A Postcard From East Troy, Wisconsin
East Troy is a great place to find quality antiques and many unique, handmade gifts for friends and relatives.

  

About East Troy
East Troy, Wisconsin is located in Walworth County. This small, southeastern Wisconsin village is settled among a wide array of topography, including forests, prairies, marshes, rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and streams. East Troy and its surrounding areas feature tranquil settings and serene city living.  East Troy offers many outdoor activities for residents and visitors to enjoy, including bicycling, hiking, camping, skiing, boating, fishing, and horseback riding. There are several outstanding golf courses in the area.

An Average Lifestyle in East Troy
The residents of East Troy are either long-time residents with generations of family members from the town or people looking to escape the city. The town is very safe, peaceful, and generally a great place to raise children. The schools in the area are among the finest in Wisconsin, and there are plenty of family-oriented activities to keep kids busy. This relaxed area, known throughout the region as "Small Town, USA", is a great place to call home.

Housing
Median house value: $171,700 (in 2000)
The median house value in East Troy is higher than the state average.

Weather
East Troy has a climate with four definite seasons, although the Winter months are usually milder than in the Northern regions of the state.

The average daily high temperature in January is 27 degrees, and the average daily high temperature in July is 83 degrees. The average daily low temperature in January is 10 degrees, and the average daily low temperature in July is 61 degrees.

The snowfall usually starts in East Troy in late November and lasts through the first weeks of April. It is not uncommon for sportsmen and women to go ice fishing in parts of Walworth County, yet the Summer months bring plenty of warm, sunny weather and dry breezes.

Things To Do
The immediate downtown section of East Troy is known as the East Troy Square. There are many small businesses located in the Square, including bars and cafes, florists, gift shops, a barber shop, and a bank. The merchants of East Troy are dedicated to preserving the small-town feel of the town, and the Square is living proof.

Alpine Valley Resort offers downhill skiing and snowboarding, tennis, golf, and both indoor and outdoor pools. During ski season, Alpine Valley offers affordable ski packages in an incredibly picturesque setting. Golfers will enjoy spending the warmer Summer months at Alpine Valley, where the golf course is located next to serene Sugar Creek in a wooded area. There are 9 or 18 hole courses to please every golf enthusiast. To top things off, Alpine Valley offers delicious steak dinners or fried cod or just enjoy a cocktail at the bar.

Railroad enthusiasts will get a kick out of the East Troy Electric Railroad. This non-profit corporation has exhibits of electric railroad transportation from the 1890's to the 1950's. There is a historic trolley, a dining car, and a rail car that visitors can ride on when they are not busy shopping in the gift shop or experiencing the museum.

Stacey Farms is a family-owned and operated farm in East Troy that offers fun and activities for the entire family. There is a corn maze to navigate, hayrides to participate in, a beekeeper exhibit, and much, much more. If you are fortunate enough to visit Stacey Farms at Halloween time, you will find ghoulish haunted houses and pumpkin patches. Milwaukee Magazine rated Stacey Farms in the Best of Milwaukee category in 2003.

The Alpine Valley Music Theatre is a great place to take in a concert. The ampitheatre is situated in the hills of East Troy, and it boasts a capacity of 40,000 fans.

Looking for some real adventure? Sky Knights Sport Parachute Club offers skydiving for the daredevils who visit the area. There are static line classes held every Saturday and Sunday, which last five to seven hours. Upon completion, you will skydive. Tandem jumps can be scheduled any time, and accelerated free-fall dives are available.

Near-By Excursions
There are many rural roads to explore, many of which wind through absolutely gorgeous natural countryside. No matter where you drive in this area, you are bound to enjoy the scenic backwoods of Wisconsin.  Lake Geneva offers visitors a relaxing atmosphere and plenty of activities. There are a few parks in Lake Geneva, including the Big Foot Beach State Park, Elm Park, Flatiron Park, Maple Park, Moss Park, and Seminary Park. Big Foot Beach State Park provides some 272 acres of park along the lake with wooded picnic and camping areas and over 2,200 feet of sandy beach.

Swimming is one of the favorite outdoor activities of residents and tourists to the area. There are 24 lakes in the area, and many fresh water springs. Aside from the amazing Big Foot Beach State Park, you can swim at Fontana Beach, Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, and Delavan. Lifeguards are available during daylight hours at various times of the year at all locations except Delavan.

Closest Cities
Elkhorn, WI - 12.3 miles
Lake Geneva, WI - 18 miles
Whitewater, WI - 18 miles
Waukesha, WI - 20 miles
New Berlin, WI - 21 miles
Milwaukee, WI - 30 miles
 
Cultural Activities
East Troy is home to many bingo tournaments and pancake breakfasts. September brings the East Troy Bluegrass Festival, and Santa Claus visits the Village Square in December.

The Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn is held the first week of September, and has been a tradition in Walworth County for over 150 years. Fair-goers enjoy live music, animal exhibits, rides, and of course, great food.

Getting to East Troy
The East Troy Municipal Airport is located in East Troy, although it is relatively small. Many visitors to East Troy opt to fly into a nearby larger airport. The Kenosha Regional Airport is located in Kenosha, WI (about 45 miles), and the General Mitchell International Airport is in Milwaukee, WI (about 30 miles).

Population
Population: 3,830 (in 2000)
Median resident age: 39.8 years

Economics
Median household income: $61,486 (in 2000)

Higher Education
University of Wisconsin at Whitewater - Whitewater, WI - 18 miles
University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee - Milwaukee, WI - 30 miles
Marquette University - Milwaukee, WI - 30 miles
Milwaukee Area Technical College - Milwaukee, WI - 30 miles
McHenry County College - Crystal Lake, IL - 49 miles
Carroll College - Waukesha, WI - 45 miles