Departments

Where beautiful, carefully restored historic buildings from the past meet a present filled with contemporary amenities, complemented by plenty of fun experiences to be had and modern-day conveniences — that’s what visitors will find as they immerse themselves in the city of Sheboygan Falls.

The city, located just to the southwest of Sheboygan and about an hour and 20 minutes from Appleton, is a Wisconsin Main Street community. The second you enter Sheboygan Falls, you will be in awe of the more than 40 buildings that were rehabilitated and restored to their original 1800s architectural magnificence, while equally impressed by the many unique options for dining, recreation and retail throughout the city. 

“It’s a beautiful, historical district,” says Barb Sander, store manager of Bemis Bath Shoppe and Boutique. “People really take pride in the community. They want the downtown to look great. They want every business to succeed. They’re very kind to each other. It’s just a great place to visit and or live.”

In fact, city leaders, business owners and community members have put so much effort into ensuring people enjoy visiting over the last several decades, they were awarded the nationally significant “The Great American Main Street Award,” an award that’s only given to five communities in the nation each year. As the community continues to expand and grow, through innovative projects like the forthcoming Founders’ Pointe subdivision, it’s an exciting time for the city.

“We are known for our people and our very welcoming community,” explains Tammy Meyer, Sheboygan Falls’ Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Our city is gorgeous … It’s like walking back in time with the buildings here. I love just sitting at the local coffee shop looking out the window. It’s early in the morning and looking at the buildings — for me, it’s really serene and beautiful.” 

So, whether you’re stopping at Evans to find the perfect toy or vacation memento, you want to slow down and catch a delicious bowl of soup in a homemade bread bowl at Bread and Bean or play a round at the only Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course in Wisconsin — The Bull, the whole family can find something they fancy in Sheboygan Falls. 

“We have wonderful people, we have a beautiful downtown, beautiful parks, a wonderful school district. There’s something for everyone,” Meyer adds.

Dining To-Do’s in Sheboygan Falls

Bountiful breakfasts

There are several great options for breakfast in Sheboygan Falls, starting with the Falls Café. Offering traditional standbys like fresh eggs, fluffy omelets and hearty skillets for the early morning hours, as well as an adorable kid’s menu, you’re sure to never leave hungry. Try the Falls Café omelet, made with ham, bacon, sausage, onion, green pepper and American cheese, or saddle up to the Hungry Man — made with six eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, mushroom, green pepper, onion, tomato and cheese, with their delicious hashbrowns rolled up inside the egg-cellent omelet. 

At River Park Restaurant, their large menu includes breakfast offerings that will please any palate. If you’re an eggs benedict fan, try their take on the country benedict: a toasted English muffin topped with sausage patties, poached eggs and their savory sausage gravy. For a heartier breakfast, their country fried steak is topped with sausage gravy and served with two fresh eggs, any style, toast and your choice of hash browns or American fries. In addition to a long list of omelet options and egg sandwiches, their breakfast wraps are also a favorite. Try the garden wrap, with mushrooms, broccoli, spinach, green pepper, tomato and onion, mixed with light and fluffy scrambled eggs and melted cheese. 

Daydream Café, up the street and around the corner from River Park Restaurant on Broadway Street, is a great choice for those mornings when you need a great cup of coffee with your delicious sustenance. Offering hot coffee from state-favorite Door County Coffee and Tea Company, as well as other cold-brew coffee and tea drinks, you can also grab a quick bite in the form of a muffin or pastry, or breakfast-style sandwich. 

Their specials are notoriously decadent. One recent offering featured a toasted sun-dried tomato bagel, topped with whipped cream cheese, cheddar, scrambled eggs, bacon and Mike’s Hot Honey, while another used an asiago bagel as the base, topped with slow-cooked steak, scrambled eggs, provolone, portabella mushrooms, caramelized onions and garlic aioli.

Lunch and Dinnertime Deliciousness

After you’ve walked around the city, enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the parks and its fabulous retailers, lunch or a nice dinner in Sheboygan Falls leaves visitors with many tantalizing options.

At Bread and Bean, you have what seems like endless, mouth-watering choices when it comes to salads, soups, paninis, wraps, sandwiches, burgers and even pasta and tacos. Start with their fan-favorite soup of the day in one of their bread boules. Try a wrap like the Klondike fish wrap, featuring golden cod, lettuce and crunchy coleslaw with their sweet chili ranch sauce wrapped in a flour tortilla, or the Mackinac, made with smoked turkey, mixed greens, carrot, craisins, tomato, chopped nuts and raspberry mayo sauce rolled in a flour tortilla. 

Delicious soups and sandwiches are also an option at Daydream Café. Head back there mid-day to try their soup and sandwich specials. Recent menu highlights included soups, like the lauded coconut curried lentil, and sweet potato and buttered pecans. Sandwiches run the gamut, from a March special that featured a kimchi Reuben, to a more recent apple chicken panini, featuring shredded chicken breast, cheddar cheese, bacon, honey-crisp apple slices, tomato, caramelized onions and roasted red pepper aioli on an Italian bread.

If it’s Friday, lobster-roll loving locals head to Junior’s Eats. They have a food truck in addition to their brick-and-mortar location on Broadway St., and they’re well-known for not just their lobster rolls but their fish fry services, paninis, sandwiches, tacos, and quesadillas. Try their Cuban, made with slow-roasted pork and ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and red pepper aioli, pressed hot on Cuban bread, or their apricot chicken, featuring chicken breast with spinach, red onion and an apricot sauce pressed hot on a telera roll — a staple bread for Mexican sandwiches.

For more options with a Mexican flair, order the pulled pork quesadillas, made with pulled pork, caramelized onions, mozzarella cheese and a mild green salsa, pressed hot on a large flour tortilla, or try the vegan roasted veggie tacos, made on corn tortillas and topped with smashed avocado, roasted seasoned cauliflower, sweet potato, black beans, and chipotle lime crema.

Falls Firehouse Pizza is known for their pizza, of course, but also offer much more than that. Along with the pizza, they make soups, salads, starters, salads, cold sandwiches and subs, hot sandwiches, and Italian entrees like beef ravioli and lasagna. Try their meatball sub or their signature Firehouse sub if you’re hankering for a nice sandwich. In the realm of their notable pizzas, the El Fuego Pollo is their take on a chicken fajita pizza, topped with fajita seasoned chicken, onions, green peppers, pico de gallo, mozzarella and cheddar, sour cream and lettuce. 

For a fun, historic atmosphere and great service, Fat Cow Pub and Eatery is the place to be for lunch or dinner. Start with their tasty onion strings, dusted with parmesan cheese, and get the cheese-curd stuffed burger, made with local cheese curds, stuffed into Fat Cow’s signature burger patties, topped with bacon, garlic aioli, and BBQ. Or go for the steak sandwich — made with Miesfeld’s steak (from Sheboygan) and topped with carnalized onions and cheddar cheese, snuggled into a Johnston’s hard roll (also a Sheboygan-area landmark).

If wings (or shrimp) are your thing, Legend Larry’s is the place to stop for these delectable morsels in Sheboygan Falls. Featuring sauces ranging in mild flavor like Caribbean mango and garlic parm, to spicy bacon BBQ and hot garlic, to the extreme Scary Larry and DOA, there’s something to meet everyone’s tolerance level. If wings aren’t your thing, they also serve chicken and burger sliders, salads, and a long list of starters, like steak fries, sweet corn nuggets, broccoli cheddar bites, and more.

Bread and Bean is open for dinner on Fridays, with sandwiches, fish, and entrees made with the same fresh ingredients, quality and care you find on the lunchtime menu. The Pittsburgh Pretzel Chicken is a pleasing house pretzel-crusted chicken breast, which is then pan-fried and oven-finished golden brown on a bed of pasta tossed in a parmesan pesto cream sauce. Or throw it back to Wisconsin’s German roots with the Kaiser Schnitzel: thin panko-crusted boneless pork loin fried golden, finished with white wine lemon caper sauce served with our bacon, cabbage, carrot and buttered spaetzle.

El Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant is a wildly popular choice for dinner and lunch in Sheboygan Falls. Located near the corner of Buffalo St. and Pine St., they offer authentic Mexican dishes to satisfy any appetite. Start dinner with their asada fries — French fries topped with steak, grilled onions and tomatoes, and melted cheese with sour cream. Order the huaraches, which are made from a thick oblong-shaped masa base, and then topped with Chihuahua cheese and tomatillo sauce, or try their take on their chilaquiles, which include deep-fried corn tortilla pieces sauteed in El Rancho’s red sauce, onions, tomatoes and topped off with fresh Mexican cheese and two eggs, any style.

Jack’s Grill is known for their melt-in-your mouth steaks and is a terrific option for a fine-dining experience. They also offer options like shrimp and mushroom risotto, chicken cordon bleu, shrimp scampi, and a hefty menu of sandwich and burger options. Try their ultimate mac and cheese, topped with prime rib and caramelized onions — or one of their many other options for toppings, served in ala carte fashion. 

You may not have known you were craving a taco pizza before heading to Sheboygan Falls for a day trip or weekend stay, but trust us, you will be! Pitstop Pizza, whose slogan is “Nobody does taco pizza better!” has been in operation since 1990. Made with the freshest ingredients, they offer a wide selection of signature pizzas, salads, bread sticks, chicken wings, and calzones. In addition to their famous taco pizza, try their spin on an Italian calzone — pepperoni, ham, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Italian dressing.

For delectable cake and dessert bar options, head to Mini & Me Desserts on Fond du Lac Ave. Owner Jodi Parks is the mother of five kids, two of whom are autistic. She found a special way to connect with her kids in the kitchen through baking, and from there a business was born! Now, she’s part of other families’ many special occasions, too. Open to the public Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, they also take custom orders seven days a week. 

No matter where you decide to go, Mayor Randy Meyer says you cannot go wrong, and you definitely won’t leave hungry! Mayor Meyer, who uses his social media handles to promote where he’s been eating in town from week to week, is proud of what his community offers to its locals and visitors.

“All of our restaurants are excellent,” he says. “They all have quality food and quality service.”

Get Out and Have Fun in the Falls

Odyssey Fun Center has plenty to offer for family fun during your stay in Sheboygan Falls. Including a bowling center, bar and grill featuring live entertainment, and an arcade with 16 games, there are options for all ages, abilities, and skills. There are plenty of HD TVs to catch the big game, and the grill serves up a variety of made-from-scratch, fried American fare options, as well as full entrees like burgers, wings, and hand-crafted sandwiches. The bar has nine beers on tap, as well as tap root beer, liquor, and house wines available. Be sure to stay and check out their glow bowling with a light show!

For a Par 3 or mini golf experience, head to Sunset Hills. Designed by Ed Kirchenwitz, a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSSA) and former superintendent at Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits Golf Courses, he designed the course along the beautiful Sheboygan River — visible from eight of the nine holes. And for those looking for mini golf fun, there is also an 18-hole miniature course on site! Built alongside the first hole tee, the mini course features four ponds, two rivers, and five fountains as part of the challenging and fun design. The first 9 holes are ADA handicap accessible, allowing everyone to join in the fun.

Sheboygan Falls is home to a golf course with state and nationwide notoriety, The Bull at Pinehurst Farms. As the only Jack Nicklaus-signature golf course in Wisconsin, it offers a variety of risk-reward holes, set among 400 acres of wetlands, woodlands and rivers. Known for its world-class golf experience — at affordable rates — it’s also home to Jack’s Grill. Tee times can be scheduled one month in advance. 

Many may not realize it, but the Sheboygan County Airport is one of the busiest private aviation airports in the state. The Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin, located at the airport, works to foster knowledge in science technology, engineering and math through the world of aviation, and commemorates the exciting history of Wisconsin flight. It was founded by a dedicated group of volunteers and EAA Chapter 766, who raised funds to build the facility in 2005. The center offers guests a close-up look at aircraft operations, from the pioneer days when barnstormers gave rides and demonstrations, to the golden age of aviation of the late 1920s and ’30s, and the impact of WWII.

Be sure to check out the North Central Airlines exhibit — the only one in America — dedicated to this commercial aviation success story. From its humble beginnings in 1944 with two aircraft based in Clintonville, Wisconsin, North Central Airlines became a major national airline flying 56 aircraft to 100 destinations throughout the United States. The exhibit includes a former North Central Airlines Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The center is free to visitors, but does rely on generous contributions made by visitors, friends, and Wisconsin companies.

Relax and Recreate in a Beautiful Setting

A day or weekend in Sheboygan Falls is not complete without spending time outdoors, enjoying the Sheboygan River and “the falls.”

There is little that’s more picturesque or shouts “quintessential historical town” than taking a stroll along the Sheboygan Falls Riverwalk. First constructed during the Great Depression, over time the walk became overgrown. But, thanks to the hard work of the Sheboygan Falls Jaycees and the Wisconsin Conservation Corps, you can once again hear the roar and feel the power as the water rushes over the dam and down through the falls. The trail runs from the

Monroe Street bridge to the Broadway Street bridge.

There are several parks to add to your list of must-sees. River Park features two tennis courts and a baseball diamond in the general park area. The parks and rec department has hosted outdoor movie nights in the past there as well, using a giant screen for viewing family-friendly movies in the great outdoors. It’s open and right downtown, making it a nice place to stop for a bit of a breather while shopping or walking the historical streets of the city.

Rochester Park features tennis courts, a basketball court, and a volleyball court and net. There is also a playground area. During the wintertime, Rochester Park also hosts a lit ice-skating rink. The 84-ft.-by-144-ft.-rink on site also has had hockey equipment and ice skates available for use in the past, offered for use for the day/evening on the honor system.

Settlers Park boasts one of the finest spaces of riverfront in Wisconsin, according to Falls locals. The beautiful park sits on the site of the original Bemis Mfg. Plant and offers direct access to the most gorgeous parts of the Sheboygan River and the dam site. 

Sheboygan Falls View Park offers just what you would expect by its apt moniker — a view of the falls! The smaller park is a great place to unwind and take in the beauty of nature. Built courtesy of the Wisconsin Conservation Corps., this small overlook offers a spectacular view of the falls and serves as an intimate spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or take a family photo.

Finally, a must of any visit to Sheboygan Falls is the city’s Historic Walking Tour. Including two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, city leaders believe it’s one of the best collections of authentic historic restorations in the Midwest. More than 45 facades have been restored and nearly 50 buildings rehabilitated through $19 million in private and public investment. You can find the map for this self-guided tour at https://sheboyganfalls.org/map/.

Unique Retailers & Exciting Finds 

When you visit Sheboygan Falls, you’ll be struck by how many different options there are for retail businesses. As Bemis’ Barb Sander explains, there are a lot of specialty stores offering different kinds of gifts and unique finds you won’t find in the larger box stores. In fact, they work together to ensure there isn’t heavy duplication of brands and retail lines for shoppers across the downtown.

“When I’m ordering I try to think of the person who needs a baby shower gift, a person who needs a bridal shower gift, somebody who lost somebody and what’s going to make them happy, and brighten their day,” she adds. 

“We really try to hit every person in every market at every price level.”

For a store that has everything, including more than a sprinkle of nostalgia, Evans is a must-visit. In business since 1936, this gem of a store offers more than 5,000 toys, including brands like LEGO, Playmobil, Ertl Farm Vehicles & Implements, Fisher-Price, Calico Critters, Hasbro, and a huge collection of Barbie products. They also have puzzles, Mahjong games and supplies, Estes Model Rockets, Breyer Horses, Bachmann model trains, Klutz Kraft Kits.

They also offer a large selection of women’s clothing and accessories from brands like Lulu B, Tribal, Skye’s The Limit, as well as children and infant’s clothing from brands like Under Armour, Adidas, and Star Ride. They offer a fabric department, offering quilters cottons, notions and yarn, as well as seasonal décor, collectibles, figurines, Christmas ornaments, kitchen linens, gadgets and a large selection of candles.

Mayor Meyer says Evans is such a find, it’s one of the first places he recommends people visit.

“If you’re going to be in Sheboygan Falls, you have to stop in at Evans,” he says with a laugh. “Evans has been a store that’s been around since I’ve been a kid, and the word here is if you can’t find it anywhere else, go to Evans. They’ll probably have two or three of them.”

Walking into Bemis Bath Shoppe and Boutique is, as Sander says, like a shopping, decorating and museum trip all in one. Bemis Manufacturing, headquartered in Sheboygan Falls, has manufactured toilet seats since 1932. As a cornerstone business of the community, its bath shoppe and boutique features historic company images along with the company’s toilet seat products. In addition to the toilet seats — including whisper close, potty training, easy-to-clean, raised and personal cleansing spas — they also offer a great variety of women’s clothing up to 3X, accessories, baby gifts and necessities, bridal gifts, body and bath products for the whole family, and home fragrance and décor.

In a world where shopping online or at Big Box stores delivers shoes made of poor quality and little support, your tootsies deserve a trip to the Depke Shoe Store. With great customer service and a wide variety of shoes for shoppers, they offer the top brands in athletic shoes, winter boots, fashionable sandals and closed-toe shoes for the ladies, and all styles in-between. 

Popped fresh daily, Broadway Popcorn offers gourmet popcorn in a variety of mouth-watering flavors. Don’t leave Sheboygan Falls without taking a bag (or 12) home with you! Try their delicious signature Broadway Mix, the No. 1 seller, featuring a blend of their buttery-sweet caramel corn with robust, full-bodied cheddar. With other flavors like Jalapeno, Cinnamon, Pickle Pop, Parmesan Garlic, Cinnamon Toast and more specialty flavors available during the year, there is something to satisfy everyone.

If the thrill of the hunt for an amazing vintage or resale item while doing great things for the community is your thing, you have to visit Richardson Hospice Resale Store. From fine jewelry to estate items, collectibles, clothing and housewares, the store is filled to the brim with gently used, quality treasures. And, each time you shop, you support the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice’s mission of caring for the community, funding patient care, outreach and education programs.

Are you a Betty Boop, Wizard of Oz, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Snoopy or Mickey Mouse aficionado? Or maybe you enjoy collecting Italian charms and bracelets? Surprises! is a gift and collectibles shop now located on Broadway St. in Sheboygan Falls. You’re sure to find a surprise around each nook and cranny of the store, including jewelry, gifts, holiday-themed wares, figurines, ornaments, and much more. 

Stay Awhile in Sheboygan Falls

There are two standout places to stay while in Sheboygan Falls: The Oasis Hotel and Bar and 

The Rochester Inn.

The Oasis, which has been fully renovated, features a bar, pool, hot tub, laundry facilities, and complimentary private parking. Additionally, air-conditioned rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi are available. Each room is equipped with a flat-screen TV featuring cable channels and a coffee maker for your convenience. A continental breakfast is available for guests during their stay.

The Rochester Inn is a great fit for visitors who want a bit of history to ponder in the place they’re laying their heads down at night. Owners say the historic hotel has the thoughtful appointments of a bed and breakfast inn, with the privacy and amenities of a boutique hotel. It features private baths, Kohler whirlpools, and in-room breakfast service. 

The inn is named for Charles D. Cole, and was built in 1848, constructed in the Greek Revival style as a trading post and general store. The Cole family lived on the second floor of the building, and the third floor served as meeting space for the first temperance society in the Midwest. After the building fell into disrepair in our modern era, The Rochester Inn was carefully restored into a bed and breakfast inn in 1986. Located within the Cole Historic District of Sheboygan Falls, there are retail options and restaurants within walking distance from the inn. 

Five Annual Events to Enjoy During Your Visit
The Summer Concert Series, held in River Park and set for June 12, June 26, July 10 and July 24, August 14 and August 28 in 2024, is a great way to get out and enjoy live music and the best parts of summer in Wisconsin! Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and sit back and relax as you enjoy the musical craft and skills of bands like Tonic Roots, Ryan Kautzer, Suzie and The Detonators, Past Curfew, Big Bass Trio, and II Cool.

The Original Ducktona™ Family Festival & Car Show, held at River Park the first Sunday in July (this year, on July 7), is highlighted annually by the city’s Original Ducktona 500™. You won’t want to miss this all-day event, located in River Park, and culminating in the city’s famous Duck Race, where thousands of plastic ducks race down the Sheboygan River for large cash prizes! In addition to the ever-popular Antique Car Show and Boat Show, with more than 300 entries, there’s a full day of fun for families, including special events for the children like bouncy houses, a balloon lady, and magician, vendors for shopping, food, and live music. 

In early September each year, River Park hosts the Lions Club’s Oktoberfest celebration. Featuring a Friday fish fry, beer, German food, live music, corn hole tournament, bier Olympics, and a bier 5K run/walk (and likely, more beer), proceeds benefit local organizations. It’s a great way to kick off all the best things about autumn (and drink beer, of course).

On October 17 in 2024, enjoy the chamber-led Ladies Nite Out. Ladies are welcome to pre-order a tote bag and all chamber members can put promotional items into the bags to explain who they are and what they do. Even with 350 ordered each year, they sell out annually for this event. Many stores have specials and ladies enjoy the downtown shops, the dining, and the taverns and other establishments. It’s become a great evening for ladies to just kick back and enjoy.

The holiday season kicks off in Sheboygan Falls with the city’s annual Main Street Memories event. This year, the 36th Main Street Memories annual celebration will be held December 7. The night includes kids’ activities, shopping, seeing Santa, wagon rides and more. The night continues with the Sheboygan Falls holiday parade, and lots of businesses go all-out to create beautiful, creative floats. And then to end the evening, there is a community tree lighting ceremony at City Hall. It’s a great event that brings the whole community together.

Smalltown Charm, with Big City Amenities

When planning your next day trip or weekend away, Mayor Meyer encourages people to consider his hometown — if not for the plentiful shopping, dining and recreation opportunities, then certainly for its wonderful people, who are the heart of this riverfront community. 

Even if you’re in the area to attend events in Kohler, Sheboygan or Plymouth, Sheboygan Falls is a convenient location to go back and forth from, and all that it offers makes it a great landing spot for a weekend away no matter what town you may be visiting during the day. 

“Then come back here to the quiet and peace to rejuvenate for your next day of activity,” he says.

With a large grocery store and other big-town amenities complementing its smalltown charm, it’s more than worth the drive.

“It’s a friendly, safe city,” continues Mayor Meyer. “I really think it’s the people and that it’s just a welcoming city.

 “We have lots of great shops, unique shops in our downtown and great restaurants. We have everything you need here.”