Wood
County Attractions
Located
in the heart of Wisconsin, Wood County combines outdoor activities,
history and family fun for everyone.
With a history
rich in lumbering and papermaking, Wood County offers visitors
an opportunity to relive the exciting past and current lumber
industry with many exhibits and displays. Visit a papermill where
you can see actual papermaking in action. Outdoor enthusiasts
will enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting and various winter activities
in the many beautiful streams, lakes, marshlands and wooded areas
covering the county. Tours are also available to see the cranberry
marshes, as this area is the largest inland cranberry-producing
region in the world. For families, nature lovers, and everyone
wanting a fun time, there are zoos, wildlife refuges, and lush
gardens to explore and enjoy.
For a wonderful
getaway, come to the heartland of Wisconsin, where a variety of
activities for the whole family will make for a great adventure!
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Museums & Historical
Sites
Alexander House
1131 Wisconsin
River Drive, Port Edwards
715-887-3442
A unique combination of an art gallery and historical museum,
the Alexander House is dedicated to preserving and teaching the
rich lumbering and papermaking industry of Wood County. Throughout
the year the displays change to keep the museum fresh and the
historical information current. Open Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
1pm to 4pm. Group tours available by appointment.
South Wood County Historical Museum
540 Third Street South, Wisconsin Rapids
715-423-1580
Discover the cultural heritage of Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County
through a variety of educational displays and programs at the
museum. Exhibits include information about the logging and papermaking
industries that built the area, plus a re-creation of a general
store and doctor's office. Open May through October, Sunday, Tuesday,
and Thursday, 1pm to 4pm. Group tours available by appointment.
New Visions Gallery
1000 N. Oak Avenue, Marshfield
715-387-5562
Art lovers will enjoy Marshfield's home for the visual arts. A
non-profit community museum, the New Visions Gallery features
a powerful series of exhibitions that change every 4-6 weeks.
The exhibits showcase a variety of art mediums including national
traveling exhibits, featured works from public and private collections,
and a wide variety of local and regional art. The New Visions
Gallery also maintains a permanent collection of contemporary
works, Japanese Prints, Haitian paintings, Australian Aboriginal
art and West African sculptures and masks. Open Monday through
Friday 9am to 5:30pm, and Saturday 11am to 3pm. Group and guided
tours available by appointment.
Upham Mansion
212 W. Third Street, Marshfield
715-387-3322
Step back into time and Wisconsin history as you tour the restored
home of former Wisconsin Governor William Henry Upham. The home
is an excellent representation of mid-Victorian architecture;
the furnishings in the Mansion are vintage Victorian pieces, many
of them original pieces from the Upham Family. Built in 1880,
the Upham Mansion is now listed on the National Register of Historic
Places and serves at the center for the North Wood County Historical
Society activities and houses the Society's featured monthly exhibits.
Open Sundays & Wednesdays 1:30pm to 4pm. Group tours available
by appointment.
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Parks & Nature Centers
George
W. Mead Wildlife Area
County
Trunks O, C, & H, between Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids.
Parks & Recreation Department 715-457-6771
Covering more than 20,000 acres of lakes, streams, marshlands
and highlands the George W. Mead Wildlife Area offers residents
and visitors to Wood County a wonderful place to reflect on the
beauty of nature. Hunting, fishing, hiking and other enjoyable
outdoor experiences are here for your pleasure when visiting Meade
Wildlife. Open year round.
Sandhill Wildlife Refuge
County Hwy. X, Babcock
715-884-2437
Take a journey off the beaten path as you explore the old logging
roads, service roads, dikes and unmarked trails that take you
through the Sandhill Wildlife Refuge. The peaceful trails lead
to marshes, quiet and lush forests, near herds of bison, plus
a chance to see a variety of other flora and fauna. Automobile
trails and observation towers provide a chance to view the grounds
from another perspective. Open year round.
Foxfire Gardens
M220 Sugarbush Lane, Marshfield
715-387-3050
Walk through the Moongate of the Foxfire Gardens and have your
breath taken away by these beautiful gardens that have been landscaped
naturally by the elements and their lovely displays of both eastern
and western planting styles. Although the gardens are private,
they are open to the public May through September or by special
arrangement for group tours. The gardens are also available for
weddings on Saturdays. Call for more information.
Stierle Bird Exhibit
Marshfield Public Library, 211 E. Second Street
715-387-8494
Bird watchers and lovers will enjoy and learn from this extensive
collection consisting of 380 birds representing 140 species, plus
a collection of 1,890 bird eggs. Open Monday through Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday
9am to 5pm, and Sunday 1pm to 5pm.
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Special Things to Do
Rapids Municipal
Zoo & Petting Zoo
1911 Gaynor
Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids
The whole family will enjoy a chance to visit with animals that
are native to Wisconsin. Picnic and playground facilities make
for a whole day of family fun. Open May 1 through October 15th
10am to 7pm.
Wildwood Park & Zoo
Highway 13 South, Marshfield
715-384-4642
Welcome to Wisconsin's fourth largest zoo! Established in 1924
the zoo now covers more than 60 acres of land and features more
than 200 animals and birds from North America and throughout the
world. The grizzly bears, mountain lions, and timber wolves are
always favorites to visitors. Children enjoy watching the white-handed
gibbons put on a show as they jump, swing, and chatter away. Other
favorites include the prairie dogs, the great horned owl and bald
eagle exhibit and the ducks, swans, muskrats and rabbits that
have made the zoo their new home. A special feature of the zoo
is the drive by viewing option for the large animal exhibits,
which includes buffalo, elk, deer, barbado sheep, turkeys and
the timber wolves. The zoo also features a sensory garden that
includes a variety of flowering and non-flowering plants designed
for visitors to experience their senses of sight, sound, smell
and touch in a beautiful and tranquil setting. The park grounds
of the zoo include two large ponds for fishing plus an observation
tower for viewing the waterfowl, and picnic and playground facilities.
Call for seasonal hours.
River Walks along the Wisconsin River
Wisconsin Rapids Visitors Bureau, 1120 Lincoln Street
715-422-4856
Enjoy three fascinating and different walks along the Wisconsin
River, each filled with wonderful stories of the past, community
history and beautiful scenery. River Walk 1 - highlights
historical buildings dating back to the mid 1800's. River Walk
2 - retraces the bridge that joined two communities at the
turn of the century. River Walk 3 - takes you through the
area's first "suburb". River Walk tour brochures are
available from the Wisconsin Rapids Visitors Bureau.
Cranberry Marsh Tour
Ocean Spray, Wisconsin Rapids
715-423-1830 or 1-800-554-4484
Enjoy a tour through the cranberry marsh in the largest inland
cranberry producing area in the world. Harvesting season is late
September through October. Call ahead for tour information
Points of Interest
Rudolph Grotto
Gardens & Wonder Cave
6957 Grotto
Avenue, Rudolph
715-435-3120
Get in touch with your spiritual side or just enjoy the scenery
as you tour through this lovely outdoor religious display which
includes caves, bridges and flower gardens.
Open year round.
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