Wisconsin's 1,200 cheesemakers produce 2.6 billion pounds each year, about a quarter of all of the cheese made in America.

Can't get enough cheese in Madison? On your way home, spend some time in Green County, 45 minutes southwest of Madison. Green County is home to Green County Cheese Days, Sept. 17-19, a bi-annual celebration of the region's Swiss heritage. Bring the bikes — Green County hosts the Cheese Country Trail, Sugar River State Trail and Badger State Trail. Here are some great destinations for shopping, sampling and touring:

• Roth Käse, 657 Second Street, Monroe, 1-608-328-3355; rothkase.com. Founded in Switzerland a century ago, Roth Käse offers cheesemaking classes and weekday tours. Try the robust Grand Cru Gruyère.

• Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern, 1023 16th Avenue, Monroe, 1-608-325-6157; baumgartnercheese.com. A delightful spot to enjoy a Limburger sandwich and a local brew, Baumgartner's sells three dozens varieties of cheese, including seven types of Swiss cheese. Try the locally made Wheel Swiss.

• National Historic Cheesemaking Museum, 2108 Sixth Avenue, Monroe, 1-608-325-4636; nationalhistoriccheesemakingcenter.org. Did you know that the Ancient Egyptians painted cheese on tomb murals? Or that a cheese trier pulls samples from cheese to determine grade? No? Well, you would if you had visited the National Historic Cheesemaking Museum, a collection of tools, artifacts, photos and art all related the world's most glorious food — cheese.

New Glarus Brewery, 2400 State Highway 69, New Glarus, 1-608-527-5850; newglarusbrewing.com. This beautiful brewery offers self-guided tours daily. Pints are available for purchase.

• For a complete list of cheesemakers, visit eatwisconsincheese.com.

Diane Toroian Keaggy