By Shelby Rowe Moyer | Photography by Hillary Schave
A beautiful bookstore. A of good eats and about a dozen art galleries. Mineral Point has so much more than you’d ever expect from a small town — here’s how to spend a leisurely day in this gorgeous area. Also: Bring a cooler, because you’re taking treats home.
9 A.M.
Café 43 downtown on High Street is a must. Located within the historic Old Royal Inn, Café 43 has cozy charm with a rotating breakfast and lunch menu based on what’s seasonally available. If French toast is on the menu, order it.
10 A.M.
Most shops and art galleries can be found downtown along High and Commerce streets, and there are a few places it’s recommended you visit. Republic of Letters is an independent bookstore with a stellar selection of books. In the back, you’ll find The Book Kitchen, which hosts cooking and baking classes.
Michael’s Fine Art and Antiques up the road is not your typical gallery. Many of the awe-inspiring 19th- and 20th-century paintings have been collected by the owner during his travels abroad.
Then there’s Mayday Press, specializing in European and Japanese stationery and office supplies. Treat yourself. You’ll find pens for $2.25 all the way up to $290. (No joke.)
Make sure you visit the many art galleries that are clustered on High Street, including Little Elk Art Collective, Green Lantern Studios, Wantoot, Sirus Sunlight Glass Studio and Huie Art. And whatever you do, don’t leave without Night Shift chocolate from Proper Maid Women’s Art Collective.
12:30 P.M.
Red Rooster Café on High Street is a favorite for Cornish fare — especially their Figgyhobbin, a layered pastry with raisins and caramel sauce. Cow Tippers on Commerce Street has patio seating with great cocktails and specialty burgers.
2 P.M.
If you haven’t already walked the shops on Commerce Street, now’s the time. Long Branch Art Gallery and Jane Wilcoxson Studios are personal favorites. On the other end of the block, award-winning Hook’s Cheese Company cheese can be purchased at their factory location or across the street at Five Point Market and Liquor.
3 P.M.
Drive down Shakerag Street. It’s where you’ll find Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts. Workshops and classes are held year-round for everything from writing and painting to jewelry-making and blacksmithing. The miniature campus is open to the public during daylight.
Nearby is Brewery Pottery. The 1850s limestone building was a brewery for over 100 years. Now, it’s stocked with pottery made onsite and tons of other wares from area artists.
4 P.M.
Take a mini break at American Wine Project, which is open on Saturdays from 1-8 p.m. and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. The inside is cute, but the gardens are truly stunning. It’s the perfect place to sit for a while and taste its wines made with “locally sourced, cold-climate hybrid grapes,” according to the winery. Grab your cooler and stock up on house-made wine, locally made cheese and butter, and craft beer.
5 P.M.
Commerce Street Brewery Hotel offers comfort food in an intimate environment. They’re known for their English style fish and chips. The best part? You don’t even have to leave — seven quaint rooms are located right upstairs.
In the mood for something else? Popolo offers wood-fired pizzas, and The Sweet Life Ice Cream Parlor is next door for a sweet meal ending.
EVENTS YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS
- Mineral Point Farmers’ Market
Saturdays through Oct. 25, 8:30-11 a.m., Water Tower Park - Mineral Point Car Show
Sept. 13, 12-4 p.m., Soldiers Memorial Park - 31st Annual Cornish Festival
Sept. 26-28, Various venues, with a musical headliner at the Mineral Point Opera House. ($15-$25.) - Fall Art Tour
Oct. 17-19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mineral Point, Spring Green, Dodgeville and Baraboo - Demonstrations at Brewery Pottery
Oct. 25, 1-4 p.m., Brewery Pottery - Halloween Parade
Oct. 31, 4:45 p.m., High Street
View all events at mineralpoint.com/events.
