Grafton Guides
First-person stories from the owners, chefs and neighbours behind local places — plus editorial roundups from our team.
Grafton Costco and Where Locals Grocery Shop
Jul 22, 2026
A practical guide to grocery shopping in Grafton: Costco Wholesale and its gas station, Meijer, Sendik's and Aldi, and which to use for which trip.
Visiting Grafton with Kids: From Pool to Playground
Jul 22, 2026
What to do in Grafton with kids: the summer pool and splash pad, indoor play, Lion's Den Gorge, the big playgrounds, and where to get a treat after.
Lion's Den Gorge (Bluffs, Beach and Stairs)
Jul 22, 2026
The bluff trail, the staircase down to the beach, which path to take, and when to go at Lion's Den Gorge, the Lake Michigan preserve just east of Grafton.
Grafton Paramount Records: The Blues Story
Jul 22, 2026
The story of Paramount Records in Grafton: the artists, the plant on the river, and what to see now at Paramount Plaza and the Walk of Fame.
Grafton Restaurants: Fish Fry to Thai
Jul 20, 2026
A local's guide to eating in Grafton: the destination dinners, the Friday fish fry taverns, the Asian kitchens, and the casual standbys, with what to order.
Things to Do in Grafton: Blues, Gorge & River
Jul 13, 2026
A Lake Michigan gorge, the Paramount Records blues story, a historic arts mill, riverfront parks, and a real food and craft-beer scene, all in one small town.
Grafton Breweries (and a Riverside Brewpub)
Jul 6, 2026
A guide to Grafton breweries: Sahale Ale Works and its Paramount Stout, Water Street Brewery on the river, and the best taverns for a pint.
Grafton's Coffee Shops and Roasteries
Jun 29, 2026
The best coffee shops in Grafton: Colectivo, the family-run Fiddleheads, and the Arts Mill Coffee Roastery in a historic 1846 mill. Where to go for what.
Grafton Pizza (Every Crust, Who Delivers)
Jun 22, 2026
Where to get pizza in Grafton: Eaton's take-and-bake, Even Odds Detroit-style and delivery, and Redheads' Sheboygan cracker crust. Every style covered.
Grafton Parks, Kilns and the Interurban Trail
Jun 15, 2026
A guide to Grafton's parks: Lion's Den Gorge on Lake Michigan, Lime Kiln Park's ruins, quiet river trails, a dog park, and the Interurban Trail.
Grafton Shopping Musts from Arts Mill to Antiques
Jun 8, 2026
Where to shop in Grafton: the historic Arts Mill full of artist studios, the Book and Cranny bookshop, Antiques at Gordons, and local boutiques downtown.
Grafton Golf: A 9-Hole Club and a River Island
Jun 1, 2026
Golf in Grafton: Edgewater Golf Club, a mature nine-hole course with a great fish fry, and River Island, a free three-hole par-3 on an island in the river.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Grafton?
May 25, 2026
A season-by-season guide to Grafton weather and the best time to visit: what summer, fall, winter and spring are really like on the Milwaukee River.
Getting to Grafton (and Around Town)
May 18, 2026
How to get to Grafton, WI: just north of Milwaukee off Interstate 43. Directions from the city and the airport, plus how to get around town.
Where to Stay in Grafton
May 11, 2026
Where to stay in Grafton: the top-rated Hampton Inn, the value Comfort Inn, and extended-stay TownePlace Suites, plus the historic inns of nearby Cedarburg.
A Grafton to Cedarburg Day Trip
May 4, 2026
A Grafton to Cedarburg day trip: historic Cedarburg is minutes northwest, with a covered bridge, a mill winery and festivals. How to combine the two towns.