Viroqua

Welcome to Viroqua

Viroqua, the county seat of Vernon County, is conveniently located at the intersections of US Highways 14, 61 & 27 and State Highway 56. This provides direct and convenient access to prime markets and suppliers. It has an excellent elementary and secondary school system and is also the home of the Western Wisconsin Technical College – Viroqua campus. Viroqua, Wisconsin is one of the most beautiful and unique small cities in Wisconsin, if not in the entire nation. From the excitement of Wild West Days, the challenge of an 18-hole golf course, the culture of a play at the handsomely restored Temple Theatre, the relaxation of fly fishing the class one trout streams, swimming at the indoor aquatic center or the thrill of a hockey game at the indoor ice arena, Viroqua is the place to go for entertainment.

Viroqua is the center of one of the greatest organic farming regions of the United States. Each Saturday over 50 farmers and vendors from across the countryside come into our historic downtown to sell their fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and nuts at the Farmers Market, which is sponsored by the Viroqua Partners. Several local Amish families also come to the market to sell their handmade items. They bring beautiful baskets made with old-world craftsmanship. There are apple baskets, bread baskets, picnic and sewing baskets and toy chests. They also bring hand-woven rugs and wall hangings, and of course beautiful quilts in several colors, patterns and sizes. The Farmers Market opens the last day of May and continues every Saturday until the last Saturday of October.
But the Farmers Market isn’t all we offer. Our downtown district is listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places and home to dozens of shops that offer everything from metal and glassware to art and wine and delicious dining. It also features the restored Temple Theater with a great season of live performances. Thanks to the work of the Viroqua Historic Preservation Commission, the Downtown District was named to Wisconsin and National Register of Historic Places in 2003 due to the merits of the buildings in the district which are still largely intact. The restoration and renovation was completed in July of 2002 and celebrated with ribbon cuttings, dedications and entertainment. The restored building included modern restrooms, sound and lighting systems and handicapped accessibility.

You don’t have to drive to Montana for great trout fishing. Viroqua is only minutes away from hundreds of miles of prime wild trout water, which is why it has been dubbed the “Montana of the Midwest”. The natural reproduction of trout is so good in this area that fish are transplanted from our streams to other places in Wisconsin, and trout-friendly organizations such as West Fork Sports Club continue to improve the local streams by shoring up the riverbanks and adding trout beds and other trout habitat. The results of their good work is evident on two of the area’s most celebrated trout streams – the West Fork of the Kickapoo and the Timber Coulee, both of which are less than 10 miles from Viroqua.