USA TODAY made some waves in west-central Wisconsin earlier this month when it ranked Eau Claire as No. 2 on its list of 10 American hidden gems to explore.

No one in the state would argue with that choice. Eau Claire, with its terrific campus vibe and hipster musical aura, is a great place. On a national scale where urban destinations often get the most attention, it is a small town.

But Eau Claire is a pretty big city, especially to me, someone who loves nosing around really small towns. It gives me a zing of pleasure when I discover something interesting, offbeat or just plain fun in the nooks and crannies of the state. It happens a lot, because Wisconsin is dotted with terrific small towns.

Here are five of my favorites, all with populations of 15,000 or less.

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