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Sheboygan Falls was originally founded in 1835 as the town of Rochester, an industrial settlement centered around three rivers: Sheboygan, Mullet and Onion. The town changed its name to Sheboygan Falls — the rivers kept their names — and has maintained its early history while continuing to move forward today.

The Historic Downtown District, centered around the intersection of Broadway and Monroe Streets, is a vibrant community built from a wide variety of architectural styles. The area was one of the inaugural communities chosen by the Wisconsin Main Street Revitalization Program, an initiative founded in 1980 to bring back the history of Wisconsin communities. The district was a winner of the “Great American Main Street Award” in 1995, a prestigious award given to just three communities in the country every year.

One event in Sheboygan Falls is so significant, it’s worth marking your calendar a year in advance: the annual Ducktona 500, an all-day festival held on the first Sunday of July featuring music, activities and a massive rubber duck race. Sheboygan Falls has a little bit of everything for the curious tourist, whether it’s golf, historic inns or fantastic restaurants.

Two Great Sheboygan Falls Stays

There are plenty of places to stay in Sheboygan Falls for a multiple-day visit, but there are two historic inns worth noting. The Rochester Inn has nearly as much history as the town itself. Built in 1848, the inn was once Sheboygan County’s only post office and was later repurposed as Sheboygan Falls’ general store. Rochester Inn’s Greek Revival architecture and its signature two-story suites will bring you back to the period when Wisconsin was one of the newest states in the country. For the traveler who plans to spend their mornings driving and putting, there’s no better option than The Fringe, a spacious, four-room converted carriage house originally built in 1922. The family-owned inn is near Sheboygan Falls’ own golf course, making for an easy commute to the greens.

Selfie Spot: Settler’s Park

Located along the banks of The Sheboygan River, Settler’s Park was built in 2001 making it the newest park in Sheboygan Falls. The park offers the perfect vantage point to enjoy flowing waters, the dramatic dam and riverfront bluffs. Visitors will find plenty of benches and tables along the winding paths. The scenic overlook deck and gazebo make it the perfect location to snap a selfie.

Up next: a Sheboygan Falls dining run-down