Located in north central Wisconsin, right off of Highway WI 51, Wausau has mega small-town charm and is worth a visit. Even if you’re just passing through en route to an “up north” vacation.
Wausau is surrounded by woods, close to Rib Mountain State Park and part of the Wisconsin River rushes through it. It’s an ideal place to escape to for a quaint, outdoorsy getaway but also has a hopping downtown that you won’t want to sleep on when in the area.
Here’s our list of 5 hot spots we think you simply can’t miss while visiting Wausau:
#1 Janke Book Store
In the heart of downtown Wausau, next to the telephone booth, is where you’ll find this independent bookstore. Not only is it one-of-a-kind but it is also the oldest bookstore in Wisconsin. You can find a little bit of everything here including a ton of vintage books for sale. The basement of this place is the ultimate random book rummage. We left with a book on delivering a toast and another on dreams for a few bucks each. The staff are passionate bookworms and also very knowledgeable about the city and surrounding area. Be sure to call or check out their website in advance for hours and event info.
Address: 505 Third Street, Wausau, Wisconsin
#2 The Local
At this thoughtfully curated boutique located off the city square is where you’ll find this this one. At The Local you’ll find everything from home goods, gifts, apparel and much more. The best part of this store is that all the goods are from makers across Wisconsin and the Midwest. You can meet the makers and even submit a form to become a maker on their website. We bet you won’t leave empty-handed and feel good about supporting the local #makersmarket too. The shop is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm each day.
Address: 420 N 3rd St, Wausau, Wisconsin
#3 Red Eye Brewing Co
This is our top recommendation for eating out in Wausau. The menu offers way more than classic pub food fare. Instead, the menu features local, sustainable and organic ingredients including great vegetarian options like a tomato basil sandwich, hummus dips and gourmet pizzas. The beers are solid too. They serve up a few small-batch IPAs and are known for their Belgians. What’s on tap rotates. The vibe is contemporary and the cost of beer and dishes are very reasonable. If your hungry or thirsty, head on down to Red Eye. Prost!
Address: 612 Washington St., Wausau, Wisconsin
#4 The Public Art Scene
Murals are all around downtown Wausau so be sure to take a stroll so you don’t miss any. Plus, it doesn’t cost a thing! Local art can be found on all kinds of spaces and places from brick walls to alleyways to street corners. The murals imbue the city with color and contribute to the creative identify of Wausau.
Two of our favs are located in alleyways. The first is the magical lit themed mural hidden away in an alley near to Janke Book Store. Artist: Stephanie Kohli. The other happens to be one of the first murals in Wausau and is of an elephant. This one is located close to Redeye on Washington Street.
#5 Wausau Whitewater
Depending on the time of year you come to Wausau, you could kayak the Wisconsin River. The part of the river that rushes through the city is considered to be one of the top spots for kayaking in the United States. In fact, the U.S. Kayak and Canoe team have set up a controlled course on the river for national competitions. While we have not yet kayaked the rapids in Wausau, it’s on our bucket list! To learn more, check out Wausau Whitewater.
Fun Facts We Learned in Wausau
Fact #1 – The word Wausau means “a faraway place” in the Ojibwa language.
Fact #2 – Yes, cheese is synonymous with Wisconsin but did you know that Wisconsin the leading producer of ginseng in the United States? Most of it is produced in the Wausau area/Marathon County also known as the Ginseng Capital of the World!
Final Thoughts
There is so much to do and experience in downtown Wausau. Honestly, we already think we need a return visit to keep exploring because there was way more to see and do than we initially expected. From our first visit to Wausau we think it’s a destination worth wandering around and perfect for slowing down in.
We wish you happy travels to this Wisconsin gem!
– Justin + Alyssa
Disclaimer: Parks and Planes LLC has taken great care to ensure accuracy of this post as much as possible. However, over time, things like hours of operations, admission policies, even names of things may change. We suggest double-checking details when planning a trip. As always, all opinions, photos and content are our own. We only recommend places, products and experiences we love.
