Cassville is such a hidden gem! This small town (technically it’s not even a town, it’s a village!) sits on the Great River Road and is full of action! It’s right on the Mississippi and best known for the car ferry that takes you across the water to Iowa.
For those of you who don’t know, Hayden is a liquor salesman in southwest Wisconsin. Cassville is part of his territory, and I love when he gets to show me around! We spent a weekend on the Mississippi celebrating Hayden’s 33rd birthday and had so much fun!! Here is everything you need to know to have the best weekend in Cassville!
STAY
We stayed at Sandy Bottoms-Up Campground in the Big Foot Cabin. This cabin was super nice and felt very remote despite being part of such a large campground. It’s tucked away in the woods with a nice fire pit to relax around. The campground is right on the Mississippi backwaters and has private docks for guests to use. It also has dog friendly sites! There are a lot of cabins in town, and another place that was recommended to us was The Eagles Roost Resort, which is also right on the Mississippi!
EAT
Make sure you eat at Moon’s Town Pump! The food is so good and we love the owners Shelly and James. It’s not uncommon to find them working, so if you see them, make sure you tell them we sent you. They have fish fry everyday, which you know is right up my alley! Moon’s also has the best selection of bar apps and snacks. The Anker Inn is a well known smokehouse and the ribs come highly recommended. Pop into the Silver Spigot or JJ’s Sandbar for cocktails. For breakfast, check out Cassville Cafe–they have great cinnamon rolls and Hayden loved the croissant sandwich!
EXPLORE
While in town, definitely check out Stonefield Historic Site and learn the history of Wisconsin’s rise to becoming America’s Dairyland! Tour a restored historic village, the State Agricultural Museum, and the home of Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey. Directly across the street is Nelson Dewey State Park where you can find a few short trails. I recommend checking out Mound Point Overlook for a gorgeous view of the Mississippi! Stroll around downtown Cassville and stop into Amelia’s Treats & Treasures to satisfy all of your ice cream and candy needs.
ADVENTURE
Get out onto the Mississippi! Put the boat in the water at Riverside Park–there’s a super nice public boat launch. You can explore a fun section of the river without having to go through any lochs. We enjoyed time at the beach on one of the islands and spent the day swimming, sipping, and relaxing before heading across the water to Guttenberg, Iowa–another cute river town. We loved Fish Shack, a counter service restaurant where we had a drink and enjoyed the view before heading to The Dam Bar. You MUST try their spicy curds! So spicy and so tasty! Lastly, stop into Joe’s Pizza to get some pizza and ice cream for take out dinner to eat across the street in the park with river views.
We hope you have the best trip to Cassville!
**Dog-Friendly Note: All of these establishments are great, but not the most dog-friendly. Your pup could camp with you, visit the state park with you, or join you out on the water. We did not find any dog-friendly patios, but your pup could do dinner with you in the park if you get takeout from Joe’s.