Cheese Counter and Dairy Heritage Center

Why Plymouth

Cheesemakers set up around Plymouth in the mid 19th century, and in 1918 the town became home to the National Cheese Exchange, which set the price of bulk cheese. That earned it the title Cheese Capital of the World. More than 14 percent of the cheese eaten in the US still passes through Plymouth, and Sargento, Sartori, Masters Gallery and Great Lakes Cheese all operate here. On New Year's Eve the town drops a giant cheese.

What You Find

The history is written on the walls, with interactive videos, quizzes and a selfie corner that children enjoy. The shop stocks specialty and hard-to-find cheeses and fresh curds from local dairies, with free samples, plus knives, glassware and Cheese Capital souvenirs.

The lunch counter serves grilled cheese, paninis, mac and cheese, deli sandwiches and soup, using cheese from the shop, with Kelley's Country Creamery ice cream for dessert. You can eat in, take out or order ahead online.

Getting There

Plymouth is in Sheboygan County, about an hour north of Milwaukee and an hour south of Green Bay. The shop is on Mill Street in the historic downtown; the fibreglass Holstein called Antoinette stands at the west end of the same street.

Nearby

Henning's in Kiel, with its viewing windows and museum, is about 20 minutes north.