Nelson Creamery

Cheese shop · Nelson

Nelson Creamery

Cheese shop · Nelson
S237 WI-35, Nelson, WI 54756

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Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null
Nelson Creamery by null

Highlights

This cozy cheese haven serves up a delightful mix of Wisconsin cheeses, scrumptious sandwiches, creamy ice cream, and a charming wine bar, making it a must-visit gem.  

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S237 WI-35, Nelson, WI 54756 Get directions

nelsoncheesefactory.com

$$ · Menu

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S237 WI-35, Nelson, WI 54756 Get directions

+1 715 673 4725
nelsoncheesefactory.com

$$ · Menu

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Last updated

Mar 8, 2025

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Roxianne Maurelli

Google
This is a neat cool place and a must stop ‼️ They wine tasting room is amazing and had a cozy fire 🔥 place. They have ton of different types of cheese 🧀 and also carry a variety of different flavors of cheese, wines and crackers . They serve pizza 🍕 and also have expresso coffee ☕️ and homemade cookies 🍪 and ice cream 🍦.

Mark McCool

Google
This is always a great place to stop if you’re nearby. The amazing assortment of cheese, meats, wine, another delectables is eye popping. They also have sandwiches and ice cream. The sandwiches are top notch, I highly recommend the French roll, as a super fresh and they use the best meats and cheeses for these. I can’t go wrong with the variety of cheeses, they even have 12 year-old aged, sharp treader. The cheese curds are a staple everyone should get. They have a very nice private patio area in the back. Great for a place to rest and eat your sandwich or ice cream. Nice privacy with some beautiful scenery. Bottom of mine is I have something for everyone’s taste. They also have a very nice wine tasting area if you’re into that.

KK Grimm

Google
I liked the creamery when I visited. I visited with my family for Ice Cream. I found the ambiance interesting but was impressed with the wide selections of cheeses and wines! The person assisting me was quick and the ice cream I felt was reasonably priced. The Ice Cream was delicious! However, it sucked that there were no places sit and eat the ice cream inside. Overall, if your in to wine tasting, cheese tasting and just want a unique vibe, then this is the spot!

Dana Nygaard

Google
Nelson is an obligatory stop on my family's annual trip from the Twin Cities to LaCrosse. Apart from the obvious every kind of cheese and ice cream, they have wine, awesome sandwiches, and cats! The whole building is adorable--worn down and old, but in a quaint way. If you're driving through, it's definitely worth the stop, but try to visit around off-peak times because it can get pretty busy.

Melissa Greco

Google
My visit to the creamery was a new experience for me, and I loved the ambiance, the friendly staff, the delicious food, and the wide selection of wine and cheese they offered. It's a welcoming spot that I definitely suggest checking out, especially if you're a fan of Wisconsin cheese.

Alex Bunger

Google
Cheese, sandwiches, drinks, and more - try it all you can’t go wrong Great stuff and always a fun stop

George Kirk

Google
As one who enjoys visiting different cheese factories, I was unprepared for this little gem. Lots of cheeses and great sandwich selections. AND, wine and craft coffee in a wonderful eating area with wood fireplace going and soft jazzin background. Hard to beat!!

Dario Araya

Google
Nelson’s creamery was fantastic. I ordered the BBQ Pork sandwich which contained spicy pulled pork, cheddar cheese, and sautéed onion all encompassed by a heavenly French roll. My two friends ordered the Reuben and Philly as well as some two bags of cheese curds. For desert, I got the French silk pie ice cream which had no right being so delicious. If you just want to come for an afternoon, sipping on wine and eating cheese for an hour or two while talking to your friends seems like a great way to spend the day.

Thomas K.

Yelp
This place was recommended to me by a local. The ambiance was good, the sandwiches my girlfriend and I ordered were fantastic. We indulged in ice cream as dessert. Very happy we stopped here.

Debi O.

Yelp
The food was really good- I had the veggie pita wrap and my sister the BLT. And after there was some delicious ice cream!! There was a darling little outside seating area and the people were very nice. First time at Nelson's and I would return!

Nancy E.

Yelp
We were in Nelson Wisconsin today at lunch time. We take a drive yearly down WI 35, Great River Road. It was a beautiful day for November and decided to take our drive. The Cheese shop/creamery has a cheese shop and deli type restaurant. You order at the counter and they have a dining area which worked out great for us. I ordered the Old Fashion, smoked turkey, roast beef and cheese on wheat bread. My husband ordered the Old town, smoked turkey, ham and cheese on wheat bread. Both sandwiches were very tasty. It is a cute place. Happened to be the first time we ate there usually when we drive this area it is soo busy you can't find a place to park. We usually head there when the trees are changing color. We had a nice time will stop there again.

Marc E.

Yelp
We took our yearly trip down the Great River Road Highway 35 in Wisconsin. It was a great day for a drive. We stopped in Nelson and went to the Nelson Creamery. They sell cheese and sausage and other deli type things. They also have a restaurant, order at counter. We each had a great sandwich. I got the Old Town sandwich, ham and cheese on wheat bread. My wife got the Old Fashion, roast beef, smoked turkey and cheese. It was a nice little place to take a break and have a good sandwich.

Michele H.

Yelp
Great little pit stop to make if you're in the area. You MUST get one of their sandwiches. Huge sandwiches piled high with toppings. I had the special, which was turkey with coleslaw. Amazing. I forget what my boyfriend got but it was a cold sandwich with different deli meats, cheese, and veg. See picture. Their beef sticks (the teriyaki, in particular) were the best I've ever had, and being born and raised in the Midwest, I've tried a lot of beef sticks. Their cheese was also great (I recommend the sharp cheddar, bacon cheddar, smoked provolone, and onion cheese). Ice cream was okay. The interior and exterior are very instagram-able. Worth a day trip from the cities for sure! Check out the nearby National Eagle Center while you're in town.

Lucas W.

Yelp
Hot Eddy fantastic sandwich all gas no brakes. Garlic cheese curds best iv ever had highly recommend, stock up every time you're in town. And the homemade onion cheese faggedabout they should sell it by the brick it's so good

Michael H.

Yelp
We love the short little road trip across the border to Nelson's! This place is a gem and if you haven't been, do yourself a favor. The old creamery turned restaurant and store has such a wonderful ambiance, and the staff are always so friendly and welcoming. The ice cream is delicious, the soups and sandwiches are homemade and always prepared with the freshest ingredients. They have tons of local jams, honeys, cheese, cheese curds, and so much more.

Stacy M.

Yelp
"...this is a very nutritious lunch. All the food groups are represented." (Judd Nelson, Breakfast Club) If you find yourself On the Road Again...the Great River Road along the Mississippi, that is, the Nelson Cheese Factory is the best pit stop to refuel your stomach. This may be a former cheese factory, but you will find all food groups represented here: artisanal cheeses, sausages, pizza, soups, ice cream, wine and more! Hearty sandwiches are made to order, perfect to eat on the go with a band of gypsies or to pack for Saturday detention. I ordered the chicken sandwich sans lettuce, mayo and tomatoes. I gave it a full Nelson and demolished it! Delicious! The chicken was tender and juicy, the bacon was crispy, and the cheese added unbelievable flavor. My vegetable barley soup was a disappointment though, as the carrots and celery were quite crunchy. My friend's tomato basil soup was excellent, as was her veggie sandwich. We purchased cheese curds as well, and their squeakiness was solid proof of freshness. Next time I'm trying the ice cream! I give the NCF 4.4 tugs of a Poltergeist rope by Craig T Nelson.

Ellie D.

Yelp
Fantastic ice cream! It was creamy and just the right amount of frozen. I got the Chocolate and Peanut Butter as well as the Mackinaw Island Fudge. I liked the chocolate best of the two. The fudge was almost too sweet for me on the other though the vanilla base was perfect. The selection of cheeses was overwhelming and they also had a decent meat selection. I'm not sure where all the cheeses and meats came from as some looked like brands I'd get on my regular grocery store, but it was exciting to look around. If only I could taste test, haha I'll have to update my review after trying the cheese curds we bought. Update: cheese curds were good. I liked the garlic one best but thought it was very subtle in flavor. My grandparents told me these ones weren't as fresh as they usually are as they didn't really squeak against your teeth when you ate them.

Suzanne F.

Yelp
I loved this place, but would not have gone had I noticed the designation of "classy" in the description here on yelp. I think an updated description to "casual" instead is a must. You might be putting off some folks in coming, or worse, disappoint someone looking for classy meal.

Carla F.

Yelp
Super cute store with a large selection of cheeses! They also have jams, jellies, olives, spices, and so much more! We also ate lunch there and it was delicious! The service was great as well. Staff was super helpful and friendly. I have lots of food sensitivities and they took great care of me. Definitely worth the stop!

raynard p.

Yelp
We are business owners in the area and decided to get our ice cream fix on at Nelson Cheese Factory about a month ago on a quiet week day. I really don't know where to begin as the whole experience was so unpleasant and disappointing to us. We waited in line to order and the young woman did not want to make eye contact with the customers. I've worked in the Food & Beverage industry for decades and this is just wrong. Another young staffer allowed other customers go ahead of us line. Again, wrong. So, I let it go and we get our ice cream cones and sit outside on the front benches to eat our cones and get out of there. What happens next defines our whole experience. My friend and I were the only two guests sitting out front, right before closing time at 5pm. We were driving back to Wabasha when I realized I left my iPhone back on the bench at the Cheese Factory. I call them to inquire about a lost iPhone and a young woman answered and replied there were no missing phones left there. I thanked them and used Find My Phone on my iPad - which stated on the map it was at the NCF. I call again and talk to a young man, who makes pleasant small talk while another employee looks out on the bench, where I instructed my phone to be. The young man reported that there was NO PHONE OUTSIDE even after I told him that I had tracked it down and to look exactly on the end of the bench outside as it said on my search. Guess what? We drive back and my iPhone is EXACTLY WHERE I SAID IT WAS. We went in to let the staff know that I KNEW they didn't even bother to look, and we were treated so rudely by a young woman that I swore I'd never go back. She even shouted on the way out, "Maybe you shouldn't have brought your phone with you!" Good God, some nerve and so utterly disrespectful. All I wanted was an apology, and I didn't even get "an excuse"! I have 3 businesses in the area. I have brought family and friends to the Cheese Factory dozens of times over 20 years. No more Cheese Factory! Do they care about me and my boycott? Probably not, but at least you get to know about my sad, little experience.

Wendy P.

Yelp
We have had all their pizzas except the spicy chicken and they are delicious! Thin crust and the right amount of toppings. They only have pizza on the weekend. Rum cherry and raspberry white chocolate ice cream sooo yummy! I could taste the rum in the rum cherry, it would have been even better with pieces of cherry In it. For a tiny town restaurant & specialty shop they are busy but they do a good job of getting people checked out quickly. Benches outside to sit down, patio outback and they also have indoor seating. Oliver Blueberry Moscato was a nice bottle of wine. You can taste the blueberry. Spicy chicken pizza next time!

PJ C.

Yelp
Stopped for ice cream while passing through town on a very warm Wednesday afternoon. I was very impressed by this store. It had a wide variety of cheeses, meats, wine, beer and other gourmet food products especially for such a small town. Too bad I was only in the market for ice cream. A good place to stock up for a picnic! I got a brandied (I think) cherry ice cream and it was very good and a very reasonable price compared to everywhere else these days. Do stop!

Lorie Z.

Yelp
Ambiance was great! Sandwiches very good. Service excellent. Basically it's a gourmet cheese store with touristy prices and selections. They don't make cheese there anymore and you won't find one of a kind or unique items.

Karen M.

Yelp
We loved this place, we have gone every day while staying in Nelson. Coincidentally we are staying at the campground that is owned by the same people. They have a great selection of beer and wine. The baguette and Brie platter was an awesome appetizer. Will (the owner) recommend a beer for us and he was dead on with his advice.

Pat P.

Yelp
Stopped by for a quick bite to eat. I ordered tomato basil soup. The best tasting tomato basil soup I've ever eaten. Fresh, very filling and thick, served with 2 slices of a baguette. Delicious! Finished up with a kiddie cup of ice cream. Can't be beat!

Pam N.

Yelp
Love stopping here on our way thru going between MN & WI as we enjoy their ice cream and cheese. It's a busy place but the staff is attentive and on top of helping it's not stressful. Yummy experience no matter what you choose! Only wished they would stay open later. 5:30 closing time in the summer? There were so many people that were turned away I stopped counting. To see the sad faces on the little ones :((

Jenna T.

Yelp
Very cute place. Tried the rum cherry ice cream which was quite delicious and also got their cheese curds.

Lori C.

Yelp
10 stars! They have a ton of stuff. And it's all fantastic! Stop for an ice cream cone. Fabulous ice cream!!

George M.

Yelp
Hats off to this well done shop and cafe. Simple, well executed and something for everyone. The sandwiches were all great with good bread and fresh ingredients. The ham on the baguette was more American style deli ham vs. a European style that you would expect on a baguette, but still good. At $9 each, perhaps a tad high priced, but no complaints given the small size and nice comfortable country setting. The ice cream (not pictured) was tremendous and at $2 for a large single scoop, a real bargain. The deli was a nice compilation of local and non local items. My only real complaint was the restroom wasn't very clean.

Amy C.

Yelp
One of our favorite spots for lunch, ice cream and a glass of wine by the fire or on the patio when the sun is shining! They have a wonderful market with wine, smoked meats and cheese and the experience overall is fun and friendly. They make fresh pizza on the weekends. It's always busy--so be patient, but it's a local gem and worth a stop!

Jean C.

Yelp
Enjoyed tasty creamy broccoli cheese soup and half children salad sandwich! Sat outside on the patio

Carina J.

Yelp
In town visiting some friends. Some of the best ice cream I've had in a long time. Such a good selection of cheeses and meats.

J D.

Yelp
We stopped here for a meal during our tour of Wisconsin, and we're so glad we did! The atmosphere is wonderful! Eat in the room with the fireplace if you can. The staff is helpful & friendly, and the food is so good! I got the cheese soup and half a chicken salad sandwich (BEST EVER!). To top all this off, the store is filled with wonderful gourmet gifts and a fantastic wine selection. This place is not to be missed!

William S.

Yelp
A must stop. The lines are extremely long on weekends but the ice cream is worth it. They sell cheese of course and have any variety you can think of. Over the years they added wine. Big selection. They recently added food. Pizza smelled great. That is for another day. Indoor seating, patio seating and my favorite, benches out front watching all the motorcycles and classic cars.

Stacey D.

Yelp
This is a fun little place in Wisconsin. They offer food and have a little designated space for wine. They also have a patio outside so there is plenty of seating. I did the hot hero. Loved it! It was warmed to the perfect temperature for a rainy day and had a great mix of flavors. I think I ate it in 2 minutes. If you don't want a sandwich, they also offer other options like pizza and salads. Parking lot available.

Sara W.

Yelp
Fun little place. Small ice cream selection, huge cheese selection. Know there is a restaurant on site with a large food menu. Wine listen isn't samples just buy bottles. It's kind of the place to go in town

Brenda P.

Yelp
My husband and I have recently made it a date day/night on Sunday's to go to Nelson Cheese Factory so we can enjoy the fireplace, quiet conversation, great sandwiches & wine. Absolutely love this place and all the varieties they offer. Must go when visiting our area.

Lorraine N.

Yelp
We've eaten here many many times, and the atmosphere is relaxing and music very nice..usually nice soft jazz. I'm giving this place 5 stars even though we were disappointed last time as the chicken on the chicken salad was not a real chicken breast as in the past , but a piece of pressed chicken product. I should have sent it back and got another item, but didn't. When I questioned the owner a few days later she acknowledged it wasn't what it used to be due to availability, but didn't offer anything ..even an apology. But this was very much below their usual standard and won't keep us from coming back. But if you go and are thinking of a chicken salad or sandwich, ask if it is a genuine chicken breast to avoid disappointment. Hope this supply issue is resolved soon ! But you will like this place

Robert P.

Yelp
Stopped here for lunch while visiting the Eagle Center in Wabasha with our grandson. We were very happy with the sandwich selection and the homemade soups were fantastic. Great tomato basil with chunks of tomatoes and the Chicken Noodle was loaded with noodles and chicken. Dining choices are on the patio or inside the wine tasting room. Don't forget a scoop of ice cream for desert!

Greg B.

Yelp
Absolutely fantastic! Great food; great cheese and wine shop; fantastic views from the river-overlook patio. Truly the nicest lunch we have enjoyed in Wisconsin. Try the Philly sandwich: it's delicious!

Marcos R.

Yelp
If you are in the area, this is a must to visit. The deli is stocked with a variety of breads, local cheeses, and meats. We were there for lunch, so I had a sandwich. I noticed they have a big selection of wines too and they conduct wine tastings. Lots of desserts too. Food options in the area are a little on the sparse side but Nelson Cheese Factory fills the void.

Melissa S.

Yelp
We stopped for lunch. Chicken salad sandwich was good. Philly steak sandwich was excellent! Avoid the hot chicken, boys said it was not real chicken. Tasted like sawdust.

Rachel B.

Yelp
A must-stop if you're visiting the Lake Pepin area or the National Eagle Center. First of all, the sandwiches are amazing and packed with outstanding cheese. Our favorite was the Spicy Nel, which was chicken, pepper Jack cheese, honey- mustard, and jalapeños. So spicy and good! We also had a great cheesey veggie sandwich with great guacamole. Our only ice cream purchase was a root beer float, which I strongly recommend. The cheese shop itself is on the massive side. We left with a variety of gourmet and everyday cheese, all locally made in Wisconsin. The lines are long, but they move fast, and the food and cheese is worth it.

Wil G.

Yelp
I recently discovered that in all the years that I've been coming here, that I've never checked in via Yelp. Weird. For years this place was a regular pit stop while out on the motorcycle. It's a hot spot for motorcyclists of all types as well as car tourers. Over the years they've added a wine shop to go with all the other foods and cheeses they sell. This place can do turn anyone back into a kid again. Typically I see the biggest baddest looking biker licking an ice cream code with a smile. Their sandwiches are freshly made and a tad different and better than most places. Their ice cream is the best thing on a hit summer day in the middle of a motorcycle ride. I always leave with a bag of super fresh cheese curds, some beef sticks, and more cheese curds. The only thing they are missing is fish from the dairy ice cold milk. If you're driving by you've been on a long drive already so make a pit stop.

Sharon W.

Yelp
The food is mediocre, at best, and awful most of the time. I wouldn't waste my time or money eating here. Couple that with the fact that they're massive Trump supporters and they have lost me and my family as patrons when I come to visit.

Nate M.

Yelp
Constant flow of people coming into this small town creamery. They had a wide variety of cheeses available and we elected to go with their Nelson style (kind of like Colby Jack) and Smoked Swiss. I can't comment on the ice cream, sandwiches or wine but everyone else was ordering them steadily. The Smoked Swiss cheese is one of my favorites that I've ever had! Great flavor in that one, but the Nelson style cheese was just average. Cool little shop with a nice patio in the back to enjoy some of their options.

Frances R.

Yelp
Absolutely loved this place!!!! When in Wisconsin, you must try cheese curds. The location is adorable. They have a good selection of sandwiches, soups, cheese, wine, and ice cream! They have a sitting restaurant area with a fireplace. the curds were delicious, truly were. Savory, fresh, and priced right. The garlic curds had a subtle taste. The actual market area had an amazing variety for such a small location. The cheese platter was awesome. It had a great assortment (pictured) Wine was great too. I tried the ice cream: the white chocolate raspberry stole my heart!

Angmar W.

Yelp
Stopped here on our way back from the pie shop. We wanted sandwiches to balance out the pie we had consumed. There was a long line, so we got in it because that's what humans do. We had enough time to look over the menu, so that was good. As we reached the front, one of the people behind the counter asked what we wanted. Hubs said we were getting sandwiches. Person barked at us that they were only taking ice cream orders and the food had to be ordered "there" and pointed at another register that was six inches away. While we stood there and tried to figure out what was going on, another person barked at us about ordering ice cream. Finally another person who must of been the only one paying attention at customer service class, I think his name was Kyle, said he would gladly take our sandwich order at the appropriate register. So apparently, there are supposed to be two separate order areas for the food and the very popular ice cream. This is not clearly marked anywhere with signage, so take away here is that if you are wanting something other than ice cream, just ignore the line and walk up to the front, ignore all the dirty looks from the people waiting in line, and stand in front of the empty register with no one at it. Makes perfect sense right? We managed to get our sandwiches ordered and picked up some cheese curds too. They do not fry them there, you just get a cold bag out of the cooler. There are a ton to choose from, so that was fun, but it was a little strange to sit down at a table with our sandwiches and pull the curds out of their plastic package. The sandwiches were really good though! Fresh with well thought out combinations of ingredients and sauces. I didn't feel the need to add mustard or anything. I would return for the sandwiches if I was passing by again. I wouldn't take a special trip out or anything (it's like an hour's drive from Rochester). We did not try the ice cream because the ice cream people were so rude that I did not want to deal with them again that day. Perhaps another time I may give it a try.

Jeanne R.

Yelp
Great selection of cheese and wine. Sandwiches and soups are top-notch. A favorite stop when we're in the upper Mississippi valley. ... But my recent visit may be my last. The Keep America Great, Trump in 2020 hat that was hanging overtly behind the register made me think twice about ordering at all. Please keep your politics to yourself.

Ahmed E.

Yelp
Incredible hidden gem on the drive down the Mississippi! Their selection of deli meets and cheeses is impeccable and you MUST sample a grilled cheese sandwich (or 2 as I did) given the fantastic local blend they use. This rating is elevated to a five star due to the European ambiance they create (French outdoor cafe) around the creamery. Just outstanding.

J D.

Yelp
Such a neat place. They have hot and cold sandwiches and excellent soup! Treat yourself with delicious ice cream after. That's only the beginning. Tons of cheese and meats and wine and some craft beer! There's definitely something here for everyone. It was real busy when we stopped in! But it was clean! And everyone was in masks. Cant wait to go back!

Shari D.

Yelp
So, the first time I came here, I was probably 14 years old. From 14 to 17, my parents sent me to Minnesota to stay with my cousins for a month or more in the summertime. Every now and then, the family would pack up to go to Lake Pepin, where they had a sailboat docked. On the way there, we'd stop in Nelson to get some cheeses, and also a scoop or two of their ice cream.... it was a treat we always looked forward to! They had bags of cheese curds, hundreds of different freshly made cheeses, as well as all the goodies to go with the cheeses. It was a fully stocked delicatessen. The ice cream is usually available in about 6-8 flavors, but whatever you choose, you can count on it to be very rich and creamy!! I like the Pralines & Cream. YUM!! Recently I had to go back for a funeral for my great aunt. She lived to 96 years old. She was a happy and positive woman for as long as I've known her, which is to say, my whole life. The visit back was full of love and remembrance of her life. It was also a time for the rest of us relatives to touch base and reconnect. And of course, food was at the center of things, the way they were when my Great Aunt Alida was around. :-) So if you find yourself on the southeast side of Minnesota, or the southwest side of Wisconsin, you should check out the Nelson Creamery for a scoop ($1 each) of their yummy ice cream, or a fresh deli sandwich made to order. And sit out back in the patio area... it's a nice place to eat and enjoy the company.

Ellie E.

Yelp
We've driven past Nelson's several times on the Harley, but have never been able to stop. Finally, it was just us out riding and we were able to pull over on a lovely Sunday afternoon. Now, first of all, the air around this place smells like heaven. It smells like ice cream and waffle cones! (But they don't actually have waffle cones.) We actually drove past, but I was pestering the boyfriend enough that we were able to turn around and go back. It was the smells, yo. The smells coming from that place.... SWOON. The inside is huge! I wasn't expecting that at ALL. The inside has bottles of wine, seating, and cheeses/ice cream/specialty items. It's sorta confusing because the outside of Nelson's says "creamery" but I guess it's mostly a wine bar and cheese factory? I dunno. We cruised around and checked out the cheeses, but we were just browsing. We were in for the ice cream. I was pretty disappointed to see this place only offered 6 different flavors of ice cream at a time. I have a nut allergy, and there were maybe 3? that I couldn't have due to that. The scoops are extremely affordable! $1 for a kiddie scoop, $2 for a single, $3 for a double and $4 for a triple. We just got single scoops. I had the french silk. The ice cream was insanely delicious. Super fresh. I loved it. I didn't like the large chunks of chocolate in the ice cream, but I do know that a lot of people might enjoy that. I'm just not a fan of large chunks of things in my ice cream. There's tons of tables outside over looking the river. It's a really nice place to stop for a break while on a long drive.

Lana G.

Yelp
There is no sign on this building identifying what it does or sells. At least, there is no sign as we think of signs today. A small, rusty cutout metal silhouette of a wine glass and -- what was it? -- a triangular slice of cheese, as I recall, is mounted on an outside wall, a wordless sign of the sort that was common in the Middle Ages, before western civilization became literate. In any case, it's a big building on the west side of Highway 35 in a town that's about four blocks long, so you cannot miss it. We went there for the ice cream, without realizing that Nelson's is a cheese factory and cheese shop with a big wine shop and a restaurant. The restaurant's menu appeared very interesting; unfortunately, we had just eaten, so we cannot rate it. The Nelson Cheese Factory's ice cream is highly recommended by locals including some of our relatives. The ice cream is good but that doesn't make it special, that just makes it ice cream. What makes it great is the price: $1.00 per scoop. Get yours before the owners discover which century they are living in.

Dylan K.

Yelp
I love the feel of this place. My friends and I will make the drive down here to grab some sandwiches or a pizza and catch up. Afterwards we will finish it off with a scoop of ice cream. Sitting outside on a nice summer day is perfect too.

Rick M.

Yelp
My wife and I have been coming to the Nelson Cheese Factory for years - we always called it the "Nelson Creamery" for some reason. We were immediately enamored with what was then a quaint (and still is, just a bit larger) little deli and shop, and a wine bar - a rarity for the La Crosse area at the time (early 2000s). We have continued to frequent the creamery over the years; often taking road trips from the La Crosse area just to stop here and enjoy the food and drink and purchase some cheese or meats. Our kids now look forward to their pizza and ice cream. We have seen it become much more popular in that time but they have maintained their quality - something that many restaurants fail to do as they grow. The food is very good. They serve an eclectic array of simple foods that are thoughtfully created with excellent ingredients. Pizzas, sandwiches, and soups are the standards with ice cream for dessert. In the summer months, they serve fresh fried cheese curds in the courtyard next to the parking lot. They occasionally have live music in the courtyard area outside as well. The wine bar is excellent - my wife and I have found the selection of wines to be excellent (no kids in the bar area though).

Kim R.

Yelp
This past weekend, I went on a girls' trip to Wabasha, home of the movie Grumpy Old Men. Wabasha is a small, sleepy town located on the Mississippi River and just a stone's throw from Nelson, Wisconsin. Nelson may not be a well-known town, but it is home to The Original Nelson Cheese Factory, also known as the Creamery. The founders of the Nelson Cheese Factory made cheese and butter for over 100 years. While they no longer make their own cheese, the store sells cheese from Wisconsin and around the world as well as a gourmet selection of food and fine wine. They are best known for their homemade ice cream, and when we stopped by on a Saturday, the line for ice cream went around the store. The wait was well worth it. The ice cream at Nelson's was the creamiest I have ever tasted. They only offer a few flavors, and no fancy waffle cones, but this ice cream doesn't need any embellishments. I ordered the French Silk and it was deliciously smooth with soft vanilla and chocolate swirls of ice cream flecked with rich chocolate chunks. Each bite was a like a taste of heaven. Plus, a scoop only costs one dollar! The next time you find yourself on the road, make sure to stop by Wabasha and head over the border to the Nelson Cheese Factory for a creamy, homemade scoop of ice cream.