Which Sheboygan, WI, Area Community Is Right for You?
Thinking about relocating to Sheboygan County but unsure where you should hang your hat? Not to worry – the region is full of beautiful cities and villages, and one of them is sure to fit your tastes. Ahead, discover your perfect Sheboygan, WI, area community.
In This Article
Sheboygan
If you love being in the middle of the action, consider settling in the community of Sheboygan, WI. It is attractive to young and seasoned professionals and families, as it provides a concentration of attractions and jobs. Opportunities are especially plentiful for those seeking employment in fields like finance and insurance, health care, scientific and technical services, and manufacturing.
In 2021, AdvisorSmith ranked Sheboygan No. 2 on its list of top small cities where U.S. manufacturing is thriving.
As far as things to do, the city’s phenomenal arts and entertainment scene and family-friendly venues offer a wealth of options. Kids and their families love Above & Beyond Children’s Museum, where exploring, discovering and learning take center stage, while those interested in the arts enjoy John Michael Kohler Arts Center, a contemporary museum and performing arts complex. The Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts is a historic theater offering a calendar full of events. Plenty of options are available for history buffs. The Lao, Hmong and American Veterans Memorial in Deland Park recognizes the Lao, Hmong and American people who served in the Secret War in Laos from 1961 to 1975. Sheboygan was home to many Laotian refugees, which is still evident in the city’s Asian dining scene today.
Outdoor activities run the gamut in Sheboygan, WI, as this community (aka the “Malibu of the Midwest”) provides plenty of coastline and surfable waves. The best surfing waves are produced in the late summer and fall. Speaking of summer, Sheboygan hosts Brat Days, an annual event featuring live music, family entertainment, bratwurst-eating contests, rides, games and much more. Sheboygan is also home to the Whistling Straits golf resort, which hosted the 43rd Ryder Cup golf tournament as well as three PGA Championships.
Kohler
For those in their “cozy era,” the Village of Kohler encapsulates your preferred vibe. And if the community’s name sounds a bit familiar, you probably recognize it from the stalwart plumbing product brand. Walter Kohler, son of Kohler Co. founder John Michael Kohler, developed the village as a planned community. He contracted the Olmsted Brothers – of Central Park and Biltmore Estate fame – to help with the design, and the village was incorporated in 1912.
The community’s design emphasizes natural elements and includes many public green spaces for people to gather. Today, fewer than 1,000 households comprise the area, and many of the homes built between 1917 and 1931 survive as single-family homes.
The village is full of historical sites, including The American Club golf resort, spa and hotel. Built in 1918, the site was constructed to house immigrants employed by Kohler, and it took on its resort hotel status in 1981. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers seasonal activities year-round. Grab your comfiest cardigan and enjoy ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and even curling during the winter.
Oostburg
For those whose personal style is best summarized as simply plaid, bring your rugged self to the Sheboygan, WI, area community of Oostburg and use this move as your excuse to buy all the outdoor gear sitting in your online Amazon cart. Settled in the 1840s by Dutch immigrants, this village’s features – miniature windmills and tulips dotting the land – give a nod to its history.
Rentable cabins offer scenic backdrops for adventurous souls searching for solace in nature or as a means of reconnecting with loved ones. Oostburg’s rural setting provides plenty of opportunity for outdoor engagement. Each year, residents get together to celebrate AugustFest, a late summer festival that includes live music, food vendors, family-oriented games and activities, and a fireworks display.
Sheboygan Falls
If you’re a fan of history, immerse yourself in the charm of Sheboygan Falls. Originally named Rochester when it was founded in 1835, the community’s strategic placement along the river and near waterfalls made it an ideal place for industrial activity. By the time it was renamed Sheboygan Falls in 1850, it had grown to include three sawmills, a tanning mill, two flour mills and an iron foundry.
Today, residents love strolling the Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District, where they can view more than 40 buildings that have been restored to maintain the character they held when first built in the mid-to-late 19th century. Greek Revival structures line downtown, and the river walk ends at Settlers Park, where myriad summertime festivals and outdoor concerts occur.
Golf lovers are attracted to Sheboygan Falls for The Bull at Pinehurst Farms, the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in the state. Situated on more than 400 acres, it’s a place to see and experience.
Elkhart Lake
If you live life in the fast lane, you will most likely fancy the Sheboygan, WI, area community of Elkhart Lake. Street racing became incredibly popular here during the 1950s, drawing thousands to the village. In 1955, Road America, an official motorsport road course, opened on about 640 acres of land. Elkhart Lake hosts the annual Concours d’Elegance, a vintage car road race every summer. More historical, steam-powered speed can be found at Elkhart Lake Historic Depot and Museum. Located in a century-old railroad station, visitors can enjoy original depot furnishings, historical news articles, photos and memorabilia showcasing decades of tourists who traveled by train to Elkhart Lake. The depot was once Elkhart Lake’s main transportation hub that shuttled vacationing families, race enthusiasts and even gamblers and gangsters from Chicago, Milwaukee and Green Bay.