Memories Made in Minocqua: A Northwoods Family Getaway
Need an escape from the everyday that the entire family will love? If the idea of dense forests of white pine and water everywhere, as far as the eye can see, sounds like what you need, then head to Minocqua in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
As newbie Northwoods explorers, my family and I didn't know what to expect as we headed out from Chicago for our first getaway to the region. Boy, were we in for a treat! We were blown away by the Badger State's natural beauty on display every way we looked. Tall pine trees, thousands of bodies of water, the fresh Northwoods air. And there was plenty to discover in town, as well.
Whether your ideal vacation includes being among trees on a hike, zipping down a waterslide or cruising on the lake, you will make lasting memories in Minocqua. Here's how to have fun with the family Up North.
Things to Do
Get on the Water
Given that Minocqua has 2,300 bodies of fresh water, one of the things we were most excited to do was explore the area by boat. It was the ideal way to relax, soak up the sun's rays, feel the wind in our hair (hold on to your hats!) and forget the worries of the day. With no set plans, we cruised the waters, exploring the chain of lakes while floating beneath many bridges, passing islands and admiring the breathtaking scenery.
When the kids needed to stretch their legs, we stopped at Torpy Beach, a local favorite. (It gets bonus points for easy dockings on the sandy shore.) While the kids cooled off in the shallow end of the lake, my husband and I sank our toes into the sand. Not only does Torpy Beach have a sandy shoreline and plenty of grassy area begging for a picnic, but also we were pleasantly surprised to discover a great little playground with some well-maintained equipment from "back in the day." Without a doubt, my kids will long remember spinning on the classic merry- go-round and bouncing up and down on the seesaw, while I won't soon forget the joy on their faces as they played.
Pro Tip: Renting our pontoon boat directly from The Beacons of Minocqua made it fast and easy to get right out onto the water. The lakeside resort also offers condos and log cabins.
Take a Hike
For an easy hike with the family, the Bearskin State Trail can't be beat. Although the trail conveniently starts in the heart of downtown Minocqua, after a short distance we were surrounded by the quintessential beauty of Wisconsin and blissful peace and quiet. We strolled along the mostly flat trail that once served as a railroad line while taking in views of cottages, lakes, the creek and wetlands. My daughter was so excited when she spotted a few frogs sunning themselves just to the side of the trail. Although it was a hot summer day, the canopy of towering pines provided cool shade. Crossing the trestle bridges was an added bonus as we stopped to watch boats cruising the river and personal watercrafts whizzing by.
Is biking more your speed? This trail also happens to be popular among bikers. We crossed paths with several happy pedalers during our walk.
Stroll Downtown
Downtown Minocqua is as charming as can be. Our family followed our feet wherever they took us. Stepping inside Gaslight Square Shoppes was like stepping back in time. We hopped from store to store, traveling the indoor, brick-lined walkways illuminated by gas-lit lamps. Cool, right? We then headed up to the second floor and wandered through the huge, maze-like antiques mall in search of a treasure or two.
As we perused for goodies, we couldn't mistake the sweet smells wafting through the air. Our noses led us to Big Foot Donuts, where we indulged in mini doughnuts and Bavarian nuts. You will want to order more than a dozen. Trust me, they will be gone before you know it! After fueling up, we continued our downtown stroll. We all enjoyed shopping at Imaginuity, a toy store that tempts all ages with its wide variety of engaging playthings. Suckers for selfies, we couldn't resist stopping to snap a few photos in front of the murals scattered throughout town as we continued our explorations.
Splish & Splash
After a day of walking around town, the whole family couldn't wait to splash away at the waterpark at The Waters of Minocqua. Thrill-seekers can zoom down three-story waterslides, while little ones will adore the small slide and sprinklers in the kiddie section. My kids, on the other hand, were content swimming back and forth between the indoor/outdoor activity pool. My husband and I kept an eye on them as we enjoyed a quiet soak in the extra-large hot tub, which also had an indoor/outdoor feature, making it easier to keep watch over the kids as they moved throughout the pool.
Ride a Horse
Another fun way to explore Minocqua is by horse. At Holiday Acres, riders can trot through 40 acres of woods on a guided trail ride. From the saddles on our friendly horses, we loved listening to the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses while breathing in the fresh Northwoods air. Have younger kids? A pony ride on the short trail might just be their thing. After our ride, we continued the fun with a game of mini golf on the property's 18-hole course. Next time, we plan to try go-karting on any (or all) of the three tracks.
Where to Eat
While on vacation, I'm always on the lookout for a local coffee shop. Mission accomplished with a visit to Great Northern Coffee Traders in downtown Minocqua. The pastries looked too good to resist, so I grabbed a few to help fuel the kids before our hike. Another plus? Its location. Close to the Bearskin Trailhead Park, it was incredibly easy to get out on the trail.
Since we were surrounded by water, it only made sense to find an outdoor spot by the lake for a meal. Located underneath The Boathouse restaurant, the deck of The Islander bar was our pick. Amazing views, great food and lots of boat watching made for a fun and relaxing meal. Lucky for us, we visited on a Friday, and, if you've been to Wisconsin before, you know Fridays are meant for fish frys. With both breaded and beer- battered options, we were all able to find something we loved.
Ice cream, gelato, shaved ice and fudge: They have it all at Boardwalk Ice Cream & Fudge. My kids were enthralled watching the workers make fudge, and sampling a few of the items (rainbow sherbet, anyone?) was the icing on the cake. After the sweets, we were feeling extra cheesy (you are in Wisconsin, after all) so we couldn't resist grabbing a few cheeses for the road at The Cheese Board.
Looking for another great option for waterfront dining? Head to the Thirsty Whale, a Minocqua institution. A local raved about the boathouse-turned-restaurant, and I'm so glad we listened. Besides the fabulous location, the food and the drinks were just what we needed after a long day exploring. (FYI, the tuna steaks are huge!)
Pro Tip: Time your visit to The Thirsty Whale with a Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Show for front-row viewing of the choreographed performances from the deck.
Where to Stay
Looking for a family-friendly place to stay? Splash, rest and then splash some more at The Waters of Minocqua. The Northwoods-themed hotel offered enough space for my family of five to spread out and gave us easy access to the waterpark. For a fun, dry option, hit the arcade and win prizes dispensed from a vending machine. Pretty cool! The make-your-own waffles, biscuits and gravy and eggs at the complimentary hot breakfast filled us up before our waterpark outing. Need caffeine first thing? Starbucks is served at their café, The Waters Coffee Shop. When hunger strikes, the on-site pub dishes out tasty pizza, and a waterpark snack bar helps stave of grumbling bellies.
Pro Tip: With kids in the car, we find it easiest to break up the drive. On our way in from Chicago, Hotel Indigo Madison Downtown offered just what we needed, with clean and spacious rooms. The colorful, retro-modern decor pays homage to the building's past as the home of the Mautz Paint Company.
