I had the privilege of visiting Janesville on a beautiful summer weekend, and accomplished many of the awesome things to do in Janesville WI in warm, balmy weather.
We had a full itinerary of Janesville activities in and around the city – from the vibrant and art-filled city center to the beautiful nature surrounding the city. This city has a lot to offer, with the amount of activities of a bigger city with a small-town charm.
I honestly had not heard of Janesville before visiting Wisconsin for the first time, but I left with a loving adoration for this small city and its welcoming people… not to mention its food, art, surrounding nature, and more! Janesville truly stole my heart, and this article should explain why.
Top 10 Things to Do in Janesville WI
I’ll start with the top 10 things to do in Janesville WI, before getting into some lesser-known Janesville activities you should check out if you have more time. Below that, I will complete this Janesville travel guide with the best restaurants and places to eat/drink and where to stay!
Rotary Botanical Gardens
The Rotary Botanical Gardens have an interesting history in that they were created on the site of an abandoned sand and gravel landfill! Some locals in the area came together to make something truly beautiful out of a blank slate, and today, the 20-acre Botanical Gardens are one of the most beautiful places in Janesville.
The Gardens are much bigger than meets the eye, too. You can wander around here for hours: along the beautiful lake, through the children’s garden (complete with storybook and sculptures), through the Japanese tea Garden, the English Cottage Garden, the French Formal Gardens, and across the iconic red bridge. Bring a picnic and choose your favorite spot!
Each year, they have a different artistic theme at the Rotary Botanical Gardens, and you will see art with this theme around the entire garden (2023 was Ladybugs – you can’t miss them)! One of my favorite features here were the dozens of wooden benches with lovely nature quotes engraved into them – I enjoyed stopping to read each one.
Rent an E-Bike (or do an E-Bike Tour)
One of the MUST-DO things to do in Janesville WI is rent an e-bike and explore the city and/or its surroundings. Janesville is surrounded by picturesque bike trails, such as the Ice Age Trail (below), and the whole city is filled with art. An e-bike is a great way to see the most in the least amount of time. Rent bikes from Velocity Multi-Sport Rentals, who have a great selection.
If you want to make the most, you can combine an e-bike ride with a historical/city tour. Rich from Roam Around Tours offers insightful city tours both on and off the e-bike, with historical info and even descriptions on each and every mural.
Janesville Historic District Tour
You can also tour the city center on foot; it’s small and manageable enough for those in decent shape! Janesville’s city center occupies a few streets on each side of the river, with plenty of parks and restaurants galore. Book a historical walking tour (Rich, linked above, offers those too) and get to know Janesville’s most iconic spots in one afternoon.
Make sure not to miss the town square, views of the Rock River, Courthouse Park, and the many murals.
Janesville Art Murals
One of my absolute favorite things about Janeville is how vibrant and colorful it is, with murals around every corner. This is because of their unique concept of ‘Art Infusion.’ The Art Infusion is an annual competition that began with sidewalk chalk and has evolved into having muralists from all over the world complete incredible, huge murals on any city wall that will take one.
Nowadays, there are dozens of colorful murals throughout Janesville, each with its own unique meaning. Art infusion is normally held in September, and locals love to come out and watch the murals or chalk drawings being done in real-time. In my opinion, this is an awesome idea that more cities need to adopt!
Janesville Farmer’s Market
The Janesville Farmer’s Market has got to be one of the friendliest and most creative farmer’s markets I have been to in a long time! Running every Saturday from 8am-1pm from May to October, it’s THE place to be on a Saturday morning. It’s almost like the entire city flocks downtown for the market – playing in the park, walking dogs, drinking craft coffees, and shopping for trinkets.
From handmade woodwork to pet accessories to crystal jewelry to homemade baked goods, they really have it all at the Janesville Farmer’s Market. You can see tons of the murals around the city when you walk around the
Ice Age Trail
One of the most interesting things to do in Janesville WI is to talk, run, or bike the Ice Age Trail. What’s that, you may ask? Well, it’s 1200 miles of incredible landscapes formed thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers! The Ice Age Trail is one of the US’s only National Scenic Trails, which is pretty special.
Janesville’s section of the Ice Age Trail is about 10 miles long. It traces the Rock River for a while and passes through some forested areas too that are popular for bird watching. This trail is also fabulous for a bike ride filled with epic views.
Aqua Jays Water Ski Team
One of the most unexpected and awesome things to experience in Janesville is one of the country’s most incredible water ski teams! Yes, you read that right. The Rock Aqua Jays are impressively skilled water skiers who form pyramids and do tricks while being towed behind a boat. I have never seen anything like it!
Make sure to visit Janesville on a weekend they are in town, as they have competitions some weekends. This is surely one of the most unique and exciting things to do around Janesville and a big source of pride for the area as well.
Rock County Historical Society
The Rock County Historical Society is a center dedicated to the history of the whole county, which is located in central Janesville. On-site is the RCHS museum, which depicts lots of interesting historical items that are significant to the area, such as Parker Pens and Pickard China.
Next door is the truly incredible Lincoln Tallmann House which is as historic as it is beautiful. The Italianate style mansion was built in 1837, and is named for the family who built it (Tallmann) and its most famous guest before he was president (Lincoln).
If you are there in summer, make SURE to check if there’s any outdoor theater going on at the Lincoln-Tallmann House. It’s the most perfect and picturesque shaded place for an outdoor play, especially Shakespeare in the Park, like we saw. Bring a folding chair and enjoy the summer breeze while watching truly impressive and skilled actors put on a great show. Check the Janesville Performing Arts Center for upcoming events.
Milton House Museum
The Milton House Museum is a National Historic Landmark from 1844 just outside of Janesville in Milton. This historic, hexagonal-shaped house was a hotel for early settlers and also a known stop on the underground railroad.
The Goodrich family, who owned the hotel, were thought to have helped possibly dozens of freedom seekers escape to the north from slavery. Since the underground railroad was just that, undercover, only one person was confirmed to have been helped here, but it was likely many more.
The family would pull carriages up to the cabin outside, which was shielded from the hotel room views. From there, there’s a short, 45ft underground passage to the cellar below the hotel. It was pretty incredible to think about how many people’s livelihoods were saved by that very passage.
Our tour guide at the Milton house was simply incredible. She was knowledgeable about every room and artifact in the house and SO well-versed in its history – her passion truly shone through. I highly recommend booking a tour here to make the most of the experience.
Kayak Down the Rock River with Drift Away Paddle Co
Now you’ve seen plenty of art, culture, and history; it’s time to really experience the Janesville nature. I mean, it is called “Wisconsin’s Great Outside” and has lots of beauty in the area. One of the best ways to experience this is by kayaking down the Rock River with Drift Away Paddle Co.
For this, you meet the passionate Drift Away team at Murwin Park, less than 30 minutes outside Janesville’s city center. Here, you get ready, put your things in provided wet bags, apply sunscreen, and then shuttle to the start point. Then it’s time to drift away (well, drift back to where you started from).
Depending on the speed of the river, the whole thing will take 2-3 hours and it’s really more of a show, leisurely drift than a strenuous kayak trip. You don’t really have to paddle much at all – just sit back and enjoy the scenes of nature going by.
There are tons of flora and fauna to appreciate along the way, from interesting trees to turtles, herons, and even otters! And there are some beautiful houses to make you ‘oooh’ and ‘aaaah’ as well. It’s an all-around awesome experience! You can also rent tubes and paddleboards from Drift Away Paddle Co in other rivers and lakes in the area too.
More Things to Do in Janesville WI
It’s tough to do ALL the things to do in Janesville in a few days, so here are a few more ideas if you have more time.
Camden Playground + Palmer Park
To get out into nature quite close to the city center, check out Palmer Park for a picnic, walk, swim, tennis game, or fun with the whole family at Camden Playground. This playground is truly a kid’s dream, with a ton of fun structures to climb/slide, a kid-friendly zip line, and even a castle. It’s ADA accessible, too! Visiting this playground is one of the best things to do in Janesville with kids.
Riverside Park
Riverside Park is another recreational center just outside the city, full of nature and activities. The park actually hosts a part of the Ice Age Trail, as well as one of the most popular hiking trails, the Devil’s Staircase Trail. The views of the river are gorgeous, and there are tennis courts, a wading pool, and even a golf course on offer here.
Go Bowling Rivers Edge Bowl
For a fun activity in Janesville, why not go bowling?! This is a perfect activity no matter the weather, and River’s Edge Bowl has plenty of lanes within walking distance of the city center. Stop by after a dinner in the city for a fun end to your evening.
Wisconsin Wagon Company
For one of the most unique things to do in Janesville, check out the Wisconsin Wagon Company. This old factory will truly take you back in time as you experience their production of true, old-style wooden wagons- yep, the kind you used to pull around (or be pulled around in) when you were a kid!
This factory was booming before the automobile industry came about – when it lost a lot of momentum. But their wooden kids’ toys were a big hit, and they still produce a few kinds of wagons in their workshop today. This is a true Janesville souvenir, as each one comes with ‘Janesville ball bearing’ marked on the side!
Shopping in Uptown Janesville
While downtown Janesville is the place for browsing and eating, uptown Janesville is the spot to go when you have some shopping to do. Uptown is where you exit the freeway to get to Janesville, where the I-90 and 14 cross paths. Uptown area is the first impression you get of Janesville – with a LOT of big shopping centers and malls.
Check out some restaurant, movie theaters, and well-known shops like Target or Home Depot, or head to Uptown Janesville Shopping mall for more options.
Where to Eat in Janesville
Another thing Janesville really ‘WOW’ed me with was its incredible selection of food and drink. There are so many amazing restaurants around here, as well as wineries, breweries, cafes, and more! Here are some of the best.
Genisa Wine Bar
This Italian restaurant is seriously jaw-droppingly good. Located right in the city center, Genisa has a delicious menu and a back patio looking out towards the sunset over the river. They have a fabulous wine list and the food is creative and flavorful. We tried just a little bit of everything here, from the loaded meat/cheese platter to a few pizzas, bruschetta, and the meatballs (which were my favorite). Everything was great!
Sandwich Bar
Sandwich Bar is so much more than a sandwich bar! It’s a whole vibe, a colorful place to rest, a fun bar, and a piece of art in and of itself (from the sandwiches to the wall art). All their sandwiches are handcrafted and made with creative ingredients with a few specials on rotation. A friend and I split the fried chicken and the roast beef, and they were both amazing.
29 South Cafe
If you want a delicious, home made breakfast in the center of town, look no further than 29 South Cafe. This family-owned establishment offers the warmest welcome, and equally warm freshly baked goods. It has. asuper cute atmosphere that feels like a country cottage, with some mouth-watering sweet and savory breakfast options on offer.
Northleaf Winery + Taproom
When visiting Milton House Museum, you MUST head to Northleaf winery afterwards – after all, it’s right next door! Northleaf winery is housed in a historic building, which is still apparent when you walk inside and see the impressive old wooden rafters.
The winery building offers over a dozen kinds of wine, both dry and fruity/sweet, and you can choose any of them for a flight. The cheese/snack boards to accompany the wine are also a must, and are filled to the bri with local cheese! The taproom next door has a lovaly outdoor patio for those who prefer beer or an open-air breeze.
Fermenting Cellars Winery
Fermenting Cellars is another gorgeous outdoor space just outside of Janesville serving up different kinds of wine (including blended wine coolers). Outside a beautiful log cabin is a whole outdoor bar area with live music on Sundays. For a simply enjoyable space to enjoy a few cold summer beverages, this is a must-see!
Milwaukee Grill
This is a locally-owned grill with great meal options in uptown Janesville, not far from the freeway exit. They have an outdoor patio and hearty dishes on the menu for lunch or dinner.
Buckhorn Supper Club
I must admit, I had no idea what a supper club was before I went to Wisconsin, but Buckhorn was a fabulous first supper club experience. Perched on the edge of Lake Koshkonong, Buckhown offers scenic vistas and also some classic Supper Club retro decor inside.
We sat outside here, and started with iconic brandy old-fashioned’s and steaming French onion soup. The table ordered a few different meat dishes, from prime rib to bacon-wrapped steak to stroganoff, and not one person was disappointed. Afterward, we walked out on the pier on the lake to watch the sunset to cap off a great day.
Lark
Lark is a bit of a bougier restaurant right next to Sandwich Bar with fantastic craft cocktails and well-presented creative dishes.
The Bodacious Brew
This cafe was recommended to me by a few locals during my time in Janesville. It looks right out to the river and has some of the best coffee in town!
Mocha Moment
For a delicious cafe with a forested view, check out Mocha Moment. This is great to visit on your way to the Ice Age trail!
Citrus Cafe
Citrus Cafe is another great option for a proper, filling, tasty American breakfast. Also located right in town.
Rock County Brewing
We all know Wisconsin is GREAT at beer, and Janesville of course sports its own city center brewery- Rock County Brewing. They do hand-crafted small batch brews here, so head in and check what they have on offer!
Where to Stay in Janesville
There are only a couple of hotels in Janesville – here are the best! Make sure to check out other unique places to stay in Wisconsin too.
Hampton Inn Janesville
This is where we stayed during our time in Janesville. The Hampton Inn has impressively modern and spacious rooms with great amenities too. The bed was SO comfy and I loved the toiletries and work desk. The hotel breakfast buffet was also fabulous here. It’s near Uptown Janesville by the freeway, but this mean’s ample parking and easy access to everywhere!
Cobblestone Hotel & Suites Janesville
The most central place to stay in Janesville is right on the river by the main city bridge – Cobblestone Hotel + Suites. This hotel offers the most ideal location if you don’t have a car, as well as competitive prices and spacious, cozy rooms (some with a view)!
Hope this has helped you figure out more than enough things to do in Janesville! Leave a comment below on what else I should add, and enjoy your trip!
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Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.