16 Things to Do in Minocqua, Wisconsin
There’s nothing quite like the crisp, clean air of the Northwoods on a beautiful day. Surrounded by trees, water, and friends, Minocqua in Northern Wisconsin is one of the most wonderful places to spend your time - summer or winter! There’s no shortage of activities to keep yourself busy and bodies of water to jump into when you get too hot, not to mention strong drinks to put a fire in your belly in the winter. Minocqua is one of my favorite places in the Midwest and indeed the United States - everywhere you turn there are folks having a good time no matter what the season. After spending lots of time in the Minocqua area here are some of my recommendations for things to do while you spend your time in this beautiful place.
Go boating
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a boat while you’re in Minocqua, there’s no better way to spend a beautiful summer day than out on the water. You can boat from bar to bar on the chain of lakes, and you’ll be sure to make friends with other fellow boaters as you cruise from spot to spot. Be sure to boat responsibly - remember that the rules for operating a boat while under the influence are the same as operating a car. With lots of other people enjoying summer days out on the lake, traffic can be high. Designate a driver, then head out for a wonderful day in the sun.
Waterski, wakeboard, or a tube
Adding one of these great accessories to your day is a surefire way to enhance your Minocqua experience. You can rent these from one of the many watersport providers in the area. Chances are you’ll spot lots of other folks out on the water doing the same thing, including the infamous Min-Aqua Bats. Be sure to check out one of their shows while you’re in town!
Go for a hike
If you’ve had enough of the water for one trip, get out for a hike in one of the many trails in the area. One of my favorites close to town is the Raven trail system, but after doing some quick research you’ll learn that there are countless hiking options not far from Minocqua.
Take out a canoe or kayaks
Just couldn’t get enough of the watersports, could you? Canoes and kayaks are a great way to enjoy the majesty of the Northwoods without the roar of modern machinery or the crowds that the chain of lakes attracts. Get out on one of the many remote lakes in the area - lots of them don’t allow any sort of motorcraft, and you’re likely to have the place to yourself if you choose a lake that’s slightly off the beaten path.
Ride mountain bikes
Lots of the same trails in the area that make hiking so enjoyable are also great choices for mountain biking. With countless options to choose from in the area you are certain to stay entertained - one of my favorite options for mountain biking is the Win Man trails, only about 30 - 45 minutes outside of Minocqua.
If you need bikes you can easily rent them. We rented from Coontail Sports and had a great experience.
Watch wildlife
You may have noticed that many of the recommendations on this list take you out into nature - chances are, if you do enough of them, you’ll run into some sort of wildlife in the sparsely populated Northwoods. Moose, bears, coyotes, birds, rodents, and more all call this part of the country home. If you’re lucky you’ll get to share your experience with them - remember that this is their home, and you’re just visiting. Always give wildlife a wide berth and respect the fact they are wild animals. Human interactions can be very stressful for them, so enjoy the experience for a moment, then let them be on their way.
Get a fish fry
Now that we’ve been outside working up an appetite, it’s time to head into town for some food. You can’t go wrong with many of the restaurants in Minocqua for any meal, but one of my favorite meals is the weekly fish fries. Yacht Club and Boathouse both have great fish fries, and both are staple establishments that you have to visit at least once while you’re here.
Drink a bucket at the Thirsty Whale
After you’ve eaten your fill of fried, fish, it’s time to head out for a night on the town. The de-facto place to start (and often end) your night is the Thirsty Whale. Right on the lake, you can pull up with your boat, or easily walk to the Whale from in town. You’ll probably hate yourself for it in the morning, but you’ll definitely get pressured into ordering a bucket at some point during your time there. Drink your bucket, rip up the dance floor, play some shuffleboard, and enjoy your night in Minocqua post buckets.
Put a dollar up at the Little Brown Jug
The night isn’t over yet - indeed, many nights out in Minocqua don’t end until the sun rises. It’s time to head to the LBJ, dive bar of all dive bars, Order a PBR for about $2, tip your bartender $1, then pound your other dollar somewhere over someone else’s and join the plethora of drunks who have done the same at the LBJ.
Attend Beef-A-Rama
What better way to recover from a hangover than consuming far too much high quality meat? The annual Beef-A-Rama is an incredibly fun event, hosting vendors from all over Wisconsin promoting their wares, giving free samples, and - you guessed - cooking up some meets. Make sure to stick around for the beef eating contest and various events that accompany this day of beef and beer.
Head out for a night of stargazing
Thanks to it being one of the most sparsely populated regions in the United States, the stargazing in Northern Wisconsin is unmatched. There are few better feelings than sitting underneath the Milky Way on a warm summer night, especially if you’re in a kayak or canoe. You can use Dark Site Finder or Dark Sky to locate a site that has premium stargazing and limited light pollution. If you want to take your stargazing to the camera check out our Beginner’s Guide to Landscape Astrophotography.
Go snowmobiling
Ah, winter in Minocqua. It’s cold and it snows a TON - which can be miserable if you don’t pick up a winter hobby or two to keep you occupied. Snowmobiling is a prime past time for locals of the area and for visitors alike. Travelers come from all over the world to take advantage of the world class snowmobiling that Minocqua has to offer. There are hundreds of miles of backwoods trails, and you can sled across the frozen lakes to head out for a drink or dinner at the end of the day.
Warning - Snowmobiling is an inherently dangerous activity. Always wear a protective helmet, warm clothes, and never operate a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol.
Head out for a cross country ski
The endless acres of the Northwoods lend themselves to incredibly immersive cross country skiing. There are dozens of trail systems in the Minocqua area, but one of my favorites is the Raven Trail system. The Raven offers a great option in a beautiful area, with enough variety to provide a full day or several days of exploration. Check out beautiful Hemlock Lake right up the road once you’re done with your XC skiing adventure!
Ride fat bikes
Fat biking is an incredible way to spend cold winter days, and Minocqua has a plethora of world class fat biking trails just a short drive outside of town. The wind on your face, pedals beneath your feet, snow beneath your tires - you don’t need much more than that on a beautiful winter day in Minocqua. I mentioned Win Man trails for mountain biking earlier - during the winter they transform into some of the best fat bike trails I have ever ridden. You can also check out the Raven trails if you’re looking for something closer to town.
Hit the slopes
If downhill sliding is your thing, there are tons of great skiing and snowboarding options not far from Minocqua. Just across the border in Michigan are the twin resorts of Blackjack and Indianhead, and not far from Minocqua is the local classic Mount Bohemia. With the lake effect coming off of mother Superior, these locations boast over 200 inches of snowfall each year. If you spend a few days skiing here you are almost guaranteed one or two solid powder days!
Go snowshoeing
Snow is a theme in Minocqua and in the Northwood - you absolutely need to find some way to enjoy the winters in this incredible place. Snowshoeing is probably the most accessible option to do so - all you need is a pair of baskets on your feet and you’re good to go! There are tons of options for snowshoeing around the area - many of the trail systems offer dedicated snowshoeing paths, but if you really want to get the value out of your snowshoes, head off trail into some deep snow for a full value experience.
Minocqua is truly a paradise - a playground all times of the year with activities and fun for everyone. Get out and experience some of the recommendations on this list, and you’ll have a smile as big as mine was!
