Wausau Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, the city of Wausau offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventures. With its picturesque location along the Wisconsin River, Wausau is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

One of the highlights of Wausau is Rib Mountain State Park, a stunning natural area that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can hike or bike through the park's extensive trail system, or take a leisurely stroll to the top of Rib Mountain, the highest point in Wisconsin. In the winter, the park transforms into a winter wonderland, with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.

For those seeking a cultural experience, Wausau is home to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Known for its exceptional collection of avian art, the museum showcases a diverse range of artwork that celebrates the beauty and diversity of birds. The museum also hosts a variety of exhibitions and educational programs throughout the year.

History enthusiasts will appreciate a visit to the Marathon County Historical Society. Located in the historic Yawkey House, the society offers a glimpse into the past through its exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can learn about the region's indigenous peoples, the logging industry that once thrived here, and the rich history of the local community.

In downtown Wausau, visitors can explore the vibrant arts scene and enjoy a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants. The historic Grand Theater is a must-visit, hosting a wide range of performances, including theater productions, musical concerts, and dance performances.

Nature lovers will be delighted by the nearby Nine Mile Forest Recreation Area, which offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. From mountain biking and hiking to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, this expansive park is a playground for adventurers of all ages.

Alternative names: Population: 39.1 thous.Area: 20.19 mi²Elevation: 1214 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°57'36"N, 89°37'42"W

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WisconsinUnited States

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Wausau Top Attractions

Wausau Attractions - What to See and Explore

Wausau offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Grand Theater, Marathon County Historical Museum, Athletic Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Museum • Art museum
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It is best known for its annual "Birds in Art" exhibition, which exhibits contemporary artistic representations of birds.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Grand Theater
The Grand Theater is a historic theater and performing arts center in Wausau, Wisconsin, offering a variety of musical and artistic performances. The Grand Theater traces its origins back to the Grand Opera House, which was originally built on the same location in 1899.
Museum • Specialty museum • History museum
Marathon County Historical Museum
The Marathon County Historical Museum is museum located in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located in the Cyrus Carpenter Yawkey House, a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The house is a significant example of Classical Revival architecture.

Park • Arenas and stadiums
Athletic Park
Athletic Park is a baseball stadium located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It is the home field of the Wausau Woodchucks baseball team of the summer collegiate Northwoods League. It hosted Wausau Minor League teams during 36 seasons between 1936-1990.
Universities and schools
UW-Marathon County
The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau, is a two-year campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It is located near downtown Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, and adjacent to 78-acre Marathon Park.
Library
Marathon County Public Library
The Marathon County Public Library is a consolidated county library with nine locations in Marathon County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Its headquarters are in Wausau. The library has its origins in the Wausau Free Public Library, which was founded in April 1907.
44°59'25"N • 89°38'20"W
Monk Botanical Gardens
Park • Garden
44°57'43"N • 89°37'25"W
Hiram C. Stewart House
The Hiram C. Stewart House is a historic Prairie School house designed by George W. Maher located at 521 Grant Street in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974.
Colonial revival architecture
C. H. Wegner House
The C. H. Wegner House is located in Wausau, Wisconsin.
44°57'50"N • 89°36'57"W
C. F. Dunbar House
The C. F. Dunbar House is a Tudor Revival house built in 1926 in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
44°59'10"N • 89°38'45"W
Northcentral Technical College-Wausau
Universities and schools
Tower
Dudley Tower
Dudley Tower, also known as First Wausau Tower, is a high-rise building located in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin. Sitting on the shore of the Wisconsin River, it is the prominent building in the Wausau city skyline.
Library
Wisconsin Valley Library Service
The Wisconsin Valley Library Service is a library system made up of 25 public libraries and hundreds of non-public libraries across seven counties in north-central Wisconsin.
44°57'20"N • 89°37'57"W
Wausau Whitewater
Park • Kayaking • Outdoor activities
44°56'55"N • 89°37'16"W
Louis Marchetti House
The Louis Marchetti House is located in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
44°55'57"N • 89°40'52"W
Granite Peak Terrain Parks
Park • Ski area • Outdoor activities
44°57'44"N • 89°37'0"W
Granville D. Jones House
The Granville D. Jones House in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States was designed by George W. Maher in Prairie Style and built in 1904. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Tudor Revival architecture
C. B. Bird House
The C. B. Bird House is a Tudor Revival house built in 1922 and located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 1,1980.
Church
First Universalist Unitarian Church
The First Universalist Church in Wausau was designed by Alexander C. Eschweiler in Tudor Revival style and built in 1914 for the local Universalist congregation. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Things to See and Do in Wausau by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Wausau.

Active

Athletic Park
Wausau
ParkArenas and stadiums
Water Walkers - The Central WI Water Ski Show Team
Wausau
Concerts and showsWatersportsWater ski
Wausau Whitewater
Wausau
ParkKayakingOutdoor activities
Granite Peak Terrain Parks
Wausau
ParkSki areaOutdoor activities
Prentice Pines Golf Course
Wausau
Golf

Other categories

Park

Day trips

Wausau – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Wausau, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Schmeeckle Reserve (Stevens Point), Grandfather Falls (Merrill), Rib Mountain (Rib Mountain State Park).

29 milesS
Park
Schmeeckle Reserve, Stevens Point
Schmeeckle Reserve is a 280-acre natural land area located on the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
26 milesN
Nature, Natural attraction, Waterfall
Grandfather Falls, Merrill
Grandfather Falls is the highest waterfall on the Wisconsin River. The total drop is 89 feet, spread out in a series of cascades over about one mile.
4.1 miSW
Park
Rib Mountain, Rib Mountain State Park
Rib Mountain, also known as Rib Hill, is a glacially-eroded monadnock in central Wisconsin, located in the Town of Rib Mountain in Marathon County. Composed of quartzite covered with a softer syenite sheath, it was intruded about 1.5 billion years ago.
33 milesS
Garden, Park, Museum
Rudolph Grotto Gardens, Rudolph
The Rudolph Grotto Gardens is a religious site in Rudolph, Wisconsin. It features ornamental and devotional artificial grottoes, including the Wonder Cave, an above-ground tunnel constructed of vernacular stone in the twentieth century by Father Philip Wagner and Edmund Rybicki.
40 milesS
44°23'34"N • 89°49'44"W
Central Wisconsin Cultural Center, Wisconsin Rapids
Specialty museum, Shopping, Museum

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Best Time To Visit Wausau

Learn when is the best time to travel to Wausau weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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July and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in June and September.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February. Most of it rains in May, June, July, August and September.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Wausau?

The top attractions to visit in Wausau are:

What is the best time to visit Wausau?

July and August are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in June and September. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.