MADISON MAGAZINE: Princeton, Wisconsin, is a an eclectic and laidback destination
Go antiquing, dine on the water and enjoy hidden gems in this small city on the Fox River.
BY Emma Waldinger May 6, 2026
Between Madison and Waupaca, the quiet city of Princeton is nestled along a curve of the Fox River. From the late 1800s to the 1920s, the river bustled with the motion of steamboats and paddlewheelers carrying cargo (and sometimes people) from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River and beyond. In a different time, Princeton’s three-block historic downtown was a thoroughfare of tourism and trade.
While waterways are no longer the transportation arteries in the Midwest, river towns like Princeton keep on at a different pace. These days, the city is known as a hidden gem for its antique shops and outdoor flea market, plus a world-class European bakery. In the past few decades, Princeton has experienced a surge of creative movers and shakers, some native to the city and others drawn to it. More recently, the addition of a top-notch lunch spot and a charming boutique hotel have made the city a destination once again.
Antique Chic
It's fitting that Princeton’s one boutique hotel is tastefully decked out in antique furniture and decor. The Parlor Hotel’s building at the intersection of Pearl and Water streets was constructed in the latter half of the 19th century as a dry goods store, a relic of the city’s commercial past. That history is still visible in the exposed beams and stonework. Each room (four queen suites, two king suites and one room with two full beds) in the hotel is furnished with graphic textiles and colorful artwork, which add warmth to the rustic setting.
During my two-night visit, I stayed in the Grant Suite — a spacious room with a king-sized bed, two-person dining table and a writing nook — but the real crown jewel is the soaking tub situated in a tiled walk-in shower with a frosted window. I ordered pizza and wings to go from nearby PieZano’s Pizza & Wings, lit some candles and enjoyed dinner and a show (on my laptop) during my time in the tub.
Photo by Emma Waldinger
Fare Well
The food at Horseradish Kitchen + Market is good — it punches well above its small-town status, even meriting a mention in our November 2025 cover story on Wisconsin’s must-visit restaurants. This eclectic restaurant and cocktail bar, which doubles as a curated gift shop selling stationary, artisan food items, artsy textiles and more, features a produce-forward sandwich menu. Each offering is built on bread baked a block away at Renard’s European Bakeshop and comes with chips (or the option to upgrade to a colorful salad of seasonal vegetables).
On cooler days, a wood-burning stove keeps the dining room and bar comfortable; when the weather is pleasant, a screen porch in the back offers views of the tranquil Fox River.