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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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Nature Center & Parks

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.

Papermill Tour
Consolidated Papers, Inc., Wisconsin Rapids
715-422-3789
Visit a papermaking operation on a guided tour. Minimum age is 12 years old, unless accompanied by an adult. Tours Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 10am. Year round. Group tours by appointment.

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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