Your 2025 Cedarburg Community Guide

Your 2025 Cedarburg Community Guide

Discover what makes this town one of the most charming in Wisconsin.

Cedar Creek Settlement; photo courtesy of Experience Cedarburg.

CEDARBURG IS A COMMUNITY BURSTING WITH CHARM less than 30 minutes northwest of Milwaukee. With its vibrant arts scene and distinctive, walkable downtown, it’s perfect for shopping and unique gift-giving.

The town is a preservationist’s dream, anchored by a beautiful downtown historic district filled with an eclectic selection of specialty shops, restaurants, museums and historic inns. You could easily spend a day, weekend or a lifetime. 

You’ll also find a robust community spirit within our businesses and service providers that truly makes Cedarburg a special place.

For more than 50 years, Cedarburg has been Southeastern Wisconsin’s hub for visitors looking for a contemporary yet small-town feel. Like a photograph that etches a memory in time, Cedarburg’s pristine buildings will transport you back to days gone by while offering a chance to experience modern amenities and unparalleled charm.

We welcome you to experience Cedarburg this holiday season, and come back all year long! For more information, find us online at Cedarburg.org and follow us on social media @ExperienceCedarburg.

Maggie Dobson, President & CEO of Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce


Photo by Colleen Felli

Welcome to Cedarburg

Cedarburg is Southeastern Wisconsin’s not-so-secret idyllic getaway. Surrounded by sprawling nature preserves and not far from Lake Michigan, Cedarburg has stunning vistas that are matched by its charm. As one of Southeastern Wisconsin’s most beloved towns, Cedarburg offers visitors of any age endless exploration, world-class shopping and entertainment.  

Cedarburg welcomes visitors year-round, whether it’s for a quick day trip to shop and enjoy some lunch, a long weekend of sightseeing, or an extended stay long enough to learn the ins and outs of the community. An abundance of galleries, artisanal markets, nature trails, museums, small businesses and plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and wineries mean a repeat visit is a must.  

During this time of year, as the weather cools and the seasons change, Cedarburg transforms. “Autumn, when the air is nice and crisp, and the streets are filled with fall colors, is the perfect time to explore,” says Maggie Dobson, president and CEO of Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce. “Go downtown, grab a coffee and walk the streets, stopping at our many locally owned shops. The best kind of day is spent walking around the community and just seeing where the day takes you.” 

And Cedarburg’s most exciting season is right around the corner – the holidays. Come December, the town transforms into a winter paradise, its historic downtown lined with twinkling lights and its buildings decorated with holiday flair. The restaurants, cafes and shops offer a warm respite on a snowy afternoon or evening. Cedarburg is so festive that Reader’s Digest even named it one of the country’s top 10 small towns for Christmas. 

Every Friday from Nov. 21-Dec. 19 features Festive Friday Eves, a series of free, family-friendly activities that celebrate the spirit of the holiday season from 5-8 p.m. At Cedarburg’s Cedar Creek Settlement, visitors can enjoy live music, wine sampling and shopping while the Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce provides complimentary trolley rides around the decorated streets. The downtown is lined with hundreds of glowing luminaries to lead revelers to restaurants and shops.

For holiday shopping, Dobson has a few recommendations. She suggests checking out Bohemia, Up the Creek and Birchwood Wells for an array of unique home decor items with an artistic flair. “To get into the true Christmas spirit, pay a visit to Alpine Gift Haus,” says Dobson. “The shop is filled with hundreds of beautiful high-quality glass ornaments that will awe.” 

Take the “shop till you drop” trolley around town to cross items off your list, or even to just see how the town lights up at night. Looking for more holiday fun? The Rivoli Theatre will be holding its holiday film festival from Dec. 1-23, and the historic Kuhefuss House will host The Tipsy Elf, its festive pop-up holiday bar, all month long. 

One of Cedarburg’s shops, From the Heart, has a motto that states “every season and every reason,” an axiom that rings true for the whole community – and especially so during the holiday season, when Cedarburg becomes the region’s most magical escape.


Explore Cedarburg
Make the most of your next visit, with a stop at one of these local businesses. 

Amish Craftsmen Guild II

Whether walking into the outdoor or indoor showroom in Cedarburg you’ll find a vast collection of handcrafted Amish furniture made from recycled and regionally produced HDPE. Award-winning Amish Craftsmen Guild innovates with Amish crafters to create unique designs  in the sustainable/recyclable PolyLumber furniture industry. This four-season furniture is customizable, maintenance-free and diverse in design – timeless classics, modern or rustic – with unlimited color options. 

Cedarburg Art Museum

No stop to Cedarburg is complete without a visit to the Cedarburg Art Museum, one of the region’s only spaces dedicated to collecting, preserving and exhibiting the works of artists from Cedarburg and surrounding areas. The destination comes alive during the holidays, when the 1898 Victorian mansion it calls home transforms into a storybook setting inspired by Clement C. Moore’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Each room is adorned with period furnishings and depicts a charming scene from the beloved tale. 

Cedar Creek Settlement

These stone and tamarack timber buildings were built by German immigrants as a woolen mill in 1864. The restored buildings are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and home to 15 unique boutiques, three restaurants and Cedar Creek Winery. This thriving retail hub has been a shopping and dining destination for decades. Plus, the Settlement founded four major seasonal Cedarburg festivals – Winter Festival, Strawberry Festival, Wine & Harvest Festival and the Five Festive Friday Eves holiday series. 

Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin

With a team of physical therapists and orthopedic specialists in areas like hip, knee, shoulder, hand and wrist, spine, and foot and ankle care, the team at Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin delivers expert care and patient-centered treatment. As a nationally recognized specialty hospital, OHOW offers best-in-class treatment with a commitment to exceptional outcomes for every patient. 

PJS Investment Management

This wealth management firm offers clients from across Southeastern Wisconsin a comprehensive financial plan rooted in a trusted advisor-client relationship. PJS’ “Prosperity Roadmap” gives clients an understanding of the wealth management process, and a step-by-step map. Each plan is based on the personalized needs of the client to help them reach their goals. 

Washington House Inn

Located on Cedarburg’s bustling Washington Avenue, Washington House Inn is a charming boutique hotel with a history as long as the town itself. The 1886 building, lovingly restored and on the National Register of Historic Places, has 34 unique rooms, each offering modern amenities while maintaining vintage appeal. Right in the heart of Cedarburg, the inn is close to downtown’s attractions, offering an ideal spot for a day of exploration. 

Washington House Inn; photo courtesy of Experience Cedarburg.

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts 

Cedarburg is home to one of the country’s few dedicated quilt and fiber museums. On a historic farmstead, the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts engages the public about the artistic, cultural, historic and social importance of the fiber arts, with rotating exhibits and a unique permanent collection. Events, workshops, classes and lectures teach this tradition to the next generation. Through Dec. 7, the museum will host “Rosemary Ollison: Know My Heart,” displaying the complex textile oeuvre of the 83-year-old Milwaukee-based artist.


Cedarburg Listings
Shop, dine and explore your way through Cedarburg.

Food + Drink

Anvil Pub & Grille
N70 W6340 Bridge Rd.
anvilpubandgrille.com

Brandywine
W61 N480 Washington Ave.
brandywinecedarburg.com

Cedar Creek Winery
N70 W6340 Bridge Rd.
cedarcreekwinery.com

The Chocolate Factory
W62 N577 Washington Ave.
thechocolatefactorywi.com

Dorsey’s Cafe & Market
W63 N657 Washington Ave.
dorseyscafeandmarket.com

The Farmstead
W62 N238 Washington Ave.
farmsteadcedarburg.com

The Fermentorium
7481 WI-60 Trunk
thefermentorium.com

Hefner’s Custard
N71 W5184 Columbia Rd.
hefnerscustard.com

Lakeside Cookie Co.
W63 N706 Washington Ave.
lakesidecookieco.com

Maxwell’s 
W63 N699 Washington Ave.
maxwellscedarburg.com

North 48°
W62 N599 Washington Ave.
north48bars.com

Stilt House
W62 N630 Washington Ave.
stilthousegastrobar.com

Sunshine Winery
W63 N631 Washington Ave.
sunshine-winery.com

Toast
1302 Washington Ave.
cedarburg.toastmilwaukee.com

Tomaso’s
W63 N688 Washington Ave.
tomasoscedarburg.com

Tomasos; photo courtesy of Experience Cedarburg.

Union House
W62 N559 Washington Ave.
unionhousecedarburg.com

Lodging + Services

Cedar Creek Massage
W63 N549 Hanover Ave.
cedarcreekmassage.com

Lilly Pad Guest House
W62 N539 Washington Ave.
cedarburglillypad.com

PJS Investment Management
W62 N570 Washington Ave.
pjsinvestment.com

Stagecoach Inn
W61 N520 Washington Ave.
stagecoach-inn-wi.com

Washington House Inn
W62 N573 Washington Ave.
washingtonhouseinn.com

Shopping

Amish Craftsmen Guild II
W60 N119 Cardinal Ave.
amishcraftsmenguild.com

Armbruster Jewelers
W62 N620 Washington Ave.
armbrusterjewelers.com

Birchwood Wells
W63 N646 Washington Ave.
birchwoodwells.com

Bohemia
W62 N587 Washington Ave.
bohemiahomedesign.square.site

Bohemia, photo by Experience Cedarburg.

Cedarburg Toy Company
W62 N583 Washington Ave.
cedarburgtoyco.com

Cedarburg Threads
W62 N585 Washington Ave.
cedarburgthreads.com

Cedar Creek Settlement
N70 W6340 Bridge Rd.
cedarcreeksettlement.com

Corner Closet
W63 N655 Washington Ave.
bit.ly/cccedarburg

District Six
W63 N684 Washington Ave.
instagram.com/shopdistrictsix

From the Heart
W62 N591 Washington Ave.
bit.ly/fromtheart

The Irish Boutique of Cedarburg
W63 N680 Washington Ave.
irishboutique.com

Pagoda Fine Jewelry 
N58 W6189 Columbia Rd.
pagodafinejewelry.com

Up the Creek
W63 N698 Washington Ave.
upthecreek-cedarburg.com

Wild Lavender Boutique
W63 N712 Washington Ave.
shopwildlavenderboutique.com

Arts + Entertainment

Cedarburg Art Museum
W63 N675 Washington Ave.
cedarburgartmuseum.org

Cedarburg Children’s Theater
W62 N546 Washington Ave.
cedarburgchildrenstheater.com

Cedarburg History Museum
N58 W6194 Columbia Rd.
cedarburghm.org

Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd. 
cedarburgpac.com

The Pink Llama Gallery
W62 N580 Washington Ave. 
thepinkllama.com

Rivoli Theatre
W62 N567 Washington Ave.
rivoliofcedarburg.com

Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Art
N50 W5050 Portland Rd.
wiquiltmuseum.com


The cover of the November 2025 issue of Milwaukee Magazine

This story is part of Milwaukee Magazine’s November 2025 issue.

Find it on newsstands or buy a copy at milwaukeemag.com/shop.

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