There’s no better time to visit Brown County than now! Besides our beautiful autumn leaves and festive fall fun, Brown County’s buzzing with exciting new things. New shops, new places to eat, new activities, new cool spots to see, and more!
Since the last time you’ve visited, chances are that things have changed. Don’t worry…all your old Brown County favorites are still around. We’ve just spiced things up a bit with some new additions, which are sure to make Brown County even better!
Check out our new shops! Since spring we’ve had several stores pop up throughout the Village. From unique home décor and gorgeous hand carved wooden creations to spices, children’s books, natural skin care products, knives, antiques, and more, you’ll love our new shops! As you make your way through downtown, be sure to keep your eyes peeled. With more than a dozen new stores, you won’t have to look too hard to find one! From the totally new North End Shops to new stores in Franklin Square, Antique Alley, the Heritage Mall, the Artists Colony Shops, and even right along Main Street…a new Brown County treat is never far away! Stop by the Visitors Center at 211 South Van Buren Street for the inside scoop on our new businesses!
Did we mention there’s a new restaurant too?! Check out the Bird’s Nest Café! Located in the heart of downtown by the Village Bungalow, an equally delightful overnight rental, the Bird’s Nest Café is Brown County brunch done the right way. Dig in to creative, unique menu items—artfully prepared and artistically presented! Savor the flavor of fresh ingredients, perfectly combined for a new spin on all those brunch classics. From sweet potato waffles and homemade muffins to breakfast tarts and scrumptious sweets, dining at the Bird’s Nest Café is definitely a good start to the day. And a pretty healthy one too! You can even try out a tantalizing adult Apothecary Cocktail. While you’re at the Bird’s Nest, be sure to browse the café’s Wood Fairy Apothecary line, which includes soaps, lotions, essential oils, and more! It’s open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! While we’re talking restaurants…there’s another new one on the north side of town that’s in the works as well!
Oh yeah, and there’s Gnaw Bone too! While the tiny little community itself has been around for a long time, it’s never been as exciting as now! This up-and-coming area has tons of new, fun things to discover. Grab some coffee and dessert at the new Gnawbone Coffee. Devour some freshly baked treats at the new Gnaw Bone Country Store and Bakery. You can even admire some local art and artisan goods at the Country Store too! While you’re checking out the area, don’t forget about those great Gnaw Bone staples…the Brown County Antique Mall, the Brown County Winery, and Bear Wallow Distillery.
Even our Visitors Center is new…well, it will be when construction is done! That’s right, we’ve moved to the south side of town, 211 South Van Buren Street to be exact. While we were hoping for our new space to be open sooner in the year, construction tends to have its own timeline. We’re getting really close now though! We hope our doors will be open to the public in the next couple of months! Look forward to a fresh new look, interactive technology, an outdoor lounge area with a fire boulder, and more! Follow our progress on our I Love Brown County Facebook page and come for our grand opening! In the meantime, you can find us in our temporary location right around the corner from the construction across from Chateau Thomas Winery.
Another new thing from the Visitors Center is our Sippin’ Trip! From mouthwatering moonshine and delicious craft beer to smooth spirits and fine wine, treat your taste buds to some of Brown County’s best beverages on a Sippin’ Trip! Spend the afternoon touring and tasting at our artisan wineries, breweries, and distilleries! A bus will even take you from place to place so this is worry-free fun at its finest! Click here to learn more and to book your Sippin’ Trip!
Now that you know all the new stuff going on, let’s take a look at what’s in the works! First off, there’s Hard Truth Hills. Hard Truth Distilling Company (Big Woods/Quaff ON! Brewing Company’s liquor line) has been working on their newest venture Hard Truth Hills, an over 300-acre area tucked away in the beautiful Brown County woods. As Hard Truth Hills develops, look for a visitors center with an onsite tasting room, a working distillery open for touring, a restaurant, an outdoor relaxation area, and maybe even ATV tours, hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and more!
There’s also the Maple Leaf Performing Arts Center. This proposed music venue will feature 2,000 or more seats with top of the line sound equipment, perfect for enjoying concerts, comedians, other live performances, and community events. While you’ll most likely have to wait until 2019 to check it out, it will be well worth the wait!