Photo: Amanda Battaglia
Photo: Mary Gielow
Photo: Mary Gielow
Cedar Creek Settlement Shops
★4.9(156 reviews)$Shopping
🕑 1.5-2.5 hours👶 Best for ages 5 and up. School-age children appreciate the historic atmosphere and enjoy browsing toy shops and candy stores, while teens interested in art and unique finds will stay engaged. Toddlers can visit but may get restless in the shops, though they'll enjoy the outdoor creek views.🧡 Saved by 70+ families
About
Cedar Creek Settlement Shops offers a unique blend of history and shopping that surprisingly engages kids with its scenic creek-side setting and charming stone mill buildings dating back to the 1800s. Children love exploring the winding pathways between buildings, watching the creek flow below, and discovering quirky treasures in the eclectic mix of specialty shops and galleries.
Highlights
- ✓Historic stone mill buildings with water wheel and creek views
- ✓Specialty toy and candy shops that captivate young visitors
- ✓Scenic walking paths along Cedar Creek perfect for exploring breaks
- ✓Unique art galleries with pieces kids find fascinating
- ✓On-site restaurants including a wine bar, café, and casual eateries
Pro Tips
- 1.Park in the main lot off Bridge Road and start at the upper level shops, working your way down to the creek-side path for a natural break when kids need to move around
- 2.Visit the Cream & Sugar café for a mid-visit treat,the sweets selection is a great motivator for good behavior while browsing
- 3.Bring quarters for the vintage candy machines and gumball dispensers scattered throughout the settlement
- 4.The stone pathways can be uneven, so strollers work but a baby carrier might be easier for navigating between levels
- 5.Stop by the creek overlook between shops,kids love spotting fish and ducks, and it's a perfect photo opportunity
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings (Tuesday-Thursday, 10 AM-12 PM) offer the quietest shopping experience. Fall is spectacular with colorful foliage framing the historic buildings, and the cooler weather makes walking between shops more comfortable for families.
What to Know
Free admission and parking make this an budget-friendly outing. Several on-site restaurants offer casual dining options, and most shops are stroller-accessible though some have steps between levels.
Seasonal Notes
Gorgeous year-round, but especially beautiful during fall foliage season. The settlement hosts special events during holidays including Christmas decorations and activities. Winter visits offer cozy indoor shopping with festive atmosphere, though outdoor creek exploration is limited.
Nearby Eats
The settlement has multiple on-site dining options including casual cafés perfect for families. For nearby alternatives, downtown Cedarburg (5-minute drive) offers family-friendly restaurants like Anvil Pub & Grille and Amy's Candy Kitchen for ice cream treats.
More Activities Near Cedarburg
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Amy's Candy Kitchen
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Amy's Candy Kitchen is a charming old-fashioned candy shop in historic Cedarburg that feels like stepping into a storybook. Kids will be mesmerized by the colorful displays of homemade chocolates, hand-pulled fudge, gourmet popcorn, and nostalgic candies, while parents appreciate the quality craftsmanship and sweet trip down memory lane.
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Cedarburg Mill
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Step back in time at this authentic 1855 grist mill where kids can watch the impressive waterwheel in action and learn how grain was ground into flour over 160 years ago. The hands-on educational exhibits bring history to life in a way that's engaging for curious young minds, and the picturesque mill setting along Cedar Creek makes for a memorable family outing in charming Cedarburg.
Adventure
Ozaukee Interurban Trail
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The Ozaukee Interurban Trail offers 30 miles of smooth, paved pathways perfect for families looking to explore Cedarburg and beyond on bikes, scooters, or foot. This scenic trail winds through charming communities and natural landscapes, making it ideal for everything from short family bike rides to longer adventures with older kids who love covering distance.
Nature
Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve
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Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve offers families an exciting Lake Michigan adventure with dramatic ravines, towering bluffs, and real fossil hunting along the shoreline. Kids love scrambling down the wooden stairs to the beach, searching for ancient fossils in the rocks, and exploring the winding trails through forested gorges that feel like a wilderness expedition right near Milwaukee.