in June, but patient fans in Wisconsin should be rewarded with plenty of turn-of-the-century hits in the setlist. There’s also a special offer just for them: the Milwaukee date is the only stop of the band’s extensive tour to feature both Cage The Elephant and Thundercat.

When, where, how much: 7 p.m. July 17, American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive. $67.15 to $473.95 at the box office and amfamamp.com.

Less than a year ago Benson Boone was flipping around a Summerfest stage for a sold-out American Family Insurance Amphitheater concert, his first following the release of latest album “American Heart.” But people can’t get enough of the gymnastics and Freddie Mercury-style belting, because his Milwaukee return is already close to sold out, even though Boone doesn’t have new music to share (not yet, anyway).

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. July 22, Fiserv Forum, 1111 N. Phillips Ave. $123.30 to $430.10 at the box office and fiservforum.com.

There’s a lot that people love about Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster, Oscar-winning, 1932-set vampire film “Sinners,” but one of the most cherished elements is its celebration of the blues, with living legend Buddy Guy playing a pivotal part in the 2025 movie. That’s sparked renewed interest in Guy’s music and legacy, which makes the opportunity to see him particularly special – that, and the fact that he’ll turn 90 a few days after performing in Milwaukee.

When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. July 26, Riverside Theater, 116 W. Wisconsin Ave. $72.50 to $176.41 at the door, the Pabst Theater box office and pabsttheater.org.

A highlight of the lineup at Justin Vernon’s cherished Eaux Claires festival, returning this July after an eight-year absence, is singer-songwriter Aimee Mann performing her 2000 album “Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo” in its entirety. But you don’t have to trek to Eau Claire to see Mann revisit one of the most celebrated albums of her career, with Mann also planning to perform songs featured in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 1999 film “Magnolia” at this Milwaukee show.

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. July 27, Pabst Theater. $47.81 to $236.67.

“What were you like in the ’90s?” It’s a question you might have seen in your social media feeds this year, perhaps accompanied by old photos of celebrities. Guaranteed the music playing for most of those videos was Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” which has sparked a renewed interest in the band’s discography (even Pitchfork penned a tribute to the track), well timed ahead of their summer tour.

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When, where, how much: 7 p.m. Aug. 6, BMO Pavilion, Maier Festival Park. $48.90 to $2,634.60 at the box office and bmopavilion.com.

Buffalo Nichols performs three songs for USA TODAY Acoustic

Buffalo Nichols performs “Cold Black Stare,” “The Difference” and “Belly of the Beast” for USA TODAY Acoustic in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newsroom.

Summer is the season of huge outdoor concerts and festivals, but tiny clubs still have some of the best live music of the season. Places like Shank Hall, Linneman’s, X-Ray Arcade, Falcon Bowl, Anodyne, Cooperage and MKeUltra will keep the shows coming, so check out their calendars. And if there’s one club show we’re especially excited about this summer, its Buffalo Nichols coming back to his hometown for an intimate set of stirring folk and blues originals.

When, where, how much: 6:30 p.m. Aug. 14, Cactus Club, 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. $20 to $25 at the door and cactusclubmilwaukee.com.

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In 2022, after a 13-year absence, Tori Amos put on a powerful concert in Milwaukee that saw her frequently playing keys and piano simultaneously, while infusing her songs and a Joni Mitchell classic with impassioned vocals. It was one of the best concerts we reviewed that year, and we’re blessed the wait won’t be so long for Amos’ return, when she’ll have new songs to share from latest album “In Times of Dragons.”

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 15, Riverside Theater. $64.55 to $308.29.

In 2024 pop rocker Bryan Adams was scheduled to play his first Milwaukee concert since 2011 at Fiserv Forum, but the show and others were quietly canceled with no explanation. For his attempted return after what has now been a 15-year absence, Adams has a special incentive for the cost of a ticket: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar + Neil Giraldo as his opening act.

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When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Fiserv Forum. $73.30 to $400.90.

It was a matter of when, not if, consistent hitmaker Tim McGraw would get inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In March fans found out it’s happening this fall, with McGraw hitting the road this summer to remind people who don’t need reminding why he’s so worthy of the honor.

When, where, how much: 7 p.m. Aug. 22, Alpine Valley Music Theatre, 2699 County Road D, East Troy. $35 to $2,195.70 at the gate and livenation.com.

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The Australian trio has become one of the most celebrated live acts in EDM, getting headlining slots at premiere festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, and booking stadium gigs including Fenway Park in Boston. For Milwaukee this summer, that means a tour stop at the 23,000-person-capacity American Family Insurance Amphitheater – a massive upgrade from the Miramar Theatre they played their last time in town a decade ago.

When, where, how much: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26, American Family Insurance Amphitheater. $35 to $122.

In April, Milwaukee was lucky to get the opening night of Romeo Santos and Prince Royce’s tour, one of the most-anticipated Latin music tours of the summer. Just four months later, it’s happening again, when Puerto Rican superstar Chayanne kicks off what’s being billed as the final leg of his “Bailemos Otra Vez” tour at the Bucks’ arena.

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 28, Fiserv Forum. $71.70 to $1,377.05.

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We may not get another Harley-Davidson Homecoming this year, but it did give Milwaukee a lot of memorable performances. That included a spellbinding set last year from Sierra Ferrell, who brings an earthy, psychedelic style to her traditionally minded country and folk songs, and who will certainly offer fans a longer set this time than what a festival slot could provide last summer.

When, where, how much: 8 p.m. Aug. 29, Landmark Credit Union Live, 1051 N. Phillips Ave. $60.50 to $185.25 at the box office and landmarkculive.com.

More: 10 of the top summer music festivals to check out in Wisconsin in 2026

More: 15 summer 2026 concerts skipping Wisconsin worth the road trip

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Contact Piet Levy at (414) 223-5162 or plevy@journalsentinel.com. Follow him at facebook.com/PietLevyMJS.