Between Chicago & Green Bay Lies A Midwestern City That's A Winter Wonderland

Some cities become enchanting destinations around the holidays. Cedarburg is one of them. While the historic Midwestern spot, located halfway between Chicago and Green Bay, is worth a detour all year, the festive season is when it truly sparkles. 

Cedarburg was founded along Cedar Creek by Irish and German immigrants in 1843. They built the first grist mill and turned the community into a trading post, expanding as more mills were constructed. The settlement quickly became advanced when roads and new train lines connected it to larger Midwestern cities. Many late-19th-century buildings, including mills, inns, and homes, still line the city center. They're now part of the Cedarburg Historic District. The Cedarburg Bridge, the only covered bridge left in an area that was once full of them, still stands a few miles to the north. Today, Cedarburg is a small city that's home to just over 12,000 people.

Since the city is 112 miles from Chicago and 100 miles from Green Bay, it's a perfect in-between stop. If you're driving from the Windy City, check out the best way for first-time visitors to see everything Chicago has to offer. Cedarburg is also only 20 miles from the center of Milwaukee, the ultimate vacation spot for food lovers. You can fly into Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE), which receives nonstop flights from cities all over the United States, as well as the Caribbean. As you head north, make a quick stop in Havenwoods State Forest, Wisconsin's only urban state forest.

Though it is quite chilly, Cedarburg is absolutely charming this time of the year. The holiday season starts early in the Cedarburg Historic District. The Cedarburg Cultural Center in the historic Kuhefuss House, which was built in 1849, opens its holiday pop-up bar in mid-November. It helps adults get into the holiday spirit early with themed cocktails and karaoke nights. '

The Cedarburg Art Museum, which is in a Victorian mansion built by the owner of the Wittenberg Woolen Mill, begins its 'Twas the Night Before Christmas exhibit the following week. The self-guided tour through the museum includes live reindeer and warm beverages. Festive Friday Eves at the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement and Luminaries & Trolley Rides that light up the city kick off the same weekend.

The festive spirit really ramps up after Thanksgiving. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at Santa's Workshop, a decked-out gingerbread house, on Black Friday. A few days later, the Cedarburg Tree Lighting brings out the whole community for Christmas carols and sweet treats. Zeunert Park lights up, too. Illuminate Ozaukee turns the park into a drive-thru light exhibit. Then kids will enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa, while the entire family can dress up — as elves, perhaps — to run in Santa's Dash Away 5K. With so many holiday events, Cedarburg feels like you have stepped into a Christmas movie. Only a Scrooge would not feel jolly while walking down Washington Avenue right now.

Though the holidays will come to an end, Cedarburg remains a wonderland all winter. In January, the nearby Riveredge Nature Center, a nearly 400-acre sanctuary, illuminates one of its trails. You can ski, snowshoe, or walk the 1.5-mile trail, and then warm up near a fire with hot chocolate and live music. At Cedar Creek Park, there is an ice rink to go skating. It is even lit up at night for skating under the lights. A hill in the park is also the perfect spot for sledding. You can bring sleds to Centennial Park and E. Stephen Fischer Park as well.

Then the Shops of Cedar Creek Settlement, which revived a mill that was built in 1864, is a cozy place to warm up after playing outside. Its Cedar Creek Winery serves seasonal wine and cheese tastings at $25 per person. The Washington House Inn, the first inn that opened in Wisconsin, offers a midweek Winter Fireplace Special for its rooms with fireplaces.

Winter Festival turns Cedarburg into an après-ski chalet at the end of February. You can join the bed races down Cedar Creek, watch ice be carved into intricate ice sculptures on Washington Avenue, play in the Ice-Burg Open golf tournament in Cedar Creek Park, and cheer on the dog sled pull outside the Community Gym. There is an après-ski lodge, too. The days might be shorter, but there are no winter blues in Cedarburg.