Janesville, Wisconsin travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Janesville is a city in Wisconsin with agricultural and manufacturing roots that, in its heyday, boasted GM and Parker Pen plants, and is known as "Wisconsin's Park Place" with the highest urban acreage of parkland per capita in Wisconsin.

1 sights · 1 things to do

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Janesville

Rotary Botanical Gardens

Janesville Ice Arena

Public skate and also home of the Janesville Jets hockey team and North American Hockey League affiliate.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Madison)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
RFD Chicago Rockford International Airport, Chicago/Rockford — 34 mi away. Directions
MSN Dane County Regional Truax Field, Madison — 35 mi away. Directions
MKE General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee — 60 mi away (major hub). Directions

Interstate 90/39 passes through Janesville, as do U.S. Hwy 14 and 51 and state Hwy 26 and 11.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Rotary Botanical Gardens
Afternoon Janesville Ice Arena

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

Interstate 90/39 passes through Janesville, as do U.S. Hwy 14 and 51 and state Hwy 26 and 11.

See

Bessie The Cow

See Rotary Botanical Gardens

📍 1455 Palmer Dr☎ +1 608 752-3885Checked Dec 2021

Maps Website

Lincoln-Tallman Museum, 440 N Jackson St. 19th century Italianate-style house owned by an abolitionist attorney who once hosted Abraham Lincoln there, with many original furnishings. Th-Sa 10AM-4PM. +1 608-492-3884