Things to do in Minocqua, WI

[fondybrewfan]

My wife and I are going up to Minocqua for 4 days this weekend. I got a really good price up there. Anyways I have never been up there before but everyone I talk to said it is a very nice place to visit. Are there any attractions or restuarants that are can't miss? We are pretty much open to anything except golf. I am a golfer but my wife is not. I am hoping to find some kind of canoe/kayak rental/tour place.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

It seems everyone in the state has been to Minocqua, and rightfully so

 

Great fishin, tons of lakes, World's Largest Musky Shop

 

A very relaxed and toned down Wisconsin Dells, a nice small downtown

 

I would recommend seeing the Min-aqua-bats, it's a free water ski show made up of local youngsters on a local lake, they pass around a bucket for donations

 

I also had good times drinking and eating at The Thirsty Whale

[Brian the Automator]

• Paul Bunyan's
• Dan's Minocqua Fudge
• Kayak Rental

Paul Bunyan's is awesome.

[InsomniacInkRoss]

I forgot about the fudge, it is famous state wide, a co-worker made me bring back Peanut Butter Fudge for her from there

 

And, I just saw that the Min-aqua Bats don't start up till June 13th

[jazzytrav]

I played a few gigs there a few years back. We played at a place called T. Murtaugh's, which is decent but not a must-see. The place across the street was really cool, though. You walk through the bar and there's an area in back with an open roof, kinda like a courtyard, and tables set up and usually some decent music. I can't think of the name of it, though.

[T B0NE 10]

• Paul Bunyan's
• Dan's Minocqua Fudge
• Kayak Rental

Paul Bunyan's is awesome.

You made a common error thats wrong......... contrary to popular belief its actually Paul Branyan, Russell's great grandfather

 

[brewcrew00]

Coming from the Tomahawk area myself, I will second Paul Bunyan's. Great breakfast place, might have to wait on Saturday or Sunday Morning.

 

Seeing as the Min-Aqua Bats aren't skiing yet, head down to Tomahawk on Saturday night and catch the Kwahamot's. Also a free show, good skiing, easy location to get to (right on the main drag). My younger brother and a few cousins will be skiing, I will be home visiting and taking in the show myself.

 

Any of the lakes in the Northwoods are worth the trip up, some of Minocqua may be quite crowded if this is the first really "nice" weekend of the summer. If you like the outdoors, canoe rentals are pretty cheap, and a nice way to see the waterways up there.

 

Good shopping through downtown (if you're into that sort of thing, can't say I know much, but everyone raves about it)

[fondybrewfan]

• Paul Bunyan's
• Dan's Minocqua Fudge
• Kayak Rental

Paul Bunyan's is awesome.

Thanks for the suggestions. We will visit the fudge place for sure, we are both huge fans, I am sure we will hit up Paul Bunyan's as well

 

What is there for state/national parks?

[The Active 33]

Again I will recommend Paul Bunyan's. Also, my family favorite fish fry is Bosacki's (sp?). It is on Lake Minocqua and just over the bridge you cross into town on the left. It is the best fish fry I have ever had.

[TSack27]

Not sure of your tastes (or if all these exist since I left the Northwoods 8 years ago http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif):

 

Would mini-golf be a comprise for both of you? Several in town, but I prefer Settler's Mill on Hwy 51 South (includes go karts & horse rides).

 

Also some attractions on Hwy 70 West - Jim Peck's Wildwood Park/Zoo and Circle M Corral (more go karts, horses & mini-golf)

 

I'm drawing a total blank on the name, but we used to get our canoe & sailboat parts at a place right on Hwy 51 in town, just North of Torpy Park.

 

Some of those listed here, plus other possibilities - http://www.minocqua-area-resorts.com/supporting_members.asp

 

I believe the Bearskin State Trail starts in Minocqua, and I'm sure parts of the Chequamegon National Forest are nearby

 

PS - Nice catch with the Paul BRANYAN's http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Raw Biz]

The downtown is great and there's a nice disc golf course about 15 minutes away if you're into that.

[Gormans sideburns]

About 22 miles north of Minocqua is Little Bohemia Lodge where gangster John Dillinger had a famous shootout and where Johnny Depp's movie just finished shooting. I can't vouch for the food because I didn't eat there, but the beer was good and the atmosphere was pretty cool to see (along with the original bullet holes). Here is the official website with directions. http://www.littlebohemialodge.com/index.html

[cweber39]

If you are into the zoo thing there is Peck's Wildwood Wildlife Park http://www.wildwoodwildlifepark.com/ It's kind of cool dear run around in the open, you can give bears soda through the cage they are in it's different.

 

Downtown is good like everyone said for shopping etc.. lot's of mini golf, go kart places.

 

Minocqua Brewing Company has about 6 house beers and decent food.

 

This site would also help http://minocqua.org/

[mtrebs]

Whenever I'm in the Minocqua area I like to play a little game called count the Illinois license plates. That keeps me busy for hours...

[bando1234]

Im kind of partial to SA Loons when I visit but usally only go there after deer hunting. Minocqua Brewing Company is good also. Have been to the Thirsty Whale onnce to visit a friend & it seemed nice. I have to put a vote in for Paul Bunyons as well.

 

As far as fishing goes, I fished a little farther out(Fence Lake & Crawlingstone). I did some fishing up there over the memorial day holiday but did not do well. I will take my kids fishing in the stream next to wildwood(no not their ponds) & mu son pulled out about a 15 inch bass last year. My father in law said he had a real nice bass out of that stream too but a mink came out of the rocks by the bridge & snagged it from him.

 

Whatever you find to do I hope you have fun.

[fondybrewfan]

The weather is not looking especially promising for me this weekend in Minocqua, hopefully I can find some time to do some outdoorsy stuff. Thanks again for all the suggestions

[ttsather]

For anyone who frequents Minocqua, I recommend stopping into the Northwoods Wildlife Center - http://www.northwoodswildlifecenter.com/

 

It's a wildlife animal hospital that caters specifically to non-domestic animals, and they give tours to see their "resident" animals - owls, turtles, snakes, etc.

 

It's the kind of place that I'd imagine the elementary and middle schools use as a field trip stop often, but it's a really cool (and free) walkthrough if you need something to do.

[BMuch]

If the weather doesn't pan out, there is a hotel with waterpark in it. Also, there is a place that offers horse rides along with the go carts and mini golf. The weather was cold for us one week last summer so we went for the horse rides, which were much nicer than I expected. We saw several deer in the forest along the horse ride. The casino in Lac Du Flambeau hasn't been mentioned yet as an attraction.

 

My in-laws have a cottage on Big Crawlingstone (Lac Du Flambeau).

[Nader Raider Tim]

My parents had a cottage in Eagle River, pretty close to Minocqua.

 

I don't know what you are into but at night if it a nice clear night you should go and check out the Paulding Lights. There is this wierd light that just floats and zig zags around the sky. It has yet to be explained, and was showcased on Unsolved Mysteries back in the day.

 

http://www.backwoodswisconsin.com/paulding_light.htm

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

If you do go to Paul Bunyon's, your best bet is to go for breakfast. I've been somewhat less impressed with the lunch/dinner fare. But the breakfast is the best all-you-can-eat meal I've ever had in my life. From the pancakes to the greasy scrambled eggs to the buttermilk cake donuts, if you don't wind up stuffing yourself so silly you don't fully recover until the next day, yours is a more resolute spirit than mine.

[jnatro]

Thirsty Whale and Little Bohemia.

[brewerjamie15]

Bear Skin Trail is a nice bike trail/walking trail. It's right off of Hwy 51 to the west about a quarter mile.

Try driving down one of the rustic roads as well. Nice scenery.