Best Things To Do In Janesville Wisconsin
Janesville, Wisconsin, is known as the Park Palace of Wisconsin, with over 2,500 acres of parkland and nature trails. It also has 500 acres of land which has been set aside as greenbelt land, allowing an area for the runoff of surface water and for the protection of the citys wildlife. The top attractions in the area include Rotary Botanical Gardens, Riverside Park, and Gibbs Lake County Park. Visitors also have access to a number of shops at the Janesville Mall and numerous unique dining options in the city. Certain attractions may be temporarily closed or require advance reservations. Some restaurants are currently offering pickup only. Hours/availability may have changed.
Barkleys Burgers Brews And Dawgs Janesville Wi
Al Meehan had always dreamed of owning his own restaurant in his home town of Janesville, and his dream come true in 2015. Alongside his long-time friend and now business partner, Greg Hughes, the Barkleys brand was founded. They aim to provide a unique dining experience and believe that they can fill the gap in the market for quality, freshly-prepared food. They cater for all of the family and provide a large selection of delicious dishes, and best of all, dog owners can bring their pets along for the feast as well.
2710 West Court Street, Janesville, WI 53548, Phone: 608-563-4481
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Go Wine Tasting At Fermenting Cellars Winery
Fermenting Cellars Winery will be open Friday Nov. 3 from 1 to 8 pm Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 pm for complimentary public tastings in the house.
Posted by Fermenting Cellars Winery on Monday, 30 October 2017
We all love a good bottle of wine. Fermenting Cellars Winery not only offers one but a variety of different wines including dry and sweet red and white, a dessert coffee wine and a single run fortified wine. Its countryside location in a picturesque log cabin nestled in the rolling hills of southern Wisconsin offers amazing views to its patrons. Enjoy a high-quality and delicious wine tasting experience, amazing ambiance, and great company. With a variety of wines to choose from, you will definitely find something that you like.
Fermenting Cellars Winery
Opening hours: Thu: 4pm – 9pm Fri: 1pm – 9pm Sat – Sun: 1pm – 5pm
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O’ Riley And Conway Irish Pub Janesville Wi

A wonderful slice of Ireland in the heart of Janesville, O’ Riley and Conway Irish Pub was created as the reincarnation of its predecessor, Quaernas Tavern. Featuring many of the original features, with a little Irish charm thrown in, the pub offers 54 beers on tap alongside the traditionally Irish menu. The pub is warm and welcoming, especially in the cold winter months. The new owners of the pub have the perfect heritage to run it. Both are descendants of Quaernas s founder, Oscar Quaerna, and both men boast of an Irish heritage.
O’Riley & Conway’s Irish Pub, 214 W Milwaukee St, Janesville, WI, 53548, Phone: 608-752-6099
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If You Recovered From Covid
If you recovered from a documented COVID-19 infection within the past 90 days , you do NOT need to get a test 3-5 days after travel. People can continue to test positive for up to 90 days after diagnosis and not be infectious to others. You also do not need to self-quarantine after travel. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms after travel, isolate and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations.
Get Entertained At Janesville Performing Arts Center
This majestic place is the face of 1920’s architecture.
The theatre is adorned with Praire stained glass and ornate plaster.
Above the center are original enormous light fixtures.
This performing center was originally the Janesville High School.
Today, it provides an opportunity for people of all ages to perform onstage.
There is definitely something for everyone!
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A Free Show For All Ages
The residents of Janesville are so lucky to have the Rock Aqua Jays water ski show team in their city. JoIn them for free ski shows at Traxler Park on Rock River Sundays and Wednesdays around 7 PM. Again, this is a two-hour free show that is chock full of talented skiers, dancers, acrobats, boaters, and fun. It was my first time ever seeing a professional water ski show and I couldnt have loved it more.
I was shocked to see the sheer number of people that make up the team that is dedication. Rock Aqua Jays has hosted the national and many other water ski championships over the years, and won many, as well. There are concession stands and food trucks to grab a bite while you watch the incredible show theyve put together for you.
No pressure now, but this is one of the coolest attractions I have been to in the whole country.
Watch for these downtown Janesville events throughout the year: Rock River Wine Walk, Music at the Marv , Nights on Festival, Meander Downtown, and Jolly Jingle.
Enjoy A Leisurely Stroll At Palmer Park
This 164 acre park features a unique ADA-compliant playground and a wading pool for children below eight years. Bring your kids here to enjoy a day of fun and play. With courts for games such as tennis, softball, and volleyball, you can also indulge in some sporting activities. Hike in the scenic nature trails that will leave you feeling rejuvenated. With several picnic areas and pavilions, you can enjoy a meal as a family with a beautiful view of the park. The park is also pet-friendly and has a pet exercise and training area.
Palmer Park
Opening hours: 5am – 11pm
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Where To Stay In Janesville
The Cobblestone Hotel & Suites was my home-away-from-home on my visit. It was perfect, and in a great location for walking around the city and not having to move my car. Cobblestone has an elegant lobby with a fireplace focal point, and is also home to Wissota Chophouse, an upscale restaurant. You will see an entrance to it through the eye-catching green doors in the lobby. I was not familiar with this chain, and was a big fan.
My room was well-appointed and incredibly spacious. The King Bed was so comfortable and I also had a sitting area between the entrance and bedroom with a couch and TV. I ate my to-go-food from Wissota there and appreciated the additional living quarters. Cobblestone also had an invigorating shower and nice, relaxing bathtub.
If you wish to enjoy swimming during your hotel stay, Cobblestone has an indoor pool and also a fitness room. There is a small sundries shop off the lobby if you forget something. Also near the lobby is the room for receiving your complimentary hot breakfast during the early hours. Wifi and parking are also complimentary.
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What To See And Do In Janesville
The is a must when you visit on Saturdays during May to October. Its a fantastic place to shop local because everything is either handmade or grown locally. The Janesville Farmers Market started in 2005 and is now the largest vendor grown market in Rock County. There is plenty of produce, flowers, handmade goods to browse and shop. Arrive hungry because there are delicious food trucks plus fresh kettle corn is made every 20 minutes.
Art Infusion
Art Infusion is a chalk art event takes place each year at the Janesville Farmers Market during September. A professional street artist comes to draw as well as a competition. It was incredible to watch the artists work on their chalk art throughout the morning. The kids could also draw with chalk for free.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
The Rotary Botanical Gardens is a must see. This 20-acre garden is full of stunning plants and flowers as well as a Koi pond. The kids loved wiggling their fingers above the water to mimic feeding the fish because all the Koi swim over. There are different themed garden areas as you walk throughout the property. We enjoyed counting how many humming birds we could see while in the Humming Bird Haven. There is also a unique walking story experience where parts of a story are posted along a path, which is great for kids.
The gardens are open year round! During December, they have a beautiful Holiday Lights Show.
Bessie the Cow
Lincoln-Tallman House
Skellys Farm Market
Mini Golf
Plenty of parks
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Fun Outdoor Things To Do In Janesville Wisconsin
The city of Janesville is located in the south of Wisconsin, just 25 minutes away from the Illinois border. It lays along the Rock River and offers a range of ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors, after all, it is known for the amount of parks and green spaces! Here are a few ideas of ways to enjoy your summer days!
Disclosure: Thanks to Janesville CVB for hosting my stay. As always, opinions are 100% my own.
A Rainy Day Option: Lincoln

Its always good to have a plan B whenever you visit a destination, just in case the weather doesnt play ball! The Lincoln-Tallman House is an historical house in Janesville, built in 1855. It gets its name from the fact that Abraham Lincoln once spent a couple of nights at the house before he became President. Visitors can take tours of the house, including themed ones such as the Help Wanted tour, which looks into the lives that the servants would have experienced while working for the Tallman family.
Read More: Touring The Lincoln-Tallman House in Janesville, WI
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Visit this 20 acre botanical garden with 26 different garden styles and 4,000 varieties of plants. Get to enjoy guided garden tours, shopping and a variety of educational classes and programs. See themed gardens including Japanese, Scottish, French Formal, Italian and English Cottage Gardens. Admire the red Japanese styled bridge that lies over a pond as you take a leisurely walk in the garden. Smell the amazing scent emanating from the plants as you take in breaths of fresh air. The plants are displayed in an array of colors that give the garden a very beautiful outlook. Tour this award-winning botanical garden and get to appreciate its garden styles and plant varieties.
Rotary Botanical Gardens
Tour this hands-on history museum with a visitor center and gift shop in a 1915 building. The permanent and rotating exhibits are highly interactive and stimulate all your senses. The exhibits aim to educate, inspire and entertain people of different ages. Make a stop at the campus gift shop to take a historical keepsake home or purchase a trinket to gift someone. The shop also has books, childrenâs toys, historical reproductions, and themed memorabilia. This is a fun and enlightening way to spend your day.
Watch Rock Aqua Jays Free Ski Shows
Home to one of the most successful water ski show teams, Janesville holds free shows on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
For sports spectators like yourself, you get a chance to see the performance of Rock Aqua Jays, who won more than 60 tournaments, including 21 U.S. National Championships.
The water ski show team provides a platform for the general public about the importance of safe-boating and water-skiing techniques.
Sounds like a dream come true, right?
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Drink Beers At Gray Brewing Company
Well, if you prefer cerveza over vino, then heres the place for you.
Grays Brewing Company was founded in 1856 and is one of the nations oldest family-owned beverage companies it offers a flavorful line of beers, root beers, and sodas.
Their brewing tasting room is open from 4:30 pm to 9 pm on Fridays and 2 pm and 7 pm on Saturdays.
Ownery Brewery Tours are also offered on the second Saturday of each month at 3 pm.
Pick What You Like At Janesville Mall
Posted by on Monday, 5 August 2019
Visit this mall that has more than 68 tenants. With several shops, ranging from big to small outlets including American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, Claireâs, Kohlâs, Victoriaâs Secret and Spencers, you can enjoy the variety in shopping and you will definitely not miss what you want. The mall also has several restaurants where you can eat scrumptious meals and have refreshing drinks as you shop. Feel the immeasurable joy that comes with new purchases at this mall.
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm Sun: 11am – 5pm
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National Register Of Historic Places
The 1857 Lincoln-Tallman House, which models the Italian Villa-style architecture, is one of 34 sites on the Register.Abraham Lincoln slept there for two nights. The Columbus Circle neighborhood became Janesville’s tenth historic district in 2005.
The old Janesville Public Library, located at 64 S. Main Street, was designed by J.T.W. Jennings, and opened to the public in 1903. It is described, in the NRHP Nominating Form, as “among the best Neoclassical Carnegie libraries in the state.” The Courthouse Hill Historic District was added in 1986. In 1976, the Lappin-Hayes Block, once the site of the cabin belonging to Henry Janes, was added. The Lovejoy and Merrill-Nowlan Houses, the residences of two Janesville Mayors, including Allen P. Lovejoy, were added in 1980. During the following year, the building became part of the list. The Frances Willard Schoolhouse, partially built by Josiah Willard and named after his daughter, Frances, was added in 1977. The South Main Street Historic District joined the list in 1990 and the Jefferson Avenue Historic District was included in 2006. In 2008, the John H. Jones House was listed.
Rock County Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Downtown Janesville’s first microbrewery finally opened it’s doors in January 2017. Much has changed since the first months of opening but you can always count on a great beer in a great atmosphere to share with friends. Food trucks are usually present on Friday and Saturday evenings. We almost always have a new beer on tap and growlers are available. Hope to see you soon!
Reviewed By Eisme77
Fabulous new attraction for Rock County. Fun, trendy, and the beer is great! Highly recommend the Porter and the Belgian Wit. Growlers coming shortly. Flights or pints available now. Customers are welcome to carry in or order in food none is served on premise. Friendly owner partners. Go visit and stay for the beer!
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Discover More Things To Do In Janesville Wisconsin
Check the for more things to do in Janesville, and information on nearby areas in Rock County.
Whether you visit for a long weekend or on a day trip, you will find plenty of fun things to do in Janesville Wisconsin, and many reasons to plan a return visit.
Article by Julie McCool, whose Virginia travel site FuninFairfaxVA.com helps locals and visitors find fun places to explore, dine, drink, and play in the Virginia, Washington DC, and mid-Atlantic region.
Fun Things to Do in Janesville Wisconsin on a Rock County Getaway was first published for McCool Travel on 2 January 2019.
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The Legendary Dungeon Of Doom Haunted House

Located in Zion
The Legendary Dungeon of Doom Haunted House is celebrating it’s 25th season in 2021! Located in Zion, Illinois, The Legendary Dungeon of Doom Haunted House has has engraved its name in the Hall of Shame because year after year, the sickest minds in the industry take the chill to new heights. Read More
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