Travel from Sauk County: Pardeeville, WI

This is the first in a series of posts I’ll be making. The intention of the “Travel from Sauk County” posts is to highlight small towns, events, and attractions that are all within a day’s drive from home. Most of the time we make the trek back in the same day, after visiting the local coffee shop (or two!), eating some food, walking around the city, finding their best family activity, eating some more food, and perhaps grabbing a cocktail.

To start the series, I’m going to share my experiences in Pardeeville, WI. Pardeeville is a place I had always heard of — think, “Party-ville” — but never had a reason to visit. That is, until I learned of their incredible antique mall! If you’re into antiques, vintage, home decor, and finding tons of stuff you didn’t know you needed, you have to check this place out. Full disclosure: I do have a booth there but, so do 95+ other people so, I promise this isn’t an ad for my personal booth! For that reason, I have been making a monthly (or more) trip to Pardeeville. Read on to learn about what I’ve discovered in Pardeeville over the last 6 months.

Location

Nestled in north-central Columbia County, just 35 miles north of Madison and approximately 28 miles southeast of Wisconsin Dells, Pardeeville is a great destination for “daycations” or weekend getaways. Easily accessible via Wisconsin State Highways 22 and 44, Pardeeville boasts picturesque landscapes and serene surroundings.

Highway 22 gracefully winds its way through Main Street, connecting Pardeeville to the north with Montello and to the south with Wyocena and Madison via US Route 51. Meanwhile, Highway 44 leads northeast, taking you on a picturesque journey to Kingston and further to Ripon and Oshkosh.

The Crooked Branch Coffeehouse

The first place I visited, outside of the antique mall, was the coffee shop, which is conveniently located at 134 N. Main Street in Pardeeville. When you walk in, there is a chalkboard sign featuring drink specials as well as the quiche and soup of the day, and a case of bakery items that is always so tempting (I tried the coconut chocolate chip scone and it was delicious). Their full menu includes salads, wraps, and soups, as well as coffee alternatives like hot chocolate, Italian soda, kombucha, and more. My favorite drink to order is an iced latte with amaretto and almond syrups but, truly, anything I’ve tried has been great.

On the side of the coffee shop is a little sunroom porch with many windows, comfy seating, and a beautiful fountain flowing. It’s the most zen feel at a coffee shop I’ve ever experienced.

The back of the coffeehouse is more spacious than you would imagine, with plenty of tables and seating as well as a bookshelf stocked with books, magazines, puzzles, and a few toys for children. The owner told me that people are welcome to take a book home to read and bring back when they’ve finished.

Johnny B’s Rolling Smoke

Just down the road, and along Park Lake, Johnny B’s serves delicious, wood-fired barbecue made from scratch with homemade sauces. Located across from Chandler Park, you’ll have beautiful views when dining on the deck or enjoying a cocktail outside while listening to live music. Spacious indoor and outdoor seating with a full bar makes this a good place to have a great time! We’ve been there twice and definitely would have gone back by now if eating at a restaurant with a toddler was easier. This place should definitely be on your list of where to stop!

Chandler Park

Chandler Park, the biggest park in Pardeeville, is almost completely surrounded by water from Park Lake, which makes it a great location to fish and swim. Other park attractions include: a baseball field, basketball courts, and playground equipment. There is also a paved path around the park, perfect for walking and riding a bike. Two large shelters and bathrooms make this a great place to host an event!

Park Lake

Park Lake winds around Chandler Park before opening up into a bay on the northeast edge of town. This body of water is perfect for locals and visitors that want to get out on a boat, canoe, or kayak. On a warm summer day, you’ll likely see people swimming too. Fishermen and women catch panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, and Walley in the lake with access from two public boat landings.

Pardeeville Wisconsin Antique Mall

The Antique Mall is a crowd pleaser in the fact that it’s not like any other antique store/mall I’ve ever been to. There are plenty of booths with true antiques but, with over 95 vendors, there’s a nice eclectic mix so everyone will find something, even if you’re not into “antiques”. I actually have heard an approximately 10 year old boy repeat to his mom “This is the coolest place ever!” over and over in pure amazement.

Shopping begins before you even get in the door with their fairly large outdoor display. Items outside include metal signs, yard decor, old ladders, wagon wheels, and so much more! In the summer there’s a stand selling locally grown, fresh produce and, if you’re really lucky, you might stop on a day when they have a food truck — because, believe me, you could spend enough time at this place that you will be hungry by the time you leave!

Booths inside are filled with all sorts of treasures — some older antiques and some items that are a more modern mix. If you are a collector of something, there’s good chances you will find an item to take home to add to your collection. Other items include handmade goat milk soap, faux greenery, tchotchkes, and cast iron pans, to name a few. 10,000 sq. ft. with two levels of shopping, this really is a place you need to see with your own eyes to understand how AWE-some it is!

And then there’s the owners – Matt and Barb – they really are the reason this place is so fantastic! They personally greet you with a smile and warm hello, unless they happen to have the day off, but that’s only happened once that I’ve stopped in. They began this journey as vendors at the mall and bought the place, when they had the opportunity, in 2006. They provide great service to both their customers and their vendors, and ensure all are keeping a tidy booth, which really enhances the overall vibe of the mall.

My impression of antiques in the past was that they were old, dirty items and antique malls seemed dusty and just not like there would be anything for me…Matt & Barb have made sure the shopping experience at their mall is entirely different! Find them at 103 Industrial Dr, Pardeeville, WI.

Other things worth noting:

• The Angie W. Cox Library

• The Columbia County Historical Museum
• Pardeeville Watermelon Festival (Held the first Saturday after Labor Day for 55+ years)
• Holiday Lights at Chandler Park — Every evening after Thanksgiving through New Year (dates subject to change)
• Holiday on the Lake — Local businesses have holiday specials as well as vendors and crafters set up throughout town. Held early November.
• Carol’s Cones

So there you have it, the highlights of Pardeeville as I’ve experienced them. I look forward to discovering more and would love to hear about what neat experiences you’ve had in Pardeeville.