Major city · United States
Grafton, WisconsinGrafton, WI
Half a day is enough: walk the downtown blocks, then drive on to Cedarburg or Port Washington; sleep in Milwaukee, 30 km (19 mi) south.Half a day is enough: walk the downtown blocks, then drive on to Cedarburg or Port Washington; sleep in Milwaukee, 19 mi (30 km) south.
Grafton is a village of about 10,000 people on I-43, 30 km north of Milwaukee and 15 km from the Lake Michigan shore. It works as a short stop between Milwaukee and Port Washington rather than a base: the downtown is small, and the bigger draws sit in the neighbouring towns. Most visitors spend half a day here and sleep in Milwaukee.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, limited daylight)
- Airport
- MKE
- Nights
- 0–1
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 Grafton, Wisconsin911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
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 Grafton, Wisconsin, 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
- SafetyGrafton is a low-crime small town; the real risks are winter driving on I-43 and deer on rural roads at dusk.
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
- 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.
- AirportcheckMKE Milwaukee Mitchell International (About 40–50 min south on I-43 (check traffic); the nearest commercial airport.
- Getting aroundA car is the practical option: I-43 runs north–south and Highway 60 east–west.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)$2–$4
- BeerBeer (draft, bar)$4–$7
- Budget bedBudget hotel room (Milwaukee or Port Washington), a night, per roomUS$80
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room (Milwaukee or Port Washington), a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedBudget hotel room (Milwaukee or Port Washington), a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$55 · Mid US$95 · High US$150
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
- MKE Milwaukee Mitchell International (About 40–50 min south on I-43 (check traffic); the nearest commercial airport. Chicago O'Hare (ORD) is about 1 h 45 min by car.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C) low), wettest Apr (9 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grafton, Wisconsin: 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
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
6 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
5 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
7 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
9 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
8 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
7 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
7 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 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
A car is the practical option: I-43 runs north–south and Highway 60 east–west. Public transport is limited, so plan on driving or a rideshare.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 20 min each way
Drive north on I-43
Lakeside town with a marina and downtown shops.
Door to door: About 15 min each way
Drive west on Highway 60
Historic downtown and breweries; pairs well with Grafton in one afternoon.
Milwaukee, WI
overnightDoor to door: About 30–40 min each way
Drive south on I-43
The city's museums, lakefront and restaurants; sleep here rather than in Grafton.
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.
Milwaukee
The nearest large choice of hotels, about 30 km (19 mi) south on I-43; most visitors to Grafton sleep here.The nearest large choice of hotels, about 19 mi (30 km) south on I-43; most visitors to Grafton sleep here.
Port Washington and Cedarburg
Smaller inns and motels 15–20 min away; fewer rooms, so book ahead in summer.
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
- $50–$80 excl. lodging
- Mid
- $80–$130 excl. lodging
- High
- $130+ excl. lodging
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room (Milwaukee or Port Washington)1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$95 | US$190 |
| Car rental (compact, 1 day)2 × US$60 · check insurance coverage | US$120 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$45 |
| Trip total≈ US$248 per person per day, bed included | US$495 |
Grafton itself has few rooms; most visitors sleep in Milwaukee, about 30 km south (check).
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | $2–$4 |
| Beer (draft, bar) | $4–$7 |
| Parking (downtown, 2 h)check | $2–$5 |
| Riverwalk bike rental (hour)check | $5–$8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter snow and ice make I-43 and side roads hazardous; check conditions before driving.
- Limited public transport; plan a car or rideshare.
- Downtown is small: check opening hours before driving out, as some places close early.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Grafton, WisconsinGrafton, WI
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
Embassy
US citizens: no passport or consular services needed locally; the nearest passport agency is in Milwaukee (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- I-43 north to Port Washington: About 20 min drive, fuel $5–$7 (check)
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 Grafton, Wisconsin. 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 Nov–Apr (cold, limited daylight) · month by month →
- 1 airport 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
- Add a downtown parking and walking map with verified addresses.
- Link to the Milwaukee hotel guide for overnight stays.
- Create a seasonal events page (for example Grafton River Fest) once dates are confirmed.
Sources
Ask about Grafton, Wisconsin
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