With three free art museums, half a dozen craft breweries, and 47 Marathon County parks, Wausau is the perfect little “Far Away” (as the Ojibwe dubbed it) destination. I’ve spent some tranquil hours snowshoeing and cross-country skiing here but only recently discovered how much more there is to do – the mix of arts, culture and food blowing me away. That mix of rustic and modern charm sets it apart.
One of my first stops on a recent trip was Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (700 N. 12th St.), whose exhibition “See/Sea: Beyond the Horizon” (through Jan. 7) features a charming collection of American seaside paintings. In winter, there’s another attraction as well – artist-made snow sculptures in the museum gardens. At my next stop, the Center for the Visual Arts (427 N. Fourth St.), the gift shop of artist-made goods is as remarkable as its galleries – I’m still wishing I’d bought a woodworker’s foldable table designed to hold stemware, ideal for Chill on the Hill concerts.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
This small-town commitment to the arts wooed Randy and Sara Bangs to buy The Stewart Inn (521 Grant St.). Built in 1906 by George Maher (one of the founders of the Arts & Crafts movement), the inn is adorned with Stickley furnishings and offers a daily multi-course gourmet breakfast. A modern retreat surrounded by woods, Owl Ridge Cabin (163554 Owl Ridge Rd.) feels much further than 10 minutes from downtown. The spa bath, heated floors and massive beds make it a luxurious place to recharge.
Wausau is home to a number of eclectic and well-curated indie boutiques. Object (314 Scott St.) sells sustainable homewares, including European antiques and soap from Marseille, France. At Black Purl (1102 N. Third St.), I chatted with the owner about my latest knitting project as she unpacked a new shipment of skeins. Established in 1874, Janke Book Store (505 N. Third St.) is the state’s oldest bookstore – owners/siblings Jane and Jim Janke’s grandfather Carl purchased it in 1919. And Evolutions in Design (626 N. Third St.) packs its two stories with gifts, succulents and antiques.
The first thing that drew me to Wausau, the stunning scenery, brought me back to Nine Mile County Forest Recreation Area (221700 Red Bud Rd.), where you pray for snow. It offers picturesque trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing – the trails are even lit for night skiing.
Among the food and beverage spots, I found a few standouts. Alongside its house-made beers, Red Eye Brewing Co. (612 Washington St.) serves an amazing three-cheese mac and cheese – OK, done. And the sleek new Velveteen Plum (1520 Elm St.) offers Latin flavors and gorgeous fifth-floor views of Rib Mountain – home to Granite Peak, the state’s largest downhill ski area – off in the distance. Wausau may be best known for outdoor adventure, but that’s just one facet of this culturally evolving city.
