A HOME BEYOND CAMPUS
Ripon College is proud to call the historic city of Ripon—a tight-knit community of just under 8,000 in East Central Wisconsin—home. Friendly and safe, Ripon welcomes and uplifts students year after year. With local events and shops just a short walk from campus, it’s easy to feel like part of the neighborhood family.
Explore downtown
You’ll find plenty to do in the historic downtown district, just two blocks from campus. A mix of lively shops, pubs, restaurants and artsy cafes line the streets. Some student favorites are Mugs Coffeehouse (great for studying) and Knuth’s Brewing Company (great for pizza). You can even catch a movie for just $5 at the original Marcus movie theater.
A few more of our favorite area spots include:
- Willmore Center
- Ceresco Prairie
- Vines & Rushes Winery
- Green Lake
Hungry?
Some of Ripon’s best eats are just steps from campus. Knuth Brewing Company, founded by Dave Knuth ’08, serves up wood-fired pizzas and artisan sandwiches. At J’s BBQ, Texas-inspired, Wisconsin-spirited brisket shares the table with silky mac ’n’ cheese. Roadhouse Pizza has been a college staple for generations, whether you’re dining in or ordering delivery. Pastimes Pub & Grille brings all-you-can-eat wings on Mondays and a classic Wisconsin fish fry on Fridays. Kristina’s Family Restaurant has breakfast covered, La Margarita Mexican Grill dishes up authentic Mexican, and The Public House rounds things out with a varied menu in a cozy pub setting.
Born to shop?
When you need a gift, a new outfit or a few things for your room, head to Watson Street. Just blocks from campus, Ripon’s historic downtown is lined with locally owned shops. Patina Vie and Hart Mercantile pair timeless treasures with modern home décor. American Alchemy and Ryhan bring boutique style to your wardrobe, and Ripon Drug has the basics covered. Bookworms will enjoy Knuth Book Cellar, while vintage fans can dig through Deja Vu and Gents, or even Traded Treasures Thrift Boutique, where every purchase helps support the community food bank.
Your weekend, sorted.
Skip the streaming queue. Campus Cinema, the original Marcus movie theater, still shows first-run films every week at discounted prices, right in downtown Ripon. Knuth Brewing Company regularly hosts live music on Saturdays, and for those on campus in the summer: Fridays bring the Ripon Summer Concert Series. Community events fill the calendar all year, but none draws a crowd like Dickens of a Christmas, the town’s beloved celebration in early December.
Join the community
Just as the city invests in our students, our students invest back. There are plenty of ways to actively engage with the community, whether through part-time jobs or volunteering with local organizations. One experience you won’t want to miss is the new student potluck. Local churches organize this event, providing a hot, home-cooked meal as a warm welcome.
Celebrate holidays and seasons
All year long, the city hosts various festivals, concerts, and activities that bring the community together. There’s Septemberfest, an annual fall gathering complete with live music, delicious food, and even a car show. The Dickens of a Christmas is a festive weekend to look forward to around the holidays. And if you’ve never listened to live polka music while skating around an ice rink, here’s your invitation.
MORE TO EXPLORE
Learn more about our other student centers and Community resources: