Mars Cheese Castle
Time Needed: 1-2 hours
Experience Type: family fun, offbeat & fun
A roadside icon since 1947, Mars Cheese Castle is more than a store—it’s a symbol of Wisconsin pride. With its castle turrets, endless cheese varieties, and playful kitsch, this palace of dairy delights offers travelers a quirky, must-stop taste of America’s Dairyland.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Sample and Buy Cheese – Browse over 1,000 varieties, from sharp cheddars to flavored curds. Knowledgeable staff help you find the perfect Wisconsin cheese.
- Eat Cheese Curds – Don’t leave without squeaky, freshly made curds. Whether plain or flavored, these iconic Wisconsin bites are the state’s most essential roadside snack.
- Chat with Isabel the Talking Cow – Isabel dispenses cheesy trivia and endless photo ops. Kids and adults alike love this kitschy stop inside the castle.
- Stock Up on Merch – The gift shop overflows with foam cheese hats, witty T-shirts, and Wisconsin-themed souvenirs that make for playful, only-in-Wisconsin keepsakes.
- Get the Famous Cheese Bread – A Mars specialty, each loaf packs over a quarter pound of Wisconsin cheddar baked right in—savory, cheesy, and unforgettable.
Itinerary Idea: Taste your way through Kenosha on a three-hour walking food tour featuring tacos, thin-crust pizza, local beers, and cheese curds. Along the way, your guide shares stories about Kenosha’s food traditions, immigrant influences, public art, and historic architecture.
Photo Credit: jnshaumeyer/Flickr