Just 30 minutes from Green Bay and Appleton, the wooded walking trails and made-from-scratch baked goods might attract you to Brillion for a weekend, but it’s the convivial, neighborly spirit that will encourage you to extend your stay.
“It’s the genuine spirit of the people (that makes Brillion so appealing),” City of Brillion Mayor Mike Smith, mayor since 2021, says.
“With places like the Brillion Nature Center, Ariens Nordic Center, along with some incredible parks like Horn Park and Heritage Park, which have wooded walking trails, people can spend all day walking those trails. They are really beautiful.”
“The Brillion Nature Center (BNC) was formed in the mid-1980s after the DNR approached the Brillion School District about leasing the former Behnke Farm for an outdoor education classroom,” Danielle Joerger, Director & Head Naturalist at Brillion Nature Center, says.
Although no longer affiliated with the school system, Joerger mentioned field trips to the location are still popular. Joerger, who admits to being a “newbie” with BNC, said she finds tranquility in her place of employment.
“It’s (the BNC) a hidden gem… it’s about a 5-minute drive from the heart of town, but it feels like you’re in your own little world when you arrive. There are nearly seven miles of trails traversing through three different types of habitats: forest, prairie, and marsh land,” Joerger explains.
The different path options offer a little something for everyone, not to mention the variety of items you might find along your stroll.
“You won’t just see plant biodiversity along our trails. We have an operational sugar shack for maple syrup in March, the ruins of a lime kiln and a spotting scope for osprey nest viewing along our marsh platform,” Joerger says.
If you’re not up for walking, their nature center also draws people in with “over 80 animal mounts on display, live animals and a children’s loft with activities.
“Everyone who visits finds something truly captivating to see,” she says.
Much like the Brillion Nature Center, Ariens Nordic Center offers trails for walking and running in the summer months, but also boasts being an official U.S. Biathlon National Training Center since 2023. They also teach courses for those interested in the Biathlon with their state-of-the-art Biathlon Range.
“We are a one-of-a-kind venue in the Midwest,” Senior Director, Monica Ariens, says of the Biathlon National Training Center. Beyond being available for training all skill levels and ages they offer opportunities for cross-country skiing and biathlon year-round.
And while this is Wisconsin, there are those few months when snow just isn’t available to the athletes. Ariens Nordic Center has that handled.
“We have a 5k looping trail system with full snowmaking capability, which allows us to guarantee winter sport and recreation,” Ariens says. “In the nonwinter months, we have 3k of paved trails that allow roller ski training with our 20-point Kurvinen biathlon target system active all year.”
Alissa Beyer, Senior Director, Hospitality and Corporate Communications, has worked with Ariens for 11 years—ten in human resources and one in hospitality— and says Ariens Nordic Center really reflects Brillion.
“What Ariens Nordic Center offers is a place for the community to showcase Brillion… what is unique is that we and Brillion have so much to offer to residents and visitors. We want everyone to stay, play and maybe even move here,” she explains.
The city itself is centrally located and Ariens Nordic Center offers 400 acres with the lake on one side and rolling hills on the other, offering, as Beyer put it, “rustic charm and modern elegance.” Both of which she said are included in their wedding venues.
“Stone Prairie opened in 2000 and Round Lake Farms in 2021,” Beyer says. “Both are very unique spaces nestled in Brillion.”
People come from all over the nation to say their nuptials.
“Oftentimes people are from Brillion or Northeast Wisconsin and have left the area, but they want to come home to have their wedding.”
For Beyer, working at Ariens Nordic Center is reflective of the Brillion spirit with things like receiving hand-written thank you cards from her employer and celebrations for milestone anniversaries.
“Every five years we have a celebration from senior leadership,” she recalls. “We also receive handwritten cards from Ariens’ family members who are all so down to earth and seriously committed to the community. I feel lucky to work here. I’m proud that I get to choose Brillion to come to for work each day.
“I would encourage people to make the drive… it’s a very welcoming, friendly small town atmosphere with a lot of amenities for its own residents and visitors,” she says.
DINING TO-DO LIST
After a long walk on some of Brillion’s inviting walking and hiking trails, you’ll want some gnash and, according to Mayor Smith and other business owners, there is plenty of homemade fare for the light or heavy appetite.
Breakfast
The homemade theme carries over into everything they do at the Batch Baker Co. in downtown Brillion. From homemade croissants to coffee syrups, co-owner Ashley Ebert says the business she co-owns with her husband started out small.
“It started as a shared kitchen and custom order base,” she says.
Evert had been working in health care, but when she and her husband had to split shifts she started working in kitchens. While it began simply as the name states, with batches, it has now grown into a brick and mortar that is popular among Brillion residents.
“It’s grown into this: a fully operating bakery with coffee and lunch items,” Ebert says. “It’s very European inspired. We still roll and laminate the dough by hand.”
Beyond just pastries though, they have one very unique handmade concoction.
“We make all of our coffee syrups,” Ebert says.
One of the more popular drinks at the Batch Baker is made with their homemade syrup and marshmallow fluff.
“We recently did a Fluffer Nutter that is going to be permanently on the menu,” she says. “That consists of a homemade burnt sugar syrup, homemade marshmallow fluff and then peanut butter sauce, which I think will be a favorite for a long time.
It’s not the first coffee creation to go from seasonal to garnering a full time spot on their menu.
“Our Oatmeal Cookie Macchiato started as a seasonal drink that is now permanently on the menu,” she says.
Ebert admits to being a traditional coffee drinker, but loves creating the syrupy concoctions for the non-coffee drinker.
“I love incorporating those flavors for (people who might) want to drink coffee, but don’t like coffee. So I like making those drinks too, that are flavored for those people… it’s fun experimenting and coming up with different things,” she says. 
Ebert, who grew up in Valders, said that she feels like the Brillion community very quickly became family. Other business owners offer great support for each other.
“Everybody (other business owners) kind of has their niche of what they’re doing and it’s great! And we all support each other.”
While Ebert said the Batch Baker has homemade treats to offer that are unique to her business, she feels like Brillion also has its own uniqueness.
“To have so many establishments to sit and hang with your friends… it’s really great to come and find a bit of everything in such a small town,” she says. “It’s hard to want to leave—you don’t miss the big cities too much when you’re in town here.”
She added that one of the benefits of Brillion is its proximity to larger Wisconsin cities.
“You’re only a 25- to 30-minute drive to Appleton or Green Bay where there is so much going on, so Brillion is the spot where people can come to sit and relax and enjoy their time while still close to bigger (Wisconsin) cities. You can spend your quiet moments here (in Brillion) and then go do your big things within a short drive of each other.
A few other breakfast places include Rudy’s Cafe and Railway Junction.
Open early at 6 a.m., Rudy’s Cafe offers traditional diner fare, but with a twist: their homemade bread, soup and pies that keep people coming back for more.
Lunch
If it’s a burger you’re craving, Smith said Ethel’s is the place to go for the answer to your hunger pangs.
Owned by Al Muehlbauer, he says they are known for their Burgers, Brats and Steak Sandwiches. Their buns come fresh from Sunrise Bakery in nearby Kiel.
If it’s a salad you’re looking for, Cobblestone Creek offers a nice variety on their lunch menu, as well as pasta dishes, wraps or salads all at reasonable prices.
Barbecue lovers can rejoice at Marko’s Smokin BBQ.
From Pulled Pork Sandwiches to Brisket and Barbecued Ribs, they have a little something for everyone including Corn Bread and Mac and Cheese.
Dinner
For dinner, check out Gloria’s Cantina & Mexican Restaurant, a favorite of Ebert and her husband.
“We eat there weekly and she is by us almost daily, so it’s really nice to have that kind of camaraderie,” she says. “Gloria is a fabulous person!”
Gloria Sandoval is proud of the establishment she started in Hilbert in 2021 before relocating to Brillion in 2022. Following the homemade theme, Sandoval prides herself on creating authentic Mexican cuisine and handcrafted drinks.
Start with a Monster Nacho to scare away some of those hunger pangs, and sip on a Mama Juice Margarita while you wait for your entree which could be anything from a Seafood Enchilada to a King Burrito.
Another popular Brillion restaurant, The Trough Underground Speakeasy Bar and Gastropub offers food and entertainment.
“The Trough has live music now and great pizza, so that’s a great place to go too!” Ebert says.
Besides live entertainment, the Trough Underground Speakeasy Bar and Gastropub has entertaining names for their signature pies like Not the Wurst. Great for the lover of German cuisine, it is topped with Brillion Butcher Shop Brats, Sauerkraut and a few other complimentary ingredients. They also offer patrons a Canadian Vacation, which includes bacon’s best friend, Canadian bacon, pineapple and, for the brave people with strong pallets—if you ask for “Volcanic,” they will top the pizza with jalapeños.
It’s always great to throw in a signature dish named after the establishment, and The Trough delivers with pizza ingredients that mimic a deluxe style pie.
RETAIL THERAPY
After enjoying a good meal at one of Brillion’s downtown restaurants, you can take a stroll (literally a short walk right around the corner from the Batch Baker) to Schroth Flower Mill.
If you don’t get lured in from the blooms that adorn the front step, the window will draw you into this boutique that is full of flowers and frocks.
Co-owner Kerri Martin has been with Schroth for 3 years, but says the store has been there for 56 years.
“It’s a little bit of everything, from flowers to clothing to gift items. We do chocolates, we have caramel apples,” she says. “So we’re just trying to have something for everybody.”
Martin, who lived in other areas of Northeast Wisconsin, moved to Brillion for the business. She says she immediately felt as if she could stop and smell the roses—literally.
“It’s like stepping back into 1950.It’s like going back in time,” Martin reflects. “The people are so great! It’s safe. We joke that there is zero traffic. Everything is close. You can walk to the coffee shop. You can walk to the salon… I always say, ‘We have the best hair in Calumet County.’”
Beyond that, she says that there is a uniqueness about Brillion that makes it special.
“(The Batch Baker) was not here my first year, but the second year she came and I was so excited because I would only go to get a latte when I would leave town—that was my treat, and then she moved in, and 100 scones later… it’s so convenient!”
Martin, much like Ebert and Smith, loves to support the other businesses in Brillion, knowing there is success in those collaborations.
“If you can get people in the doors (at Schroth) then they will take a morning and make a few more stops, maybe go to Hidden Treasures Thrift Shop, make a day of it,” Martin says.
And you might need a day to see all of what Hidden Treasures Thrift shop has to offer. Once a furniture store, the store claims some 10,000 square feet, which it fills with donated items.
Carole Rajkovich is the President of the Board of Directors and a retired teacher. She has been with Hidden Treasures Thrift Shop since the beginning in 2009.
“This space was a furniture store once upon a time and it had been empty for about 25 years,” she says. “A few of us thought we should start a thrift shop and we looked around town and this really fit the bill.”
When one glances around the store, “thrift shop” is not what comes to mind, but rather a retail store with eye-catching displays and easy to find categories. These are all things Rajkovich takes pride in, along with their volunteers who Rajkovich is grateful for.
“We have a group of 70 volunteers, and we are really almost like a family,” she says. “They bring their skillset and desire to help people and they do that with their sense of humor and joy.”
The thrift shop, which is totally donation based, is 100 percent nonprofit, something else Rajkovich is proud of.
“Everything goes to a variety of charities,” she says. “We have been having one match day a month. We just gave $5,125 to Calumet County Hospice.
With their ample space, endless items and artistic displays, Rajkovich knows that, like Brillion, they have become a place people want to visit.
“We know for a fact that we (Hidden Treasures) are a destination for people. In fact we had some ladies in this morning who, it was their first time here they had heard about it. Word of mouth brings them into the community,” she says. “And then, once they’re here, they want to know where to have lunch, or if there are other resale stores.”
ATTRACTIONS AND RECREATION
Rajkovich lets thrift shop visitors know where they can see some entertainment, as she also volunteers her time at the Endries Performing Art Center, which has been there since 2001.
“It was a gift from Bob (Robert) and Pat Endries,” Rajkovich says. “It’s a state of the art facility.”
The goal of the 600-seat theatre on the Brillion High School campus is to “enhance the community by bringing in professional entertainment but at a family-friendly price,” said Rajkovich, “as well as some educational opportunities in the arts for our students.”
The theatre, which started by bringing in three or four acts a year, is now getting ready to announce their six or seven shows for next season.
CLEAR YOUR CALENDAR
Speaking of entertainment, what would a small town be without a parade? Martin notes that when she moved to Brillion, she couldn’t believe how incredible the Brillion Optimist Parade, that kicks off BrillionFest, held each year on the second Saturday in June.
“One of the highlights of Brillion is the summer parade,” Martin says. “It’s a night parade… I heard about it from people in town and then, when I experienced it, I was like ‘It’s so much better than I imagined!’ The floats—one I remember, they did a ‘bubbler theme’ and blew bubbles. They really put time and effort into it. Half of it is just the coolness of it being at night and down the Main street… Then the next day they do BrillionFest.
Much like a local fair, BrillionFest is a celebration that is worth the drive.
“It’s a charming small-town celebration that’s big on tradition, energy, and community spirit,” according to Kerry Prochnow, Vice President of the Brillion Area Chamber of Commerce.
Held each summer in Brillion, the theme of the festival really lends itself to the overall feel of Brillion itself: neighborly and wholesome.
“BrillionFest has roots going back decades—originally known as Welcome Neighbor Days before adopting its current name in the mid-to-late 1990s,” he says. “Today, the beloved event is proudly organized by the Brillion Fire Department and continues to grow in popularity each year.”
As Martin mentioned, the weekend kicks off with the unforgettable Brillion Optimist Parade on Friday night.
“It’s the only nighttime lighted parade in the area,” Prochnow says. He admits the spectacle draws thousands of spectators, with families lining Main Street early.
“Sometimes even the night before to claim a front-row seat.
Amanda Shimek is on the BrillionFest Committee which she said is a small but mighty group of volunteers associated with the Brillion Fire Department.
“We are a group of firefighters and their wives who meet year round to make this event happen,” she says. “Every one of us loves giving back and are motivated to have a successful event so everyone in Brillion and the surrounding towns can have a fun-filled day all while raising money for local organizations.
Shimek got involved simply by being married to a firefighter, with the Brillion Fire and Rescue Association taking the reins from the Jaycees to organize BrillionFest.
The Fest has really revved up since then, developing an “Anything with an engine show,” a Vendor Fair with over 50 booths, low-cost, family-friendly activities, along with Live Music all day, and dozens of Food Trucks.
Shimek said it’s all about bringing people to the community while giving back to it. 
“Our goal is to give back to our community by having a low cost event for all ages. Part of the proceeds each year are donated back to local nonprofit organizations,” she says.
“Beyond the parade, Brillion offers a full slate of family-friendly activities like the natural beauty of the Mike Ariens Trail or the Brillion Nature Center,” Prochnow adds. He also mentions the splash pad, pool, or local swimming hole. For those who want to take to the water, Prochnow said there are also great places to kayak.
Back on land, Brillion offers family friendly activities like pickleball (in the summer), or cross country skiing at Ariens Nordic Center in the winter.
LODGING
In need of a place to stay while in Brillion? Much like the slower pace and neighborly feel, the Rosemary Parsonage is a charming 5-bedroom home for rent. What used to be an old parsonage is now an Airbnb rental and listed as a guest favorite.
The Yellow House, another Airbnb rental, holds 6 bedrooms within an older character home. It’s a great place for sharing time with friends and family. Besides access to the entire home there are also laundry facilities available if needed.
If you’re looking for more traditional lodging, Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Brillion just might fit the bill. The hotel features a terrace bar, a fitness center and a buffet or continental breakfast.
If it’s rustic you’re looking for, then check out the Woodfire Lodge. In addition to its cozy log cabin feel, it’s also a great location for special events like wedding ceremonies, receptions and family reunions. Their restaurant also features hard to find entrees like Roasted Duck Salad, Bison and Elk and Kobe Burgers.
For visitors who may have looked at Brillion as a day destination, one might find, after spending some time in the friendly town, that the appeal of the people, the delicious homemade treats and hidden treasure—not just at the thrift shop, but around every corner, make this small city worth the drive. And who knows, it might make you want to stay longer.
As a proud chamber member, Prochnow points out that Brillion seems to have it all.
“The city has a growing dining scene, charming boutiques, gorgeous wedding venues and the soon-to-be-completed Library Garden, which is already shaping up to be a downtown gem,” he says.
