From Green County Tourism
Ah yes, it's finally summer. That sweet, fleeting season marked by flip-flops and festivals, grillin' and chillin' on the patio. Picnic, anyone? Green County Tourism would like to recommend five scenic spots and local flavors to fill that picnic basket.
Shore Lunch
Browntown Cadiz Springs Recreation Area, N2241 Cadiz Springs Road, Browntown.
Life's a beach. Two lakes ideal for canoes, kayaks, and fishing (including accessible platform). Nice playground area courtesy of the Friends group. State park admission sticker required. Best bet for the basket: Purple Martin wine (ask the owners about the name) from Hawk's Mill Winery just southeast of the park at W8170 Pilz Road.
Downtown Dining
Historic Green County Courthouse, 1016 16th Ave., Monroe.
Picnic in the shadow of an icon that has graced "the Square" with its presence since 1891. Wander the grounds and see if you can solve the mystery of where builders placed the original cornerstone. "You Be the Judge" photo opp upstairs in the former courtroom. Best bet for the basket: burgers to go from nearby Suisse Haus, or the classic Limburger with onion and mustard on rye across the street from Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern.
Catch and Release
Lake Montesian, Wisconsin 69, Monticello.
Idyllic setting, complete with a bridge to the island on this small lake. Bring your fishing pole. Don't bother wrangling the whale - he's a permanent resident here. Best bet for the basket: Wisconsin State Fair award-winning Brick cheese from nearby Silver-Lewis Cheese Cooperative, W3075 County EE, and raspberry pie from M&M Café in downtown Monticello.
Rustic Retreat
Decatur Park, N3768 Park Road, Brodhead.
Rustic Road No. 27 (Park Road) leads you to this off-the-beaten-path picnic spot. Best bet for the basket: Grilled cheese to go. At nearby Decatur Dairy (W1668 County F) you can choose your cheese and they'll toast it up while you wait: crispy golden on the outside and gooey goodness in the inside. Or keep it really simple and just grab a bag of their flavored squeaky-fresh curds.
Cows on the Hilltop
New Glarus Brewing Company, 2400 Wis. 69, New Glarus.
Choose your brews and enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the countryside from the outdoor courtyard beer garden. Feel free to carry in a lunch or snacks, but remember to pick up after yourself (and please don't use the fountain to wash your feet - yes, it has happened). Best bet for the basket: New Glarus Brewing Company's flagship beer Spotted Cow, of course.
For a list of more parks and natural areas, click on the Outdoors & Trails tab on the Green County Tourism website www.greencounty.org.
Ah yes, it's finally summer. That sweet, fleeting season marked by flip-flops and festivals, grillin' and chillin' on the patio. Picnic, anyone? Green County Tourism would like to recommend five scenic spots and local flavors to fill that picnic basket.
Shore Lunch
Browntown Cadiz Springs Recreation Area, N2241 Cadiz Springs Road, Browntown.
Life's a beach. Two lakes ideal for canoes, kayaks, and fishing (including accessible platform). Nice playground area courtesy of the Friends group. State park admission sticker required. Best bet for the basket: Purple Martin wine (ask the owners about the name) from Hawk's Mill Winery just southeast of the park at W8170 Pilz Road.
Downtown Dining
Historic Green County Courthouse, 1016 16th Ave., Monroe.
Picnic in the shadow of an icon that has graced "the Square" with its presence since 1891. Wander the grounds and see if you can solve the mystery of where builders placed the original cornerstone. "You Be the Judge" photo opp upstairs in the former courtroom. Best bet for the basket: burgers to go from nearby Suisse Haus, or the classic Limburger with onion and mustard on rye across the street from Baumgartner's Cheese Store and Tavern.
Catch and Release
Lake Montesian, Wisconsin 69, Monticello.
Idyllic setting, complete with a bridge to the island on this small lake. Bring your fishing pole. Don't bother wrangling the whale - he's a permanent resident here. Best bet for the basket: Wisconsin State Fair award-winning Brick cheese from nearby Silver-Lewis Cheese Cooperative, W3075 County EE, and raspberry pie from M&M Café in downtown Monticello.
Rustic Retreat
Decatur Park, N3768 Park Road, Brodhead.
Rustic Road No. 27 (Park Road) leads you to this off-the-beaten-path picnic spot. Best bet for the basket: Grilled cheese to go. At nearby Decatur Dairy (W1668 County F) you can choose your cheese and they'll toast it up while you wait: crispy golden on the outside and gooey goodness in the inside. Or keep it really simple and just grab a bag of their flavored squeaky-fresh curds.
Cows on the Hilltop
New Glarus Brewing Company, 2400 Wis. 69, New Glarus.
Choose your brews and enjoy the panoramic view overlooking the countryside from the outdoor courtyard beer garden. Feel free to carry in a lunch or snacks, but remember to pick up after yourself (and please don't use the fountain to wash your feet - yes, it has happened). Best bet for the basket: New Glarus Brewing Company's flagship beer Spotted Cow, of course.
For a list of more parks and natural areas, click on the Outdoors & Trails tab on the Green County Tourism website www.greencounty.org.