Washington County

Welcome to Washington County, where you'll find a wide range of activities and attractions conveniently located next to the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Washington County offers unique shopping, great dining, cultural and recreational attractions and comfortable lodging for everyone. You'll find just what you're looking for in Washington County!

Communities

Charming and dynamic communities, each with their own identity, can be found in Washington County. The communities of Allenton, Erin, Germantown, Hartford, Jackson, Kewaskum, Newburg, Richfield, Slinger and West Bend feature historic downtowns, serene countrysides, and recreational, cultural and historical attractions. They all celebrate their heritage and uniqueness with a variety of festivals and family events held throughout the year. 

Recreation

In Washington County outdoor recreational opportunities are plentiful. County parks, the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, and the Ice Age Trail offer a variety of recreation including excellent hiking, bicycling, cross-country skiing, boating, fishing, swimming, hunting, camping, picnicking, and nature study. Extensive wildlife areas and nature centers provide guided and self-guided interpretive tours, displays and special educational programs geared toward the entire family. And Lizard Mound County Park offers self-guided tours of one of the state's largest and most diverse groups of Native American effigy mounds.

Campers can choose from hundreds of campsites available in Washington County, and bicyclists can enjoy riding the lightly traveled roads found in the southern part of the county. In the north, on-and off-road biking is available in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Wonderful cross-country skiing is found in the Kettle Moraine State Forest Pike Lake State Park, and miles of well-groomed cross-country trails are located in other Washington County parks. Two downhill ski areas offer beginner to expert runs, snowboarding and tubing.

Golfers will find eight public golf courses offering challenges, relaxation and spectacular scenery located throughout the county, including 36 championship holes in Richfield.

Washington County offers a wealth of historic attractions, arts and culture. The entire county is spread out below the towers of the Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, an impressive Romanesque cathedral built between 1879 and 1881. Historic downtown areas of Hartford, Germantown and West Bend, the Dheinsville Settlement and museums  bring the past to life. The West Bend Art Museum, Kettle Moraine Symphony, West Bend Sculpture Walk, Schauer Arts Center and more bring a diverse and rich arts community to Washington County.

Shopping, Dining & Lodging

From quaint shops in historic downtowns to department stores and outlet shops, shoppers will have a great time in Washington County. You'll find specialty shops, unique gift shops, antiques and collectables, art galleries, leather goods, imported German crystal, steins and crafts as well as Wisconsin cheese and specialty food shops. Great food, from traditional Wisconsin meals to gourmet cuisine, will satisfy all tastes. You'll find a large variety of dining establishments  including family dining, coffeehouses, and bars and grills to ethnic foods, steakhouses and continental dining. 

After a busy day in Washington County, you'll enjoy comfort and relaxation in the area's many lodging choices. We know you'll enjoy your getaway whether you stay in a full service luxury hotel, bed & breakfast, family oriented lodging, romantic inn or campground. Washington County is filled with everything to make your visit a great experience!

Area Attractions

• Holy Hill National Shrine of Mary, Hubertus

• Old Courthouse Square Museum, West Bend

• Chandelier Ballroom, Hartford

• Sila Lydia Bast Bell Museum, Germantown

• Germantown Historical Society & Dheinsville Settlement

• Old Main Street, Germantown

• Main Street, Hartford

• Kewaskum Historical Society

• West Bend Art Museum

• West Bend Sculpture Walk

• Wisconsin Automotive Museum, Hartford

• Kettle Moraine Forest

• Ice Age National Scenic Trail

• Allenton Marsh Wildlife Area

• Pike Lake State Park, Hartford

• Lac Lawrann Conservancy, West Bend

• Messer/Mayer Mill

Washington County

Visit the Washington County Business Directory

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historic places and other fun things to do in Washington County