Vacation destination: Minocqua, Wisconsin

Minocqua, Wisconsin is a year-round vacation destination. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them busy during any of Wisconsin’s four beautiful seasons.

Warm weather visitors will enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and jet skiing on the countless area lakes and rivers. Equipment is available for rental locally, so everyone is guaranteed a great time on the water – with plenty of motor boats, paddle boats, fishing boats, sail boats, and jet skis available for an afternoon or days of fun. Or leave the driving to someone else and enjoy a scenic, relaxing Wilderness Cruise on the Willow Flowage.

Children and adults will enjoy up-close-and-personal visits with wildlife at one of the nearby petting zoo/wildlife parks where they can pet porcupines, skunks, and raccoons, feed deer, goats, and geese, and see bear, trout, and other wild and domestic animals up close. The state fish hatchery in nearby Woodruff is a wonderful learning experience and an opportunity to see some great Wisconsin muskies.

During the summer months, visitors may enjoy a local water ski show or a lumberjack show – complete with competition logrolling, speedclimbing, cross cut sawing, canoe jousting, log chopping, music, and other entertainment – if they happen to be in the area when special events are planned. Or visitors can enjoy a musical, comedy, or children’s theater performance at the Northern Lights Playhouse.

Area resorts, hotels, rustic cottages, luxury condos, and quiet campgrounds provide an excellent choice of accommodations for every traveler’s preference; and Minocqua features a wide variety of restaurants from fast food and family style to fine dining for delicious meals that will suit everyone’s taste. But no visit to the area would be complete without a bountiful breakfast or lunch at Minocqua’s famous Paul Bunyan Restaurant. Served family style in their authentic log cabin shanty with logging-era memorabilia hanging from the ceiling and walls, diners feast on hearty logging camp fare – like all-you-can-eat scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages, fried potatoes, donuts, juice, and milk for breakfast – and their equally hearty and delicious lunch.

Visitors come from miles and miles to enjoy the fall foliage in Wisconsin’s northwoods, and the Minocqua area is the perfect place to enjoy a colorful, relaxing autumn drive. With the abundance of area wildlife, most travelers are sure to spot a deer in the wild as they traverse the countryside, as well – but beware! Those deer sometimes wander into the path of traffic, too!

Winter in Minocqua has nearly as much to offer as the summertime. Wisconsin’s snowy season brings cold-weather activities to invigorate every soul. Enjoy the crisp, cold, fresh air snowmobiling on miles and miles of snowmobile trails or ice-fishing on the frozen lakes. Or spend some quiet outdoor time skiing on groomed cross-country ski trails. New visitors to snow country can rent snowmobiles and skis in the area and even take lessons.

And of course, many of the downtown and outlying souvenir shops, candy shops, gift and craft shops, boutiques, variety stories, and antique shops are open for your shopping pleasure year round and many are within walking distance. Whether you’re looking for clothing, books, toys and games, or collectibles, Minocqua has something to offer for everyone – and lots of treasures to remind you of your very special visit to northern Wisconsin.

Check out area historic sites and museums or visit the Northwoods Wildlife Center to see sick and injured wildlife being nursed back to health. The adventure never ends. There’s something to do any time of the year.

Whether you’re looking for adventure or prefer a little R&R, Minocqua is the perfect Wisconsin getaway. For more information on Minocqua-area attractions, events, and accommodations or to receive free visitor’s information, contact the Minocqua area Chamber of Commerce.