3 Best Things to Do in Shawano, WI

July 31, 2019 - Updated

Shawano is a small Wisconsin town in Shawano county near Shawano Lake, a heaven for boating, kayaking and cooling off in the summer. Nearby, Wolf River is known for fly fishing, whitewater rafting and paddling. The town has a nice historic downtown district with antique shops and stores famous for the locally made barn quilts. Twig’s Beverage Museum tells the story of the local soda company and its popular Sun Drop soda many locals grew up to love.

1.Twig's Beverage Museum

Twigs Beverage museum and gift shop was opened in 2015 in Shawano, Wisconsin, to share the rich history of Twigs Beverage, a popular local, family operated business famous for its Sun-Drop soda, a drink made with 100 percent pure sugar. The museum’s walls feature artifacts and memorabilia and tell the story of the Sun Drop humble beginnings. There are also old soda machines and an older working jukebox, which plays a song for a quarter! The entrance to the museum is free. There is a short movie on the history of Twigs Beverages and visitors are offered free samples of their sodas.

920 S Franklin St, Shawano, WI 54166, Phone: 715-526-5031

2.Angie's Main Cafe

Angie’s Main Café was opened in Shawano in 1998 with the goal of offering quality home-cooked food that is not only delicious but is also good for you. Their dairy, produce and eggs are purchased from local farmers. The café is located in an original ice cream shop created by Henry Dehn in 1948. Charming very pink café is cozy and welcoming, with many original touches from its ice cream parlor past. Angie’s café started Smart Plate Initiative in 2013, introducing special menu items recommended by the local health professionals. They are marked green on the menu and are mostly prepared with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. Items market yellow on the menu are little less strict when it comes to health criteria. The menu, both for breakfast and lunch, is extensive and has something for everyone.

132 S Main St, Shawano, WI 54166, Phone: 715-524-6240

3.Anello’s Torch Lite

The Torchlite is a popular restaurant in Shawano, Wisconsin, located on the site of an infamous Continental. Continental, built in 1897, was one of the first restaurants in Shawano. It went through many incarnations – it was at times a bar, a restaurant, and even a house of ill repute. It was added on and renovated many times, to finally become Anello’s Torch Lite in 1981. Spacious, bright and comfortable, the Torchlite offers Italian and American food in a family atmosphere, with pleasant outdoor area and even a petting zoo for the kids. Large menu has an eclectic mix of everyone’s favorites, a full service bar and full menu takeout. There are always homemade soups, fresh house-baked breads, a 21 item salad bar and much more.

1276 E Green Bay St, Shawano, WI 54166, Phone: 715-526-5680