Is New Glarus Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

New Glarus, known as “America’s Little Switzerland,” is a Swiss-inspired enclave in Green County, Wisconsin, blending Swiss culture with Midwestern charm.

Founded by Swiss immigrants in 1845, the town was named after the Canton of Glarus in Switzerland, where they sought escape from economic hardships.

The settlers were amazed at how much this region looked like their beloved homeland.

Today, New Glarus honors these origins with Swiss-inspired architecture, vibrant cultural festivals, and local businesses that embrace Swiss traditions.

You can even walk through the living history museum, where the settler’s days are honored and re-enacted.

The town hosts annual events like the Heidi Festival and the Wilhelm Tell Pageant, celebrating Swiss folklore, dance, and music.

Among its notable people, New Glarus was home to folk artist Nick Engelbert, known for his colorful and eccentric “Grandview” art environment nearby.

While New Glarus is home to just 2,200 people, it feels much bigger thanks to all the authentic experiences and cultural celebrations.

Plus, a visit is just 30 minutes from Madison, making New Glarus a great day trip or weekend getaway.

Warnings & Dangers in New Glarus

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in New Glarus, where crime isn't a big concern, and there's a festival spirit every day.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transportation in New Glarus is limited, as it's a small town without a major transit system. Most visitors rely on cars to get around, but much of the city is walkable.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

No pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported in the past five years, and that means it's another low risk. If you're visiting for an event, check the bag requirements or restrictions. Always limit what you carry to bare essentials.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

New Glarus has a medium risk, but nothing is out of the ordinary for these tough Wisconsin folks. Spring brings severe storms and tornado potential. Flooding is a concern after heavy rain or during snow melt. Winters can be snowy and cold, with blizzards and ice storms possible. If you're informed about the weather, you'll get plenty of advance notice about incoming storms.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

No robberies have been reported in the past five years, giving another low risk to this charming Swiss town.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

This is another low risk. The city is small in size and population, with no potential hard targets nearby. You should always report suspicious activity, even in places with a low risk.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local police department and sheriff’s office social media sites for the latest scams. That will help keep the risk low. I've seen a couple of scam warnings from leaders in New Glarus, but they were mostly targeting locals.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women of all ages should feel safe visiting here. In fact, solo travelers would enjoy it as much as seniors.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2023 report for New Glarus shows full compliance and no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in New Glarus

The New Glarus tourism site is conveniently titled swisstown.com.

A free visitors’ guide is available on the site with seasonal updates as needed.

You can also get a wider look at the region through GreenCounty.org.

Bookmark the Maps & Travel Tools section for helpful information, including a fall color guide and ATV routes.

Please note that some of the major attractions are only open from May through October.

For a taste of Switzerland in the heart of Wisconsin, stroll through the New Glarus Historical Village.

The open-air museum has 14 recreated historical buildings, like a Swiss cheese factory and a print shop.

Another must-see is the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum, a charming, eccentric home filled with antiques and treasures collected by a local named Edwin Barlow.

Barlow brought the Wilhelm Tell play to America, and now an annual festival is held in late August.

New Glarus Brewing Company is famous for its Spotted Cow, which is only available in Wisconsin and has only four ingredients.

You can enjoy a drink, visit the guest shop, or take a tour.

Please check the limited parking and mobility requirements before you go.

If you prefer pinot gris over a foamy pour, Bailey’s Run Vineyard and Winery might be the place for you.

This is one of the year-round attractions, and it’s dog-friendly.

Burn some calories and see the sights of Sugar River State Trail, a picturesque path that stretches nearly 24 miles.

It’s peaceful and lush, with scenic views of rivers and rolling farmland that’ll make you feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook.

You can start the trail in town or head to New Glarus Woods State Park.

With 435 acres to explore, the park is open for four seasons of fun, from hiking to snowshoeing.

In downtown New Glarus, you’ll find a mix of shops and restaurants that offer Swiss novelties.

Try to sample a little bit of everything.

You’ll be amazed at how many versions of cheese are available!

The National Historic Cheesemaking Center is open for tours and just 20 minutes away in Monroe.

While you’re there, consider a stop at the Green County Historical Society Museum.

In early December, New Glarus Christkindli Market celebrates the holiday season Swiss-style.

Heat lamps and bonfires are set up to take the nip out of the air.

If you have Swiss heritage, visit The Swiss Center and search for your lineage.

You can add the Green County communities of Albany, Belleville, Brodhead, Brooklyn, Browntown, Jude, Monroe, and Monticello to your itinerary.

Among all the places to visit, you’ll find numerous farms (seasonally available), Ag Tourism, cheese makers, and ATV trails, offering a unique experience around every country road turn.

Places to Avoid in New Glarus

New Glarus is a small town based on population and footprint.

You don’t have to worry about bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

I would recommend not waiting until the last minute to get a hotel room or any accommodations since there aren’t many options.

The rooms will fill up quickly during large events.

If you aren’t familiar with tornado watches and warnings, visit the National Weather Service website.

Simply put, a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for storms capable of producing tornadoes to form.

A warning means a tornado has been spotted by radar or a person, and immediate action is needed for anyone in the warning area.

Safety Tips for Traveling to New Glarus

Even as a small town of less than 2,400 people, New Glarus does have a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @newglaruspolicedepartment. The phone number is (608) 527-2145, and the general email address is info@newglaruspolice.com if you want to ask specific safety questions.
Check with the Green County Emergency Management website for weather safety tips, including how to get emergency alerts, what to pack in the car during winter, and how to handle a tornado warning.
You’ll want to get a NOAA weather radio if you’re out of mobile phone range. Cell service isn’t that strong here, and even going a mile or so outside of town could leave you in a dead zone.
If you plan to bring kids, please review the curfew restrictions in New Glarus. There are separate times for 16 and 17-year-olds and another time tier for those under 16.
Winter parking rules are based on alternate side parking. That means you can only park on one side of the street each day. You should see street signs that help explain it, and you should know that the alternate side parking is in effect from November 15 through March 31.
If you happen to get information about a crime or want to report suspicious activity, call Crime Stoppers of Green County at 1-800-422-7463. While the chance of this happening is low, it’s worth knowing the number, just in case.
Anglers will need a license from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. You can purchase it online ahead of time. You will also find hunting information on that site, as well as details about ATV riding regulations and boating information.
New Glarus does offer bike rentals, but there are some tight restrictions. First, there aren’t children’s bikes available. Second, bikes can only be rented during the day until 3 pm. No overnight rentals are allowed. Finally, rentals must be reserved three days in advance.
Use 511 WI to check road conditions, weather risks, live cameras, and real-time traffic as you travel across the region. You can also set up your preferred route and then request travel alerts.
Watch out for deer on the road or near the side of the road, especially at dawn and dusk. An accident in 2019 south of New Glarus sent nine people to the hospital when a family of deer ran across the street.

So... How Safe Is New Glarus Really?

You can’t get much safer than New Glarus, which only had one violent crime (aggravated assault) in 2023.

Event thefts were low, with nine reported.

One was a car break-in.

Even as I’ve seen a shoplifting surge in other Wisconsin cities, none were reported in 2023 in New Glarus.

Over the past five years, just six shoplifting incidents have been reported.

Between 2020 and 2024, just one car was stolen.

Of course, there are the standard safety risks when going into the wilderness.

You will largely control how safe that is by how prepared you are and how much you heed weather and basic safety advice.

There isn’t really much more to build on with safety risks in New Glarus.

Again, it’s one of the safest cities you’ll ever visit.

How Does New Glarus Compare?

City	Safety Index
New Glarus	83
San Diego	67
Miami	55
Honolulu	65
Chicago	65
Dallas	64
Memphis	54
Melbourne (Australia)	80
Montreal (Canada)	81
Sydney (Australia)	80
Santiago de Chile (Chile)	71
Vienna (Austria)	88
Hong Kong (China)	70

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You can also download the CBP One mobile app for help on the go. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

New Glarus experiences all four seasons distinctly. Winters are cold, often with snow and temperatures in the teens, while springs bring milder weather and rain. Summers are warm, averaging in the 70s and 80s, with occasional humidity. Fall brings back the crisp air before going below freezing again.

Airports

The closest commercial airports to New Glarus, Wisconsin, are Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, about 35 miles north, and General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, around 95 miles east.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

New Glarus Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -6° C

Feb -4° C

Mar 3° C

Apr 10° C

May 16° C

Jun 22° C

Jul 23° C

Aug 22° C

Sep 18° C

Oct 11° C

Nov 5° C

Dec -3° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	-2	1	7	15	22	27	28	27	23	16	8	1
Low °C	-9	-8	-2	4	10	16	18	17	13	6	1	-6
High °F	28	34	45	59	72	81	82	81	73	61	46	34
Low °F	16	18	28	39	50	61	64	63	55	43	34	21

Wisconsin - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Apostle Islands	78
Appleton	83
Baraboo	82
Bayfield	78
Beloit	60
Cedarburg	79
Eau Claire	77
Fond du Lac	64
Fort Atkinson	86
Green Bay	81
Janesville	81
Kenosha	74
Lake Geneva	82
Madison	77
Milwaukee	34
Minocqua	84
New Glarus	83
Oshkosh	83
Platteville	85
Prairie du Chien	80
Racine	70
Sheboygan	80
Sturgeon Bay	83
Sun Prairie	84
Superior	82
Tomah	83
Waukesha	83
Wausau	68
Whitewater	85
Wisconsin Dells	85

Is New Glarus Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Wisconsin : Safety by City