36 HOURS

Princeton,

Wisconsin

An easy day trip or overnight from Milwaukee, the riverside hamlet of Princeton is enjoying a revival, thanks to an inspired new hotel, a French-inspired bakery and a restaurant with artistic fixings.

Contains excerpts by Kelly Aiglon Midwest Living (1/18/25) & Grace Olson Fox Cities Magazine (6/30/25)

Downtown Princeton sits along the Fox River. Photo courtesy of Jack Harp.

Described as “eclectic and relaxed,” Princeton is a vibrant community of about 1,200 nestled in the middle of Green Lake County. Founded the same year as Wisconsin, in 1848, and located about 50 miles from the Fox Cities, it’s the perfect destination for a day or weekend trip.

And while we know to relish in the outdoors while we can, fresh air, stunning river views and wildlife sightings aren’t the only thing Princeton offers. Known for its quaint and walkable downtown, Princeton underwent a transformation of sorts in the ‘90s, securing its spot on the state’s art scene. The effort shows, and continues. Maintaining its small town charm and hospitality, Princeton deserves its accolades for being a welcoming destination that packs a punch in terms of food, art, events and more.

Recommendations

    • Princeton’s Flea Market The largest weekly outdoor flea market in Wisconsin is technically a shopping experience, but entering its 51st year, has certainly earned its spot as an “attraction.”

    • Historic Downtown Known for its quaint and walkable downtown, Princeton underwent a transformation of sorts in the ‘90s, securing its spot on the state’s art scene.

    • Folklore Museum and Stone House Museum Telling the story of Princeton, its people and the surrounding area by not only viewing artifacts, but in an interactive way.

    • White River Marsh State Wildlife Area Hunting, fishing, birding & off-trail hiking draw nature enthusiasts to this 12,000-acre refuge.

    • Dawson Prairie (Green Lake) 54 acres of restored land. Mowed trails wind through over 100 species of native grasses and wildflowers, blooming late spring through September. Abundant wildlife including deer, birds and butterflies inhabit the prairie.

    • John Muir Park State Natural Area (Montello) Muir Park is the boyhood home of conservationist John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club and the father of the National Park System. This 150-acre property includes a trail that takes you around the lake and wooden bridges over wet areas and streams.

    • Renard’s European Bakeshop’s Known for their Viennese pastries you won’t find in a standard dessert case.

    • Irma’s Diner Known for their large Pancakes and Country Fried Steak, if you’re leaning toward a hearty, classic breakfast experience, Irma’s delivers.

    • Knickerbocker Landing Saloon and EateryKnown for their house-smoked meats—beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken—they aren’t opposed to vegetarians, offering fresh salads and sandwiches as well. Variations of classic hand-crafted cocktails also grace the menu.

    • Molly’s Buckhorn Bar & Grill Burgers, fish frys and a wide selection of sandwiches and drinks.

  • Water Street (Downtown Princeton) The shopping scene is a bit like the city itself: eclectic. It offers everything from thrifted treasures and antique stores to bright, modern home decor and more.

    Antique Row (Hwy 23 Princeton) A collection of antique malls dot the highway known for their Victorian and primitive furniture, porcelain signs, jewelry, toys, holiday items and more.

    Watson Street (Downtown Ripon) Boasts a blend of restaurants, shops, summer concerts, and community festivals.

    • Within the town of Princeton, everything is in walking or biking distance.

    • A car is best to explore the spread-out sites at your leisure.

Itinerary

Friday

3 p.m. Check in

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5:00 p.m. Happy Hour

Far from your typical happy hour but in the middle of downtown Princeton lies Field Blend Wines (FBW), a carefully curated shop specializing in natural wines produced by small-scale farms organically, without the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Field Blend Wine and Bottle Shop is committed to honoring farmers; they commit a portion of sales to supporting college-level ag students. Photo courtesy of Field Blend Wines.

7:30 p.m. Dinner

Swap Friday fish for BBQ and live music at Knickerbocker Landing Saloon and Eatery. Known for their house-smoked meats—beef brisket, pulled pork and pulled chicken—they aren’t opposed to vegetarians, offering fresh salads and sandwiches as well. Variations of classic hand-crafted cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Martini, Highball and Manhattan also grace the menu.

If smash burgers and fish frys are more your speed, not to mention a wide selection of sandwiches and drinks, Molly’s Buckhorn Bar & Grill is where to take in tasty plates and colorful celebrations.

Field Blend Wine and Bottle Shop is committed to honoring farmers; they commit a portion of sales to supporting college-level ag students. Photo courtesy of Field Blend Wines.

Saturday

9 a..m. But first, coffee

Everyone knows road trips call for caffeine, and Twister Coffee Bar answers. Originally simply a home goods store (more on that in Retail Therapy!), Twister added its drink menu and hasn’t looked back. With classics like lattes, mochas and more, stop here before anything else.

If you’re craving a sweet bite with your coffee, be prepared to be wowed by Renard’s European Bakeshop’s indulgent creations—they’re known for their Viennese pastries—you won’t find in a standard dessert case.

Arrive early to get the goods at Renard’s European Bakeshop, as they tend to sell out and close shop by early afternoon. Photo courtesy of Renard’s European Bakeshop.

10:30 a.m. Go Antiquing

Beyond the snappy awning at Dover Street, shoppers will find a mix of Art Deco and mid-century modern decor and apparel sourced from far and wide (and often from the owners’ personal collection). Leslee and Gary Hannabarger have arranged the multi-room haven to feel like a charmingly overstuffed home. For a deeper dive into the past, check out MNM Antique Mall. This is a classic thrill-of-the-hunt place that, during my visit, unearthed a stuffed pheasant within staring distance of a crystal vase. If you come in warm months, hit up Princeton Flea Market, held on Saturday mornings in City Park. The term “mish mosh” never had greater meaning than at this event, where bartering is common and buying things you never knew you needed is a given.

Inside the shop, vintage goods are artfully arranged for easy browsing. Photo courtesy of Dover Street Collected Home.

12:00 p.m. Lunch

If you’re in the mood to try one-of-a-kind sandwiches and other lunch fare, Horseradish Kitchen + Market is a must stop. Built exclusively with artisan bread from Renard’s European Bakeshop, their sandwiches focus on what’s good—literally and figuratively.

The naturally lit, bright space is known for their Midwest Beat (spelling intentional)—pistachio goat cheese, basil pesto, beets, mixed greens on ciabatta—as well as their Capri Sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil pesto mayo, balsamic syrup on ciabatta; and Korean Nachos: tortilla chips, pulled pork, kimchi, jalapeno crema, tomato, siracha, sesame seed and cilantro.

The cafe serves inventive sandwiches like the Midwest Beat—ciabatta loaded with pistachio goat cheese, basil pesto, beets and mixed greens. Photo courtesy of Horseradish Kitchen & Market.

1:00 p.m. Retail Therapy

Princeton’s shopping scene is a bit like the city itself: eclectic. It offers everything from thrifted treasures and antique stores to bright, modern home decor and more.

If you’re shopping with sustainability in mind, daiseye’s selection and philosophy will be a perfect fit. Along with offering an array of unique clothing, jewelry and an assortment of home goods, the shop focuses on inclusivity and its core principles like items being socially and economically responsible; using recycled or reclaimed materials, no testing on animals, supporting sustainable energy, etc.

Woolbrights is specifically known for their Victorian and primitive furniture, decoys, gas and oil, porcelain signs, jewelry, toys, holiday items and more.

Before or after catching a bite at Horseradish Kitchen + Market, take a few minutes to peruse their curation of intentionally fun and uncommon items. Photo courtesy of Horseradish Kitchen & Market.

2:30 p.m. Hike Along the Fox River 

The beautiful, meandering Fox River bisects Princeton and runs parallel to Water Street. Start your walk at Megow Park, a photo-worthy pocket of hydrangeas and salvia that’s crowned by a gazebo.

Prior to European settlement in the late I7th century, the shores of the Fox River and Green Bay were home to roughly half the estimated 25,000 Native Americans who lived in what is today Wisconsin. The first Europeans to reach the Fox were French, beginning with explorer Jean Nicolet in 1634. In 1673 explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet canoed up the river as far as Portage. Here they made the short portage from the Fox to the Wisconsin River and then canoed on toward the Mississippi River. They established an important water route between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River known as the Fox-Wisconsin Waterway. It was likely long used by Native Americans prior to European encounter, as they had extensive cross-country trading routes related to the Mississippi River.

Megow Park is a sweet little postage-stamp park along the Fox River, downtown Princeton. The river tells a vast history of the indigenous people, as well as the first European explorers. Photo courtesy of Princeton Chamber of Commerce.

2:30 p.m. Take in the arts 

At 602 Water Street, bright pastel cranes swath a large brick wall. The mural is artist Nick Goettling's tribute to locals who helped bring whooping cranes back from the brink of extinction—and it's the first project organized by the new nonprofit Princeton Artists Collective (Parc). You'll find a wider scope of artistic talent on show at Soulhammer, an artist collective in a rehabbed warehouse showcasing work as varied as pressed flower earrings and Venetian glass vases. The facility hosts classes like glassblowing, glaze ceramics and even blacksmithing,

The mural is artist Nick Goettling's tribute to locals who helped bring whooping cranes back from the brink of extinction. Photo courtesy of Alex B. Grant.

Princeton’s newest mural at 544 W. Water St., Perry wanted to highlight how we can “find meaning in ordinary life while constantly witnessing things happening in the world beyond your control.” Photo courtesy of Pat Perry.

Sunday

8 a.m. Take it easy

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10:00 a.m. Sunday Drive

Not only does the Fox River flow through Princeton, adding charm and recreation opportunities that only a waterway of the sort can, but the White River Marsh sits nearby as well. The Wisconsin Conservation Commission approved the preliminary project and first land acquisition on the White River Marsh on March 30, 1962. Aldo Leopold had investigated the marsh in the 1940s and recommended federal or state purchase of the marsh for conservation purposes.

Head out to Rustic Road 22 - a picturesque 5.5 mile road that asses through the White River Marsh Wildlife Area. Abundant with wildlife, this road crosses Sucker Creek and the White River​.

Aldo Leopold had investigated the marsh in the 1940s and recommended federal or state purchase of the marsh for conservation purposes.

11:30 a.m. Brunch

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7:00 p.m. Sunday Sessions

The Sunday Sessions should not be missed. In its sixth “volume,” of bringing live music to the community, their whole deck is transformed to provide guests the perfect concert vibe.

No Sunday Scaries here. In addition to music, people flock to The Sunday Sessions because it’s social, outdoors, good music, good food, fresh air and nature.

Explore More

Arts

  • Thrasher Opera House Historic theater in Green Lake. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

Recreation

  • Stars & Strikes Vintage 4- lanes bowling alley.

  • The Ice Bowl Packer themed tiki bar on the river featuring ice cream, live music and river floats

  • Shamba Safari Seasonal park offering close-up views of various animals, including camels, that visitors can feed.

  • Nordic Mountain Winter center featuring skiing for all levels and snowboarding, plus a terrain park.


Mileage from Princeton

Appleton……54

Chicago……188

Green Lake……10

Madison……74

Milwaukee……94

St. Paul……238