Discover Middleton: museums, history and nature

Middleton offers unusual discoveries: a large mustard collection, historic sites, outdoor art and a protected natural area. These themes offer different ways to shape your stay. You can consider whether you would most like to experience culture and history, view art outdoors, or spend time on hiking and biking trails. A vacation rental in Middleton could serve as a base for these different interests, without requiring you to commit to just one kind of outing.

Mustard from around the world

The National Mustard Museum is located in downtown Middleton, at 7477 Hubbard Avenue. At the Great Wall of Mustard, visitors can view more than 6,000 types of mustard from all 50 U.S. states and over 70 countries. These figures give the exhibition its remarkable scope: it takes an everyday food and presents it as a collection that reaches beyond individual regions. If you’re traveling with children or other curious companions, you can discover an unusual museum theme together. Admission is free.

Historic sites and outdoor art

Middleton’s history can also be explored through several different offerings. The Rowley House was built in 1868 by Middleton physician Newman C. Rowley. At the Rowley House Museum, visitors can see exhibits, artifacts and photographs. This brings together a specific construction date and museum content that makes history accessible through a variety of exhibits. The Historical Landmark Trail includes 22 stops around Middleton. By contrast, the Downtown Historic Walking Trail passes through 15 historic sites in Middleton.

Middleton’s Outdoor Art Trail offers a different perspective. It takes visitors through Middleton to view outdoor artworks and includes more than 30 unique art installations. This gives you a clear thematic alternative to museums and historic sites when planning your trip: here, the focus is on art outdoors rather than exhibitions or history. The number of installations makes the art trail a cultural theme in its own right; however, it does not indicate a specific visit duration.

Nature on hiking and biking trails

Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a 682-acre protected natural area in Middleton. It has hiking and biking trails, and is also home to deer, sandhill cranes, songbirds and frogs. Nature lovers will find a different focus here than in the cultural offerings: trails and wildlife shape the visit. If you like to divide your days among different interests, you can consider this nature experience alongside the museum and art themes. The trails mentioned are a starting point for exploring the area on foot or by bike; they do not provide information about trail lengths or difficulty levels.

Which experiences suit your trip?

Explore more destinations

You can also consider Sun Prairie, Madison, Waunakee, Mount Horeb, Mcfarland, Verona, Stoughton and Monona as other destinations.

For the main travel overview: Dane.