Verona, a town of around 13,000 people located on the periphery of Madison, offers small-town charm and room to roam, while also cultivating businesses big and small. With tons to see and even more to do, Verona is the perfect destination for a day (or weekend!) trip. Below are five things we recommend adding to your bucket list for an unforgettable visit to “Hometown U.S.A.” – Verona.
Self-Guided Epic Tour
Discover Wisconsin Co-Host Mariah Haberman at Epic in Verona
Founded in the basement of a Madison apartment, Epic, a now-mammoth worldwide software company, employs approximately 10,000 people at its headquarters in Verona. But it’s not just its size that makes Epic a topic of fascination. The company’s campus in the beautiful Verona countryside is straight out of a fantasy novel. There are themed buildings that include nods to Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and more. And the best part? The company welcomes visitors for self-guided tours. The experience is other-worldly, not to mention beautiful, interesting and fun. Tours may be suspended due to COVID-19, but keep checking their website and add this one to your Verona bucket list!
The Greatest City Park You’ll Ever Visit
Photo Credit: Fireman’s Park and Beach in Verona via Facebook
This is not an exaggeration. Fireman’s Park and Beach in Verona has everything you could ever want in a park. Splash pad? Check. Basketball courts? Check. Awesome playground? Beach? Fishing? Bike paths? Check, check, check, check! This place is a dream destination for families of all ages, as well as a popular training spot for triathlon athletes.
Ice Age Trail
Photo Credit: Visit Verona via Facebook // Ice Age Trail
Verona is an official Ice Age Trail Community with approximately 6.3 miles of trails winding through parks, woods and prairie. This kind of trail access offers amazing opportunities to get outside, enjoy nature, and explore new places. Young, old, solo or in a group, a hike on the Ice Age Trail is a fun and free way to enjoy the Verona area. Download a map of the Ice Age Trail Verona Segment before you go!
Pick Your Brewery
Discover Wisconsin Co-Host Mariah Haberman at Wisconsin Brewing Company
The Verona Area has not one, not two, but three amazing breweries to visit, all offering different experiences. First there’s Wisconsin Brewing Company, known for being dog- and family-friendly, and having a sprawling “backyard patio.” Down the road in Paoli there’s the Hop Garden, nestled on the banks of the Sugar River and adjacent to Paoli Mill Terrace and Park. Frequent live, outdoor music, as well as Sunday Farmers’ Markets make a visit here a truly special experience. Finally, there’s Hop Haus Brewing Company, located right in the heart of downtown Verona. In addition to beer, the Hop Haus serves up great food as well, making it a prime spot to gather downtown.
Treat Yourself Downtown
Photo Credit: Toot + Kate’s Winebar via Facebook
Downtown Verona is a must-stop for both kid-friendly, and adults-only treats. Specifically, we’re talking about ice cream, and wine folks! For the ice cream, head to Icki Sticki. They have a great selection of ice cream and shave ice, plus a spacious interior with a kids play area. And right next door, grownups can enjoy Toot+Kate’s Wine Bar, where in addition to wine, you can order up affordable and delicious cheese plates. It’s a charming, welcoming place and there’s no better place to wind down at the end of a busy, fun-filled day in Verona.
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And there you have it! That’s just our top 5 list of things to do in Verona. What about you? Comment your ‘must-see’ in the comments below!
Jessica Murphy is a producer of Discover Wisconsin. Watch the show on Fox Sports Wisconsin every Saturday at 10am or on Roku, Chromecast, Smart TV, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, or on DiscoverWisconsin.com.
