Top Places to Stay VisitBeloit.com • 608.365.4838 1810 EMERSON HOUSE is located in an elegant, residential neighborhood near historic Beloit College. Breakfast is served each morning on fine china in the formal dining area. In the evening before guests leave for dinner, a delectable antipasto plate with an assortment of tasty appetizers is offered along with complimentary wine or sparkling cider. Desserts await guests as a final treat upon their return for the night. HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON BELOIT is an earth-conscious, extended stay hotel, pet-friendly hotel situated in Beloit’s retail dining district. The suites in this extended stay hotel have been designed with your needs in mind. There is moveable furniture, a fully equipped in-suite kitchen, and free WiFi. You will rest easy and enjoy the comforts of home while away. Each suite also includes a full-sized sofa bed, large HDTV, ergonomic work area, and clean, crisp bed. THE IRONWORKS HOTEL is a luxury boutique hotel located alongside the Rock River in the heart of Downtown. It is home to one of the area’s best restaurants, Merrill and Houston’s Steak Joint. The steak house features great steak and seafood, a beautiful riverside view, and live music every Friday night. The hotel is within walking distance of many other area attractions, including the shops, restaurants, and the Farmers’ Market. There is a pedestrian bridge across the Rock River, a scenic river walk, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife nearby. The hotel has an industrial décor that gives a nod to Beloit’s industrial heritage. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is named after Orson E. Merrill and George Houston who owned a foundry in the 1800s. The firm became known as Merrill & Houston’s Ironworks. You will also observe many delightful re-purposed items throughout the hotel including: furniture, the bellman’s cart, much of their artwork, and the pet dishes in the photo below. The hotel is extremely dog-friendly and allows two dogs per room, with a small additional fee per night. There are 54 guestrooms—36 of which are suites—to choose from. All of the suites include a two-sided gas fireplace with a sitting area, queen-sized sofa sleeper, spa-like bathrooms, plush robes, minibar, and many more comforts like Keurig coffee makers. Be sure to inquire about an upgrade to enjoy the spectacular river view! Another perk for staying at Ironworks is the “Member for a Stay” privilege. This grants you admission to the exclusive Beloit Club. The Beloit Club is an award-winning golf course and club house. HOTEL GOODWIN The building was built in 1923 and was once the home of the power and light building. The three story building is faced with a coat of glazed terra cotta that looks like marble and is crowned with an Egyptian-styled cornice. The building is one of the most elaborate commercial properties in Beloit, making it the perfect location for a chic, classic hotel inspired by the 19th century Goodwin House, a luxury hotel built in 1868 named after Samuel Goodwin, the mayor of Beloit in 1870. In 2018, Hendricks Commercial Properties converted the building into Hotel Goodwin. Hendricks is known for restoring old properties. Today, Hotel Goodwin exhibits a mixture of classic charm and modern luxury. There are 34 unique rooms, and each features edgy artwork, turntables with vinyl records, a Keurig coffee maker, 65-inch smart TV and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Many of the rooms feature three-sided glass showers with rain forest-like shower heads. The hotel is also home to Velvet Buffalo Café —featuring décor of a turn-of-the-century European café. Dinner focuses on local farmers and artisan vendors, all centered around a stone-lined oven burning at 700 degrees. In the warmer months, there will be seating outside, and the windows will be open for patrons to enjoy the feeling of open-air dining. If you have a dog, feel free to bring them along for a small fee. Hotel Goodwin also features the “Member for a Stay” privilege which grants you admission to the exclusive Beloit Club.
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Top Places to Stay
VisitBeloit.com • 608.365.4838
1810 EMERSON HOUSE is located in an elegant, residential neighborhood near historic Beloit College. Breakfast is served each morning on fine china in the formal dining area. In the evening before guests leave for dinner, a delectable antipasto plate with an assortment of tasty appetizers is offered along with complimentary wine or sparkling cider. Desserts awaitguests as a final treat upon their return for the night.
HOME2 SUITES BY HILTON BELOIT is an earth-conscious, extended stay hotel, pet-friendly hotel situated in Beloit’s retail dining district. The suites in this extended stay hotel have been designed with your needs in mind. There is moveable furniture, a fully equipped in-suite kitchen, and free WiFi. You will rest easy and enjoy the comforts of home while away. Each suite also includes a full-sized sofa bed, large HDTV, ergonomic work area, and clean, crisp bed.
THE IRONWORKS HOTEL is a luxury boutique hotel located alongside the Rock River in the heart of Downtown. It is home to one of the area’s best restaurants, Merrill and Houston’s Steak Joint. The steak house features great steak and seafood, a beautiful riverside view, and live music every Friday night. The hotel is within walking distance of many other area attractions, including the shops, restaurants, and the Farmers’ Market. There is a pedestrian bridge across the Rock River, a scenic river walk, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife nearby.
The hotel has an industrial décor that gives a nod to Beloit’s industrial heritage. Merrill & Houston’s Steak Joint is named after Orson E. Merrill and George Houston who owned a foundry in the 1800s. The firm became known as Merrill & Houston’s Ironworks.
You will also observe many delightful re-purposed items throughout the hotel including: furniture, the bellman’s cart, much of their artwork, and the pet dishes in the photo below. The hotel is extremely dog-friendly and allows two dogs per room, with a small additional fee per night.
There are 54 guestrooms—36 of which are suites—to choose from. All of the suites include a two-sided gas fireplace with a sitting area, queen-sized sofa sleeper, spa-like bathrooms, plush robes, minibar, and many more comforts like Keurig coffee makers. Be sure to inquire about an upgrade to enjoy the spectacular river view!
Another perk for staying at Ironworks is the “Member for a Stay” privilege. This grants you admission to the exclusive Beloit Club. The Beloit Club is an award-winning golf course and club house.
HOTEL GOODWINThe building was built in 1923 and was once the home of the power and light building. The three story building is faced with a coat of glazed terra cotta that looks like marble and is crowned with an Egyptian-styled cornice. The building is one of the most elaborate commercial properties in Beloit, making it the perfect location for a chic, classic hotel inspired by the 19th century Goodwin House, a luxury hotel built in 1868 named after Samuel Goodwin, the mayor of Beloit in 1870.
In 2018, Hendricks Commercial Properties converted the building into Hotel Goodwin. Hendricks is known for restoring old properties.
Today, Hotel Goodwin exhibits a mixture of classic charm and modern luxury. There are 34 unique rooms, and each features edgy artwork, turntables with vinyl records, a Keurig coffee maker, 65-inch smart TV and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Many of the rooms feature three-sided glass showers with rain forest-like shower heads.
The hotel is also home to Velvet Buffalo Café —featuring décor of a turn-of-the-century European café. Dinner focuses on local farmers and artisan vendors, all centered around a stone-lined oven burning at 700 degrees. In the warmer months, there will be seating outside, and the windows will be open for patrons to enjoy the feeling of open-air dining. If you have a dog, feel free to bring them along for a small fee.
Hotel Goodwin also features the “Member for a Stay” privilege which grants you admission to the exclusive Beloit Club.
Top Places to Eat & Drink
TRUK’T boasts a menu that features flavors from around the world found in their street tacos, tequila and whiskey selection, and unique craft cocktails, including scotch and mezcal cocktails. Get your taste buds ready for tacos al pastor, brisket tacos, or stuffed jalapeños peppers.
VELVET BUFFALO CAFE is sultry, witty and refined. Located in the heart of downtown Beloit, in the Hotel Goodwin, Velvet Buffalo Cafe offers a worldly experience through its expertly chosen wine and culinary menus. The in-house wine bar offers a carefully curated selection of wines by the glass, as well as an extensive bottle list from all parts of the globe.
G5 BREWING COMPANY is a legacy projectbuilt by a family of five Gunderson’s in their hometown. They serve a variety of brewws including wheats, IPAs, browns, and stouts; just to name a few. In addition to beer, they offer five white wines and four reds and a creative, gourmet bar food menu, featuring authentic Bavarian pretzels.
LUCY’S #7 BURGER BAR has a trendy and hip atmosphere, incredible beerselection, and mouth-watering stuffed burgers and deep-fried cheese curds. With twenty Wisconsin beers on tap, and their famous “Tipsy” shakes, Lucy’s is a great place to kick back and unwind. In the summer, have your burger served to you at their outside dining area.
MERRILL & HOUSTON’S STEAK JOINT with its rustic feel, hardwood floors, and abundant photographs capturing Beloit’s history, tells a great story while providing attentive service and excellent steakhouse fare. The restaurant is nestled in the heart of historic Downtown Beloit with an outside patio along the Rock River.
DC ESTATE WINERY is nestled in the lightly rolling countryside and is an ideal destination offering a taste of Tuscany. With a beautiful outdoor pavilion and welcoming tasting room, DC is the perfect spot to enjoy delicious wine as you also savor the view!
VisitBeloit.com • 608.365.4838
Top Must See & Do
MACKTOWN LIVING HISTORY EDUCATION CENTEROn a forested bluff overlooking the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers are the remnants of Winnebago County’s earliest settlement. Founded in the mid-1830’s, Macktown has fun historical events and is open for tours.
BELOIT COLLEGEFounded in 1846, Beloit College is the oldest continuously operated college in Wisconsin and was founded while the state was still a territory. The campus gives you the feeling of stepping back in time and offers 40 wooded acres of winding walkways and several effigy mounds.
BECKMAN MILL is an authentically restored, operational 1868 grist mill that sits on a 50-acre park. Tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays, May through October from 1-4 pm. There are also nature trails and corn grinding on the first Saturday of the month.
WRIGHT MUSEUM OF ART & THE LOGAN MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGYAppreciate the beautiful architecture of the Wright Museum located on the Beloit College campus, as well as the fine art displayed. More than a dozen exhibitions, drawn from the permanent collection, regional and student artists, and national touring shows fill the galleries year round. Free admission. View artifacts from around the world at the internationally renowned Logan Museum of Anthropology. Displays include Native American baskets, pre-Columbian, and prehistoric Native American ceramics.
HISTORIC AUTO ATTRACTIONSThere are more than 75 historic autos, including the world’s largest collection of presidential and world leaders limousines, John Dillinger’s getaway car, Elvis Presley’s personal car, and more. There is also a wide array of movie, presidential, and music memorabilia.
FARMERS’ MARKET The award-winning, open-air market is the 2nd largest in the state with nearly 100 vendors, food trucks, and live music. The market is open rain or shine every Saturday 8 am-1 pm from May through October.
VisitBeloit.com • 608.365.4838
NATURE AT THE CONFLUENCE is an urban ecology project that aims to restore and celebrate the prairie land where the Turtle Creek meets the Rock River. There’s a lot to explore here, but the best way to do so is probably by canoe or kayak—traveling along the Rock River National Water Trail.
PUBLIC ART BY O.V. SHAFFER In June 2014, Shaffer received recognition from Governor Scott Walker for having more public art than any other artist in Wisconsin. There are 30 pieces of his art throughout Beloit including “The Landing” which rises 60 feet against the backdrop of the Ironworks complex.
TURTLE CREEK offers the perfect spot to kayak and view the state’s oldest stone, five-arched bridge! Turtle Creek winds for miles from Tiffany Bridge and offers plenty of opportunities to see wildlife and breathtaking scenery.
BIG HILL PARK is home to a bluff that was once the site of a downhill ski jump, offers a spectacular view of the Rock River, numerous trails, and the Welty Environmental Center.
PEARL LAKE is the perfect place to spend a fun and lazy afternoon near Beloit. Pearl Lake is a resort destination that’s popular for camping. The lake is beautifully clear and a popular spot for scuba diving. The main swimming beach is open from 9 am to 5 pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day and costs $15.
VisitBeloit.com • 608.365.4838
Top Things to Do Outdoors
SKYDIVE THE ROCK is located at the Beloit Airport, offers tandem skydiving, solo training, and welcomes experienced skydivers.
RIVERSIDE PARK offers rents tandem bikes to cycle the 3.5-mile bike path that stretches along the gorgeous riverfront. Kayaks, paddleboats, and fishing poles are also available to rent near the lagoon for an up-close Rock River water and wildlife experience.
TURTLE ISLAND offers kids an awesome place to play and get out some energy! It features a treehouse, lookout, and shipwrecks.
DOUBLE B FARM & COUNTRY STOREAuthentic farm-to-table breakfast and lunch on a working farm. Kids will love seeing the goats, ducks, chickens, and pigs. They are open Wednesday-Sunday, 8am-3pm. Cash only.
APPLE HUT ORCHARD features 17 varieties of apples and shop at the store for a large variety of homemade goods, including apple pies, pastries, caramel apples, pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon bread, apple cider, jams, and honey. Apple Hut Orchard is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 am-5 pm Labor Day weekend through October. Cash only!
BELOIT SNAPPERS are a Class A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, giving you the opportunity to see major league talent at minor league prices. There are also fireworks shows on several Saturdays throughout the summer. Season runs April-Labor Day.
IRONWORKS GOLF LAB features three simulators to improve your game or just have fun. The HD simulator has 100 courses from around the world, and the other two simulators let you choose between golf or 14 other games, like hockey and zombie dodge ball.
