Visit The Friendliest Town In Wisconsin The Next Time You Need A Pick-Me-Up
By Ben Jones|Published February 15, 2022
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
There are places in Wisconsin where strangers treat you like an old friend and new acquaintances act as if you’re family. In these special towns, oncoming cars will greet you with a wave, and pedestrians on the street will flash a smile. In these places, you’ll always be welcome and you’ll always be at home.
In far southwest Wisconsin, Potosi is one of these places. It’s one of the state’s oldest towns and it has been welcoming visitors for more than 180 years. Here’s why you should be the next one to visit this friendly little town.
Potosi is a very old town. It was settled by lead miners in the 1830s – it’s located where the state’s lead ore belt intersects with the Mississippi. Potosi had a post office for more than a decade before Wisconsin was a state.
History is alive in Potosi. Trails up in the surrounding hills will take you to the ruins of early “badger huts” that miners once called home and down by the river you can watch boats and barges drift by, as they have since the 1800s. Or do some drifting yourself!
Down in the village, more attractions await. The iconic Potosi Brewery is located in the heart of the town – it has been a refreshing fixture here since 1852.
The brewery is a welcoming family friendly spot with great food and of course, some outstanding Potosi Beer. The adjacent National Brewery Museum showcases a huge collection of beer memorabilia, including vintage beer bottles, glasses, trays, coasters, advertising materials, and more.
Potosi is known as the Catfish Capital of Wisconsin and every August it holds a Catfish Festival and Fireman's Fish Fry. About 1,300 pounds of catfish is served and the event includes a truck and tractor pull, beanbag and a euchre tournament, live music, a parade, and fireworks. Everyone is welcome!
There will be a seat waiting for you on the parade route in Potosi. The town claims to have the longest Main Street in the world. Pay it a visit and make some new friends!
Potosi is about a 90-minute drive from Madison or three hours from Milwaukee. Learn more about the community here. Potosi is just one of Wisconsin’s many welcoming communities. Here are 13 of the state’s most charming small towns.
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