Favorites!
Our
Favorites
There are lots of places to discover and enjoy no matter what the season. You're bound to discover you own special spots, but here are a few of our favorites to get you started:
Action!
Minocqua Winter Park – just down the road from us, this park offers lots of groomed trails for skiing, and areas for skijoring, tubing and snowshoeing. Look for Candlelight Skiing and other special winter sport events, as well as a ski shop, specialty classes on wildlife and area ecology and much more.
Wolfsong Adventures – outside Bayfield, here's where you can try mushing! Morning or afternoon trips, and overnight and all-day options. Wonderful winter fun, but pricey.
Bearskin State Trail – 18-mile railbed trail offers a packed granite gravel surface for hiking/biking in the warmer weather, and snowmobiling in the winter. Excellent birding as the trail transects varied habitats - northern hardwoods, bogs, old-field, marsh and springs, and trout stream. Numerous trestles and boardwalks provide viewing stops. The north trailhead is located behind the post office in Minocqua.
Chequamegon Adventure Company - kayak and bike rentals, sales, watersport outfitting and trips. The helpful and experienced staff are great resources. Located on Hwy 51 North in Minocqua.
The Birkie! The American Berkibeiner in Hayward, Wisconsin is a classic XC ski race across a 51 km course, limited to 10,000 entrants! There are events in the run-up to the big day, and off-season running and biking events as well.
Explore!
Schneiders Pottery Shop - Started in the '80s by UW-Stevens Point ceramics prof Dick Schneider and his wife, Myrna. Full-time functioning pottery shop. Come see pottery being made, glazed, and fired. Wide variety of stoneware and porcelain, functional and decorative work, and Myrna's hand- spun, woven and hand knit items. Dick also led workshops in nature crafts. Now the pottery shop is operated by their daughter, a fine ceramist. The work area is right next to the showroom, so peek at the items being glazed, loaded into the kiln, or cooling from the last firing. From Hwy. 51 and 70 West, travel west on Hwy 70 for 6.5 miles to Squirrel Lake Road (look for the sign!), then 1.5 miles south to the driveway. 715-356-6330
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wisconsin carries on the tradition of music under a tent. The Tent Raising takes place in late May and all hands are welcome! Off season, BigTop regulars and favorites tour Wisconsin as "BIG TOP ON TOUR, so check it out! Frequently hosted by author and musician Michael Perry, talented performers have included WIllie Nelson, Judy Collins, Bonnie Raitt and more, plus a great variety of Wisconsin and Midwestern musicians and storytellers. Awesome!
32525 Ski Hill Rd, Bayfield, WI 54814
Minocqua-bats Water Ski Show - Held at the Aqua Bowl every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, enjoy one of the oldest water-ski show teams in the United States today. The Min-Aqua Bats Water-ski Club originated in 1950 with a group of local young people waterskiing on Sunday afternoons. 1-800-44-NORTH. On Lake Minocqua : 498 W. Park Avenue, Minocqua, WI
Campanile Center - Fine arts center in downtown Minocqua. Plays, performances, exhibits, classes and more!
Scheel's Lumberjack Show - pure fun as you cheer on "your" lumberjack or lumberjill as they demonstrate the traditional skills: crosscut saw, pole climbing, log chain running, canoe jousting and more. Nice variety of participation for kids and adults. Dress for the weather 'cause it's on the lake. Woodruff - N on 51 to main intersection; turn right and look for signs.
Lac du Flambeau Pow wow & Fireworks - bring a blanket, bug spray and maybe a jacket and enjoy the most amazing fireworks display in the Northwoods! The pow wow is kicked back and fun - it's wonderful to learn about the various dances and their role in the Anishinaabe culture history, admire the gorgeous costumes (some are heirlooms), and even join in on a few of the dances - the more, the merrier! A terrific exploration of a rich culture is taking on new life in Lac du Flambeau. Indian Bowl, downtown LdF.
Waswagoning Re-created Indian Village - walk back in time to when the Anishinaabe Ojibwe built wigwams and moved from area to area as the seasons changed, making articles for survival out of natural elements found in northern Wisconsin. Join a walking tour for an hour or more through “Tradition Indian Villages” depicting a way of life that honors the seasons, the earth and the gifts of the natural world. Hands-on viewing of wigwams, willow fish traps, wild rice gathering, birchbark baskets, bows, arrows, spears, hides and much more. (715) 588-2615
Fred Smith Concrete Park - an amazing exploration of one man's imagination. Fred Smith was a lumberjack, farmer and tavern owner who recreated figures from his life and the wider world, constructed of concrete, broken glass, rocks – items available around him – until his death. Free admission, donations welcome. Adjacent museum/craft shop with Czech and folk theme. Phillips, Wisconsin - go west on Hwy 70 to Hwy13, then south through Phillips. South of town on the east side of the road, about 45 minutes from our place on Squirrel.
WXPR – The best radio station in the Northwoods! Tune in to 91.7 and hear jazz, traditinal and old-time country, Sunday polka., the Blues and new music, curated by amazing DJs. A Wisconsin Public Radio station, you can also hear NPR favorites( All Things Considered, Undercurrents, Morning Edition) as well as some classical during the day. Follow A Northwoods Moment in History as a podcast if you miss it on Wednesdays, too. We listen to it online and pretend we're Up North when we can't be there...
Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in Bayfield, Wisconsin, carries on the tradition of music under a tent. The Tent Raising takes place in late May and all hands are welcome! Off season, BigTop regulars and favorites tour Wisconsin as "BIG TOP ON TOUR, so check it out! Frequently hosted by author and musician Michael Perry, talented performers have included WIllie Nelson, Judy Collins, Bonnie Raitt and more, plus a great variety of Wisconsin and Midwestern musicians and storytellers. Awesome! It's about two hours' drive north and west – a nice day trip or weekend. 32525 Ski Hill Rd, Bayfield, WI 54814 (See below under "Wildlife & Nature: Apostle Islands")
Food&Drink
MURDAUGH'S Bar - a classic bar in downtown Minoqua. Great fish fry includes rich clam chowder. Enjoy the Shuffleboad game, too. Old, a little crunchy, fun.
OTTO'S Beer & Brat Garden 509 Oneida St, Minocqua, WI | (715) 356-6134
A good spot to stop for a beer and a snack. Check out the beautiful German bar and the outdoor patio.
THE ISLAND CAFE - in downtown Minocqua, the Island is a lively diner that offers varied and original menu items with plenty of delightful seasonal items, Greek specialties and vegetarian options. They also offer baked goods, super breakfasts, fine coffee, and a secetion of ice cream if you want a cone! Enjoy the patio eating area in nice weather!
10171 State Highway 70, Minocqua, WI 54548 (715) 356-3666
An well-preserved place with a colorful Minoqua history, this place has evolved into a lovely night club. Gorgeous bar, additional screened-in dining room option, fantastic entrees, specials and ice cream drinks. One of the best in the area! $$$
1520 County Road F, Minocqua, WI 54548 | (715) 356-4202
Take a little drive to the heartiest breakfasts EVER! Step into the past in this diner straight form the '40s! Put your name on the chalkboard to get a table and have a Bloody Mary while you wait. West on 70, past SqLkRd a couple miles (just inside the Lac duFlambeau reservation) then north on F a couple miles down a lovely curvy road.
BLACK BEAR - new ownership! Stop in for a pizza, sandwich or fish fry and a beer. Black Bear is rustic, clean, cozy family-oriented bar and grill with daily specials. Outside dining along Shishebogama Creek. Lve blues venue every weekend in the Northwoods. Also serving breakfast 7 days a week from 8:00 am - noon, year 'round.
On Hwy 70 halfway between Minocqua and Squirrel Lake Road, seasonal outdoor seating near a pretty stream.
Located just north of the first 51 bridge into downtown Minocqua, this unique place has been a hub of Lake Minocqua activity since the '40s, where it originally opened as Boaski's Boathouse & Marina. Today the Boathouse offers fine dining in an historic setting on the lake, with live piano music and historic bar upstairs, and a step-back-in-time snack shop downstairs overlooking dockside activity and beautiful Lake Minocqua. Get a table on the porch to watch lake action, including the Minoc-qua-Bats as they practice on the ski jump!
Wildlife & Nature
THE NORTHWOODS WILDLIFE CENTER
Provides rehab and veterinary care to injured or orphaned animals. They offer educational tours, special programs, and depend on donations. It may be a nice vacation volunteer opportunity as well. Their mission is to provide a better future for wildlife through rehabilitation, education and research since 1979. 8683 S. Blumenstein Road, Minocqua 715-356-7400 (across Hwy 70 West from Trig's)
A nature-based education and community center that offers nature-recreation opportunities and programs for all ages and interests in the northwoods environment. The Center accesses diverse, undeveloped land including lake, river, mixed forest and bog. 14006 Discovery Lane in Manitowish Waters, about one mile north of the intersection of Highway 51 and County W, across from Rest Lake Park. Get Directions (Google Maps) 715-543-2085 or toll-free 877-543-2085.
TREES FOR TOMORROW was founded in 1944 for the purpose of reforesting northern Wisconsin, as well as educating landowners and citizens about the need for proper land management. Today, TFT provides day or multi-day hands-on, inquiry-based, environmental science education for K-12 students plus programs and events for adults and families. TFT also provides hands-on education and experiences that promotes stewardship to protect the future health and renewal of our natural resources. In Eagle River, about 40 minutes away on HWY 70 East. (715) 479-6456
TRAILS NORTH Naturalist Guide Service
4245 N. Highway 47, Mercer, WI 54547 Phone: 715 476-2828
Offers a variety of programs about the northwoods habitats and the flora and fauna liveing there. In Maniitowish Waters, they provide hikes and talks on a variety of topics, from The Cultural and Natural History of Rivers in Northern WI to Old Growth Forests and Paddling in the Northwoods: Wild and Wilderness Lakes. Their naturalists will even come to your area to educate you about what you've been seeing but not knowing! They are affiliated with the Manitowish Waters Studio, and the Manitoish Waters Press.
on Hwy 70 West, has a variety of animals living in fairly comfortable habitats – especially the deer, who have the run of a large area and a protected space for fawns. Originally featuring native species (porcupines, raccoons, deer, black bear, chickens and so on), the park has expanded to include exotics too. Also offers nature programs, a fishing pond, baby animal area with "guides" to protect the animals from the visitors (and vice versa), and little goats galore. Food is available at a basic outdoor eating area. Gift shop. Wear old shoes, bring hand wipes and graham crackers or carrots to sneak to the inmates. (715) 356-5588
Apostle Islands National Park & Bayfield - A great day trip or overnight! Bring a camera, wear layers (it's colder by the lake and on the water) and explore this beautiful little town and the many islands that make up the Apostle Islands. A variety of tours available, ferries to Madeline Island too - check current schedules. Amazing - it looks like you've dropped into a New England fishing village, and be sure to pick up some fresh whitefish or salmon – several fisheries offer fish fresh off the boat, or smoked.
Cranberry Marsh Tours - Every Friday in late summer and fall. Headquartered at the Manitowish Waters Community Center, this tour includes a video, free cranberry samples and educational display, along with Q&A. Participants then travel in their own vehicles to tour the a local bog. 888-626-9877. Highway 51 and Airport Road, Manitowish Waters, WI. Or just tool out to the bogs on a Friday or weekend.
The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is the largest state park in Michigan and is AMAZING! A popular destination for hiking, biking, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. Don’t forget your camera, either: The park is home to abundant wildlife and photo-worthy destinations like Lake of the Clouds and numerous waterfalls. About two hours from Squirrel Lake – a perfect day trip. Pack snacks and water. I was definitely in the land of tumbling waters!