What to See and Do in Evansville
Shopping – Evansville offers an array of shopping for everyone plus an opportunity to browse our unique shops for visitors — you’ll find handmade pottery and artwork at Allen Creek Gallery and local handmade quilts displayed in historic buildings which await you downtown. Be sure to check out craft and gift items at our Pharmacy in the historic Grange Building and stroll along Main Street to visit a unique second hand shop and tour the lower level of the Baker Building at 7 E. Main St. which includes displays about historic Evansville and a giant antique windmill. You’ll also find all your daily needs right here in town, from auto parts to floral to video rental to Evansville Blue Devils apparel! You’ll find an incredibly helpful Dave’s Ace Hardware on the east side of town – no need to run to a big-box store. And Kopecky’s Piggly Wiggly is our newly remodeled grocery and liquor store that has all the fresh and frozen selections you’d expect to find in larger towns – John Kopecky will proudly show you his walk-in beer cooler with an assortment of local microbrews from around the state of Wisconsin! Best of all, you’ll experience the high level of service you would expect from locally owned, small town businesses when shopping in Evansville. For a list of the shops and stores in Evansville, visit our Business Directory.
Dining — In addition to several cozy cafes and family style restaurants, Evansville boasts excellent Italian, Chinese food, and steaks ordered to perfection! Evansville has a coffee shop, a real Italian Delicatezza, pizza delivery, bar and grill food, very fresh sub shops, and of course, multiple Friday Night Fish Fry options (a must if you’re in Wisconsin on a Friday night!). Our taverns also serve a wide variety of locally brewed beers and Wisconsin’s favorite cocktails. Or, for those in a hurry, we have any number of speedier options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For a full listing of Evansville’s Eateries, pickup at Restaurant & Drink Guide at many local convenience stops, or click here to read about our fine restaurants & taverns.
Golfing — Evansville Golf Course and Country Club offers a beautiful par 72, 18-hole golf course just outside Evansville. This lovely course has many tree lined fairways and “possibly the best greens in all of southern Wisconsin”, according to Golf Wisconsin. Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance. For more information or to reserve a tee time, call 608/882-6524. Hungry after a round or two? Be sure to stop in at our restaurant! Friday nights fish fry is outstanding! Give us a call.
Bowling – Evansville Bowl at 108 E Main Street recently remodeled their entire facility … come enjoy family bowling on eight air-conditioned lanes. Enjoy food and drinks at the newly- renovated restaurant and bar. Evansville Bowl has men’s, women’s, mixed and junior leagues as well as open bowling. Call Evansville Bowl at 608.882.5210 for league signup, birthday party planning or reservations.
Historic Walking Tours. According to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Evansville has “the finest collection of 1840s to 1915 architecture of any small town in Wisconsin.” That architecture may be found in three Historic Districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in three properties individually listed on the National Register: the Eager Free Public Library, the Eager Memorial at Maple Hill Cemetery, and the Evansville Standpipe. In addition, St. John’s Lutheran Church and Leonard-Lake Leota Park have been listed on the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places, and nominations to the National Register for both of these properties are pending. A “virtual tour” of the original Evansville Historic District is available on the City of Evansville web site, and free walking tour guides are available at City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce office, and several Evansville businesses. Evansville Grove Society offers guided tours by appointment. Call (608) 882-5528 or email grovesociety@gmail.com to arrange a tour. You are also invited to take a virtual visit through one of our predominant historian’s, Ruth Ann Montgomery, website at http://www.evansvillehistory.net .
Parks – Allen Creek meanders through scenic Leonard-Leota Park, Evansville’s largest municipal park. Lake Leota is the centerpiece of the park. A multi-year project to drain, restore, and restock Lake Leota with fish has been underway since 2005 and today, Lake Leota is a jewel in the community. Leonard-Leota Park hosts any number of recreational facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool, softball diamonds, tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic pavilions and a new skate park. Fall in Leonard-Leota Park is truly a sight to behold! The Annual Evansville 4th of July Celebration is centered around Lake Leota, and the annual fireworks display is amazing to behold when reflected 
on the lake water! Come for a day and pack a picnic lunch, or reserve one of the pavilions for a larger party. For information on park and pool hours, or to reserve a picnic pavilion or one of our ball diamonds, call the Evansville City Parks & Recreation Department at 608.882.2266. For complete information on Evansville’s Parks visit: http://www.ci.evansville.wi.gov/residents/parks.htm For a schedule and information about Veterans Memorial Pool visit: http://www.ci.evansville.wi.gov/residents/pool.htm
Fishing and Boating — Gibbs Lake, just a few miles from Evansville’s eastern edge has an abundance of fishing available. The lake is home to Bluegills, Largemouth Bass, and Northern Pike. A public boat launch is available for your convenience. To get to the lake from Evansville, drive west on U.S. Highway 14 to North Tolles Rd. East onto W. Gibbs Lake Rd. If you prefer trout fishing, Allen Creek, which runs through Evansville, is a perfect place to spend a day. AND, coming in July of 2009, the “re-GRAND OPENING” of our very own Lake Leota! Watch our website for future details, events and dates surrounding this grandioso event! Did you use to fish at Lake Leota? Well, you’ll be able to do that again in the near future. Would you like to help us with a small donation so we can continue to restock our lake? For further details please email Kyle Allen, kyle@allenrealtyinc.com
Hiking, Cross-Country Skiing, and Horseback Riding – Magnolia Bluff County Park, located less than ten miles from Evansville, has breathtaking views from its bluff and is home to Rock County’s only naturally occurring birch stand. There are hiking, Cross-Country Skiing and Equestrian trails at the park, as well as a picnic area and campfire pit overlooking the bluff. Sunset from the bluff can be magnificent. To get to Magnolia Bluff County Park, take WI 213 South out of Evansville a little more than three miles, turn right onto WI 59 and drive another three miles. Turn left onto North Croak Road. Drive for one-half mile. The park entrance is on the left. Gibbs Lake County Park also has hiking, skiing and equestrian trails available for your enjoyment, see driving directions as above.
