Things To Do
Visit the Rib Mountain Observation Tower
Rib Mountain is the third highest point in Wisconsin at 1,942 feet above sea level and, at 741 feet above the surrounding terrain, is the tallest hill in Wisconsin. It was formed as a state park in 1927 and dedicated in 1934. A purchase of 257 acres from 3M Corporation in 2001 increased park area to approximately 1600 acres. The top of the 60-foot observation tower is about 800 feet above the surrounding terrain and offers spectacular views. Rib Mountain is one of the oldest geologic formations on earth.
Explore the River District
Walk the square and window shop or grab a bite to eat in downtown Wausau. (Local Tip: check out our favorite local outdoor gear shop, Shepherd & Schaller Sporting Goods. Make sure you get a Bloody Mary at Malarkey's Pub & Townies Grill afterwards!)
Rib Mountain Golf Course
This partially hilly course features medium-sized greens. Water hazards come into play at least four times. The course is adjacent to Rib Mountain State Park.
Wisconsin Black Bear Education Center
In the early 1980s, armed with state-of-the-art camera equipment, Jeff began his own personal study of black bears in the wild. He soon learned that bears are not the highly dangerous animals portrayed in so many sensational news stories, but instead are intelligent, gentle animals who play a critical role in the functioning ecosystems they inhabit. Jeff Traska’s passion for bears eventually led him to provide a home for his first bear named Vince. Over time, Vince’s modest enclosure expanded into a spacious, natural compound now heralded as one of the best in the region. Vince was eventually joined by two other bears, Sunny and Moon, and most recently by Sky. All four bears enjoy a quality of life seldom experienced by bears in captivity.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Art of the natural world is the guiding spirit behind the paintings, works on paper, and sculpture in the Museum’s collection. Visitors can experience nature’s beauty year round in the galleries featuring exhibitions drawn from the Museum’s collection and throughout the sculpture garden and grounds; the Woodson Art Museum’s historic and contemporary collection sets a world standard for avian- and nature-themed art.
Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art
The Wausau Museum of Contemporary Art is a place where people from Northern Wisconsin can experience the work and ideas of artists – both living and deceased – to understand the historical, social and cultural context of the art of our time. WMOCA integrates exhibitions, performances, collections, and educational programs to excite, challenge, and enlighten our visitors.
Hiking, Biking, Disc Golf at Nine Mile Forest
The terrain of this unit ranges from low, flat ground to fairly steep terrain, providing a true diverse experience. There are also two designated trout streams running through the forest, Four Mile Creek and Black Creek.