Fort Atkinson is named for General Henry Atkinson, who founded the city by building a stockade fort on the site in 1832. On Riverside Drive, you can visit a replica of that stockade. Another early settler and former Governor of Wisconsin, W.D. Hoard, is considered the father of dairy farming in the state. His 1869 mansion now houses a museum and dairy shrine. Today, Fort Atkinson is perhaps best known as the home of the Fireside Dinner Theatre. Built at the confluence of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers, Jefferson is the county seat of Jefferson County. Biking enthusiasts come from the surrounding area to ride the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, and the rivers provide ideal fishing, canoeing and kayaking opportunities. Johnson Creek also offers access to the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, a 53-mile rail-trail conversion that runs east-and-west from Waukesha to Cottage Grove. But this pleasant small town is best known for shopping; it is the location of Johnson Creek Premium Outlets, a collection of 60 outlet stores from the world’s leading designers and brand names. For more information about these three cities, call 920/674-4511; or visit enjoyjeffersoncounty.com.