Weekend Escape in Janesville, Wisconsin

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Janesville, WI, offers many outdoor activities, great restaurants, and shopping for a fun weekend escape from Chicago.
Janesville, Wisconsin, provides a wonderful weekend escape from the big city. Depending on where in Chicago you set out from, the drive takes between one and two hours. Visitors from Madison or Milwaukee can reach this small town in even less time. I visited Janesville in July during an extended stay in Chicago and enjoyed the many outdoor activities and walkable main area of town.
This small town offers the beautiful Rotary Botanical Gardens , the Ice Age Trail for hiking or biking, an interesting tour of a Civil War-era mansion, and many great restaurants and shops.
It was also fun to view many historical buildings from the late 19th century, a bunch of spirited murals around town, the Rock River, and all of its bridges.
Doty Mill Alley Mural in Janesville by Jim Richter. Photo courtesy Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Lincoln-Tallman House
The Lincoln-Tallman House Museum provides an excellent look at how wealthy people lived during the Civil War. William Tallman was a land speculator and moved his family from New York to be near his landholdings in 1850. He built a stately Italianate house that was finished in 1857. The family lived in the home until 1915. It then lay abandoned until Tallman’s grandson gifted it to the City of Janesville in 1950 to preserve its history.
It was remarkable to tour the house as 70 to 80 percent of the original furnishings remain, and I could imagine how the family lived. I loved the elaborate plaster moldings, medallions, and tall windows with simple white shutters that folded into the walls. Ornate chandeliers, wall-to-wall patterned carpeting, carved wooden furniture, marble fireplaces, and distinctive mirrors and paintings demonstrated the family’s wealth.
The Lincoln-Tallman House. Photo by Judy Karnia
In 1859, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in nearby Beloit, Wisconsin. Tallman convinced him to come to Janesville to speak and invited him to stay in his home. He stayed in the guest room, the most well-appointed room in the house. One unique item was later added, a candlestick made from a broken bowl at the White House, which the Lincolns gifted to Mr. and Mrs. Tallman after he became president.
The dining room of Lincoln-Tallman House. Photo by Judy Karnia
The Secret Signals
The Tallmans were known abolitionists, and there was some evidence in the house that they may have been part of the underground railroad. One window on the second floor had glass panes featuring bright blue, yellow, green, and red colors. This could signal people with a candle flame behind the green or red panes. There was also a secret staircase from the servant’s room to the roof. A photo of John Brown was displayed, which would have been controversial at that time.
The other buildings on the property contain an interesting museum. The exhibits featured information and relics from the General Motors plant that used to employ thousands in Janesville, gorgeous hand-painted china from the Packard China Company, and the history of Parker pens.
Exhibit on General Motors at The Lincoln-Tallman Museum. Photo by Judy Karnia
Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville
I spent a morning exploring the Rotary Botanical Garden and wished I had the whole day to hang out there. Within its 20 acres, the park contains 26 gardens and 4000 types of plants. Initially, the site was an abandoned sand and gravel quarry and was used for storage for the Parks Department. In 1988, Dr. Robert Yahr, a retired orthodontist, convinced two local rotary clubs to embark on a visionary project to create a botanical park. Volunteers cleaned the area, brought in 800 truckloads of topsoil, and began planting.
The Japanese Garden captured much of my time as I rested next to the sounds of the waterfalls. The trees and plants sported so many different shades and textures of green. A rock garden was raked into gentle waves. A wending bridge of worn wood led out over the pond with a lovely view of the red, arched bridge.
Japanese Garden in Rotary Botanical Gardens. Photo by Judy Karnia
Wooden benches throughout the park offered tranquil spots to bathe in the surroundings. Each bench was engraved with an inspirational quote from nature authors or Native Americans. One of my favorites from Don Hedberg reads: “If you listen quietly, you may hear nature talking to you.”
Other areas include a sunken garden with a fountain, an Italian garden with a koi pond, a French formal rose garden, and a woodland walk. In the children’s garden, fun sculptures in a series show what type of features in a garden help insects lead a good life.
Koi Pond at Rotary Botanical Gardens. Photo by Judy Karnia
Ice Age Trail
Janesville contains the southernmost portion of the Ice Age Trail, a National Scenic Trail winding 1000 miles throughout Wisconsin. The trail highlights natural features formed by ancient glaciers and passes through city and state parks, local and national forests, private land, and towns.
Hiking Along the Trail
In Riverside Park, a trailhead leads to Devil’s Staircase , just off the Rock River. We hiked up the trail about two-thirds of a mile, up and down rock steps. I hiked cautiously, still recovering from a broken leg, but the trail was not too difficult. My daughter added extra support on steeper parts, and we hiked leisurely, taking in the scenery. We often had views of Rock River, and the trail bordered mossy bluffs. The lush vegetation provided secluded tranquility.
Devil’s Staircase Trail. Photo by Judy Karnia
Biking the Trail
On a sunny, warm morning, my daughter and I rented e-bikes at Velocity Multi-Sport & Cycling , a few blocks from our hotel. Julia handed us a couple of helmets and explained how the electric boosting worked on the bikes. As we pedaled, the motor kicked in to help us pick up speed. We rode several blocks to the Ice Age Trail. We crossed the bridge over Rock River and through a wooded area, where we saw does and fawns bounding along.
The route also passed by a golf course, parks, residential areas, and meadows. The trail system spreads in many directions from a central hub in downtown Janesville. Three routes extend for six to nine miles each, mainly on paved paths.
The multi-purpose path along Ice Age Trail. Photo by Judy Karnia
Rock Aqua Jays Waterski Show
Unfortunately, one event that I had been looking forward to was canceled due to the weather. The Rock Aqua Jays perform a free waterski show on Wednesday and Sunday during the summer. Anyone I mentioned them to in town raved about the show, and I hope to return in the future to see it.
Exploring Town
Historical Buildings
Along Milwaukee Street and Main Street lie a couple dozen historic commercial buildings built between 1851 and 1907. Their styles vary from Italianate, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, and Greek Revival. The Monterey Hotel was built in 1930 in the Art Deco style, while the Kresge and Woolworth buildings, built in 1930 and 1946, sport a modern, less decorative look. You can pick up a map from the Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau that leads you on a walking tour or download an app that lists 80 historical sites.
The Kresge Building was built in 1930 (modern), the Yahn and Williams Block were built in 1903 and 1890 (Queen Anne and Classical Revival), and the Richardson, David-Dunn, and Richardson-Macloon Blocks were built in 1869 (Italianate). Photo by Judy Karnia
Street Art
Throughout the downtown area, the walls come to life with incredible murals . Artists have painted almost 30 brightly colored, larger-than-life figures or scenes to liven up the area. It seemed that everywhere I walked, a fantastic picture drew my eye. Several public sculptures and five war memorials are sprinkled throughout the town.
Black Hawk by Jeff Henriquez along Main Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
One of my favorites, Resilience Sculpture, reaches like a canopy over the Blain Gilbertson Family Heritage Bridge. Tempered green glass leaves create an interesting pattern on the ground beneath it that changes with the sun’s movement. Janesville’s Town Square rests on the west side of this bridge over Rock River with The Bubbler, a sculpture with an interactive splash pad. The day we biked past it, a couple of food trucks sat alongside the square while a band played for a small crowd.
Resilience Sculpture over the Blain Gilbertson Family Heritage Bridge. Photo by Judy Karnia
Shopping along Main Street
Thrift shops with arts and crafts are sprinkled along Main Street. I wished I didn’t have to fly home because I saw many items I wanted to buy. 608 Vintage occupies a large open space divided into sections for 130 vendors and is loaded with antiques, collectibles, dishes, clothing, home décor, and gifts. Adorn Janesville Boutique sells eco-friendly, women-made apparel and accessories. Carousel Consignments was packed with narrow rows of dishes and collectibles.
608 Vintage on Main Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
On entering Sugar Exchange , a display of various chocolates greeted me as I entered. A row of jellybean dispensers, shelves of cotton candy, and various sugary treats lined the walls. Fudge, truffles, and oversized peanut butter cups with various ingredients added also tempted me, and I couldn’t pass up a caramel sea salt cup.
The many treats of the Sugar Exchange. Photo by Judy Karnia
Bodacious Shops offers a café with chopped fresh salads and an olive oil shop with dozens of silver urns and various olive oil flavors.
Bodacious olive oil shop. Photo by Judy Karnia
Restaurants in Janesville
Genisa Wine Bar boasts modern Italian food in a historic Italianate-style building from 1865. The dishes are meant to be shared, but the portions are also perfect to enjoy alone. I would recommend the burrata caprese salad with arugula and croutons, the spaghetti with a creamy red sauce and a tender, flavorful meatball, and the risotto with asparagus, pea shoots, and lemon. From the six choices of meatballs, we chose Grandma’s Recipe, which included beef, pork, parsley, and Parmesan. I enjoyed the lovely Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano D’Abruzzo with my meal, and for dessert, I couldn’t pass up the chocolate cake with caramel sauce.
Genisa Wine Bar on Main Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
O’Riley’s and Conway’s Irish Pub is a classic pub with snugs, dim light, wood paneling, old photos, and Irish signs and flags. I enjoyed a BLT wrap with apple bacon, tomato, lettuce, and herb aioli with a side salad of field greens with balsamic vinaigrette, and a porter draft.
O’Rileys and Conway’s Pub on Milwaukee Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
More Great Places to Eat
The Sandwich Bar feels like a community gathering space with colorful murals covering the walls. My chicken salad with fennel and aioli on a gluten-free baguette and homemade chips was perfect for a summer day. A large chocolate chip cookie with chocolate chunks lasted me the rest of the day. Lark Market, next door, sells wine and gourmet snacks.
The Sandwich Bar on Main Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
Mocha Moment was well worth the five-minute drive from downtown Janesville. I sat on the deck out back, watching the squirrels and birds in the thick grove of trees. Out of the many breakfast options, I chose a yogurt, granola, and blueberry bowl, along with some green tea.
Deck of Mocha Moment on Center Avenue. Photo by Judy Karnia
The gastropub, Draft House , has a relaxed, industrial feel with interesting bar food and more than 20 craft beers from Wisconsin breweries. My strawberry salad with candied pecans and goat cheese crumbles was fresh and filling. The chocolate fudge cake tempted me, but I had to try the crème brûlée cheesecake, which was incredibly rich.
Draft House on Main Street. Photo by Judy Karnia
Havana Coffee provided a great start to the morning. The indoor space includes a large amount of seating with an extra room in the back. We chose the front patio that reminded me of a French bistro. The crepe I ordered with Nutella came loaded with strawberries. They also had an assortment of very enticing pastries.
Havana Coffee on Milton Avenue. Photo by Judy Karnia
Lodging in Janesville
The Cobblestone Inn sits alongside the Rock River within an easy walk of the many restaurants and shops of downtown. The hotel is not opulent but was very comfortable with friendly service. The brick wall on one side of the lobby holds a long rectangular gas fireplace, and the far wall sports an old black-and-white mural of firemen with their trucks.
Lobby in Cobblestone Inn. Photo by Judy Karnia
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A Small Town Escape from Chicago
Janesville, WI, offers many outdoor activities , great restaurants, and shopping for a fun weekend from Chicago . The small town feel, friendly people, and beautiful landscape are well worth the trip. Let Wander With Wonder be your guide when planning your next vacation to Wisconsin or elsewhere in the Midwest .
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Weekend Escape in Janesville, Wisconsin
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