Wausau, Wisconsin
Things To Do in Wausau
We believe Wausau is the best kept secret in the state. There are so many fun things to do, great places to eat, local shops to patronize, amazing museums to explore and quality microbreweries/distilleries to sample. It’s no wonder that locals describe Wausau as “Wausome!”
The arts and cultural scene is particularly vibrant. Cornerstones of that scene are the Grand Theater, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and Wausau’s Museum of Contemporary Art. Each of these institutions has received national recognition and attracts a lot of outside visitors. More recently, a new gallery, Anthony, opened downtown that is well worth visiting and we have several other museums worth patronizing, including the Cyrus Yawkey House Museum (one of our favorites), the Center for Visual Arts and the Marathon County Historical Society.
We also have an emerging craft beer and distillery scene. The Timekeeper Distillery, which is housed in the old Wausau Train Depot, is a guest favorite, as they make amazing cocktails including our namesake, the Owl Ridge Cabin cocktail. Bull Falls Brewing and Red Eye Brewing are very popular microbreweries worthy of trying, along with the Great Dane Pub and Mosinee Brewing for those willing to drive a bit further.
As the gateway to the Northwoods, it’s no surprise that Wausau offers an abundance of outdoor recreation. Skiing is probably what Wausau is best known for with Granite Peak Ski Resort and 9 Mile Recreation just beyond the city limits and Sylvan Hills within the city limits for those interested in tubing. Beyond this, we have several parks that are noteworthy. The Dells of the Eau Claire River is one of the most scenic parks in the area and is located just ten minutes from the cabin. Rib Mountain State Park is about 20 minutes away and offers great hiking and panoramic views of downtown Wausau and Marathon County. We also offer an abundance of biking (road, mountain, and trail), kayaking/canoeing, curling, and golfing options. In fact, two of the finest public golf courses in the country, Sand Valley and Sentryworld, are not too far for avid golfers.
Downtown Wausau is quaint and very inviting. The 400 block is an area used for concerts, weekday farmer’s markets, and many of the festivals. The shops are almost exclusively local and many have been around for decades. Guest favorites include EID (Evolutions in Design), Janke’s Bookstore, Shepherd & Schaller, Nicole’s, Black Ash Urban Goods, Isaac’s, Campbell Haines, Downtown Grocery, the Milk Merchant, Katzenbarkers and River District Antiques.
Wausau has two beautiful historic districts on the east side of downtown. The Andrew Warren Historic district is the older of the two historic districts and features many beautiful homes including our sister property, the Stewart Inn, the gorgeous Cyrus Yawkey House Museum and two other George Maher homes (the architect who designed the Stewart Inn). The East Hill Historic District is a bit east of the Andrew Warren Historic District and features many beautiful homes including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, the Manson House (a completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright home) and another two George Maher homes.
Lastly, Wausau’s dining scene is genuinely outstanding. Within 12 minutes, we have Back When Café, Ciao, Lemongrass, Red Eye Brewing, Tine & Cellar and Wish Steakhouse, not to mention many other fine restaurants, including one of the best fish fries, a couple of great diners, some top pizzerias and a few ethnic draws. Still within a short drive, we have Pinewood Supper Club, Van Acre, Carmelo’s and quite a few others that are highlighted in the Owl Ridge App.
Onsite Catering
Preparing meals can be a lot of fun but they can also be a challenge when you’re on the road. It’s hard to know what appliances and gadgets are available and it’s so easy to forget ingredients. Not to mention, the hassle of having to bring a 5 lb bag of flour when all you need is a cup.
To make your stay more about you and less stressful, we are offering to provide meals through a subscription service, and have it delivered right to the cabin on the day you arrive. This means you can worry less about packing, ensure that you have great meals at the cabin, have everything you need and know that everything is fresh. We think this will be another thing you’ll love about staying at the Owl Ridge Cabin.
Dining in Wausau
10-12 Minute Drive
Back When Café
Ciao
Lemongrass
Red Eye Brewing Company
Mint Cafe
Hi Restaurant
La Prima Deli
Hiawatha
319 Gallery & Bistro
Polito’s Pizza
Sixth Street Filling Station
12-20 Minute Drive
Van Acre
Sconni’s
Mykeno’s
2510
Masa Sushi
Carmelo’s
Glass Nickel Pizza
20-30 Minute Drive
Pinewood Supper Club
Events in Wausau
Top Events in Wausau
Blues Café
Wausau Antique Show
Chalkfest
Balloon & Rib Fest
Hmong Festival Wausau
Wisconsin Valley Fair
Wausau Marathon
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend
Beer & Bacon Festival
The Park Antique Show
Holiday Parade
January
Women’s Highlander Bonspiel
Brew Fest
Snowshoe Walks in the Garden
Wausau 525 Snowmobiling Championship
Winterfest
Badger State Games
Wine, Cheese and all that Jazz
February
Snowshoe Walks in the Garden
Rib Mountain Candlelight Snowshoe Hike
Stomp the Swamp Snowshoe Race
March
Blues Café
Wausau Antique Show
Avalanche Days at Granite Peak
April
Avalanche Days at Granite Peak
Men’s Invitational Bonspiel
Rhythm & Brews
UWMC Vocal Jazz Festival
May
Downtown Open House
Concerts on the Square
June
Concerts on the Square
Chalkfest
Father’s Day Car Show
Wausau Lyric Choir: Summer Serenade
July
Jazz on the River
Balloon & Rib Fest
Wausau 24
Concerts on the Square
Hmong Festival Wausau
August
Wisconsin Valley Fair
Concerts on the Square
Wausau Triathalon
Wausau Marathon
Jazz on the River
Motorama
Midwest Freestyle Championship
Big Bull Falls Blues Fest
September
Wausau’s Artrageous Weekend
Grand Prix of Wisconsin – North
American Powerboat Championships
Beer & Bacon Festival
Fall Colors|Comet Ski Ride at Granite Peak
October
Fall Colors|Comet Ski Ride at Granite Peak
November
Festival of Trees
The Park Antique Show
December
Holiday Parade
