The 'Lilac Capital Of Wisconsin' Is A Delightful Village With Antique Shops, Lake Fun, And Natural Beauty

There's perhaps no more intoxicating scent than lilacs. The deciduous, flowering shrub-trees have intensely fragrant purple, pink, cream, white, and blue blooms that blossom for a short time each spring. They are synonymous with the name of a delicate, purple-pink color, and have been used symbolically in popular culture including the 2024 movie "Nosferatu" and the 1847 novel "Jane Eyre." A village in northwest Wisconsin was once synonymous with the flower, so much so that it's still referred to as the "lilac capital of Wisconsin."

European immigrants in the late 19th century brought lilac seeds to Minnesota and western Wisconsin, where present-day Siren lies just 15 miles from the Minnesota state line. The flowering hedges surrounded the home of the village's first postmaster, Charles F. Segerstrom, so he named his community "Syren," after the Swedish word for the common lilac (its scientific genus name is Syringa Vulgaris). The spelling was later re-stylized as Siren.

Ringed by picturesque woodland and recreational lakes, the laidback community is 75 miles from Duluth, less than 100 miles from Minneapolis, and around 145 miles from the exceptional beaches in the majestic Apostle Islands. Today, its population is just over 700. One reviewer on Niche says, "It is small and quaint ... There isn't a whole lot to do if you don't like hunting or fishing ... Summers are mild though, and you can have a lot of fun swimming in the lakes."

One of the best things to do in Siren is shop for antiques. Try Siren Antiques, a large shack filled with consigned artifacts and collectibles from a number of vendors. Gandy Dancer Antiques is another large antiques store, offering everything from sports memorabilia to license plates and vintage brass and American pottery. A reviewer on Google Maps says, "I like how the building is divided into booths with actual walls, more substantial than just furniture or makeshift dividers." Another reviewer on Google Maps commented, "The prices were outstanding ... Mint antiques for the cheap low." Jack Pine Antiques is tucked along Siren's historic Main Street and offers an abundance of treasures and collectibles. "Immaculately curated collection, extremely well organized. Everything is reasonably priced. Lots of good quality woodworking tools," wrote one fan on Google Maps.

Pause your antique crawl at Crosshatch Coffee Co., which is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in downtown Siren. Stop for coffee and browse community-made goods from prints and candles to cards and pottery. Alternatively, have breakfast and a specialty latte at Chattering Squirrel Coffee Café, which features a drive-through, or pick up a loaf or pastry at Nuthouse Breads. Later on, head to The Pheasant Inn, a quintessential dive bar serving pizzas, gyros, paninis, and fried chicken, or Adventures Restaurant & Pub, which has an expansive food menu, a large selection of draft beers, and a cozy atmosphere.

Stop and smell the lilacs at The Lilac Village Bed and Breakfast, a three-bedroom, 1930s Dutch Colonial-style home with a woodburning fireplace, sunroom, landscaped gardens, and formal dining and living rooms. Guests can enjoy homemade breakfasts, then rent bicycles to explore the area. The 47-mile southern segment of the Gandy Dancer State Trail runs through Siren, providing opportunities for hiking and biking.

Lake life is arguably one of Wisconsin's best features, and Siren has several bodies of water such as Clear Lake, Long Lake, and Big Doctor Lake. One of the most notable is Crooked Lake, a 250-acre, natural reservoir shaped like a fishing hook that abuts Siren's downtown area. A public boat landing adjoins Crooked Lake Park, a public site that also features a playground and outdoor bandshell hosting seasonal performances. Fishing for largemouth bass, Northern pike, and panfish is permitted with a valid Wisconsin fishing license. The Lodge at Crooked Lake is across the street from the water. Visitors can book rooms and suites which are furnished in a rustic aesthetic, with wooden walls.

Clam Lake lies 4 miles east of downtown Siren. The 1,338-acre body of water has upper and lower sections that reach to a maximum depth of 11 feet. Two public boat landings offer access to largemouth and smallmouth bass, Northern pike, walleye, and catfish. The 285-acre Clam Lake Wildlife Area meanwhile is a managed habitat around the pool that includes wetlands, hardwoods, brush areas, and wild rice beds which Clam River flows through. Birdwatching and seasonal hunting is permitted in the wildlife area. There are no maintained trails, but hiking, cross-country skiing, and foraging is permitted. After a day of fishing or hiking, sidle up to the bar or take advantage of the outdoor patio at Whiskey Joe's, a popular watering hole on the lakefront.

Siren's closest airport is an hour and a half's drive north, in the stunning outdoorsy town of Duluth, which has delicious dining options. But if you're a lilac aficionado, after Siren, head south to Lombard, Illinois — also known as "the lilac village" with its picturesque parks full of flowers and eclectic shops – about 40 minutes' drive west of Chicago.