A Visit to Albany, Gateway to Amish Country
Just a minute 10 drive from downtown Brodhead, Albany is a nice addition to any day trip in Green County. Downtown's one way street along the Sugar River. In the Summer Albany is synonymous with tubing, and
S&B Tubing is the destination for friends and families seeking a lazy trip down the gentle flow of the Sugar River. Another uniquely Albany destination is Pleasant Prairie Greenhouse's West location at 301 E Main Street. This corner garden center, features perennials, annuals, fresh produce, pumpkins and more, and a novel self-serve destination on the weekend for deals on the afore mentioned plants. And for birders and hikers there is the 90 acre Albany Wildlife Area Albany Sand Prairie and Oak Savanna State Natural Area (No. 680) and just four miles outside of Albany is the 62 acre Muralt Bluff Prairie, a park with rare native plant species and prominent Sandstone bluff. The park was designated a state natural area (SNA) in 1977 and is used by the University of Wisconsin as an outdoor classroom.
Places To Visit on Your Daytrip to Albany
Over the years Lakes Edition journalists have covered attractions, places to eat, and
shops in Albany and much more. Below are some of just a few of our favorites.
Please enjoy!
Have a place in Albany you would like to recommend?
Send us a line info@lakesedition.com
(Photo courtesy of Green County)
Muralt Bluff Prairie
Owned and operated by the Prairie Bluff Chapter the 75 acre Muralt Bluff Prairie features a long ridge with views of Blue Mounds and overlooking dry prairies with a thin limestone cap over sloping sandstone sides. Frequent prescribed fires have created an ecosystem where rare species of plants and animals are now thriving. Outcrops of limestone and sandstone rocks are present on the site.
(Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR)
Albany Sand Prairie & Oak Savanna State Natural Area
Albany Sand Prairie and Oak Savanna consist of an unplowed, good-quality sand prairie that grades into oak barrens and brushy oak openings. A mature, closed-canopy oak woodland is present nearer the Sugar River. The Sugar River State Recreational Trail forms the southwestern border of the site with a small, but diverse remnant dry-mesic prairie paralleling the trail. Patches of scrub black oak are scattered throughout the sand prairie along with areas of aspen and smooth sumac.
The ground layer includes little bluestem, needle grass, round-headed bush-clover, stiff goldenrod, wild bergamot, prairie blazing star, butterfly milkweed, Venus' looking glass, flowering spurge, showy goldenrod, and sky-blue aster. The dry-mesic prairie along the recreational trail supports more conservative species such as purple prairie clover, prairie cinquefoil, Illinois tick-trefoil, and kitten-tails, a plant whose range is restricted to the Midwest (e.g. Midwest endemic).
The oak woodland is a small, but good-quality stand comprised of white oak with black walnut, hackberry, American elm, and basswood. Areas of dense shrubs are common. Bird life is varied and includes numerous Species of Greatest Conservation needs. Albany Sand Prairie and Oak Savanna are owned by the DNR and were designated a State Natural Area in 2016.
THE ALBANY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 117 N. Water St., Albany, WI
Local History, camera collection, vintage hats, antique toys, Sugar River history.
Albany Historical Society Museum
117 N. Water St.
Albany, WI 53502
https://www.facebook.com/Albany-WI-Historical-Society-109397607504721/
Hours:
Open Saturday 9 am - noon.
PLEASANT PRAIRIE GREENHOUSE
West 301 E. Main St, Albany
At Pleasant Prairie Greenhouse, our goal is to provide you with healthy plants at reasonable prices and the know-how to grow them — all with a friendly smile, welcoming atmosphere, and small-town service. Whether you want a potted plant, a vegetable garden, or a dream backyard filled with shrubs, flowers, and beautiful hardscaping, we are here to help. We can assist you with plant selections, answer your questions, create one of a kind planters just for you, or install a water feature in your yard. We will even carry your purchases to your car!
Check out the self-serve in the Fall for great deals!
(Photo by Lakes Edition Staff)
TOUR AMISH COUNTRY
Wisconsin’s cultures and people are as varied and beautiful as its’ rolling topography. One of the more, unique ethnic settlements in this state are the Amish. Originally from Switzerland and known as the Anabaptists, the Amish were persecuted for their religious doctrine and fled their home land during a thirty year war. The religious war in central Europe between the Catholics and Protestants in the early to mid 1600s. Go To Tour
SWEET MINIHAHA CAMPGROUND
N4697 CR-E, Brodhead, WI, United States, 53520
132 campsites located in Brodhead, Wi on the beautiful Sugar River. Enjoy camping, fishing, tubing, kayaking and canoeing! Tubing is open 7 days a week, weather permitting, from 8-4. No appointment necessary. Boating transport begins May 1, tubing opens Memorial Day weekend!
- Tubes $20
- Cooler tubes $10
- Kayak from Albany $30 (1.5-2 hr)
- Kayak from EE $35. (4 hrs)
- Kayak from Attica $45.
- Canoe trip from Attica $45 (2 ppl) 6-8 hr trip
Events In Nearby Brodhead
The 2026 Aviation Movie Night Series
Kelch Aviation Museum, Brodhead
The Kelch's movie series kicks off Thursday, February 19th with the 1937 aviation classic "Atlantic Flight" starring real-life pilots Dick Merrill and Jack Lambie. This fast-paced, black and white drama features a beautiful Lockheed Electra. The story takes off and lands with daring, dangerous rescue flights in stormy weather, and includes real footage from the record-breaking flight that made the two pilots famous.
That's "Atlantic Flight" this coming Thursday, February 19th at 6:30 pm get there early for free popcorn, suggested $10 donation at the door. Check out the Kelch's full calendar of events on their website or facebook calendar.
Fire &
Ice
Festival
Nothing can kick off the Christmas holiday better than taking time to enjoy the annual Fire & Ice Festival in Brodhead with carriage rides, lighted parade, memory tree, Fire And Ice lighting and Friday night luminarias. The first full weekend of December. Pretty lights and seasonal music greet you as you find bargains for a special something for the people on your shopping list. Fire is on the Square to keep you warm and to roast hot dogs or marshmallows for s’mores. Ice provides great entertainment as it is transformed with a chainsaw into glistening, incredible ice sculptures! Prepare to be amazed! For more information, call the Brodhead Chamber of Commerce at 897-8411.
Albany-Brodhead Restaurants
Albany Family Cafe
203 Oak St, Albany, WI
Classic American fare, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wake up to pancakes with sausage/bacon, waffles, or omelettes. Lunch is about burgers and tacos, and be sure to check out the dinner menu too, Friday is famous for the Albany Family Cafe's fish fry with great sides.
Phone +1 608 447 4101
Hours: Fri-Sat 7 AM–7:30 PM
Chucheria la Chispita-Snack Bar
'Sparkling Sweets', loosely translated from Spanish Chucheria La Chispita, this newer locally owned, Mexican restaurant which opened in late February 2025 is family friendly food and a candy/ice cream dreamworld for kids. The playful, colorful nature of this snack bar's mascot graphic is carried through out the welcoming signage, and Mexican wall art decor. Try the coconut ice cream, a variety of bakery items like la conchas, pancakes, or the delicious specials like mole tamales, salsa verde chicken tamales. Tamales are labor intensive to make, so to have them around on the weekend is indeed a treat. Also find a great variety of traditional Mexican drinks, horchata made daily is delightful, cinnamon tinged rice drink any time of day.
Chucheria La Chispita Snack Bar is located at
915 W Exchange St,, Brodhead, Wisconsin and opened
Monday-Sunday, 11:30 AM to 8 PM.
Country Garden Restaurant
For over 20 years this local institution has served up traditional American breakfast & lunch menu fare to the Brodhead community. Country Garden Restaurant is a cozy spot serving great food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Their **fish fry** is a standout, and their **biscuits and gravy** are a highlight, with **chorizo with eggs brekkie** and **veg skillet** also mentioned as delicious. The restaurant offers generous portions and affordable prices, with **bottomless coffee** always a plus. While some dishes have room for improvement, the restaurant's service is always excellent and super fast. With a focus on good cooking and a welcoming, country style ambiance, Country Garden Restaurant is a recommended destination with friendly people and is very kid friendly. Entry is going to be a bit tight for a chair but can be done.
Country Garden Restaurant Bar is located at
913 W Exchange St,, Brodhead, Wisconsin and opened
Monday-Sunday, 11:30 AM to 8 PM.
Enjoy Visiting Our Other Towns of the Week
Day trip adventures are just a short drive away in Lakes Edition country.
