Located just 20 miles north of downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the charming town of Cedarburg. Originally named for the abundance of white cedar trees growing along Cedar Creek, combined with the German word, “burg”, meaning castle or fortress, the name Cedarburg was adopted by local residents in 1844.
With a population of just under 13,000, Cedarburg is home to historic 19th century downtown, a restored 1860 woolen mill, art galleries, charming shops and boutiques, and the Cedar Creek Winery. Additionally, the last covered bridge in the state of Wisconsin exists just 3 miles north of Cedarburg on Covered Bridge Road. Originally constructed in 1876, the bridge was used for cars until 1962. Today it is open to pedestrians, cyclists, and walkers. It is worth the short jog north of town!
Topography of Cedarburg and Cedar Creek
The map below from Topozone.com highlights the topography of Cedarburg, Cedar Creek, and the surrounding area.
Elevation of Cedarburg and Cedar Creek
The map below from Topographic-map.com highlights the elevation of Cedarburg and the surrounding area. Note the legend at right indicating elevation in feet; oranges and reds indicate higher elevation towards the west, and lower elevation towards the Lake Michigan shoreline towards the east. Cedarburg is located just under 5 miles west of Lake Michigan.
and Cedar Creek
Outdoor Recreation | Ozaukee Interurban Trail
If you’re interested in biking, Cedarburg is also home to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. The Ozaukee trail passes through downtown Cedarburg between Pioneer Rd. and Bobolink Ave. where the Interurban Bridge crosses the Cedar River. Cedarburg is a natural stop along the trail, with plenty of options for food, hydration, and shopping. There are bike racks throughout the downtown, as pictured below.
From north to south, the 30-mile paved Ozaukee Interurban Trail passes through the communities of Belgium, Port Washington, Grafton, Cedarburg, Theinsville, and Mequon. Each of these communities offer views of Lake Michigan, scenic viewpoints, wildflowers, coffee shops, art galleries and boutiques, and restaurants to stop for a snack or a meal along your ride.
Learn more at the Interactive Trail Map for the Ozaukee Interurban Trail.
Downtown Cedarburg | Food & Dining Options
There are numerous options for a meal in downtown Cedarburg. However, over many visits, two have stood out to me. The Anvil Pub & Grille is located inside the Cedar Creek Settlement at N80 W6340 Bridge Rd. Indoor seating is available, as well as a beautiful outdoor patio located right along Cedar Creek. The Anvil gets busy on the weekends, but is worth the wait.
Stilt House Gastro Bar
A second fun option is the Stilt House Gastro Bar, located at W62 N630 Washington Avenue, just beside the pedestrian bridge over Cedar Creek, which is also the Ozaukee Interurban Trail. The Stilt House has a great selection of burgers, wraps and salads, in addition to a Friday fish fry. Additionally, they offer a wide selection of ciders and local craft beers.
Amy’s Candy Kitchen
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, be sure to stop at Amy’s Candy Kitchen at W62 N579 Washington Avenue. In the fall season, their caramel apple offerings are endless, and decadent. Pick up a gourmet apple, chocolates, truffles, and other sweet treats. Amy’s is a must every fall for me!
Cedar Creek Winery
Located at N70 W6340 Bridge Road in downtown Cedarburg, the Cedar Creek Winery is housed within the historic Cedar Creek Settlement. This restored woolen mill was originally constructed in the 1860s to process wool during the Civil War. Today, this impressive building is home to the Cedar Creek Settlement Shops.
The Cedar Creek Winery & Settlement Shops are open everyday from 10:00am-5:00pm, with extended seasonal weekend hours during the summer and fall months. Wine tastings and tours are available daily. The tour is about 45 minutes long, and you’ll learn about the history of the woolen mill and underground wine cellars. It’s a fascinating tour! Tickets can be booked online or on site at the Cedar Creek Winery.
Seasonal Festivals
For a detailed list of seasonal festivals held in Cedarburg throughout the year, visit the Cedarburg Festival website. Festivals for the remainder of 2026 and early 2027 include:
- Wine & Harvest Festival – September 19-20, 2026
- Oktoberfest – October 3-4, 2026
- Santa’s Dash Away 5K – December 12, 2026
- Winter Festival – February 20-21, 2027
- Strawberry Festival – June 26-27, 2027
My personal favorite is the Wine & Harvest Festival held in late September each year. Activities include a glass making workshop, karaoke, typewriter poets, grape stomping competition, giant pumpkin carving, and a giant pumpkin regatta, where paddlers paddle 700-lb. pumpkins down Cedar Creek for an opportunity to win money for charity. Food options are plentiful, with vendors and local restaurants offering different choices throughout the festival.
The Story of Cedarburg Gus
I first visited Cedarburg about 15 years ago on a day trip to nearby Holy Hill National Shrine and Basilica in neighboring Hubertus, Wisconsin. On a gusty day in October, after a visit to Holy Hill with my family, we stopped to explore Cedarburg. While we strolled through downtown, we came upon a girl with a large box filled with 5 tiny kittens. At the time, my mother was considering adopting a kitten. She decided that we would have lunch, and if the kittens were still available after lunch, she would take one.
…..and so it goes that we returned from lunch to find one tiny red and white kitten remained. He was the runt of the litter, but in my opinion, the prettiest kitten. It seemed like fate. “August” (aka “Gus”) named for the gusty day that we spent in Cedarburg, came home with us. This precious little kitten was handed to us in a small towel. We took turns holding him on the drive home, and he instantly became a part of our family. Gus recently celebrated his 15th birthday. A little older, a little slower, but still beautiful, with that sweet little red face peering at us from the cardboard box that gusty October day.
Nearby Sights | Holy Hill National Shrine & Basilica
For a nearby adventure, consider a visit to Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wisconsin. The Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine is located in southeastern Wisconsin in the beautiful township of Erin, named by the Irish settlers that once inhabited the region. The Basilica sits at one of the highest elevations in southeastern Wisconsin, elevated within a gorgeous setting on 435 acres. Visitors can climb the 178 step tower to enjoy distant views of the Milwaukee skyline and surrounding region. Read more in my recent article: Visit the Beautiful & Historic Holy Hill Basilica | Hubertus, WI.
Enjoy your time in the charming Wisconsin town of Cedarburg and the surrounding region!
-Erin