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The Less Hectic, Slower Paced Brooklyn,
The One In Wisconsin
A Great Day Trip
Article by: Lakes Edition Staff
Last Updated: 04/09/2025
Reading Time: 10 minutes
(Photo above by Lakes Edition Staff, downtown Brooklyn)
What are the ingredients of a great getaway weekend or daytrip?
An agrotourism destination, one of largest nature preserves in South Central Wisconsin,
and a cute, quaint walkable downtown, complete with a blacksmith and popular regional music venue,
this is Brooklyn, Wisconsin.
AREA ATTRACTIONS
Luke Bryan knows Brooklyn. The country music icon has performed in the greater Brooklyn metro area for the last two years in support of farmers. This year Bryan's Farm Tour (#farmtour) takes over a local farm field, September 19th at Klondike Farm. No this is definitely not the namesake, Brooklyn NY, this is the much quieter CSA, organic farmers outstanding in their fertile fields Brooklyn, Wisconsin. Located a little bit west of Highway 14 between Oregon and Evansville this Brooklyn is a quiet town away from the work week, or after hours.
Think of this day trip destination of just over 1500 as a place to create your own adventure. Bring a lunch and spend the day with a folding chair and good book in Legion Park. Or begin a trek down the Brooklyn Wildlife Area discovering quite tree lined trails, marsh and creek affording behind the scenes, backyard views of area Green County farms. And the Brooklyn area is blessed with a quite a few great, organic and CSA producing farms. In 2025 Brooklyn celebrates its 120 Anniversary, the town was almost named 'York’ but the delegates voting for this moniker were late to the town's naming meeting so the villagers went with their second choice, ‘Brooklyn.’
Where to Visit On Your Brooklyn Weekend or Daytrip
Over the years Lakes Edition journalists have covered attractions, places to eat, and shops in Brooklyn and much more. Below are some of just a few of our favorites. Please enjoy!
Have a place in Brooklyn to recommend? Send suggestions to info@lakesedition.com
HISTORY
BLACK SMITH BUILDING
One of only a handful of buildings in downtown Brooklyn on the National Register of Historic Preservation (NRHP) list of historic places. The Blacksmith wooden clad complex built originally in 1866 is certainly one of the rarest and most unique structures in Southern Wisconsin still standing. The other black smith structure in our area is located on the Milton House property.
This historic structure is located along HWY 92 at 100 Church Street.
THE OLD FIREHOUSE
Currently a private residence, this building has served as both the Brooklyn Village hall and the town's first firehouse. Note the belltower still present at the top of the structure. The tower once housed a 990 ton bell made of steel alloy that when rung could be heard a mile away.
This historic structure is located on the corner of Hotel Street at Rutland Street.
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS
FOOD TRUCK NIGHT
Legion Park, 202 Railroad St, Brooklyn, WI
Very Brooklyn. This great little town 2025 every Third Tuesday hosts a food truck night. Legion Park in downtown Brooklyn, brings local star food vendors and the community together. And according the Brooklyn village website "This year's schedule is the Third Tuesday of Each Month," May-September. The 1st food truck night is scheduled for May 20th, followed by June 17, July 15, August 19, and September 16th with
THE BROOKLYN WILDLIFE AREA
The Brooklyn Wildlife Area is vast, diverse in its' topography, ecosystems and vegetation, and right here in Southern Wisconsin's backyard. Hunters, hikers, birders and fisherman will find the park's 3,500 acres spread across DNR, state, private easements serene and rugged, secluded but accessible green space for any outdoor adventure.
BROOKLYN TRACTOR PULL
Free Three day event takes place Labor Day Weekend at the American Legion grounds. The tractor pull extravaganza kicks off Friday at 6pm featuring competition between the Community Antique Tractor Pullers. For kids and families there is the bean bag toss tournament. Oregon-Brooklyn VFW Post #10272 will be serving their FAMOUS Steak Sandwiches, Brats and Hot dogs. New this year: Main St Music will be sponsoring the music stage, musical act line up to be announced soon.
Saturday, commences a long day of activities and features at 10 am sharp. The competition of the day highlights members from PI Pullers, Southwest WI Pullers, and amateurs. Food and spirits vendors serving up throughout the day. Capping the day is a showcase of live music and the Fall Arts Art and Craft Fair at the Brooklyn Community Center, 9 am to 3 pm.
The Final day, Sunday is highlighted by a pancake breakfast at 8 am. Later in the day Truck and Tractor Pulls start at 10 am featuring South Central WI Pullers, Badger Truck Pullers, Southwest WI Pullers and local pullers. Find food vendors and live music into the evening.
Legion Park, 202 Railroad St, Brooklyn, WI
(Source: Main Street Music promotional)
MAIN STREET MUSIC
VENUE, BAR, MECCA .
Where to escape the tentacles of Live Nation? Brooklyn, Wisconsin of course is the source. Long, welcomed hours of sweat equity in the field or cubicle cash in your labor credits for a rafter rocking garage, rock revival, gospel or front row blue grass jam. Main Street Music is an oasis, a welcoming family of strangers, and long timers, this is where to go to find your loud, convivial place away from it all. This institution also hosts Karaoke, and The Road to Awards Show featuring some of Wisconsin's best country music artists. 102 W Main St Brooklyn, WI
Phone 608 291 2422
AREA FAMILY FARMS
Brooklyn is ringed with a number of innovative farms just minutes from downtown, organically grown, sustainable, grass fed, and regenerative are buzz words but really encapsulate the quality of produce, and meats produced in this region. Here are just a few stellar examples of great farms to visit and source locally farm to table.
The Bee Charmer
Mary Celley the owner of Bee Charmer is full-time beekeeper, tending to 100 hives on her farm, and sells her bee-derived products at the Dane County Farmers Market. Celley also sells bees and runs a stinging-insect pest control business on the side. The Bee Charmer product line includes honey of course, but also salves, and candles.
Contact owner Mary Celley Phone: (608) 575-2449
Email: becharmr@aol.com for more information
Simmons Family Farm
The farm has been known for its chemical-free vegetables, grass-fed meats, and artisanal cheeses made from their own goats’ and cows’ milk. The Simmons Farm became famous in the Madison area for its' hosting of Goat Yoga. Rumors of the farm's demise are slightly exaggerated. Alex Simmons has willingly taken over the farm. And according to the family's recent posting on WhatsUpNewUp, "“Alex Simmons has been sole owner of the farm since inheriting it from his mother in 2005. The farm is not closing . The goods & services that Brian & Karla offered will be ending . The decision to not renew a lease was not entered into lightly. The future of the farm and the stewardship of the land is the family’s main concern and a top priority. There will be an announcement after the first of the year regarding the farm . It is important that people understand that the development rights to the 100 acres were sold to the state by Alex Simmons Sr and James Simmons back in the early 90s .There will be no development of the land and the farm will remain family owned for the unforeseen future.”
Simmons Farm is located at located at 1942 W Main Rd, Belleville. Keep up to date with the farm on Facebook.
Yellow Dog Flowers and Produce
For sale: Discover fresh produce and our homemade canned goods throughout the season. It’s self-serve and open during daylight hours from May through December. We accept cash, check or Venmo.
https://www.yellowdogproduce.com/
Pick-up: W1565 State Road 92, Brooklyn, WI, 53521.
Phone: Molly 608-575-4647
Winterfell Farms
Travis and Bethanee Wright send positive organic vibes of vegetables and meat into the universe and Southern Wisconsin for CSA. And there is U-Pick berry options during the season (June - October.) In June find: red and black currants, blueberries, strawberries, and honey haskaps. July is time for mulberries, black currants, seedless greenhouse grapes, raspberries, gooseberries. In August, find peaches, plums and late season blueberries. The apple season begins in September along with pears and hazelnuts. October is apple season in full bloom pears are also in their prime too.
Winterfell Acres W1912 Mortensen Rd, Brooklyn, WI, 53521 608.628.7504 winterfellacres@gmail.com
DINING DOWNTOWN
Hungry after hiking, fishing, wandering in the Brooklyn Natural Wildlife Area? There are a few restaurant
options just around the corner or steps away on Main Street, River Street even an ale house.
Farm 42
‘42’ is the Brooklyn Dodger's great, Baseball Hall Of Famer, Jackie Robinson's number. The baseball themed restaurant is a popular breakfast and lunch destination with locals. It is actually much more spacious on the inside. Beautifully restored feels like a cozy getaway for a cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito or a nice quiche, or try the popular tuna sandwich.
202 Commercial St, Brooklyn, Wisconsin
Phone:
(608) 719-7862
Anchor Club
For starters, Friday night fish fry, Walleye, Blue Gill or Cod with a baked potato, coleslaw/cottage cheese and French bread, a perfect way to begin the weekend. Other days of the week have great specials too like Taco/Burrito Tuesday, Meatloaf Wednesday and Goulash Thursday. And then there are bar/club staples like the Anchor's delicious cheeseburgers, hamburgers, chicken strips or wings and what Wisconsin culinary destination would be complete with out fresh, hot cheese curds, fried to perfection.
112 Hotel Street, Brooklyn, WI
Phone: (608) 445-2302
Hachi Hachi
This Brooklyn also has a Japanese restaurant. Ichi (1), Ni (2), Sun (3), Shi (4), Go (5), Rock (6), Nana (7), Hachi (8) ... Eight is a lucky and sacred number in Japanese culture, and Brooklynites are lucky to have Hachi Hachi a great sushi and hibachi addition to the local food scene. An urban, minimalist decor with a robust sushi menu, dont' forget the Udon, Ramen and Soba noodle dishes, or try the spicy seafood soup, and then of course there is their delicious hibachi.
And don't forget to savor the miso soup on the side,
slurping is allowed.
233 Douglas Dr Brooklyn, WI 53521
Phone: (608) 455-5555 or visit them online hachihachi5555.com
Enjoy Visiting Our Other Featured Southern Wisconsin Towns
A day trip of adventure awaits around every shore in Lakes Edition Country
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