Plum City WisconsinATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Plum City, Wisconsin.
1. Spring Pond Park
HISTORIC NATURAL OASIS
Spring Pond Park serves as the enduring heart of Plum City, offering visitors a serene natural setting along Plum Creek. The park sits at the historic juncture of the old St. Antoine Trail and Plum Creek, where European settlement in the area began around 150 years after French traders and Native Americans traveled these rich hunting grounds. This tranquil spot has remained an essential part of Plum City's identity throughout its development from a small settlement to a prosperous farming community.
2. 100-Mile Garage Sale
REGIONAL TREASURE HUNT
The 100-Mile Garage Sale is an extensive regional event near Plum City taking place May 1-4, 2025. Treasure hunters can explore miles of garage sales, flea markets, and roadside vendors stretching along the Mississippi River. Visitors enjoy not only great deals but also scenic drives through charming river towns and beautiful countryside.
3. Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival
CHEESY CULINARY CELEBRATION
The Ellsworth Cheese Curd Festival celebrates Wisconsin's famous cheese curds on June 27-28, 2025, just 15 miles from Plum City. Visitors can sample fresh, squeaky cheese curds directly from the creamery along with creative cheese curd dishes from various food vendors. The festival offers live music, craft beverages, and family-friendly activities that showcase the region's dairy heritage.
4. Valley Springs Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE EVENT
The Valley Springs Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride offers off-road enthusiasts an exciting adventure through the scenic terrain surrounding Ellsworth on August 16, 2025. Riders can experience challenging trails and rural landscapes just 16 miles from Plum City. This event attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from across the region who appreciate the varied terrain and well-organized routes.
5. Hudson Hot Air Affair
WINTER BALLOON FESTIVAL
The Hudson Hot Air Affair transforms the winter sky with colorful hot air balloons from February 7-9, 2025, about 34 miles from Plum City. Visitors can witness spectacular mass balloon launches, nighttime balloon glows, and participate in winter activities throughout the weekend. The festival includes a torchlight parade, marketplace, and family-friendly entertainment that brightens the cold Wisconsin winter.
6. Banbury Art Crawl
CREATIVE ARTS SHOWCASE
The Banbury Art Crawl showcases local artistic talent in Eau Claire on February 7-8, 2025, approximately 37 miles from Plum City. Visitors can explore multiple venues featuring works from painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, and other artisans from around the region. This creative event offers opportunities to meet artists, watch demonstrations, and purchase unique handcrafted items directly from their creators.
7. Jig's Up Ice Fishing Contest
WINTER FISHING COMPETITION
Jig's Up Ice Fishing Contest brings anglers together on February 8, 2025, for a winter tradition about 45 miles from Plum City. Participants drill through the ice in hopes of catching prize-winning fish while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The event features contests, prizes, and a festive atmosphere that celebrates Wisconsin's ice fishing culture.
8. Young Dubliners Concert
HIGH-ENERGY CELTIC ROCK
The Young Dubliners bring their high-energy Celtic rock performance to Chippewa Falls on February 12, 2025, about 45 miles from Plum City. Audiences can experience the band's unique blend of traditional Irish music with modern rock influences in a lively concert setting. Their performances are known for getting crowds on their feet with infectious rhythms and spirited instrumentation.
9. Valentine's Day Dinner and Improv Show
ROMANTIC COMEDY EVENING
The Valentine's Day Dinner and Improv Show offers couples a memorable evening on February 14, 2025, in Chippewa Falls, approximately 45 miles from Plum City. Guests can enjoy a special dinner followed by hilarious improvisational comedy performances that make for a perfect date night. The combination of fine dining and laughter creates a unique Valentine's celebration that stands out from traditional restaurant experiences.
10. Plum Creek
SCENIC WATERWAY TRAIL
Plum Creek flows through the heart of Plum City, offering visitors peaceful spots for fishing, wildlife watching, and outdoor relaxation. The creek played a significant role in the town's history, serving as a central point where the St. Antoine Trail crossed and where early settlement began. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic beauty of this waterway that inspired the city's name, with the surrounding area once abundant with wild plum trees.
11. Pierce County Historical Sites
LOCAL HERITAGE TRAIL
Pierce County's historical sites around Plum City offer glimpses into the region's rich cultural heritage dating back over 300 years. Visitors can explore areas once traveled by French traders and Native Americans, including remnants of the old St. Antoine Trail that brought early European settlers to the region. These historical landmarks tell the story of how Plum City transformed from an isolated settlement with just a few buildings to a thriving farming community with a prosperous business district.
12. Plum City Business District
SMALL-TOWN SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Plum City's Business District offers visitors a charming small-town shopping experience with local establishments that serve the community. Travelers can browse shops and meet friendly locals while experiencing the authentic culture of this rural Wisconsin community. The area grew significantly after 1900 when Plum City became a prosperous farming community, developing a larger business district that continues to serve residents and visitors today.
13. Rural Wisconsin Farmland Tours
AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE EXPERIENCE
The scenic farmlands surrounding Plum City showcase Wisconsin's rich agricultural heritage with rolling fields and traditional family farms. Visitors can drive the countryside roads to appreciate the rural landscape that has supported this farming community since the late 1800s. The area experienced an economic boom in the 1870s when pioneering farmers purchased lumber from Plum City for farms in eastern Minnesota, establishing the agricultural tradition that continues today.
14. St. Antoine Trail
HISTORIC TRADING ROUTE
The historic St. Antoine Trail near Plum City follows paths used by French traders and Native Americans over 300 years ago. Early European settlers followed this trail eastward from the Mississippi River to reach what would become Plum City. History enthusiasts can explore sections of this significant route that played a crucial role in the region's development and early commerce.
15. Plum City Seasonal Festivals
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION EVENTS
Plum City hosts seasonal community festivals that bring locals and visitors together throughout the year to celebrate small-town traditions. These events often feature local food, crafts, music, and activities that showcase the community's rural heritage and neighborly spirit. Visitors can experience authentic Wisconsin hospitality while participating in celebrations that highlight the changing seasons in this picturesque farming community.