5 Wisconsin towns to visit for a Gilmore Girls-inspired getaway
Find your Stars Hollow-esque fall getaway with these five towns packed with Lorelai-approved coffee shops, Rory’s dream bookstores, and must-see fall foliage.
There’s nothing quite like curling up in your favorite blanket with a cup of coffee on a crisp fall day, re-watching one of your favorite shows. For many, that show is “Gilmore Girls.” In fact, for a generation of viewers, autumn has become synonymous with the charming, fast-talking world of Stars Hollow.
The beloved series, which follows the dynamic mother-daughter duo Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, first aired in October 2000, making this year its 25th anniversary. The show is famously set in the fictional New England town of Stars Hollow, which is everything an ideal small town should be: a lively, walkable downtown complete with bookshops, antique stores, bakeries, and diners. It’s populated by a quirky cast of characters who constantly come together to celebrate festivals, holidays, and, of course, help one another.
While this town may only exist behind a TV screen, its spirit is based on the many weird and wonderful small towns across the United States. To celebrate 25 years of “Gilmore Girls,” we’re looking at five real-life Wisconsin towns that would make the ideal Stars Hollow-inspired getaway.
1. Cedarburg
Perhaps the most Stars Hollow-like in the state, Cedarburg, WI, is a great place to go if you want to eat good food and window shop. Its historic downtown has plenty of neat small businesses to explore, and the town holds several festivals throughout the year. In the fall, for instance, you can attend an Oktoberfest celebration and the Wine and Harvest Festival, complete with a Grape Stomp Competition.
Don’t forget to stop by Amy’s Candy Kitchen for the best caramel apples you will ever eat. Topped with chocolate, caramel, and just about any other topping you could want, these gourmet apples are sure to be Lorelai-approved.
2. Stevens Point
While not quite as quaint as Stars Hollow, downtown Stevens Point is still a great place to visit for some cozy fall vibes. The first thing you need to do is pick up a sweet treat from Main Grain Bakery. It’s a local favorite, and the maple scones would impress even Sookie St. James!
Then, hit up the Farmers Market, which is the longest-running in the state. Saturdays are the best days to go for the most vendor options. Once you are done there, get lost wandering the shelves of “bookshop row” for the perfect Rory-inspired afternoon. And yes, you heard me right: Downtown Stevens Point is home to not one, not two, but three indie bookstores! These, combined with several cafés and coffee shops, absolutely scream bookworm paradise to me.
Want to stay a few days and explore all that Stevens Point has to offer? (Psst: there’s a giant corn maze not too far from downtown!) Consider staying at Dreams of Yesteryear Bed and Breakfast. This Victorian inn made a list by the Wisconsin Bed & Breakfast Association of B&Bs from across the state where people can stay and get the feel of Lorelai Gilmore’s Dragonfly Inn.
3. Door County Peninsula
It’s not technically a town, but the Door County Peninsula is packed with small, picturesque locations perfect for “Gilmore Girls” fans. In fact, go to Door County, and you are never more than a stone’s throw away from some boutique, art gallery, brewery, winery, or quirky café. The point is that wherever you decide to visit in the county, you can’t really go wrong; however, some highlights include Sister Bay, Fish Creek, and Egg Harbor. Each hosts plenty of fall events, including Jack O’Lantern Days and the Pumpkin Patch Festival.
Need a quick bite to eat while exploring the ‘Cape Cod of the Midwest’? There are plenty of options ranging from casual to high-end. One favorite is Wild Tomato. It’s known for its delicious wood-fired pizza, but don’t miss out on the Wood-Fired Bread Basket. This appetizer includes a mix of cheesy pesto, Parmesan olive tapenade, basil flatbreads, garlic ciabatta, and Parmesan knots. It’s an amazing, carb-loaded smorgasbord that both Lorelai and Rory would surely enjoy.
4. Bayfield
Located off the coast of Lake Superior, Bayfield is a northern Wisconsin destination with plenty of history and charm. While the downtown itself is definitely “Gilmore Girls”-worthy, one of the biggest draws to the area in the fall is the nearby family farms and orchards, known as the “Fruit Loop.” One popular spot is Erickson Orchards, where they grow more than a dozen varieties of apples along with other fruits. Better yet—especially for you dessert-loving “Gilmore Girls” fans—is the on-site bakery known for its warm, fluffy, homemade apple cider donuts.
With all the nearby orchards, it’s no surprise that the town hosts one of the best fall festivals in the country. Known as Applefest, this three-day event brings in thousands of visitors each year and includes live music, a parade, and, of course, all the apples you could possibly eat.
5. Baraboo
Rounding out the list is Baraboo, WI. Like Stars Hollow, Baraboo has its own town square that acts as the heart of the community. It is home to several local businesses, including a cozy bookstore and an antique store to rival Mrs. Kim’s.
Every year, the town square hosts the Fall Fair on the Square, which includes nearly 200 craft and art vendors, live music, food trucks, and a Farmers Market. This event has been attracting hundreds of visitors each year for more than 30 years, making it one of the most popular fall festivals in the area.
While Lorelai and Rory aren’t necessarily outdoorsy, they do like to walk (as evidenced by their daily stroll to Luke’s). So, once you get your fill of downtown, head to nearby Mirror Lake or Devil’s Lake State Park for a quick hike and some of the best fall foliage views in the state.
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