Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Minocqua, WI

  • Published 2021/10/02

Surrounded by a chain of lakes, Minocqua, WI, is blessed with a scenic waterscape that you would definitely notice when you visit.

As such, the people here are passionate about their way of life and protecting the natural blessings around them.

However, you can definitely feel the allure of this town by the people’s way of life, and with the sights and experiences they offer to visitors.

While small, it has its own identity, and you should consider seeing this for yourself.

Here are some of the best things to do in Minocqua, WI:

Have a Meal at the Thirsty Whale

View of Thirsty Whale

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock.com

Here’s an interesting place where you can have a meal.

Nestled right over the waters of the nearby lake, this place offers sumptuous food for tourists and their families.

It provides a nice outdoor view of the locale and the waters of Lake Minocqua, providing you with a fantastic ambiance while consuming your meal.

Not only that, but it’s interesting to note that this place has been welcoming guests since 1902.

A meal here is an experience you can definitely enjoy.

Pay a Visit to Northwoods Wildlife Center

Another place that features the amazing creatures found in nature is Northwoods Wildlife Center.

While in Minocqua, visit this awesome rehabilitation center that has continued its goal of protecting wild animals since 1979.

It started as a facility that provides medical care to wild animals who need them.

As a visitor, you can go on a guided tour of the center and learn about the types of birds of prey that you can find in the area.

You can also experience meeting raptors or feeding the young wild animals at the rehabilitation center.

Don’t miss out on this amazing and inspirational experience.

Play a Round of Mini-golf at Settler’s Mill

If you want to play another round of mini-golf, head over to Settler’s Mill.

This place features a course with 18 holes with a design replicating a lush park-like landscape.

You can even find waterfalls and small creeks between some of the holes.

Apart from playing, you also need to try their famous frozen custard – perfect for a hot summer day.

Book a Stay at The Waters of Minocqua

Consider booking The Waters of Minocqua if you’re looking for the perfect accommodation while staying in Minocqua.

This place promises to let you experience the beauty of the region while staying in one of their one hundred elegant rooms.

They offer many guest facilities here as well, including a water park, a play area, arcades, and an in-house coffee shop.

To elevate your holiday while in this amazing town, consider staying at this amazing place.

Follow the Bearskin State Trail

View of Bearskin State Trail

Robert Chittendon / Shutterstock.com

If you want to explore the beauty of the great outdoors as seen in Minocqua, try going through the Bearskin State Trail,

Named after Bearskin Creek, you can find this trail along what used to be a railroad corridor in this part of the state.

View of Bearskin State Trail

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock.com

The said trail follows along the creek route, where the public can stroll through, jog, or bike around.

In winter, people can even follow this pathway on their skis and snowmobiles.

The difficulty of this trail is suitable for all levels of adventurers, so you don’t have to worry if you’re not a big fan of the outdoors.

View of Bearskin State Trail

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock.com

The trail starts in Minocqua, and by following it, you can pass by Oneida and Vilas.

Apart from sightseeing, you can also go fishing and birdwatching at Bearskin State Trail.

It’s one of the most popular attractions on this side of Wisconsin.

Try Out Winter Sports at Minocqua Winter Park and Nordic Center

Apart from being a natural haven, winter activities are also popular in Minocqua.

If you visit the town during winter, head over to Minocqua Winter Park for the best facilities you can find that will let you experience sports exclusive to the season.

The park annually attracts thousands of guests who visit to try out winter sports while being surrounded by the charm of this area.

You can find this center situated on over 6,500 acres of majestic wilderness, and it features heated accommodations and numerous trails you can follow during winter.

Apart from those, you can also find a place here for some outdoor ice skating.

If you want to keep warm after hours of outdoor winter fun, you can head over to the lodge and find some amazing food at its in-house cafe.

Watch a Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Show

Have you ever seen a water ski show?

If you’re in Minocqua, you’re in luck as this town serves as the home of the Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Club.

Known as the oldest amateur water ski show in the U.S. that still runs, this attraction has a long history as it was formed in 1950.

Given its age, it has an expansive repertoire of performances choreographed and perfected in its earlier years.

Today, you can enjoy watching these outstanding performances when you visit the area.

This club performs for the public thrice a week, so don’t miss out on seeing one during your vacation in Minocqua.

Stop by Minocqua Public Library

While a holiday usually means fun and excitement throughout your vacation, you also need some downtime once in a while.

One way to do so is by visiting the local public library.

Apart from offering some peace and quiet in the company of an amazing collection of books, Minocqua’s public library also has a long history.

It has its beginnings found at the start of the 1900s when a local women’s book club started storing their tomes in one place.

Eventually, the collection grew, and they needed to find a bigger place to keep all of these books.

As more books were added to the collection, the simple book club’s storage eventually became the town’s public library.

Spend a few hours here while on your trip to Minocqua, reading fantastic books with your kids and loved ones.

You can even participate in the many fun, family-friendly events hosted by this library.

Learn More About the Town at the Minocqua Museum

Learn more about how the charming town of Minocqua came to be.

Given its interesting topography, the people who settled here needed to learn how to utilize it to their advantage all while adapting to it to live comfortably.

To discover how they did this, head over to the local Minocqua Museum, where you can travel back in time and find out what life was like in this town throughout the years.

The museum features an interesting collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and exhibits about the town and its history.

The cherry on top?

Admission here is free, so don’t forget to visit this place.

Discover Downtown Minocqua

View of Downtown Minocqua

Freekee, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

With all the nature surrounding Minocqua, you might forget to explore its downtown district.

If you love shopping for wares, antiques, or souvenirs in general, strolling through downtown Minocqua.

View of Downtown Minocqua

Freekee, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

At the heart of this town, you can find many different shops and stores offering interesting collectibles and quirky antiques.

At the same time, while visiting each place one by one, stroll through the town’s streets and appreciate the charm that makes tourists want to constantly come back here.

Watch Performances at Campanile Center for the Arts

Curious about the performance art scene on this side of Wisconsin?

Head over to Campanile Center for the Arts.

Opened in 2006, this place has served as Minocqua’s “heart” when it comes to this field.

Here, you can catch performances in the auditorium, so consider catching some of the wonderful music and dance performances.

It’s a great place to check out while in this amazing town.

Discover Local Art at Parkside Gallery

If visual art is your cup of tea, consider checking out Parkside Gallery.

This gallery features the masterpieces created by the hands of Robert Metropulos, Jr., and other local artists in the region.

Most of the pieces you can find here feature nature and the outdoors as their topics.

Apart from just appreciating paintings, you can also find other crafts here, including ceramics, jewelry, and collectibles.

You can also find art prints and sculptures when you visit this place.

Have Fun With the Family at Holiday Acres

Looking for some fun for your entire family?

Spend some time at Minocqua’s Holiday Acres.

This family-owned establishment features facilities that will let you and your family enjoy your day, doing fun activities.

Here, you can try out riding horses for the adults and ponies for kids.

You can also ride go-karts as this place features three tracks that you can go through.

For more fun and relaxing pace, try playing a round of mini-golf in their course.

Make awesome memories with your family while having fun at Holiday Acres.

Learn About Nature at Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center

Given the wonderful natural land and waterscape that surrounds Minocqua, one would not question the abundance of amazing wildlife found here.

So, while you visit this quaint town, don’t forget to head over to Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center.

This place aims to preserve wildlife through the park.

Many of the said wild animals this center intends to safeguard are the many threatened and endangered animals from other regions in the world.

When you visit, you can find up to a thousand animals and insects – from the usual zoo animals to more exotic ones like capybaras.

You can also opt to have an up-close petting encounter with some of the animals here.

Try out riding this place’s Safari TRAM, too, and learn more about the animals here through this narrated tour across the facility.

It’s a great place to get to know many different animal species and learn how to help protect them.

Sail on a Pontoon on Lake Minocqua

View of Lake Minocqua

Jason Patrick Ross / Shutterstock.com

Minocqua is a town situated among a chain of lakes, and given its location, local life here has adapted accordingly.

While in Minocqua, don’t forget to go on a pontoon cruise, exploring the chain of lakes found in the area.

With Minocqua Pontoon Cruises, you can join other people in discovering the beauty of this area in the state.

You can also discover how the people here have adapted to living in this area blessed with interesting topography.

As you sail through the lakes, you can check out the many old, historical boathouses jutting out to the waters of the lakes.

Not only will you get to see these charming structures, but you also get to learn more about them, along with the local forests and wetlands you visit, as the ride offers you a guide to what you are seeing.

Sailing with Minocqua Pontoon Cruises provides a great experience and a fantastic way to visit this island town’s five different lakes.

Shop for Local Produce at Farmer’s Market

If you want to find out what the local farmers and artisans of the beautiful city of Minocqua have to offer, head on over to Farmer’s Market.

Here, you get to see farmers and artisans offer their wares at the best prices.

Here, you can find the freshest fruits and vegetables, amazing bespoke crafts, and high-quality artisanal products that you can take home with you.

If you want to shop here, you can find it at the Let’s Minocqua Visitors Bureau where it runs every Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Final Thoughts

While in Minocqua, it’s amazing to see how its surroundings helped shape the way of life in town.

With all the beautiful nature and interesting attractions, don’t hesitate to pay this amazing Wisconsin area a visit.

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