Minocqua, WI

Wildwood Wildlife Park and Nature Center protects hundreds of wild animals in a public wildlife park setting, including endangered and threatened species from exotic regions around the world. The center strives to promote lifelong learning about nature and environmental respect, operated as Wisconsin's second-largest zoological park facility. Visitors can view animals and insects from more than 1,000 species, including popular zoo species like giraffes, mountain lions, tigers, zebras, and leopards. Exotic animals like kangaroos, coatimundi, and capybara are also on display, along with a variety of reptile and insect species. Visitors can enjoy animal feeding and petting experiences with bears, chinchillas, pigs, and camels or ride the zoo's new Safari TRAM, which offers narrated journeys throughout the facility's animal exhibits.

10094 WI-70, Minocqua, WI 54548, Phone: 715-356-5588

Minocqua Winter Park is one of Wisconsin's premiere winter sporting facilities, attracting thousands of visitors each year for amazing cross-country skiing and snowshoeing experiences. The park is set on 6,500 acres of stunning regional wilderness area and is home to a gorgeous heated chalet and over 65 miles of winter sports trails for beginner to advanced skiers. Over 45 miles of groomed trails traverse stunning natural terrain areas, complemented by a network of 10 miles of ungroomed backcountry ski trails. 10 miles of snowshoe trails are also offered, along with a telemark hill. The Chip Wulff Memorial Pond also offers space for ice skating. A day lodge offers a ski shop and cafe, which serves American-style grill fare and delicious Minocqua Brewing Company beers on draft.

7588 Squirrel Hill Rd, Minocqua, WI 54548

Romantic Ideas:

Bearskin State Trail is named in honor of Minocqua's beautiful Bearskin Creek, located along a former railroad corridor in the lovely Northwoods of Wisconsin. The trail traverses the route of the creek's path, open to the public as a multi-use recreation corridor with granite trail surfaces suitable for walkers, joggers, bicyclers, cross-country skiiers, and snowmobilers. Recreationers of all ability levels are invited to explore the trail's route, which meanders through beautiful Oneida and Vilas Counties along areas carved by glaciers during the last Ice Age. The trail connects to the nearby Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, which offers a plethora of outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the year, including chances for fishing, hunting, and bird watching. The six-mile Hiawatha Trail is also nearby, spanning a route between Tomahawk and Heafford Junction.

Northwoods Wildlife Center has been one of the premiere wildlife rehabilitation centers in Northern Wisconsin for more than three decades, founded by local veterinarian Rory Foster and his wife Linda in 1979. The facility admits up to 700 animals each year who are in need of medical treatment and care, with a focus on raptors, bald eagles, and other birds of prey. Rescue, rehabilitation, and release services operated by the facility cover over a fourth of the state's area, including significant preserved wilderness areas. Visitors can enjoy daily guided tours of the facility and learn more about the state's bird of prey species, lasting approximately half an hour and open to participants of all ages. Ambassador raptors meet and greet with all participants, who can also enjoy opportunities for feeding baby wildlife patients.

8683 S Blumenstein Rd, Minocqua, WI 54548, Phone: 715-356-7400

Where to Eat

T Murtaugh's Pub And Eatery is a delicious traditional Irish pub housed within an historic building in the city's downtown district that was relocated to its current location in 1905 by Thomas Murtaugh Bolger. The pub, which has been operated as a full-service tavern since 1936, has been owned and operated by married duo Scott and Susan Mickle since 1999, after more than a century of ownership by the Bolger family. Diners can enjoy all-you-can-eat fish frys on Friday evenings, serving up beer-battered and Cajun-broiled haddock and seafood. Hearty pub sandwiches and burgers include buffalo chicken sandwiches, famous Reubens, and beef and cheddar melts, while shareables range from mac and cheese bites to overflowing shrimp baskets. Delicious beers are served up on draft, including domestic and regional favorites.

500 Oneida St, Minocqua, WI 54548, Phone: 715-356-7712

Alexander's Pizza was founded in 1972 by restaurateur Dean Crist, expanded to its current location six years later. The restaurant has used its same stone hearth pizza recipes since 1972, known as a family-friendly favorite for its affordable menu offerings and laid-back atmosphere. Custom-made pizzas are available in a variety of sizes, made fresh to order and featuring custom-blended tomato sauce, housemade sausage, and fresh traditional dough. Meat and vegetarian options are offered, ranging from classic favorites like pepperoni to clever toppings like banana peppers and black olives. Hearty Italian-style sandwiches are also served up throughout the day, along with shareables like toasted garlic breads and dippable breadsticks.

205 Front St, Minocqua, WI 54548, Phone: 715-356-2628

Kilwins is one of America's favorite ice cream and fudge parlors, overseeing more than a hundred owner-operated stores in 23 states, including a location in Minocqua. Since 1985, the parlor has been known for its delicious original-recipe ice cream, which is prepared in more than 40 flavors with high-quality, unique ingredients. All ice cream flavors are crafted with fresh, antibiotic-free, rbST-free milk and cream from family farms, which is pasteurized and homogenized and combined in small batches. All ice creams are available in fresh-made waffle cones or cups, served up in a variety of sundae concoctions. Diners can also enjoy creamy, rich Mackinac Island Fudge flavors, prepared according to recipes developed in the 1940s, and signature handcrafted chocolates like turtles and truffles.

320 Oneida St, Minocqua, WI 54548, Phone: 715-358-0777