Wausau
An Ideal Place to Live and Visit!

Surrounded by woods, lakes and hills, Wausau enjoys the combination of big-city amenities with the look and feel of the great Northwoods and small-town hospitality. Located in north central Wisconsin, Wausau residents and visitors alike experience a superior quality of life with excellent cultural, recreational, shopping and educational opportunities all nearby. Wausau is an ideal place to live and to visit!

Community & Cultural Activities

From art and theater to dance and music, Wausau is the center for cultural events in north central Wisconsin. The community has been designated "Arts Town, USA," for its per capita support of the arts, which ranks in the top five among all American cities. With the Grand Theater, Center for the Visual Arts, art museums and galleries, Wausau has it all. Wausau is an active community and hosts many family oriented festivals and events throughout the year including the Badger State Winter Games, Classic Bike Races, Dog Sled and Snowmobile Races, Wisconsin Valley Fair, The Big Bull Falls Blues Festival and more!

 Recreational Opportunities

Whatever the season, Wausau is the perfect place to have fun.  Lake Wausau and other area lakes and rivers provide great swimming, sailing, boating water skiing, and more. Well-stocked Lake Wausau is just one of many fishing spots in Marathon County. Area lakes and rivers boast a healthy stock of northern pike, walleye, muskie, smallmouth bass, crappie, and panfish, plus a half-dozen boat landings ensure easy water access. 

Wausau's world-class whitewater course, located downtown, has attracted international competition including the National Slalom Kayak Races, and the Pan Am Cup and World Cup races. 

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy more than 118 miles of hiking trails, including the Ice Age Trail and several paths within Rib Mountain State Park. Rib Mountain -- Wisconsin's second-highest peak at 1,040 feet above sea level -- also offers nature and bike trails, campsites, picnic areas, 60-foot observation tower, and scenic overlooks. The Wausau area is home to several beautiful golf courses, some that  will challenge even the most experienced golfer.

In the winter, Wausau offers perfect conditions for all types of outdoor recreation. Snowmobilers can enjoy over 640 miles of scenic, groomed snowmobile trails in  the Wausau area, including over frozen lakes and rivers. Many trails connect to other state systems providing hundreds of additional miles for snowmobilers. Some of the Midwest's best downhill skiing can be found in Wausau. Granite Peak Ski Area has 13 runs and one is a mile long with a 624-foot vertical drop. For beginners, Sylvan Hill - a 50-acre park - offers gentle to moderate slopes. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will find 73 kilometers of well-groomed ski trails in the area.  Nine Mile Forest accommodates beginners and advanced skiers with a blend of forest-type trails and scenic views. Snowshoers also take advantage of these trails and other park areas. 

Shopping, Dining, Lodging & Entertainment

In Wausau, you'll enjoy great shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment! Whether you're shopping for art and antiques or looking for a bargain, the Wausau area has something for everyone. Downtown Historic Wausau features one-of-a kind shops; a large area mall offers large department stores and smaller specialty shops;  and an enclosed outlet mall features quality name brand stores as well as restaurants and family attractions. When you are hungry there's great dining available from family restaurants with home cooked meals to ethnic and gourmet dining. Many restaurants feature live music and entertainment, including piano bars, musicians, karaoke, dancing and more. Accommodations are plentiful and range from camping and budget motels to lakeside cabins, bed and breakfast inns, lodges, and hotels with all the amenities.