6 Bizarrely Named Towns In Wisconsin
Wisconsin is full of charming small towns, each with its own quirky appeal, fascinating history, and unique attractions. From the scenic shores of Green Bay to the rolling countryside and the majestic Mississippi River, these bizarrely named towns offer a mix of natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and captivating stories. Whether visitors are looking to explore unusual landmarks, indulge in local cuisine, or discover how the state got its odd nickname as the Badger State, these destinations promise unforgettable experiences for travelers of all ages.
Egg Harbor
There is no shortage of stories about how the resort community of Egg Harbor got its name, but it’s likely named after the availability of wild geese and duck eggs along the shores of Green Bay. With a population of just around 250 residents year-round, the population swells during the tourist season to 2,500, drawn by the Egg Harbor marina, waterfront, and village beach. Egg Harbor is an excellent base for family-friendly outdoor activities, from kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing on Green Bay to enjoying the go-karts, batting cages, and miniature golf at the Egg Harbor Fun Park to booking a Lakeside Scenic Tour with Door County Trolley.
Downtown Egg Harbor is full of one-of-a-kind eateries where visitors can find bagels and beignets at Big Easy, authentic Italian at Villaggios, or ice cream at Grumpy’s. Indulge a sweet tooth at Door County Vintage Candy Company or grab an espresso at Buttercups Coffee, both in the town’s charming Main Street Shops district.
Luck
Once called the “Yo-Yo Capital of the Â鶹AV” between 1946 and 1965, when it was home to the Duncan Yo-Yo Company, the town of Luck was named by its founder, who wanted to be “in luck” for the rest of his life. Thanks to its original settlers, the village has strong Danish roots, which history buffs can learn more about at the Luck Historical Museum. Luck sits on the shores of the 384-acre Big Butternut Luck, where nature lovers can paddle or fish for panfish, largemouth bass, Northern pike, and walleye. Hikers and bikers can access the Gandy Dancer State Trail's southern section, which is built on a former railroad corridor. Golfers can tee off at the Luck Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole course with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Trempealeau
Trempealeau (pronounced Tremp-a-low) is a small town along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin. Its name comes from the French phrase “la montagne qui trempe à l’eau,” which means the mountain that soaks in water, referring to Trempealeau Mountain, a notable landmark. Outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of the town’s proximity to Perrot State Park, hidden among 500-foot bluffs with stunning views of the river and surrounding Mississippi River Valley. The park has 12.5 miles of hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. For a hike with a history lesson, the Black Walnut Nature Trail is a self-guided loop with 20 interpretive stops describing the Native Americans who lived in the area long before the arrival of the settlers.
Other noteworthy landmarks in town include the iconic 19th-century Trempealeau Hotel, where overnight guests can stay in historic hotel rooms without televisions or A/C, listen to live music in the saloon and dine in the hotel’s restaurant that serves locally-served ingredients. Finally, seafarers can watch boats move through Lock and Dam No. 6, an engineering feat on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi constructed in 1936.
Wisconsin Dells
Originally incorporated as Kilbourn City, the town changed its name to Wisconsin Dells in 1931, combining the Native American word “Meskonsing,” meaning “gathering of waters,” with the French word “dalles,” meaning “slabs.” Today, the Dells refers to the stunning sandstone cliffs, gorges, and rock formations that formed during the last Ice Age, giving the area its dramatic landscape. Known as the “Waterpark Capital of the Â鶹AV,” Wisconsin Dells is a top tourist destination with America’s largest outdoor waterpark, Noah’s Ark, the largest indoor waterpark, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, and the largest indoor/outdoor combination waterpark, the Wilderness Resort.
Perfect for families with children of all ages, there are amusement parks to discover, with activities like go-karting at Yeti Yard Next Level Adventure, playing laser tag, 3D mini-golf, and arcade games at Wild Fun Zone, and exploring the Ghost Out-Post Haunted House. Adults will enjoy tastings at the Driftless Glen Distillery & Restaurant, Fawn Creek Winery, and Bevy Brewery and Winery.
Embarrass
Located in the heart of the Midwest, visitors to Embarrass need not be shy as the small town has a quirky history, including how it got its name. One popular theory is that when early French explorers tried to navigate the river in the area, they became stuck in the challenging river’s twists and turns and used the French word “embarrase,” which roughly translates to obstruction, blockage, or logjam. The name stuck, but the true origin remains a mystery. From its location on the Embarrass River, there are plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, including fishing and kayaking in the clear waters of the Embarrass River that runs through town. Landlubbers can explore the nearby Tigerton OHV (off-highway vehicle) Park & Campground, which offers over 500 acres of off-road fun for ATVs, dirt bikes, jeeps, and more.
Potosi
There is much debate about the origin of Potosi, which is Spanish for “lead." Lead was discovered in the area in 1832, and by 1845, Potosi was a boom town of 1,300 people, including many immigrants from the Rhine Valley. Thanks to the influx of winemakers from Germany, the town quickly became well known as much for its wine as for lead. On a hillside overlooking Potosi’s Main Street, visitors can follow a self-guided trail with interpretative signs to see the landmark “badger huts” (limestone depressions in the ground covered with sod roofs that resembled badger burrows) where the miners lived in the 1830s while they mined lead from the region.
Today, the town is most famous as the hometown of the Potosi Brewery Company and the National Brewery Museum. The museum offers guided tours of brewing memorabilia, signs, advertisements, bottles, cans, and 5-ounce samples in its tasting room. Finally, bird watchers won’t want to miss Potosi Point, a designated National Wildlife Refuge home to over 270 species of birds, including herons, egrets, American pelicans, and swans.
Welcome to Wisconsin, a Midwest state full of friendly small towns with bizarre names and unique backstories. From Embarrass, named for French explorers stuck in river logjams, to Luck, once the "Yo-Yo Capital of the Â鶹AV," these towns charm visitors with their offbeat and quirky appeal. Egg Harbor boasts a scenic marina and family-friendly fun, while Trempealeau greets visitors with its Mississippi River views and historic hotel. In Potosi, mining history meets brewing heritage, while Wisconsin Dells offers thrills for everyone at its waterparks and attractions.
