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TH file photo
A couple of canoes compete in a race during Darlington Canoe Festival on the Pecatonica River.

Area Attractions

Dodgeville, WI

Courthouse: Dodgeville downtown. Wisconsin's oldest, active courthouse. A marker detailing the historic structure is located onsite.

Folklore Village: County BB. Village provides a range of cultural and recreational programs for individuals and groups. It is a rural folklife center dedicated to enriching life through dance, music, materials arts, storytelling, food and other time-honored folk traditions. Call 608/924-4000.

Gov. Dodge State Park: Five miles north on Wisconsin 23. 5,000 acres featuring boating, fishing, hiking, camping, concessions, horseback riding, nature walks, swimming, picnicking and biking. There are two lakes, 269 campsites, 21 miles of bridle trails 35 miles of snowmobile, cross-country skiing and hiking trails and 10 miles of mountain bike trails. Admission fees required. Call 608/935-2315 for information.

Lands' End: Tours available from May to October. An outlet store is located downtown, open daily. Visitors Center number is 608/935-6207.

Main Street: Dodgeville. The historical downtown houses many businesses. In 1991, Dodgeville was selected to participate in the National Main Street Program. Eleven buildings contribute to the district.

Metropolitan Art: 201 S. Iowa St. Features national and international emerging and noted artists. Phone 608/935-7011.

Military Ridge Trail: Trail runs from Dodgeville to Fitchburg. Open to bicyclers, hikers, snowmobilers and cross country skiers. It has a grade of 2-5 percent. It is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Trail fees required. Call 608/437-7393.

Shopping: Dodgeville hosts a number of businesses, ranging from antiques to auto to clothing. Check out the variety.

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Mineral Point, WI

Architectural Tours: A driving tour. Brochures available for a small fee at the Visitors? Center or the Chamber/Main Street Office. Tour highlights 28 buildings and sites of historic and architectural interest. A walking tour also is available.

Gundry House: 234 Madison St. The site houses Mineral Point history. It is in Italianate style, built of crafted sandstone. Tours will be available beginning in 2001.

Merry Christmas Mine: Part of the Merry Christmas Mine Prairie, a 43-acre area that includes educational walking trails highlighting early crevice mines and "badger holes." Open year-round, free and it begins at the edge of the Pendarvis parking lot.

Mineral Point artisans: Many shops, galleries and studios throughout the business community. You can see the artists at work. These include pottery, jewelry, photography, sculpture, fiber, painting, graphics, pastels and watercolor.

Antique shops: The town hosts shops that sell antiques, including Jail Alley House (111 Jail Alley), The Livery Antiques (303 Commerce St.), Ridnour's Antiques and Accessories (14 Fountain St.) and Mineral Point Toy Museum (215 Commerce St.)

Mineral Point Theatre: 139 High Street. Built in 1914, it housed a number of big-name performers. Today, it provides daily movie presentations, live performances by the Shake Rag Players and other meetings. Call 608/987-2642 for information.

Odd Fellows & Rebekah Museum: Front Street. Federal style building that is now is a museum. Call 608/987-3093.

Pendarvis: One of seven historic sites operated by the State Historical Society. Costumed interpreters offer guided tours through the complex. It recalls the days of the lead-mining era, what brought the Cornish to the area and their lifestyle. It is open May 1-Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Restaurants: A variety of establishments, offering traditional foods.

Shopping: Whether antiques, artwork or whatever you need, Mineral Point has it throughout its city.

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Special Events

Dec. 5: Darlington's Holiday Parade, 6:30 p.m., Main St. Following the parade there will be lighting of the floating Christmas trees at the festival park by the river. Santa will there along with singing of Christmas carols, treats and bonfires. For more information, call 608-776-3067.

Parks

* Swimming Pool Park features an outdoor municipal swimming pool, lighted tennis and basketball courts, large picnic area and playground.

* Black Bridge Park features green space for field games, lighted sand volleyball courts and boat launch into the Pecatonica River.

* Pecatonica River Trails Park, adjacent to the Cheese Country Recreational Trail, features 25 camping sites, a canoe launch and playground equipment.

* River Trails Park, features a lighted softball diamond, lighted basketball court, canoe launch and playground equipment.

* Yellowstone Lake State Park, located 12 miles from Darlington, offers more than 150 camping units, picnic sites, swimming beach, hiking, fishing, hunting and an array of water sports. In the winter, there are snowmobile trails and ice fishing. The lake, which is two miles long and a quarter mile wide, is surrounded by 1,900 acres of state-owned land.

* Darlington - Swimming Pool Park features an outdoor municipal swimming pool, lighted tennis and basketball courts, large picnic area and playground.

* Black Bridge Park features green space for field games, lighted sand volleyball courts and boat launch into the Pecatonica River.

* Pecatonica River Trails Park, adjacent to the Cheese Country Recreational Trail, features 25 camping sites, a canoe launch and playground equipment.

* River Trails Park features a lighted softball diamond, lighted basketball court, canoe launch and playground equipment.

* Yellowstone Lake State Park, located 12 miles from Darlington, offers more than 150 camping units, picnic sites, swimming, beach, hiking, fishing, hunting and an array of water sports. In the winter, there are snowmobile trails and ice fishing. The lake, which is two miles long and a quarter-mile wide, is surrounded by 1,900 acres of state-owned land.

Area Camping

Dodgeville, WI

* Hideaway Acres Campgrounds, two miles east on U.S. 18-151, two miles north on County Z.

* Tom's Campground, Wisconsin 191, family owned campground includes a rustic stone cottage available for lodging, camper/RV sites, tent sites and modern camping conveniences in a rustic setting near a trout stream, the Military Ridge Trail and Folklore Village. 608/935-5446.

* Spring Valley Trails Campground, near the House on the Rock, has campsites for motor homes, trailers and tents, water and electrical hookups, dump station and convenience store. 608/935-5725.

Highland, WI

* Blackhawk Lake Recreation Area in Iowa County offers showers, electricity, concession stand with boat rentals, hiking trails, sandy beach, large lake with fishing, 123 campsites, large public hunting area adjacent to park and 12 group sites. The Black Hawk Nature Center offers insect, bird, wild plant displays and rock and mineral displays. Weekend programs and nature hikes.