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Tomahawk is the gateway to Wisconsin’s incredibly scenic and pristine Northwoods. It’s honestly one of the best small towns in Wisconsin and it has that kind of relaxed attitude that can only be found up north. There’s so much to do, see and explore in this part of the state. Here are our top 15 recommendations on things to do in Tomahawk, Wisconsin for a memorable getaway. We’ve included a bit of everything from fishing local waters, shopping on main street, dining at a classic supper club, hiking scenic trails and so much more!
1. Fish on Mirror Lake
Get ready to cast a line and work the depths of picturesque Mirror Lake. The landscape is beautiful and there is no road noise. We had the entire fishing pier to ourselves and there is no cost to fish here. You can park for free by French Town Park and take a short and very scenic walk down to the fishing pier. If you’re lucky enough to hook a fish, don’t forget to do a little victory dance, shower each other in high-fives and of course, practice catch and release.
2. Hike on the Harrison Hills Segment of the Ice Age Trail
Hike a section of the state’s longest trail on the 14.4-mile Harrison Hills Segment of the Ice Age Trail. On this hiking trail known for its rolling topography, you’ll be surrounded by brilliant fall foliage from start to finish. It offers a peak at the best landscapes Wisconsin has to offer including strands of hardwoods ablaze in reds, yellows and oranges in the fall. Part of this trail is also an active logging site so parts of it will lead you through semi-barren land only to reemerge into a dazzling landscape at your next turn.
3. Camp at Maple Bear Campgrounds
Maple Bear Campgrounds is a beautiful site and located directly on the ATV trail system. The park has several sites equipped with electric and water available to reserve along with nice amenities including a heated swimming pool open in the summer/warmer months, a playground and showers. When you’ve worked up an appetite cook something up in your camper/at your campsite or walk over to Maple Bear Bar and Grill to enjoy some classic Wisconsin pub fare. Their menu has everything from cheese curds to fried fish and chicken wings to pizza served up in a cozy bar setting. Be sure to end the day gathered around a campfire. Be sure to look up – on a clear night the Milky Way is often visible in the night sky and sometimes very low on the horizon too.
4. Dine at Pine Tree Supper Club
Suppler Clubs are a Wisconsin staple. They are iconic institutions that have been serving generation after generation and you’ll find a particularly unique one right here in Tomahawk. The Pine Tree Supper Club has classic supper club characteristics like dim lighting, a loaded, self-serve salad bar, and juicy steaks. This is a very popular dining spot, and they serve up a mean Fish Fry on Fridays but be sure to get there right when they open to get your name on the waitlist and even then, be prepared to wait for an hour if not longer.
Seats in the bar space are first-come, first-serve. Order an Old-Fashioned cocktail while you wait or indulge with “desert” before dinner by sipping on an ice cream drink. Fresh from the microwave popcorn is served up in baskets to all who wait or sit at the bar.
Everyone who works at the Pine Tree Supper Club is delightful and hardworking. Everyone is hustling to get patrons seated, served and fed as quickly as possible. We waited about 15 minutes past our reservation time to be seated in a dining room – there are two primary dining spaces, one smaller room with the salad bar and a larger room for big parties in the back. You can also order food at the bar if you’d like to. The food was delicious, amazing prices for both the quality and portion size. If you’re looking for an authentic, Wisconsin Northwoods dining experience you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place than this supper club.
Pro Tip: Call ahead to make a reservation. Same day reservations are accepted, and they only take reservations over the phone during regular business hours.
5. Shop at Standard Mercantile Boutique and Gifts
Tomahawk’s Main Street is charming and bustling with shops, restaurants, bars and even a bowling alley. You can easily spend a few hours weaving in and out the neighborhood businesses on Main Street but one shop that you must check out is Standard Mercantile Boutique and Gifts. Here you’ll find an eclectic mix of goods including unique souvenirs and things you may have forgotten to pack like hiking socks and orange blaze hats. There’s a Christmas section, home décor area, children’s toys, games, and stuffed animals and even a selection of discounted items in the back. Fill up a bag with sweet, bulk candies to share, select a new cozy sweatshirt to bring home and pick up a friendship bracelet for you and your bestie too!
6. Visit the Cheese Shoppe
Get your hands on some of the best cheese and other specialties at the Cheese Shoppe on Main Street. This little, European-inspired shop has seriously delicious cheese curds of all varieties from spicy to smokey. You’ll also find a lovely selection of wine along with spreads like butter, jams, salsas, and dips. You can even find elk sausages here and if you need a recommendation especially on a wine and cheese pairing, the shop owners won’t steer you wrong. We highly recommend the Marieke Golden cheese. It is hands down the most delicious cheese we’ve ever had, and it’s proudly made in Wisconsin!
7. Bike the Hiawatha Trail
Enjoy an easy trail with beautiful views from the seat of your bike along with a pedal pal. This is an easy and accessible trail that will have you biking down parts of a former railroad line that moved lumber from the Northwoods down to Chicago, Illinois. The gravel path makes this ideal for walking and biking and will lead you past lakes, creeks, and springs. We picked up the trailhead in SARA Park, which starts with a wooden plank bridge and biked for 6 miles. We loved the tree line trail and if you don’t own a bike or find it difficult to travel with yours, you can rent bikes at Coasters Cycle Works on Main Street.
8. Stay at Lake Mohawksin Shores (Wisconsin Getaways)
Whether you’re looking to enjoy a campfire among the trees, paddle on a lake or cozy up next to a fireplace you can do all of this and more at Lake Mohawksin Shores in Tomahawk. This waterfront retreat is tucked away for a secluded feel but still close to everything including the main downtown, grocery store, gas stations and restaurants. Some of our favorite highlights were the cozy cabin décor, fantastic fall color views, and water toys and life jackets available for use on Lake Mohawksin. The unit is spacious, and each room is immaculate. The kitchen space has everything you need to cook or grill up a meal and you’ll also find both a coffee pot and Keurig conveniently on the kitchen counter. There’s complimentary Wi-Fi and a helpful guidebook with recommendations on everything from hiking trails to places of worship in the area. It’s the ideal landing pad for a friends getaway or family vacation in Wisconsin’s Northwoods!
9. Hike the Underdown Segment of the Ice Age Trail
This segment of the Ice Age Trail is 6.1 miles long from start to finish and is incredibly serene. If you hike this trail in the fall and start at the eastern terminus by Horn Lake, you’ll hike through crimson sugar maples that set the hilly trail ablaze and get to enjoy the golden glow from native beech and aspen trees. About 0.5 miles into the hike, you’ll enter the Enchanted Forest, its entrance marked by a wood sign. This part of the trail leads you through a magical hemlock grove that transports you to another world like the Pacific Northwest or a scene from FernGully. You’ll also pass all types of mushrooms, mosses and ferns and be trekking next to a wetland area in the forest section.
10. Grab a hearty lunch at Castaways Bar & Grill
Enjoy a big, hot meal at Castaways Bar & Grill. Enjoy a delicious fish fry (haddock or perch) guilt-free at Castaways. Just be sure to arrive very early on a Friday if that’s your plan because this place is a very popular Fish Fry spot among locals. You can also dine inside or outside on the patio when the weather is nice and enjoy a water view of both Lake Mohawksin and the Wisconsin River at either spot. The atmosphere is relaxed, the service is 10/10, the food is delicious, and the overall theme is lake life.
11. Take a leisurely stroll on the Tomahawk River Walk
This 0.75-mile walk offers peaceful views of the Wisconsin River. The trail isn’t a loop, but you could continue on the Hiawatha Trail and then come back around through town and down to Veteran’s Park. That route will run you almost 3 miles round trip. On the Tomahawk River Walk, you’ll also pass over some scenic boardwalks and the town’s public library. There’s plenty of opportunities to stop along the way – be it for soft-serve from Dairy Queen or to sit along the lake and take in some sparkling water views. You could even plan ahead and stop at a picnic-worthy spot along the way. There is a lovely waterfront bench perfect for such an activity or you lay out a blanket or grab a picnic table at Veteran’s Park.
12. Check out Chuck’s Sport Shop
Chuck’s is a must visit if you plan to do any fishing in Tomahawk. Peruse cases of divided trays loaded with hundreds of iridescent flies and rubber bate. You can also pick up some live bait here like nightcrawlers. You’ll also find maps here of the rivers, lakes and top fishing spots in Tomahawk and the surrounding area. Don’t be afraid to ask the shop owners questions – they know the area backward and forward and helped us plan a memorable fishing experience.
13. Get your caffeine fix at Northwoods Café and Coffeehouse
Fuel up with a hot breakfast and cup of coffee at this cozy, hometown café and coffeehouse located on main street. Doors open as early as 5 a.m. most days with tables to dine at or you can order food and beverages to go straight from the main counter. Tuck into eggs, biscuits, sausage or whatever you’re craving on the menu before a long day of hiking. Expect warm and friendly service here and your most difficult decision to be which of 20+ flavored syrups to try in your coffee.
14. Hike Up Timm’s Hill
You’ll find this unassuming geological wonder in the small, rural town of Omega (in Price County) located approximately 24 miles west of Tomahawk. What makes Timm’s Hill Observation Town in Timm’s Hill County Park so special is it is technically the highest natural point in the entire state of Wisconsin! It sits 1,951.5 feet above sea level and has been the highest point in the state since 1962. The hike to the observation tower is moderately difficult – it’s a short 0.3-mile-long hike but it is a steep one. It’s also part of Timm’s National Scenic Trail and connects to the Rib Lake Segment of the Ice Age Trail.
15. Visit the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce
Not sure where to start exploring? Looking for recommendations from locals or maps of the local area? Then a stop at the Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center is a must. This place is a wealth of information and you’ll be able to find out about current events and happenings that might not be easily learned online. Plus, it’s a great spot to learn more about black bears in the area which is a real thing and something you should be mindful of when in the area!
We wish you a fun and memorable getaway in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Be sure to let us know what you enjoyed the most and if you’d add anything to our list!
~ Alyssa + Justin
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Wow, so much to do in Tomahawk! My favourites would be the hikes and camping … oh wait, and the good food 😁. Beautiful photos – I love the tall trees and autumn colours.
Hiking is definitely our favorite too! We couldn’t have chosen a better weekend to visit this part of Wisconsin. The fall colors were peaking!
i love your natural pictures. I love adventure too
Thank you! We love adventure especially those outdoors
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Thanks, nice mix of places to visit.😊
Thank you for stopping by and giving this the read-over! So glad you found it to be a nice mix of sites and places 🙂