CENTRAL WISCONSIN

THE HEART AND SOUL OF WISCONSIN

With a unique mixture of big city amenities and small-town hospitality, Central Wisconsin is the place to visit! Travelers in Wisconsin’s heartland will be greeted with a rolling landscape of beautiful lakes, running rivers, lush forests, and picturesque bluffs. Outdoor lovers can partake in a diverse array of recreational activities in the various parks and hiking trails throughout the region.

Start your journey through the region with a visit to Shawano County, Wisconsin’s Barn Quilt Capital. Take a drive through the pastoral countryside and go treasure hunting to view more than 365 barn quilts blanketing the county’s well-preserved barns. The color hunt does not end there—a visual feast of thirty colorful Walls of Wittenberg murals adorning businesses and schools throughout the area are waiting for you. Attend art shows and other events throughout the year at a lovingly restored building known as the WOWSPACE, and view the nine featured sculptures in the nearby art park. After touring the countryside and the local art, head over to the Wolf River— one of America’s designated National Wild and Scenic Rivers —to plunge into an exhilarating white water rafting excursion in Class I to Class IV rapids. Check out shawanocountry.com to plan your next adventure and explore your wild side.

Head on over to Wausau and surround yourself with woods, lakes, and hills—the Wausau area is easy to find and hard to leave. Home to Granite Peak Ski Area, Rib Mountain State Park, and the Dells of Eau Claire, this destination speaks to the adventurer inside us all, anytime of the year. Wausau also features a thriving arts community, local festivals & events, and a diverse shopping and dining experience.

The journey does not end there, travel south on I-39 to the recreational playground of Stevens Point. Spend the day paddling and fishing in the backwaters and sloughs of more than 40 lakes, rivers, streams, and flowages in the area or biking along the twenty-seven mile Green Circle Trail circling the city. Make the connection between outdoor recreation and the arts when you take a stop at the Stevens Point Sculpture Park. Stevens Point is the place to gather your family and enjoy everything from secluded country retreats to historic homes with modern comforts.

While you are in the area, you cannot miss your chance to visit Wisconsin Rapids. Just a half hour southwest of Stevens Point, cranberry country will entice you as you take a drive down the Cranberry Highway or tour a cranberry marsh. Enjoy an abundance of sports and recreation as you watch one of the area’s exhilarating water-ski show teams and tour the vibrant arts community that celebrates culture and history. The natural beauty of the area makes this the ideal travel destination.

As you head downriver, the final stop on your grand tour will lead you to Mauston—an area with natural beauty and the retained charm of yesteryear. Visit some of the renowned wineries, cheese factories, and apple orchards in the area, then head outdoors for an adventure all year round. Spend your time in the early spring discovering buried treasures & untold mysteries from the annual Castle Rock Lake drawdown—in anticipation of rising waters from melting snow, this flood control location is drained of its water to protect against a devastating overflow onto inland habitats and pedestrian areas. Before the lake fills back up again, walk out on the uncovered lake bed, discover fossilized wildlife or artifacts usually hidden underwater, and hunt for the silo rumored to be buried in the sea floor. Choose your adventure in the Greater Mauston area.

Whether you are looking to conquer the outdoors or relax in nature’s beauty, the heart and soul of this great state is sure to entice you. Enjoy your vacation in the exhilarating Central Wisconsin region.

Plan your next getaway to Central Wisconsin today! Search lodging options at WisconsinLodging.org.