(Photo above is Main Street in downtown Cambridge)

Reading time: 12 minutes Last updated: 02/24/26

What are the ingredients of a great getaway weekend or daytrip? A lake, once lined with resorts and cottages, a downtown once in transition now thriving with local businesses, Cambridge has all the charm, local shops and beautifully restored architecture of a quaint town on the Door County Peninsula.

Cambridge has mounted a comeback. The quaint town of 1,500 nestled 12 miles north of Edgerton between Lake Ripley and U.S. Hwy 12 enjoyed an economic boomlet in the 1990s and early 2000s. Back then, Chicagoans attracted by craft shops, antique stores and Rowe Pottery works rolled into town by the busload. They bought art and souvenirs, they ate lunch and dinner, they bought wine and beer.  Then, the shine wore off. The busess stopped coming and Great Recession swept in like a storm across the land. For sale signs appeared in empty storefront windows. Restaurants closed their doors. And that was then and this is 2026.

For sale signs were taken down.  Cafes like Marigold Room and across the street (Main Street/Hwy. 12), Millie's Coffee & Eatery opened. Restaurants returned too. Even a winery, The Vineyards at Cambridge a very tourist centric idea has opened in the former Matt Kenseth museum/store (700 Kenseth Way.) Forward thinking people like Charles Fiesel opened restaurants the popular Plow (Americana food with a Madison twist) and Ward's Mercantile. The space will also host a farmers market and feature space and vendor kiosks. Big things have happened just outside Cambridge, condominiums, and single family homes have sprouted up.

For Cambridge's most famous resident, Rowe Pottery Works, renewal meant moving to a smaller space. The company moved out of the 5,000 square foot showroom (214 W. Main Street) and resturned to the smaller space where it all began for the company in 1975.  Beverly Semann, Rowe's owner since 2013 said the change was overdue. "We knew if we made some changes, we could make it profitable again. We moved back to the original location and bought a new kiln. It just kind of took off from there."   The move not only brought in more sales, it also boosted camaraderie.  "The potters in the sma building again, so it's kind of fun."  Semann's has done more than change the location she's presided over a new look for the 50 year old company's pottery.  "There weren't a lot of new colors. Now, we have a new line of garden pots in fun teals and yellows. The town of Cambridge joined in the action too. In 2015 the city was designated a Main Street City by WDEC (Wisconsin Department of Economic Corporation.) "People shoudl give it a try if they haven't been back in a while," Semann said.

Where to Visit On Your Cambridge Weekend or Daytrip

Over the years Lakes Edition journalists have covered attractions, places to eat, and shops in Cambridge and much more. Below are some of just a few of our favorites. Please enjoy!

Have a place in Cambridge to recommend? Send suggestions to info@lakesedition.com

CAM-ROCK PARK

Many visitors to downtown Cambridge don't make it past Main Street as the allure of quaint, locally owned shops and restaurants are more than enough for a daytrip. But if you have time or are staying the weekend Cam-Rock Park is worth a day visit on its' own.

This emerald gem of a park hugging the Koshkonong Creek offers diverse terrain challenging for any mountain biker and pastoral moments for any picnic, or hiking adventure. If you are really ambitious take the main trail (an old rail corridor) all the way to Rockdale and back

                               Hit The Trails >

ROWE POTTERY

Some locals say that Rowe Pottery put Cambridge on the map. If anything the studio helped nurture a thriving pottery community. Since 1975 Rowe has been creating hand crafted pottery from its' downtown Cambridge studio.

It is not often you get to see the story behind the finished product, but at Rowe Pottery visitors have a chance to watch studio artists create dinner plates, mugs and other pottery favorites right before their eyes. There are also tours if the staff are not overly busy. Rowe's behind the scenes and peek through glass really gives their products additional meaning and personality for their customers. When Beverly Semmann purchased Rowe Pottery in 2013 she moved the operation to bigger space to let visitors not only wander the company's store but see the artisan's at work.

"For our customers it's amazing just realizing that Rowe Pottery is right here in Wisconsin. Visitors can watch, see and feel hand crafted products made by Rowe Pottery's artisans, it's hard to find that in anywhere anymore in the U.S." says Beverly Semmann.

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' MARKET

Cambridge Farmers Market in beautiful downtown Cambridge shopping district. long at Mill Plaza on the corner of Main and Water St. Our friendly vendors include produce, meat, fish, cheese, jams & jellies, baked goods, arts and crafts and much more!

Email: office@cambridgewi.com

Phone: (608)423-3780

OPEN:

From June through September, Friday mornings 8 am- 1 pm

Tucked in the vineyards of Cambridge, Wisconsin, just outside of Madison - The Dancing Goat was established by a collection of family and friends. We remain “True to the Goat” combining the Art and Science of Distillation from past experience with modern technology.  More

909 Vineyard Drive

Cambridge, WI USA 53523
Phone: (608) 467-4905

Family Style Restaurant · American Restaurant · Diner, serves breakfast and lunch, open 7 days a week and dinner on Fridays including a fantastic fish fry. More

W9644 US-12, Cambridge, WI 53523

Phone: (608) 423-4523
Email: jen@thegrovemarketllc.com

Family owned and operated since 1996. Part restaurant and part Dance & Night Club. Serves lunch, dinner and drinks, Take Out, Outdoor Seating, Casual Attire.

More

W6924 US Highway 12

Cambridge, WI
Phone: (608) 423-3030
Email: jen@thegrovemarketllc.com