Major city · United States
New Glarus
Half a day to one night: see the Swiss-themed downtown, tour the brewery, and eat rösti. Not a base—use it as a stop between Madison and the Illinois border.
New Glarus is a small Swiss-founded village in southern Wisconsin, 45 minutes from Madison. Its main draws are the New Glarus Brewing Company, Swiss-German food (rösti, kalberwurst, spätzli), and a compact downtown with chalet-style buildings. Most visitors spend 3–5 hours or stay one night at a motel or inn.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses reduce hours)
- Airports
- MSN · ORD
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for New Glarus911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Green County Sheriff (non-emergency)608-328-9400
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about New Glarus, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 608-328-9400 Green County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMSN Dane County Regional Airport (Madison) (About 45 min drive; rental car needed).
- Getting aroundCar is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerDraft beer (pint)$5–7
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$160
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$120 · High US$200
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MSN Dane County Regional Airport (Madison) (About 45 min drive; rental car needed) · ORD Chicago O'Hare (About 2.5 h drive; most common for long-distance visitors)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Feb
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Mar
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
New Glarus: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
8 rd
Feb
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
10 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
9 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
9 rd
Dec
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car is essential. Downtown is walkable (about 6 blocks). The brewery is about 1.5 km from downtown; a free shuttle runs during peak hours (check).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Madison
goDoor to door: 45 min
Drive north on WI 69, about 45 min
State capitol, museums, and restaurants; a full day.
Monroe (Green County seat)
goDoor to door: 20 min
Drive south on WI 69, about 20 min
Cheese shops and the Green County Historical Museum.
Freeport, Illinois
cautionDoor to door: 45 min
Drive south on WI 69, about 45 min
Small city with a few antique stores; not a must-see.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Highway 69
Chalet Landhaus and Swiss Aire Motel are walkable to restaurants and the brewery shuttle stop.
Browntown (south)
Inn Serendipity, about 10 min drive; a quiet B&B option.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–90 excl. bed
- Mid
- $90–150 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$120 | US$240 |
| Brewery tour (tasting included)2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Rideshare Madison → New Glarus, one way1 × US$45 · check | US$45 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$43 |
| Trip total≈ US$234 per person per day, bed included | US$468 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and rental car excluded.
Prices of common things
| Brewery tour with tasting | $15 (check) |
| Rösti at Glarner Stube | $14–18 |
| Draft beer (pint) | $5–7 |
| Motel double room | $80–160 |
| Rideshare to Madison | $40–55 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Brewery tours can fill up on weekends: arrive early or book ahead (check).
- Many restaurants close by 21:00 or earlier on weeknights.Many restaurants close by 9:00 PM or earlier on weeknights.
- No public transport to/from Madison: you need a car or taxi/rideshare.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Green County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 608-328-9400
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
New GlarusNew Glarus
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this addressTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Green County Sheriff (non-emergency)608-328-9400
Embassy
No consulate in New Glarus. The nearest major consulates are in Chicago (e.g., UK, Canada, Australia).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare Madison → New Glarus: about $40–55 (check)
- Brewery shuttle from downtown: free, check hours
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (HEH-loh)
- Thank you — Thank you (THANK yoo)
- How much? — How much? (HOW much)
- One beer, please — One beer, please (WUN beer pleez)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet? (WHAIR iz the REST-room)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for New Glarus. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, some businesses reduce hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the brewery and Glarner Stube with verified hours and seasonal closures.
- Walking route from downtown to the brewery with waypoints.
- Shuttle schedule and taxi numbers for the Madison–New Glarus route.
Sources
Ask about New Glarus
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