Whether you enjoy feeling the wind in your hair while taking in the scenery or you love staring out the window during a good road trip, Wisconsin’s rustic roads truly create a trip for the books. Take the road less traveled and venture to and beyond Wauwatosa on these scenic rustic roads for the ultimate road trip. Return to Tosa to rest easy at any of our hotels, and complete your adventure with our local bars and restaurants.
Venture To and From Wauwatosa
Any great road trip starts with a solid plan — one where every aspect is exciting! Book your stay in Wauwatosa with numerous hotels (some with incredible hotel deals and packages) that are great for relaxing before and after a long drive. Fuel up for your trip with delicious eats from numerous local restaurants, including Leff’s Lucky Town’s Big Ass Pretzel, Ferch’s Crafthouse’s burgers, and Mo’s Irish Pub’s cheese curds. Plan to stop into Tosa’s bars and breweries upon your return to our charming city, and grab a cold one from Ray’s Growler Gallery, Drunken Cobra, and The Fermentorium.
Rustic Roads Near Wauwatosa
Pick a rustic road, any rustic road! Explore Wisconsin’s stunning scenery with any of these paved adventures around Wauwatosa. Approximately 26 minutes to the west of Tosa, cross three rustic routes off your list with Rustic Road 10, Rustic Road 115, and Rustic Road 86. All located along the same strip of road in Waukesha County, these gorgeous routes will take you between Upper and Lower Nashotah and through dense foliage. Right outside of Waterford — close to Tichigan Lake and Wind Lake — you’ll find Rustic Road 5 and Rustic Road 30. A quick 30-minute drive from Wauwatosa, RR-5 passes Colonel Heg Memorial Park, which has a museum and small log cabin, while RR-30 showcases a historic one-room schoolhouse. Venture approximately 31 minutes north of Wauwatosa in Washington County, and you’ll find Rustic Road 33, which offers breathtaking views of the church spires at Holy Hill and views of Lowe Lake. Last but certainly not least, Rustic Road 29 showcases stunning views of Lake Geneva. While this is the farthest drive from Wauwatosa (approximately 54 minutes), the view is certainly worth the trip. Keep an eye out for native vegetation areas and plenty of wildlife near Lake Geneva.
Places to Stop, Things to See
Holy Hill. Located approximately 35 minutes from Tosa (27.5 miles) and within close proximity to Rustic Road 33, Holy Hill sits on 435 acres of glorious scenery on the highest elevation in Southeastern Wisconsin. This iconic landmark draws hundreds of thousands of sightseers annually. Visitors can attend daily Catholic Masses of worship, enjoy views for miles atop the Scenic Tower (open May - October), and walk the life-sized Stations of the Cross. Visitors can also access a café and large gift store year-round. Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Also about 35 minutes away from Wauwatosa (34.7 miles), Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive spans 115 miles and traverses six Wisconsin counties. Get a glimpse of Wisconsin’s geological landscape and history throughout Kettle Moraine State Forest. The drive offers spectacular panoramas, plenty of waysides, historical sites, and recreation areas. Discover Wauwatosa wants to ensure you have a safe and healthy travel experience. Learn more about where to stay, where to eat, and things to do while you’re here in Wauwatosa. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please check the local hotel and travel restrictions and retail and restaurant hours/menus before you go.