The Finest of Wisconsin—Kohler, WI
Kohler is calling all riders for a luxurious Wisconsin motorcycle trip. Whether you’re looking to spend most of your time on the road or riding over to experience the destination, this resort town will keep you occupied.
Kohler is surrounded by beautiful countryside, woods, and the Great Lakes, which make for a scenic riding weekend. Yet, the town also has five-star amenities for off-saddle activities and post-ride pampering alike.
Considering how fancy Kohler is these days, it has surprisingly industrial origins. It was set up between 1900 and 1912 as a company town for the Kohler Company, west of its corporate headquarters in Sheboygan. As such, Kohler is one of the early modern examples of planned communities in the U.S.
Today, the company still has final say over home design, business additions, fences, and so forth to maintain a coherent aesthetic across the town. But if you’re expecting a dreary field of utilitarian concrete blocks, you’re sorely mistaken.
Riders who are also golfers will find a real haven in Kohler. In the surrounding area are multiple golf courses ranked among the best in the country. The most celebrated of the bunch are the two courses at Whistling Straits and three at Blackwolf Run, but you’ll certainly have a great time swinging at any of them.
You can take in culture and art at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, and particularly its Art Preserve. This unique museum features “artist-built environments” where artists have turned the entire available space into one enormous piece of artwork. Even the bathrooms follow this principle.
You can also ride to find the six unique bronze sculptures by artist Daniel Arsham scattered around Kohler and its surroundings. Perhaps the most outlandish of them is the Pokémon sculpture, depicting the famous Pikachu together with a Pokémon trainer.
History buffs can explore local tales at the Sheboygan County Museum. It consists of multiple historical buildings and an underground gallery showcasing displays and artifacts.
The Waelderhaus is another historical curiosity in town. Built in the style of an Austrian alpine house, its architecture and interior decoration are a fascinating look into local craftsmanship.
A short ride north from Kohler is the Aviation Heritage Museum of Wisconsin. Any gearhead will enjoy gawking at the preserved old airplanes, while history enthusiasts can learn about local flying heroes.
Kohler also has plenty of opportunities for enjoying constrained and wild natural beauty as well. The Bookworm Gardens are an open-air garden styled after a children’s storybook. It’s sure to be a hit if you have young pillion riders, but it’s a fun visit even for grownups.
River Wildlife is an exclusive private nature preserve along the Sheboygan River that offers canoe and kayak rentals, hiking trails, fishing, hunting, and a shooting range. The area also has guest lodges and excellent restaurants. Note that River Wildlife is not open to the general public, and entry requires either a reservation at one of the lodging options or a club membership.
For free outdoor experiences, motor west out of town to the Long Lake Recreation Area or the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Both offer opportunities to hike, bicycle, ride horses, fish, and more.
Kohler is a destination no motorcyclist exploring Wisconsin should miss. Whether you’re making it your base camp, visiting Kohler specifically, or just stopping by, Kohler will find you a seat in the lap of luxury.
Facts & Info
Nearby Attractions
- Golf courses
- Art Preserve at John Michael Kohler Arts Center
- Waelderhaus
- River Wildlife
- Aviation Heritage Center of Wisconsin
Nearby Roads
The areas around Kohler have plenty of excellent riding opportunities. Immediately outside of town, you’ll find a checkerboard of Sheboygan County’s rural backroads. They’re admittedly rather straight for the most part, but you can still find some curves as you enjoy a low-traffic ride through peaceful farmland.
Lake Michigan’s shoreline is a popular local route. The roads following the waterline alternate between green wooded areas and wide-open waterscapes stretching farther than you can see.
For a more engaging ride, head over to Kettle Moraine State Forest. Although not massively expansive, the area is loaded with paved roads you can explore and zig-zag along.
If you’d like to have a track day, roll to Elkhart Lake and Road America. Local motorcycle groups organize outings to the track, allowing you to test your skills on this four-mile road course.
Food & Dining
As you’d expect from a high-class resort town, Kohler has a lot of fantastic eateries.
The Immigrant Restaurant explores local heritage and history through the culinary arts, offering dishes inspired by the food Wisconsin’s French, German, Austrian, Dutch, and Danish settlers cooked. Find it at 419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI.
For a more affordable dinner, visit the Taverne on Woodlake. This restaurant is a local favorite, specializing in wood-fired meals, from pizzas to grilled seafood. You get to enjoy your meal with gorgeous views over the adjacent lake. Find it at 725E Woodlake Rd, Kohler, WI.
The Horse and Plow is a cocktail lounge that allows you to lean back and relax after the day’s ride. On top of creative premium drinks and local brews, they serve tasty pub grub. Find it at 419 Highland Dr, Kohler, WI (the lounge shares the space with the Immigrant Restaurant).
Best Time to Travel
You’re best off visiting Kohler in the summer. With daytime highs in the 70s, the area offers very comfortable riding weather. Summer also allows you to get the most out of the outdoor activities, from golfing to hiking.
Early to late October is also a good time to drop by, as the fall colors arrive in the surrounding forests. Additionally, the Kohler Food & Wine Festival takes place in October, allowing you to explore local delicacies.
Just don’t leave your ride too late in the fall, as winter arrives quickly in Wisconsin.