By: Logan Cunningham
As a lifelong Wisconsinite, I understand that winter can feel endless, especially when cabin fever sets in. When it’s too cold to spend time outdoors, discovering fun indoor activities becomes essential. Fortunately, Wisconsin is home to a variety of unique shops that are perfect for a weekend road trip or a spontaneous day off with friends and family. Whether you’re interested in vintage fashion, cozy bookstores, or creating your own signature scent, this list has something for everyone.
DIY Perfumes & Signature Scents
Are you a creative individual who loves to have their signature scent set them apart from others? If so, Wisconsin’s DIY perfumes and candle shops are a must. These two cute boutiques allow customers an engaging, hands-on experience in crafting signature fragrances, bath products, and candles. If you’re a fan of astrology or just love unique perfume and body care products, these shops would be perfect for you.
Zodiac Perfumery is a personal favorite of mine. It recently opened in 2025 and has become pretty popular on social media. They sell perfume that suits each zodiac sign perfectly and has a unique mixture that leaves your perfume headache-free. They also sell location-based perfumes that match up with your birth charts, which they help you figure out. It’s an amazing shopping experience for those interested in astrology signs.
Poppy & Thyme: Menominee Falls, WI
Poppy & Thyme is a DIY fragrance and body care boutique. They allow you to sign up for classes that allow you to create your own custom scented perfumes, soaps, or candles. In addition, you can create your own unique nail polish color. If you’re a big skincare and body care person, they have a wide range of high-end products. Their skincare products are crafted to give you the luxury spa experience from the comfort of your own home with face masks, body scrubs, eye patches, and more.
Bookstores
Wisconsin is home to some pretty incredible independent bookstores that are more than just books on a shelf. They have local art, authors, events, and more that bring a sense of community to bookstores. They provide creative experiences like “Blind Date with a Book” and beautifully designed interiors that welcome readers to rediscover the joy of reading.
Prairie Pages: Sun Prairie, WI
As someone who has visited this bookstore often, I believe it is a must for any avid reader. Prairie Pages opened its doors in November of 2025 and is owned by NFL player James Daniels. Its unique take on modern design, while also keeping a bright and cozy atmosphere, makes this bookstore a gorgeous place to spend an afternoon. They offer many fun things like “Blind Date with a Book” and host events for local authors to come and talk about their books.
Garden Wall Bookshop: Verona, WI
This small indie bookshop in Verona is one of a kind. Garden Wall Bookshop was built in a historical building off Main Street and opened to the public in 2025. This place isn’t only a gorgeous indie book shop but also a local art market featuring work from local artists in the community. Garden Wall Bookshop also hosts a variety of engaging community events, including book clubs, storytimes, and more. There are many activities for everyone to enjoy while staying out of the cold.
The Book Teller: Whitewater, WI
Located on Main Street in the heart of Whitewater, this shop is a cozy independent bookstore and art gallery built inside a historical city bank. Visitors can relax in a warm, welcoming atmosphere while browsing books, discovering gorgeous gifts handcrafted by local artists, or settling into a comfy couch with a complimentary cup of hot cocoa or tea. The space invites guests to slow down, meet others, and explore their reading passions.
Unique Malls & Antique Shops
Are you a history buff or do you love discovering vintage, one-of-a-kind knick-knacks for your home? These vintage malls and antique shops would be a perfect indoor activity for you. These locations are a great blend of historical spaces and modern shopping. They offer everything from niche treasures to vintage collectables.
Cedar Creek Settlement Shops: Cedarburg, WI
Cedarburg is the holiday capital of Wisconsin with its iconic winter decorations and cozy feel. This is one of the best places to visit during winter, with tons of local restaurants, shops, and more. The most popular and unique ones are the Cedar Creek Settlement Shops. The shops were originally constructed in 1864 by German entrepreneurs and are kept in their original state as antiques, pottery, clothing shops, and more.
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame Museum & Gift Shop: Milwaukee, WI
In the heart of Milwaukee lies the world’s largest bobblehead collection with bobbleheads from various genres and time periods. Spend the day walking through the Bobblehead Hall of Fame and learning about the bobblehead production process. The best part is visiting the gift shop and being able to create your own custom bobblehead. This museum is a perfect day trip activity for everyone in the family.
Antiques & Uniques: Waukesha, WI
The Antiques & Uniques vintage mall is very unique, with over 85 local vendors. They sell products from vintage treasures to furniture and pottery. This is the ultimate shopping center for unique furniture and room concepts. If you’re looking for ways to make your home feel unique and more like you, this is the place to go.
Vintage Clothing
Anyone’s goal for the new year to update their wardrobe? With these unique vintage clothing stores, you can have some cutting-edge clothing that gets your friends asking, “Where’d you get that?” They have pieces from classic sportswear to statement clothing inspired by past decades. These shops celebrate fashion with unique character and history, perfect for any vintage lover.
Lava Vintage Clothing: Fort Atkinson, WI
A must-visit spot for anyone who loves unique, irreplaceable clothing. This shop offers a beautiful selection of vintage clothing that blends sportswear fashion with modern flair. With the wide variety of clothes, there are perfect pieces for everyone who stops in. Lava Vintage Clothing is a local gem that celebrates individuality, creativity, and sustainable fashion.
Stellar Vintage: Whitewater, WI
A go-to spot for anyone who loves creative, timeless styles. This shop has a carefully curated selection of vintage clothing and accessories, each piece has its own story. Whether you’re hunting for a bold statement outfit or a subtle retro touch, there’s something for everyone. Stellar Vintage brings personality and creativity to the local shopping scene.
With all these unique shops to visit, hopefully you and some friends or family can make what’s left of winter a memorable time. Whether you’re escaping the cold weather or exploring new corners of the state, these shops are the perfect way to enhance your winter break. Now go cure your cabin fever and start visiting these amazing shops.
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