norskedalen nature and heritage center

This is a very well preserved "village" with several buildings of various types that have been found in various valleys in the area. There are great programs for adults and for kids and it is well maintained and very authentic.If you would like to relive an important part of American history from the 1880s to 1910 or so, you will find this a very rewarding place to visit.

Reserved a spot for a family get together here and was not disappointed. My family has Norwegian heritage and it was amazing to be able to hear some of the history and culture and to be inside real homes, barns, and more. We saw how they dried tobacco and cooled stored food. About the tasks and crafts. My grandparents loved it because a lot of their memories came to life from when they were growing up, and us younger generations got to hear about their stories as well. It was a great tour and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. Not to mention beautiful scenery. Great price. My whole family was happy with it, and would highly recommend it.

We went to the nature center as part of a large group. The staff was friendly. The tour guides we had were excellent. Lots of knowledge about the area and anxious to share their knowledge. The grounds were well kept and very clean. They offered a cart ride to members of the group who would have struggled to walk the grounds for the tour. We had entertainment by the Norskedalen Trio. They were wonderful. We had a great time and recommend visiting.

Love the Halloween theme walking trail they have set up. Lots of scary things for big and small kids! We go every year!

Very informative and fun to see how the early settlers began life in America. There was no day off for those people. Yet they apparently were very happy. So nice to have these homesteads preserved for future generations to look and to learn.

An astonishing hidden gem - a step back in time. Whether hiking, taking a tour of the homestead, or enjoying a special event - this is the best family-friendly place in the area.

went when it was a heritage day. the place is well kept and i would love to spend a whole weekend there.

Unless you are bored i would pass on the visit.Not real exciting.

I have stayed in the Paulson Cabin at Norskedalen twice now - once in the summer and once this winter. What a special place it is! Cozy, comfortable and welcoming, it is definitely a home away from home. You can see deer and turkey out the windows and wander down to play in the creek after everyone else has gone home for the night. The place is yours when you are staying there and the cabin is a relaxing getaway. With no TV and patchy cell phone service, it is a great place to get away from it all!

I love everything about Norskedalen. There are about 400 acres of nature, ponds, and trails. It is open year round, except for a a few days in the middle of winter. They seem to have some special event just about every month. My favorite part is the immigrant homestead, the best genuine living history-type immigrant displays I have seen anywhere in North America. The guided tours are conducted by well-informed guides, who are friendly and knowledgeable; most of the guides are actual descendants of the people who originally built and lived in these buildings. In the Center there is a wonderful library where you may research genealogy and history, especially of Norway; the library also has a wonderful nature section. There is also a theater, gift shop, nature museum, and history museum. Arrangements can be made to have a lunch catered if you wish. This is a wonderful place to spend a day with the family or your best friends, and you can even arrange to spend the night in a genuine immigrant cabin built in the 1800's - with a fully modern bathroom in the basement! Be sure to allow at least a full day to see everything! Bring a picnic!

We held a family event at Norskedalen in late October 2007 when the leaves were simply gorgeous, the air was crisp. We stayed overnight in the Paulsen Cabin. It was my sister and her family, her husband and three kids and myself. There are 3 floors. The bottom floor has 2 bathrooms-one with a shower. The first floor has a nice kitchen table a small fridge, microwave, coffee maker, & kitchen sink. The living room has 2 sofas that fold out into beds. Upstairs-you have to climb up the ladder stairs which because they are historic are a little steep but no problem. Up there was a bed and hideabed. And the furnace kept the place nice and toasty. The view in the morning to the northwest (which I will post) was of the Norwegian Homestead buildings below nestled snugly in the valley by the creek and the sun was shining on it-again breathtaking. We only stayed one night but I would stay there again definitely. Oh the only amenity to the outside world is a phone-no tv. Asian Ladybugs were the only critters we saw in the cabin and they only nibbled a little-;0)

This place is so cool. It is hidden away in a valley where it is peaceful and serene. They have some great hiking trails and we really experienced nature. We saw some deer, a fox, birds, and rabbits. They do a really nice job telling the story of Norwegian immigrants who came to Wisconsin and settled here because the bluffs reminded them of home. The Thrune Center is a modern building with a gift shop and bathrooms. This is where you can watch a video and go through some exhibits. The homestead is really neat. There is even a building with a grass roof. It's hard to believe that such a large family lived in the house. They have festivals throughout the year celebrating Norwegian history and heritage. We plan to visit during Midsummer fest or on the Civil War weekend. I would recommend this for your whole family.