Why Dogsled?

The answer is simple…because it’s fun. Dog sledding is a way for those who love dogs to get out in the wilderness and have a great time.

Our Alaskan Huskies love to run and we feel privileged that they like to bring us along on their journeys. The huskies are friendly, energetic dogs that love people and love to run even more.

Traveling in the back country is an amazing experience. You get to do and see things you can’t see from the road. When you travel by dogsled, you don’t hear an engine roar or smell the exhaust. Instead, your journey is quiet except for the gentle jingle of the dogs’ collars and the sound of you and the dogs breathing.

We offer one hour rides and half and full day adventures where you can learn to mush your own team.  The rides, weather permitting, are between December 15 and March 31.

For more information or a reservation Email Mish or call 715-771-0416. It is best to email since they check it in the morning or evening.  If you call you will need to leave a message.

Do you want the thrill of rafting but want to do it in the Midwest?  Then you need to come to Wisconsin and go to Thorntons and either raft the Peshtigo River or the Menominee River.  Both of them will give you a thrill although the Menominee is for more experienced rafters or those with more courage.

Exciting Peshtigo River Rafting trips are run daily and are guaranteed to include crashing whitewater rapids, gentle stretches of river, and some the most scenic wilderness in the state of Wisconsin. The Peshtigo River allows you to enjoy its spectacular beauty and bountiful wildlife along the 5-mile river trip, which hold some the most challenging whitewater in the Midwest.  Daily trips April through October offer from class II to class IV rapids ranging from crashing whitewater to gentle stretches that last only long enough for you to catch your breath and enjoy the spectacular beauty and wildlife of the area. All trips are run in the latest equipment available for whitewater rafting, guided and all gear is provided.

Go fishing in the morning and Peshtigo white water rafting in the afternoon! Thornton’s Resort provides some of the best Class A musky lakes in the state of Wisconsin. Located in Marinette County, Thornton’s Resort is only a short distance from some of the best fishing in the area. You are able to fish for walleye, bass, northern pike, and muskellunge in one of the 204 lakes and flowages or 100 miles of the Menomonee River that are found in this part of the state. If trout fishing is your forte, enjoy fishing in the highest concentration of trout streams in Wisconsin.

The Menominee River offers class IV rapids and is a guided trip, run in six to twelve person self-bailing rafts. The Menominee River is a scenic 50 minute drive from our resort and begins at the beautiful 200′ cliffs bordering Wisconsin and the U.P. Down river you will experience the famous “Piers Gorge” which we run twice. Price is $47.00 per person and includes all gear and guides.

Location: W12882 Parkway Road
Athelstane, WI 54104

Phone: 715-757-3311

Enjoy relaxing on 50 secluded acres of Wisconsin’s northwoods. Trek with the llamas, sit and relax on the deck or visit
one of the many attractions in the area:
Hunting, fishing, swimming, tubing, canoeing, golfing,
cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, dining, shopping,
visiting historical sites, hiking the national forests…
are just a few of the local activities.
Come and meet the llamas of Storybook Farm!

Enjoy an adventure with your family hiking through 2 miles of wooded trails with one of the most gentle creatures on earth!

The llama trekking is available until the snow falls and again in the spring when the trails dry out.

A typical visit will include meeting the llamas, and pairing up with a compatible trekker. Once on the trails you have the chance to fine tune your llama training skills so at the end of the trek you will be ready for the obstacle course. The trail is about 2 miles long and is one of the best groomed trails in the area. The obstacle course includes turns, jumps, a bridge and various other maneuvers. This is a great family adventure.

You can come for an hour, spend the day or stay overnight at the B&B.

We’ve had trekkers as young as two years old take our llamas trekking!

LIFE IS FULL OF OBSTACLES!

We have a mini obstacle course set up for those daring adventurers that want a little more excitement!  There are national competitions for doing obstacles. The obstacles on our mini course encompass some of the mandatory obstacles for llamas competing in either the obstacle class or the public relations class.

Backing up…
And listening intently!

Over the bridge?

An easy jump!

Llama Trekking & Obstacle Course!
General rates: $15.00 per llama
They can take up to 14 trekkers.

Check out their seasonal prices.

Group rates are available:

Team building competitions are available for up to 30 people.

They also do parties!!  What a great change of pace for a party. 

If you think trekking is a boring walk through the woods…you just haven’t done it!  Treks are what you make them…a peaceful nature hike or a rowdy, romping adventure!

Either way, you’ll have to hone your skills to compete on the obstacle course.  Or, for groups…take a mini trek and do some team building competitions…that’s a riot!

Contact Jim Hirdler, Owner, at 715-339-3614

Email: bonniescrias@aol.com

Location: N 9479 Deer Lake Lane
Phillips, WI 54555

The tour allows you to see several behind-the-scenes areas.  The tour guides will lead you through the Lambeau Field Atrium, up to the exclusive Club Level for a look at the Legends Club, then down through the players tunnel and learn about the Green Bay Packers.  Tickets are sold on a first-come first-served basis for each day’s available tours.  Tickets go on sale at 9 AM Monday – Saturday and 10 AM on Sunday.  During Training Camp the tickets go on sale at 8 AM.

Stadium Tour Ticket Prices

• Adult Combo (18-61): $19 for Stadium Tour & Hall of Fame Admission
• Adults (18-61): $11
• Seniors (62+): $10
• Military (with valid military ID): $10
• Youth (12-17): $10
• Student (with college student ID): $10
• Children (6-11): $8
• Children (5 and under): FREE
• Lambeau Field will host its 54th season of football in 2010.  The stadium had a facelift in 2003 expanding the only true retro-look in the entire league.  The stadium can be used all year, not just during the games.  Enjoy the Packets Hall of Fame and other functions.

Just outside the Atrium in the Robert E. Harlan Plaza, named in honor of the former team CEO (1989-2007), are bronze statues of team founder Curly Lambeau and legendary coach Vince Lombardi.

If you are lucky you can get tickets to the Miller Lite End Zone where you have a fabulous view of the field, open seating, beer vendors with little or no lines and heating for cold weather games.  Along with that there are live radio broadcasts during the game.  The Miller Light End Zone Party Deck holds up to 300 Packers fanatics.  Only those 21 and older are allowed into the area.

Parking

Game Day Access Map (PDF)

The Lambeau Field parking lot opens four hours prior to kickoff. With the exception of a limited number of first come, first served parking for people with disabilities, the entire stadium lot is sold out to holders of season parking passes. Reserved season parking customers must enter the lot at the entrance indicated on their parking pass and follow the directions given by the parking attendants. No busses, R.V.’s or oversized vehicles are allowed in the Lambeau Field lot. For information on season parking, or to be added to the waiting list for season parking passes in the Lambeau Field lot, please contact the Packers Ticket Office at 920-569-7501.

Tailgating Tailgating is a time-honored tradition at Lambeau Field and while we encourage you to have a good time, please do so responsibly. Those utilizing the Lambeau Field parking lot will be permitted only one parking space per vehicle and we ask that you limit the space used for tailgating to allow for vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Grill cooking with charcoal or L.P. gas is allowed; however, all grills must be supervised while in use and be fully extinguished before being left unattended. Separate containers are available in the lot for hot charcoals, recyclable items and trash.

Location:

Green Bay Packers, Inc.
Lambeau Field Atrium
1265 Lombardi Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54304

Phone: Main Switchboard 920.569.7500 Tickets: 920-569-7501

The opportunity to feed the giraffes is between 10 AM and 1 PM and again from 2 PM to 5 PM.  It costs $1.00 for 2 giraffe crackers and is available at the giraffe stand.

The NEW Zoo is located 10 miles northwest of downtown Green Bay, within the Brown County Reforestation Camp.  Together they sit on 1560 acres which serve over a half a million visitors each year.  The NEW Zoo occupies 43 acres of this land.  There are hiking trails, biking and nature trails that will have every outdoor enthusiast so pleased they will come back time and again.

There are 92 exhibits with over 215 live animals.  The NEW Zoo is divided into several themed areas including the North American Plains, Wisconsin & Northern Trails, Africa, Australia, a Children’s zoo and an education building.  The Zoo offers self-guided tours through dozens of animal exhibits as well as the educational programs for your enjoyment.

If you visit in the winter you can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing through the miles of unbroken forest land.

The miles of trails, picnic areas, trout ponds, and animal exhibits provide fun and enjoyment for the whole family. Visit the observation tower to see a good portion of the animal exhibits and lush habitat.

The NEW Zoo is open 7 days a week.  Here you can escape the everyday life and have a fun day in nature and looking at the variety of animals in the zoo.  You can take the KC Stock Safari Train around the grounds for just $2 per person, weather permitting.  The train runs from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Zoo Hours: 9 AM – 6 PM

Admission: Children 2 years and under are FREE, 3 – 15 $3; Adult (16 and over) $5; Seniors (62 +) $3; Families $15.

Location: 4378 Reforestation Road
Green Bay, WI 54313

Phone: 920.434.7841

You will probably want to visit the Observation Building/Resch Conservation Wing to be able to see live birds of prey, live songbirds, fruit bats, a boa constrictor, native fish in their tank, the animal nursery window (a favorite of everyone), and use the public restrooms that are available there.  You can buy corn to feed the ducks and geese for $1 a bag but please, only feed them the corn, nothing else!

In 1935 the Sanctuary began as a waterfowl rehabilitation site and today it continues to receive over 4,000 inured, orphaned and sick animals each year.  All those that can be released back into the wild are released.  Those that cannot survive in the wild may be used by the staff as wildlife education ambassadors.

In the Nature Education Center you can participate in hands-on exhibits, see the Whistling Wings Art Gallery, the Estuary Room, spend some time in the library and again there are public restrooms available here. 

When you are on the Wildlife Habi-Trek trail you will get to the Woodland Building and grassland Habitat where you will be able to witness wolves, cougar, bobcat, fisher and otter in the outdoor environment.  Indoors you will see flying squirrels, mice and voles, mink, opossum, turtles and snakes.  Then on to the Grassland Habitat where you will see White-tailed deer, wild turkey, coyotes, crows and ravens, be able to climb the observation tower and more.

There are a number of nature programs that you can participate in while you are in the area so check to see what will be going on while you are visiting.

Location:
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary
1660 East Shore Drive
Green Bay, WI 54302

Phone: 920.391.3671

Hours: April 15 – Sept. 15 8 AM – 7:30 PM at the Nature Center; Observation Building, Animal Care, Injured Animals 8 AM – 6:30 PM daily (call 920-391-3685); hiking trails from 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily; Woodland Building and Habitrek 9 AM – 6 PM daily.

From September 16 – April 14 hours are Nature center 8 – 4:30 daily, Observation building 8 – 4:30; hiking trails 8 – 4:30, Woodland Building and Habitrek 9 – 4:30 daily.

Just across the road from the wildlife sanctuary is Bay Beach Amusement Park. Entertaining more than 1 million guests each season, the park has 16 amusement rides with ride tickets just 25 cents each. Bay Beach has been a summer tradition for 50 years.  In addition to the fun rides, the park consists of approximately 45 acres with 7 shelters, a dance hall, rest rooms, picnic areas, and playground, softball and volleyball areas.

This park has a fascinating history that make it well worth visiting, along with the Amusement Park the history shows how a piece of land can take on a life of its own.  Originally purchased in 1892 by Mitchell Negedlo to be developed into a private beach resort named Bay View Beach, the idea was sound according to today’s standards, but with the roads being in such poor condition and the land swampy and mosquito infested it just didn’t take off.  Since the mode of transportation at that time was the horse and buggy getting through to the area after a rain was impossible.  Due to this Nejedlo sold the land to Captain John Cusick in 1908. 

Cusick bought a steamboat and began transporting passengers from their dock just south of the Walnut Street Bridge to the new dock at Bay View Beach. The boat could haul up to 400 passengers. The dock extended 570 feet into the bay and was 8 feet wide. At the end where the boat anchored, there was a covered pavilion 30 by 30 feet.

Swimming became popular at Bay View Beach and the rental of swimsuits at 10 cents apiece became a gold mine for Cusick. On a good day the bathhouse took in as much as $450.00, and even though the suits were never quite dry or free of sand, people kept wearing them anyway.

The original pavilion was two stories and had two large winds.  The downstairs center portion housed the dining rooms and a kitchen.  The west wing served as a roller skating rink and the east was a dance hall.

There was a roller coster built in 1901 and torn down and replaced in 1929 but it was dismantled in 1936 due to insurance issues.  Along with the roller coaster there was a Shoot-the-Chutes ride which was an early version of the log ride that is at many parks today.  It cost the rider 10 for the ride but due to disastrous freezing and ice breakups the ride was destroyed after the 2nd or 3rd season.

By 1910, Bay View Beach had become a favorite recreation spot. In 1911, Frank Murphy and Fred Rahr bought out Cusick and incorporated their park with Cusick as manager. Several rides were added including a large roller coaster and a merry-go-round. Cusick was willing to try anything to draw a crowd. His attraction included balloon ascensions, baseball games and nightly dances in the pavilion.  When Cusick left Bay View Beach in 1916 the park fell into a slump.  In 1920 Murphy and Rahr donated the 11.66 acres to the city with the stipulation that it had to be used as a park and playground.  The city shortened the name to Bay Beach and leased out the operation until 1950 when the Park and Rec department took over control.

The facility was busy with dance night where teens from all over Green Bay would come to dance.  It is said that as many as 1,759 dance tickets were sold in one evening.  During the 40′s dances were offered two nights a week and for 15 cents teens could divide their time between roller skating in the west wind and dancing in the east.  Such greats as Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Tony Pastor, Tiny Hill and finally Lawrence Welk played there.  By 1972 teen dances had phased out and were discontinued.

Today the rides are for everyone but focusing on the little ones you can make plans for them to ride in the Pony ride, Lady Bugs, the boats, the Granny Bugs, the little jeeps in bright colors, a race car, or the Sky Fighters.  For the adults there is the slide which slide down on a burlap sack on the 100 foot slide, the Bay Beach Train, the bumper cars, the Ferris wheel, the Helicopter, the Scat, the merry go round, scrambler, tilt-a-whirl and the Yo-Yo.

There is no admission charge and parking is free. Ride tickets are $.25 each, with the rides requiring one or two tickets per rider. Tickets can be purchased from the ticket office on the park grounds during regular operation hours.

Tickets for the live pony rides must be purchased at the pony ride site. Regular ride tickets will not be accepted at the live pony ride.

Hours for the park vary so check for times for the days that you want to attend.

Location: 1313 Bay Beach Road, Green Bay, WI

Phone: 920-448-3365

Email: jeanse@ci.green-bay.wi.us

Amenities on board include two richly appointed, heated and air conditioned Salons, two full-service bars, a full galley, men’s and women’s restrooms, and two open air decks. Foxy Lady II is U.S. Coast Guard Certified for up to 149 passengers.

There are a number of cruises for the visitor to the area to enjoy, from the lunch cruise which is a 2 hour narrated adventure where you will be able to make your own sandwich from the buffet set up to the Lock-Thru lunch which is a 4 hour adventure through the DePere Locks.  If you would rather go later in the day there is  Cocktail Cruise that is a 2 hour cruise with drinks and snacks available for purchase.  On the Thirsty Thursday you can have the same cocktail cruise but with two-for-one drink specials.

Maybe you want to try something like the Margarita Madness cruise which is 2 hours with a taco bar buffet.  You can also learn about the points of interest on teh Fox River during the 1 1/2 hour cruise which is a sight-seeing cruise.  There is also a Dinner Cruise, Itailian Buffet Dinner Cruise, the Captains Bruch or Hors D’ Oeuvres Cruise or the Friday Night seafood Buffet from which you can choose.

Phone: Call (920) 432-3699

Location: 1270 Main St., Green Bay, WI 54302

Fur Trade history is shared at the park with information about how the locaiton between the Mississippi and the Saint Lawrence Rivers made “LaBaye” a logical place for a fur trader to settle down.  By the 1720’s bands of voyageur canoes set out each spring from Quebec, the capital of New France, bound for the Northwest with a cargo of French trade goods. Iron pots, axe heads, knives, needles, mirrors, and other metal goods were popular with the woodland tribes who had only used wooden and bone implements. Flintlock muskets, gunpowder, and shot helped to hunt animals for food, while Indians snared the fur bearing animals whose pelts made fine felt hats back in France. A trader at LaBaye could exchange last year’s cargo of metal, guns, cloth fabric, and blankets for a boatload of fine furs which he would take to the “rendezvous” at Mackinac. There in early summer traders from the great Lakes would meet the Montreal brigades who would take their furs back to Quebec in exchange for another winter’s worth of trade goods. The French fur traders were reliant on the native groups for food, a trade route, hunting grounds, pelts, and companionship. Out of this companionship grew the Meétis culture, a mingling of French fur traders and the Indian culture.

There is a cabin for you to see from circa 1800.  This cabin was actually discovered when a house was being torn down in order to construct the Tilleman Bridge.  It is constructed in the French style of piece-on-piece, meaning one log upon the other.  There are grooved upright logs set in the ground at the corners, dorrs, and windows.  The cracks are chinked to give it a tight fit.

Location: 2640 South Webster Ave., Green Bay Wisconsin 54301

Phone: 920-448-5150 (office hours are Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM)

Email: info@heritagehillgb.org

Research into the history of the property Green Bay Botanical Garden (GBBG) has been developed on, reveals a horticultural past that ties the plans for the property into a kind of horticultural continuity. The NWTC property, or as it is commonly known, the old Larsen orchard was originally part of a vast acreage owned by the William Larsen family of Green Bay.

This acreage lay within the Town of Hobart, on what was once Oneida Indian Reservation land. According to a 1951 edition of “The Wisconsin Magazine,” William Larsen founded a wholesale fruit and vegetable business in 1882. He marketed the produce in the surrounding Green Bay area and expanded his business into a canning operation and founded what we know today as Agrilink Foods.

The Brown County register of deed office reveals that the 65-acre GBBG site was acquired by Larsen, parcel by parcel, in the early part of the 20th century. The earliest plots were bought in 1909, the latest in 1915. According to James Wagner, former treasurer of the Larsen Co. (now Agrilink Foods), apples from this orchard were canned into applesauce by the company during WWII. Apples were also sold at the company apple store, located near Larsen Co. on North Broadway. Later, the orchard became a pick-your-own operation, which was in business until the property began to be sold off.

After years of horticultural use, the property entered a transitional stage. In 1969, NWTC bought a 198-acre property, including the Larsen orchard on which the school was built. The orchard property was upgraded in the late 1970’s to encourage passive recreational use by the general public. Under the direction of NWTC, the US Army Corps of Engineers built a wetlands walkway and a lookout tower, established cross-country ski trails, and constructed the drainage system that resulted in the creation of the pond. The orchard site became a place for the general public to ski, hike, walk, startle a browsing deer, photograph a wildflower, and to enjoy seasonal changes.

In March of 1978, the nucleus group which later became Green Bay Botanical Garden came onto the scene. The group (named Plants in the Urban Environment) met to find ways to promote plants in Green Bay. A botanical garden sub-committee was formed which included Robert Mongin as chair, Jim Beard, Roger Murphy, Jerry Landwehr, Ray Pagel, Dave Parsons, Paul Hartman, Glenn Spevacek, and Sister Nivard Schaefer. This group began looking for possible botanical garden sites. Thirteen sites were chosen by November of 1978 including UWGB, the Wildlife Sanctuary, Brown Co. Mental Health Center and NWTC. Eventually the group selected NWTC as the top site based on detailed examination of criteria.

In March of 1982, Glenn Spevacek became chair of the group which developed bylaws, seated a board, and incorporated as a non-profit organization. Green Bay Botanical Garden, Inc. continued to pursue a garden site. Hartman says, “We started over completely, with an open mind as to what would be the best site.” The group looked at over twenty sites and measured them against the criteria. NWTC again was selected as the most suitable property in the spring of 1986. In November of 1987, NWTC approved the lease proposal.

As the site passed into the hands of GBBG, they not only inherited a piece of property with a horticultural tradition, but they began to build their own horticultural history. They will be the special stewards of the land. The botanical garden will be the next and final phase for the “old Larsen orchard”. Its history is ending, the Botanical Gardens is just beginning.

Enter the world of the 7th oldest operating brewery in the nation.  It all began when brewer Matthias Leinenkrugel brought his family to the US from Germany in the 1840′s.  Although the family originally settled in Sauk City the third son, Jacob, traveled north to Chippewa Falls.  He was convinced that the lumberjacks and lumber-booming economy of the area was an ideal location for his own brewery.  

The brewing of Leinendugel’s Beer began for Jacob in 1867 and has been continued for 140 years and five-generations.  With all the trials they have survived, such as prohibition, WWII and some really fierce competition it has grown to become the leading craft brewer in the Upper Midwest.

They offer in addition to their year-round offerings—Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat, Honey Weiss, Berry Weiss, Red Lager, Creamy Dark, Original, and Light, they also offer seasonal beers—Oktoberfest, Apple Spice, and Big Butt Doppelbock.

The beer brewed by this brewery is a handcrafted beer of great taste.  If you are looking for a high-quality full-flavored beer then you really want to try one of theirs.

The brewery was built by Jacob and his friend form Sauk City, John Miller.  When it was first begun there were no employees working the brewery except for Jacob and John.  Jacob brewed and kegged 400 barrels of beer the first year and John delivered it using a small cart and one horse.  At the time both families lived in the brewery in a building 24 ft by 50 feet.  Not such a huge area for a brewery and home but it was a start.

A few years later John and Jacob both built their homes on brewery property.  There were 17 years that they two were partners in the brewery but in early 1884 John sold his interests to Jacob and the firm began a period of single proprietorship.  At that time Jacob employed just 8 men.

In 1890 a four-story brewhouse was erected and production increased to 200 barrels a day.  With the construction of an ice house with storage underneath the facility provided cellage for 8,000 barrels of beer.  In following years a three-story malt house, a bottling house, barns for the delivery horses and a copper shop were added.

Jacob died in 1899.  Following his leadership the second generation began running the brewery.  Matt Leinenkugel became the president of the company.

To survive the years of Prohibition  the brewery started making soda water.  At the end of prohibition Leinenkugels’ was the largest bottler of soda water in the area.

With the death of Matthias in 1926 and his associate Henry Casper in 1927 the running of the brewery moved on to Susan Leinendugel Mayer who served as president until 1929.

When Prohibition was ending the brewery demanded upgraded equipment so the family mortgaged their homes to help buy it to revitalize the brewing operation. For the next 71 years the brewery would be in a constant state of upgrading.

Tours of the brewery began around 1967.  With the demand of tours and wanting to taste the beers produced by the company becoming more demanding the brewery build the Leinenkugle Hospitality center in 1979.

You are invited to come and tour the facility and sample the brews.  The tours start and end at the Leinie Lodge and if FREE.  To maintain the tradition of old-world hospitality they request that you call in advance for the tour.

Directions: From Chicago/Milwaukee on I-94:

Take I-94 West to Eau Claire, exit 70 (first Eau Claire exit) Highway 53 North
Go North 12 miles to Highway 124 North
Follow Highway 124 into Chippewa Falls
From Twin Cities on I-94:

Take I-94 East to Chippewa Falls, exit 52 – Highway 29 East
Follow Highway 29 East 20 miles into Chippewa Falls
Take exit 72 (Business 29). Travel approximately 4 miles into Chippewa Falls.
Follow Highway 124 North signs
From the East on Highway 29 (Wausau)

Take exit 79 (Seymour Cray Blvd.), turn right onto Businees 29 and follow signs to Downtown and Highway 124 North.
Continue traveling on Highway 124 through Chippewa Falls, turning right onto E. Elm St.
From the North (Superior)

Take exit 99 off of Highway 53 North (County Highway S), turn left at the bottom of the exit.
Travel 2 miles to the roundabout intersection at Highway 124, take Highway 124 South, travel 2 miles turning left on E. Elm St.
Once in Chippewa Falls:

Follow Highway 124 to the Elm St. intersection.
Turn onto E. Elm Street., (you’ll see the Leinie Lodge on your left)
Free parking is located behind the Leinie
Lodge.

Tour Hours:

Monday-Thursday & Sat.:
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with tours every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday:
Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. with tours every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday:
Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours every half hour from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Leinie Lodge is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Maximum 15 people per tour. Reservations recommended. Parts of the brewery tour are outside; please dress appropriately for the weather. The tour involves a lot of standing, walking and stair-climbing. We offer a video tour as an alternative.

To make a reservation, please call:
888-LEINIES or 715-723-5557

Phone: (888-534-6437) or (715)723-5557

The Apostle Islands are a group of more than twenty islands on Lake Superior found just off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin. The islands were the spiritual home of the Chippewa natives that lives in the area. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore also encompasses 12 miles of mainland waterfront.

Seeing all of these wonderful and different islands by canoe or kayak can be an incredible experience. However, you should keep an eye on weather conditions and if it appears as though a storm is coming in or that the water is getting choppy, you should immediately make your way off the lake. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Before heading onto the lake, you should have a map of the island and a distance chart so you can plot your course. You can travel to any of the islands, such as Devil’s Island, Cat Island, Manitou Island, and Otter Island. You can find campsites at these islands, but make sure you have the proper permits before you set up camp!

Another feature that you might want to check out while paddling around the islands is the sea caves. Be careful not to get too close, however, as the waves can make your canoe extremely difficult to control. Only approach the sea caves when conditions on the water are calm. Devil’s Island is a great place to get a look at some sea caves. You can also check out the lighthouse on its shores.

Some of the islands are home to black bears, so you should always be sure to have your food stored securely and away from your campsite whenever you are stopping on an island, whether you are camping or just stopping for lunch. Also, anything that you bring with you to the islands, you should take back out with you – no littering.

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is open to the public year round, but hours that the visitor center is open vary depending on the season. When you first come to the islands, it is a good idea to visit Bayfield Visitor’s Center. You can learn more about the islands’ histories and pick up camping permits if you plan to stay overnight. You can park at Little Sand Bay or Meyer’s Beach, which will cost a small parking fee.

With so many places to paddle to, the Apostle Islands are sure to bring you back again and again.
 

When traveling through the beautiful north woods of Wisconsin, you will find a wonderful place to visit. Peck’s Wildwood Wildlife Park is located very close to the town of Minocqua, and makes a wonderful place for the whole family to get away and have a fun day. People love that they can get very close to the animals here – it makes for a great experience and great photos.

You will encounter hundreds of different animals, birds, and reptiles while walking along the beautiful, landscaped trails at the park or taking the safari train ride. You can see bears, mountain lions, coyotes, fox, lynx, wolves, and more. You can even attend one of the Discovery Programs and learn all about the different types of wildlife they keep at the park.

Many of the animals at the park are from North America, but quite a few do hail from other places around the globe. Zebras, camels, and kangaroos, are always popular with visitors.

One of the most popular places in the park is the nursery, where you and your own little ones can meet some of the cutest and funniest baby animals around. You will see a variety of different animal babies in the nursery, including ferrets, skunks, owls, bears, and woodchucks.

Another fun attraction is the boat rides, which will whisk you past an authentic Native American dwelling, around a beaver house, and past some lifelike recreations of bears, alligators, and snakes.

In addition to visiting all the animals, you can even try your hand at fishing. You can fish for trout in their trout pond, and you don’t even need a license. You only pay for the fish you catch. The staff at the park will even clean the fish and put them on ice for you. You have a great day at the park AND catch your own dinner!

Don’t forget to check out the Wild Den gift shop and grab a couple of fun souvenirs to remember you trip to this great wildlife park. If you get hungry, you will also find snack stands where you can quench your thirst and stop the rumbling in your belly. If you prefer, a picnic area is available where you can eat your lunch.

Pecks Wildwood Wildlife Park is open May through the middle of October, and is located near the picturesque Lake Minocqua. It is just a short drive from the park to town.
 

Holiday Stables – Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Come to Rhinelander and do something that you have wanted to do for ages but just never took the time for, a horseback ride (and pony rides for the kids.)  You will be able to relax while going through the beautiful forest lands and think about what it would have been like for the early settlers in the area.

When you are done with the ride you may want to visit the petting zoo or perhaps take a wagon ride (which you need to set up by appointment.)

This is one of the longest and most scenic rides in the Northwoods.

The stables are open from May to September – 7 days a week from 9 am to 6 pm.

Phone: 715-362-1881 or 715-584-6779.

Location: 4005 Old Farm Road, Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Rocking W Stables – Eagle River, Wisconsin

You can take a horsedrawn sleigh ride such as the Christmas Parades, Christmas Sleigh ride; Wagon Rides or special occasions (want to have a wagon ride after your wedding?)

Enjoy scenic, beautiful wooded trails with a half-way point bonfire, hot chocolate and Christmas cheer.

These are available December 15 through January 1 from 10 am to 11 pm.

Phone: 715-617-6779 and 715-758-6779

Location: 1890 Pleasure Island Road, Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521

Lumberjack Steam Train – Laona, Wisconsin

Take a trip back in time with on the Lumberjack Steam Train vintage train from the 1800’s.  You can sit in a rare cupola caboose as you travel into an actual site of a Northwoods logging camp.

The “4-spot” Steam Locomotive was built in 1916 by the Volcan Iron Works in Pennsylvania and purchased in 1926 and brought to Laona for use in the logging industry.  The steam engine pulls two all steel passenger coach cars and three cabooses for your pleasure.

You will board the Lumberjack Steam train at the 1880’s Soo Line Deport where you will buy your tickets just like they did at the time.  The ride will take you out to the site of an Old Logging Camp.  Lumberjacks numbered their camps and the site you will visit was Camp 5. 

The site contains some of the old buildings which were part of the farm such as the old Hog Barn which now serves as a Petting oral, the Blacksmith Shop which is now a part of the Museum and the old Slaughter House.  In the distance is the old Boarding house and several original barns, as well as the “Woods Boss’s House”.   Your ticket is not only for the train ride but also into the logging camp where you can wander around and get the feel of what it was like for the loggers that spent so much of their lives living here.

Visiting the museum you will watch the “Northwoods Saga” video with gives a short history of logging.  It also shows modern logging techniques.  It will help you understand the importance of logging to Wisconsin economy.

The museum is filled with artifacts that show the life of the loggers.  There are tools and machinery the farm used to plant and harvest crops.  Antique household appliances, sleighs and buffalo blankets and old dugout canoes.  There are collections of original script and coins along with the original account ledgers.  There is the cumbersome two man saw, cruiser equipment and stamp hammers used by the lumberjacks who struggled in the cold winters to harvest trees.  Framed pictures on the walls depict some of the most arduous tasks performed in the life of these hearty people.  The methods used to transport logs to the railroads and rivers are also featured in the museum.  You will learn how draft horses managed to pull huge sleds piled thirty feet high with logs.  You will learn how the cooks were considered the most important people at the camp!  You will see Paul Bunyan size cooking tools including frying pans three feet across and imagine a cook using them to prepare a lumberjack sized breakfast of flapjacks, eggs and sausage!

Plan on a 2 hour visit to have time to enjoy all the activities available.

Location: ¼ mile west of the junction of Highways 8 & 32 on Highway 8.

Phone: 715-674-3414

Email: info@lumberjacksteamtrain.com

The logging camp is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Schedules & Rates

The 2010 Season runs from June 24th thru August 28th
MONDAY – SATURDAY, CLOSED SUNDAY
Fall Season: September 18, 25 & October 2

The Lumberjack Steam Train runs
rain or shine.

From Laona to
Lumberjack Camp  From Lumberjack Camp
to Laona
11:00 am 11:20 am
12:00 pm 12:20 pm
1:00 pm 1:20 pm
2:00 pm 2:45 pm
Last Train to Laona: 4:00 pm 
Visitors are encouraged to stay a minimum of 2 hours to enjoy all the Lumberjack Camp Museum activities

Adults $ 19.00
Children (Age 4-12) $ 8.00
Family (2 adults and 3 or more children ages 4-12) $ 56.00
Children under 3  FREE

River Wildlife Tour and Boat Trip

Adults $ 5.00
Children (Age 4-12) $ 3.00
Children under 3  FREE

The Turtle Flambeau Flowage – Near Mercer and Butternut, Wisconsin

Enjoy the 19,000 acres of clear, sparkling water which was created in 1926 with the dam built to create a reservoir.

If you enjoy solitude of a vast wilderness and want to fish for walleye, musky, and panfish you will love this location.  The roaring rapids of the Flambeau River offer a more adventurous angling experience, and calm area streams beckon the trout devotees.

You can enjoy swimming, canoeing and kayaking.  A 26 mile boat or canoe trip on the north fork of the famous Flambeau River from Flowage to the city of Park Falls, traversing 23 rapids, providing adventures to remember forever with the whitewater thrills on one of the truly last unspoiled rivers.

Location: in Iron County Wisconsin, near the towns of Mercer and Butternut.  About 375 miles from Chicago, 300 miles from Milwaukee, and 275 miles from Minneapolis.  Easily accessible from either US Highway 51 from Mercer (12 miles) or US Highway 13 from Butternut (17 miles).  Take County Highway FF from either Butternut or Mercer to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage.

Chippewa Flowage – Hayward, Wisconsin

The Chippewa Flowage is a watery maze of islands and floating bogs a fabulous location for anglers and wildlife watchers.

When the area was flooded it was the home to a small tribe of Indians.  In this water may be the home now to the largest musky in the world.

The “Big Chip” is a 15,300 acre impoundment which makes it Wisconsin’s third largest lake.  It was created in 1924 and has 233 miles of shoreline with approximately 200 enchanting islands dotting the area.

Not only is this water a great place for Musky fishing it also ranks right up there with walleye fishing.

Enjoy the beauties of the area with the maze of islands, points, bays and channels, accented by birch, aspen and pine.  It is also the home to almost all birds and animals indigenous to northern Wisconsin.

The “Big Chip” is split into two basins by County Highway CC.  Starting at the bridge in the center of the flowage, traveling southwest in a clockwise fashion, we find the CC South landing, the most-used public landing on the flowage.  You can then travel down the first entrance to Scott Lake, the north shore of which shelters a great blue heron rookery.  To the west and south is the shallow, secluded James Bay, a good fishing spot when the walleyes are active.  At Lac Courte Oreilles public boat landing near the Blueberry Bridge on Highway CC which is a popular shore-fishing area.

The dam construction began in 1921 and was finished in 1924.  It was originally built by Northern States Power Company for flood control and provide adequate flow during the winter.

The United States had signed treaties with the Ojibwa Nation in the 1800’s for this land.  The land was taken and flooded with the building of the dam.  It flooded over the burial grounds where, when the storms hit, some of the bodies (remains) float to the top on occasion.  How sad.

Camping on the Chippewa Flowage is allowed at no charge on a first come, first served basis at 16 island sites accessible by water only.  You are not allowed to establish new campsites.  There is a 10 day limit on camping at all state campsites with thin the Chippewa Flowage.

Boating is allowed but be aware that there are many stumps, logs, floating bogs and rock bars which make for good fishing but bad for boats if you don’t pay close attention!

Wildlife abounds in the area.  There are Great blue herons, mallards, wood ducks, and hooded mergansers.  The bald eagle, common loon, and turkey vultures are frequently spotted.  There are over 130 species of birds observed on the flowage or in nearby forests.

Frequently caught fish: walleye, Crappie, perch, bluegill and suckers are abundant, musky, northern pike, bass, minnows and carp are common, rock bass, bullheads, pumpkinseed, redhorse are present and sturgeon and catfish are rare.

For information: DNR Hayward Ranger Station, 10220N State Road 27, Hayward, Wisconsin 54843

Phone: 715-634-2688

Nicolet National Forest – Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Vision yourself in an area of crystal clear lakes and streams, towering pines and hardwood forests and you will find you are dreaming of Nicolet National Forest.  It is a place where you can truly spend some time away from the noise, pollution and stress of the city.

All four seasons welcome you to this area whether you are a summer person who likes to hike, fish, canoe, camp, mountain or horseback riding the area will welcome you.  In the autumn you may want to hunt or to see all the famous fall colors.  There are 3,600 miles of back roads for you to explore.  In the winter you will want to bring your cross-country skis or your snowmobile.  Spring offers you the wonders of life renewal with the forest coming to life.

There are 661,000 acres in this Forest.  Enjoy swimming, boating, canoeing, rafting and fishing, hike, ski, snowmobile, hunt, fish and get your camera ready and capture shots of the varied wildlife in the area.  It’s a break you will truly enjoy.

For a more remote experience you can go to the Whisker Lake area, over 33,200 acres designated wilderness for primitive, non0motorized experiences.  These areas are rarely used and provide the ultimate opportunity for solitude.  The deer population in the Nicolet is conservatively estimated at 24,000 or 24 per square mile.  Approximately 250 black bears live in the forest which equals about one per four square miles.  There are some wolves for you to be aware of and perhaps capture a picture.

Parking is available at the entrance to the Whisker Lakes Wilderness area.

Over 800 miles of trails are open to the public.  There are 450 miles of snowmobile trails and 120 miles of groomed cross country ski trails.  Hiking trails total 65 miles.  Two trails are self guided interpretive signed nature trails. All of the campsights at Nicolet are located on lakes or streams and have drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and grills or fire rings.  Nicolet has 23 developed camping sites for 460 units plus 4 units for larger groups and 3 sites with developedwal0in camping areas, each with 5 campsites.  There are 6 freeday use picnic area.

Come and visit, you will be glad you did.

Location: Forest Supervisor’s Office, 68 S Stevens Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin 54501

Phone: 715-362-1300

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest – Park Fall, Wisconsin

Are you into solitude or mountain biking, hiking or camping in some of the most beautiful land in Wisconsin?  Then you really need to come and visit Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

There are nearly 850,000 acres just waiting for you to explore.  It is open year around so you can either enjoy it during the summer with mountain biking, hiking and camping or you can come and visit in the winter with your cross-county skis and see it in a totally different way.

It has gently rolling terrain, is sparsely populated and offers you a chance to truly “get away from it all.”  The Chequamegon leaves an impression of tranquility and inner peace.

There are lakes, rivers and streams along with the forests of northern hardwoods, pines and meadowlands.  You will have a chance to see a wide array of wildlife who make their home in this special part of the world.  There are several highlands overlooking surrounding landscapes accented with rock outcroppings and scenic views.  There is visible evidence of earth-forming volcanoes, earthquakes and glaciers from long ago.

Summer is the time that the area has the most activity with camping, hiking, picnicking, boating, fishing and biking.  In the fall you will enjoy watching the changes of the colors in the forest while you either drive through the forest or hike the trails.  Winter wonderland is truly what you will experience when you get your cross-county skis out and see the forest in this extremely quiet manner.  Of course, there are snowmobile trails and snowshoeing which are also popular.

The history of the area is available for you to experience as you study the signs of the colorful history of the Indians, voyageurs, missionaries, and loggers that once traveled these lands.

There are nearly 200 miles of trails developed for non-motorized use within the Forest.  Two of these trails have national significance.  The North Country National Scenic Trail reaches from eastern New York to Central North Dakota.  A 50 mile section crosses through the Forest.  The eastern portion of this trail is highlighted by the scenic beauty of the Penokee Mt. Range and on the western segment you will experience the peaceful solitude of the Porcupine Lake and Rainbow Lake Wilderness.  The Ice Age National Scenic Trail stretches across Wisconsin with a 40 mile section passing through Chequamegon.

If you want the wilderness to yourself (or nearly to yourself) you can find nearby 11,000 acres of wilderness in the Porcupine Lake and Rainbow Lake Wilderness areas.  These quiet places are reserved for foot travel alone, you won’t be bothered by motorized noises, just the sounds of nature welcoming you.

Hunting and Fishing: some of the best hunting opportunities for black bear, ruffed grouse, and white-tailed deer are in the Forest.  There are usually more bears harvested in and near the Chequamegon than any other part of Wisconsin.  Park Falls has also been proclaimed the “Grouse Capital of the World”.  If you are a deer hunter you will probably have to work harder here than in the southern part of the state but if you do get one it will probably be trophy sized.

Hundreds of Forest area lakes and streams provide quality fishing for such things as Muskellunge, Northern Pike, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, panfish and trout.  It is ideally suited and best known for its “Musky” fishing.

Information: Forest Supervisor Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, 1170 4^th Ave. South, Park Fall, Wisconsin 54552

Phone: 715-762-2461

Email: camba@cheqnet.net (this is the mountain bike group email address.)

Penokee Range – Hurley, Wisconsin

Are you looking for a remote trail to hike?  Do you want to see someplace that not everyone in your hiking circle has ever been to?  Then you need to visit Penokee Range.  It is a remote ridge with an outstanding viewpoint.  It will soon be more accessible and so there will be more hikers in the area, but for now, it could be yours!

It will be part of the North Country Trail with this segment following the Uller Ski Trail which traverses a remote ridge while passing fine stands of maple trees, hidden nooks and crannies and prime viewpoint.

The Penoke-Gogebic Iron Range of Wisconsin and Michigan is about 80 miles long and half a mile to a mile wide.  The crest o the range rises 100 to 300 feet above the broad valley to the north.  In some locations the range is broad and gently rounded in others it is a narrow, steep-sided and serrated terrain.  The highest point on the crest of the range is Mt. Whittlesey, 1866 feet high which makes it the third highest point in Wisconsin.

A portion of the Ponokee Range is broken by many gaps.  In each of these gaps, except three, streams flow northward across the range.  The streams are all of moderate size, often with waterfalls and rapids in narrow gorges where they cross the resistant rocks of the Penokee Range.  The gorges which of the Penokee Range are preglacial and unusually numerous.  In the 30 miles between the Montreal and Bad rivers there are nine water gaps.  This will certainly add to the challenge of hikers.

Apostle Islands – Northern Wisconsin

There are 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland in the chain.  There are 18 campsites dotted across the islands for your enjoyment.  Along with camping there are wonderful opportunities to sail or take your boat out. 

There are public docks on 13 of the islands in the national lakeshore.  These are located at Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia, Little Sand Bay, Red Cliff, and Washburn.  The cost is $5 per launch in Bayfield and Little Sandy Bay, Marinas are in Ashland, Bayfield, Cornucopia LaPointe, Pike’s Bay, Port Superior, Red Cliff, Roys Point, Schooner Bay and Washburn.

If you are a person that loves to kayak you can enjoy these beautiful islands using their two free launch points which are located at Meyers Beach and just west at Little Sand Bay.

Did you think you would have to go to the Caribbean to do good scuba diving?  Not so, you can obtain a free dive permit to dive within national lakeshore boundaries.  You can get them from Park Headquarters or Little Sand Bay visitor centers.

Now, if you are into fishing there isn’t anyplace that is much better to enjoy the sport than in Wisconsin and the Great Lakes with their trout and salmon.  Summer fishing takes place in deep water with lake trout being the most commonly targeted fish.

Hunting is also allowed in the national lakeshore.  Hunting activity may occur from September (after Labor Day) through December. There is muzzle loader deer hunting (by permit only (on several islands during the month of October.  You will need a permit which is given out a lottery basis between June 15 and July 15.

Of course the parkland is covered with wonderful wild berries, fruit and nuts which you are welcome to gather for personal use.  Rocks, wildflowers and driftwood are not allowed to be collected.

The Apostle Islands archipelago’s sandstones are what were shipped from quarries at the end of the 19^th century to Midwestern cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, Minneapolis and St. Paul and used to build some of these cities most outstanding landmarks.

The islands were home to the Ojibwe Indian tribe.  They found all they needed to survive among the islands from the fish to the game and wild rice.  In late winter they would tap the maple trees for their sap which was boiled into sugar.  When the blossoms began to show, plants such as leeks, March marigold, and fiddleheads were used for food. Wintergreen, Labrador tea, and sweet flag were some plants used for medicine.  The bark from the white birch was used to make wigwams, storage containers, and canoes.  Of course there were strawberries, raspberries and blueberries in the summertime for their enjoyment.  They respected the land and took care of it.  It is their wish that people today would learn the lessons of caring for the land rather than abusing it for selfish purposes.

The largest and finest single collection of lighthouses in the country are located within the boundaries of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

There is: Old Michigan Island Lighthouse which was built in 1856, abandoned in 1858, relit in 1869 and retired in 1929.  There are guided tours available.  The building is made of rough stone and its exterior walls stuccoed and whitewashed.  There was a small; one and a half story keeper’s dwelling with a low, conical light tower.  The tower received extensive improvements between 1928 and 1929 with a brick building being constructed to house an electric generator, radio fog beacon, and a hoist engine for a tramway; a new keeper’s dwelling was added; and the relocated tower (obtained from Pennsylvania’s Delaware River) was finally assembled at 112 feet in height.  It became the tallest lighthouse in Wisconsin.

Due to conditions to reach the Light Station only the most experienced private boaters and sea kayakers should consider attempting a trip to this lighthouse.  It is best if you take Apostle Islands Cruise Service which will visit Michigan Island via Stockton.  The Stockton Island afternoon cruise departs daily at noon and returns to Bayfield at 5 pm.  Private boaters planning to visit may want to consider visiting outside the tour boat visiting hours.  Volunteers are usually available for tours between the hours of 9 and 11 and 1 and 4.

Old LaPointe Lighthouse is on Long Island.  It was built in 1858 and retired in 1897.  It served as a housing unit until abandoned in 1940.  All that remains are foundation ruins.  If you plan to visit this lighthouse you should use caution due to shallow waters around the island.  Distant views of the Chequamegon Point and New LaPointe towers can be seen from locations on Madeline Island and along State Highway 13 on the mainland.  The lighthouses on Long Island are not open to the public, but may be viewed from outside.

Raspberry Island Lighthouse was built in 1862 with the light being moved outside in 1957.  Guided tours are available.  During the summer season, Apostle Islands Cruise Service tour boats stop at the island and rangers conduct tours of the tower from 9 am to 4 pm.  This is a great destination for skilled sea kayakers and private boaters who like the challenge of Lake Superior!

Outer Island Lighthouse was built in 1874, automated in 1961.  Due to the bank stabilization project currently in progress access to Outer Island will be impossible for extended periods.  Please call 715-779-3398, ext. 6 before planning your visit.

Sand Island Lighthouse was built in 1991 and automated in 1921.  The light was moved to a steel tower c. 1933 and moved back to the lighthouse in 1985.  The lighthouse is still in service.  There are tours available.  Since it is close to the mainland Sand Island is popular for intermediate-level sea kayakers and private boaters.  There is no dock at the lighthouse but nearby rock ledges and beaches may provide access in favorable weather conditions.  During the summer season, rangers provide tours usually during the hours of 12 noon and 4 pm.

Devils Island Light Tower was built in 1898, external braces added in 1914, automated in 1978, lens removed in 1989 and replaced in 1992.  The lighthouse is still in service.  The island is relatively remote but accessible for boaters and sea kayakers.  There are several landing sites which make it accessible in a variety of wind conditions.  Visitors to reach the island will find the lighthouse staffed with a volunteer lightkeeper during the summer season; tours of the tower are usually available between 9 am – 11 am and 1 pm & 4 pm.

New LaPointe Light Tower, Long Island was built in 1897 and automated in 1964.  it is not open to the public but is still in service.

Chequamegon Point Light Tower, Long Island was built in 1897, retired and moved in 1987 and not open to the public.

New Michigan Island Light Tower was built in Pennsylavania in 1880, dismantled in 1918 and re-erected on Michigan Island in 1929 and automated in 1943.  Still being used there are tours available.

Location: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters: 415 Washington Ave., Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814

Phone: 715-779-3397

Open: Year Around

Visitor Centers: Bayfield, open end of May to early September from 8 am to 6 pm and September to May from 8 – 4:30

Phone: 715-779-3397

Location: in the old Bayfield County courthouse on Washington Ave. between 4 & 5^th Streets in Bayfield.

Closed on federal holidays, except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

Little Sand Bay Visitor Center: Phone: 715-779-7007

Located on Little Sand Bay Road, 13 miles north of Bayfield, Wisconsin

Devils, Michigan, and Sand Island Lighthouses are on islands and accessible by boat only

Stockton Island Visitor Center

Location: Presque Isle, Stockton Island.  This one is staffed intermittently but there are restrooms available. (at all the visitor centers.)

To get the cruise line to take you on your tour:

Apostle Islands Cruise Service

PO Box 691, Bayfield, Wisconsin 54814

Phone: 715-779-3925

While there are a number of historic buildings in town, two best represent the town’s history, and the buildings happen to be inter-related.

Your first stop in Land ‘O Lakes would more than likely be at the Northern Waters Museum. Now this unpretentious building has a very interesting beginning. The log building, which houses the museum, was built in 1938 as a ski chalet for the Gateway Lodge. The Lodge is still open today, but the log cabin was moved in 2000 to its current location in the town park, easily accessible from downtown.

The museum is filled with exhibits and collections detailing the history of Vilas County. Typically opening in the late summer, around July and closing after Labor Day, the museum features different exhibits each year; additional information can be found on their website, www.landolakeshistory.org. The exhibits focus on the lifestyle of the past residents in the area, or the rich logging history, detailed by local historians and the local archaeology class.

Opened only three days a week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., the museum is also open during Colorama, a fall festival, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Admission to the museum is free, and group tours can be arranged by contacting the museum.

In its heyday, The Gateway Lodge was a popular retreat for famous people. Built in 1938 by a media and arts magnate from Detroit, Michigan., eight buildings made up the property, similar in fashion to today’s all-inclusive resorts.

Today, the Lodge remains at 4103 Highway B. Renovated to bring back the original look, it has 72 rooms. Information about the inn and their rates can be found on their website, www.gateway-lodge.com , or by calling 715-547-3321/800-848-8058. The Gateway Gun Club is still in existence since its beginning back in the late 1930’s. The site hosts annual spring and fall shoots, along with other events. Additional information is available on the Lodge’s website.

As for the other buildings that once made up the rather large Gateway complex, some are still functioning, and parts of some can be found in the town. Aside from the ski chalet-turned-museum, the wood from the ski jump is now on the main building of a supper club. The Gateway Golf Club (2146 Highway B; 715-547-3929) once held the distinctive of being the only course in the U.S. where you could play a round of nine holes in two different states, and is still attracting golfers of all skills. Private planes can land at the Gateway Airport, which back in the 1940’s was only a grass landing strip.

Camp Five began as a logging camp back in the late 1890s, and in 1914 began a farm that was used to raise the much-needed food of meat and produce. It was also used to draught horses for other logging camps. In 1969 Camp Five opened to the public, yet even today, it still operates as a functioning logging camp, thought to be the only one still in existence in Wisconsin.

During the first part of your journey back to the turn of the century, you can ride on a vintage steam train, just as the lumberjacks used to. At the Soo Line Depot in Laona, Wisconsin, after seeing the authentic railway depot items, such as telegraph key and railroad clock, you can board the steam train. It was bought in 1923 and nicknamed the “Rat River” for it’s use in the logging industry, and will take you to Camp Five to experience the life of the lumberjack.

After your steam train ride, you can browse through the Camp Five Logging Museum’s authentic artifacts, and see how the lumberjacks lived and practiced their trade around the turn of the century. You can also see all the different methods the loggers used to transport their freshly cut wood to its destination. And, or course, along with this, comes learning about the most important members of the logging camps, the cooks!

There are several small attractions within the the Camp Five Logging Museum. Farm animals are found in a petting zoo, with children able to pet and feed the animals. The Green Treasure Forest Tour takes visitors through the forest, showing trees that are indigenous to the area, such as Black Ash, Yellow Birch, and Sugar Maple. A thirty-minute tour is provided by pontoon boat across the Rat River that shows natural wildlife such as otters, eagles, blue herons, and deer.

Camp Five Logging Museum is located at 5480 Connor Farm Road in Laona, Wisconsin, and is open to the public from late June through late August. For admission that includes the steam train ride, and the Camp Five Museum, adults pay $17 and children 4 through 12 pay $6, which children under 4 being free, or families pay a flat rate of $48. Seniors receive $2 off the price of admission, and the families of active duty service members serving overseas are admitted free. Adult groups of 20 or more receive a reduced rate of $3 off the admission price, and groups of 20 or more children receive a discount of $1. For those wishing to take the Rat River Wildlife Tour across the Rat River, it is an additional $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for children.

Bayfield, Wisconsin is located on Lake Superior. Bayfield is a beautiful little harbor town, with plenty to do all year round. However, their spring and summer activities are abundant and enjoyable. For anyone who is looking for somewhere to go that includes activities and attractions for everyone, Bayfield, Wisconsin is that place.

Bayfield, Wisconsin is known as the "gateway to the Apostle Islands." The Apostle Islands are 22 islands located in Lake Superior, and it is a gorgeous area to visit. One of the best ways to see the Apostle Islands and picturesque lighthouses is to take one of the cruise services. The Apostle Islands Cruise Service offers a variety of different cruises to enjoy. For instance, this cruise service has romantic sunset cruises and island shuttles. You can see sea caves, shipwrecks, and lighthouses. You can also spend time on several of the Apostle Islands camping, hiking and beachcombing. This cruise services operates its various cruises from May to September, and the admission prices vary from $25-$35 for adults, and from $14-$20 for children, depending on which cruise is chosen. Reservations are recommended.

Among the many summer events held in Bayfield is one that occurs in July, the 44th annual Festival of the Arts. It is usually held the last weekend in July, and this year it is July 29-30. The festival is held daily from 10 am to 5 pm each day, with additional activities each night. Various artists from nine states come to display and sell their work. In addition, the local artists make their studios and galleries available to the public with open houses and great sales on paintings, pottery, sculpture, glass and jewelry. This is a great opportunity to see some great art and purchase a one of a kind piece.

Bayfield is also home to lots of professional orchards, flower and berry farms. Many of these are open to the public and it is possible to see how the orchards operate, and also pick berries and fruit. An example of one of these farms is the James Erickson Orchard and Country Store located off Route One in Bayfield. It is open every day from Memorial Day through October and weekends in November and December. This Orchard is a great place to spend the day. You can browse around in their log cabin antique store, pick apples and berries of all kinds, and purchase jams, baked goods, cheese and homemade candles. There is no admission price for the orchard, and you pay for the produce you pick by weight.

Bayfield offers so many other things to do, as well. The performances at the Big Top Chautauqua offer nightly entertainment in the summer. For those who like to golf, Bayfield has two fine golf courses. There are riding stables, interesting museums, quaint shops and galleries to browse, and excellent dining and lodging choices. Bayfield truly is a place for everyone, because of the wide array of fun things to do. 

Al Capone’s Hidaway and Steakhouse is closed!!  Do not go there, it is not open and you can’t tour the building.

Al Capone’s Hideaway
Couderay, Wisconsin

Step outside this century, and join the mob back to the Roaring Twenties, when you dine and tour Al Capone’s Hideaway in Couderay, Wisconsin. There is so much more here than just fine dining, cocktails and a snack bar. Al offers up a Roaring Twenties Museum, guided tours and a gift shop. It’s a shame it’s kept so well-hidden, as it’s something no one should miss.

Reportedly, famous Chicago gangster, Al Capone, used this place in Couderay, Wisconsin as a hideout from the likes of Elliott Ness, and anyone else meant to bring him down. During the walking guided tour, you will be introduced to the mob boss’s main lodge on the property, with its hand-cut stone fireplace and custom-made spiral staircases created in Chicago. You will also see the Gun Tower, where machine gun-armed guards watched out for the authorities whenever Capone was hiding out.

AAA recommends the Hideout as a place of exceptional interest in the Northwest Wisconsin region. The museum itself is nationally recognized for its artifacts from the 1929 St. Valentine’s Day massacre, and memorabilia of Elliott Ness and The Untouchables. You don’t need Geraldo Rivera to open a vault to see any of this, as it’s open to the public, and guaranteed to hold more than a few empty liquor bottles.

The fine dining restaurant of Al Capone’s Hideout in Wisconsin includes a menu of porterhouse and other steaks, chicken, pork chops, seafood such as stuffed shrimp, glorious Italian cuisine such as Sirloin Italiano, Shrimp Scampi, and veal parmigiana, and some of the best prime rib you will find. And, of course, the Hideaway features a terrific Friday Night Fish Fry of Icelandic Haddock. Despite bringing you back to the time of prohibition, cocktails are served both here and in the snack bar, which includes items such as Chicago style hot dogs, pizza, and ice cream.

Al Capone’s Hideout restaurant, museum and gift shop, located at 12101 West County Road CC in Couderay, Wisconsin is open seasonally from Mother’s Day through Memorial Day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only. From Memorial Day through mid September, it is open daily. The restaurant is open from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, but is closed on Mondays. The snack bar is open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Guided tours are conducted hourly from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM May through Labor Day, and 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM after that. Stop in the gift shop, too, open daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Phone: 715-945-2746

Don’t leave the area without stopping at Al Capone’s Hideout. You’ll leave having a full belly, and learning much about a bygone era. And if you’re lucky, you’ll also leave without the cement shoes.

Visiting the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Hayward, Wisconsin will lure you into visiting the Northwest woods of Wisconsin again. One of the most popular activities in the Hayward area is freshwater fishing, with a major part of this being done on the Chippewa Flowage. Visiting the Fishing Hall of Fame, which honors freshwater fishing in all of North America, you’ll see just how the area became so well-known for its fishing.

This unique museum is in the shape of a large fish, a half city block long and one-and-a-half stories tall Muskie, to be exact. This “Shrine to Anglers” was built in 1960 as a source for collecting, preserving, and displaying the artifacts relevant to the sport of freshwater angling. It pulls in 100,000 visitors a year, with the majority of them visiting in the summer, assumably after putting in their own time during the day with their rod and reel.

The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum displays records and trophies of anglers that use a rod and reel, pole and line with no reel, fly fishing, and ice fishing. Since 1993 it has also recognized anglers that use a “catch and release” method to preserve the stock in the freshwater lakes. All record holders are honored with their pictures on display in the Hall of Fame, prompting many to try for that all-important record, to be honored among the best.

In a building adjacent to the one-and-a-half stories tall Muskie, artifacts relevant to freshwater fishing are displayed. Included in these artifacts are antique lures, rods, boat motors, etc., virtually every piece of equipment that is used for fishing. There are also four hundred mounts of nearly two hundred different species of fish. A small theatre, accommodating thirty-five people is found in this area of the museum as well, and continuously shows educational and instructional movie shorts throughout the day.

The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum is located at 10360 Hall of Fame Drive in Hayward, Wisconsin. It is open seven days a week from April fifteenth to November first, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with no admittance being allowed after 4:30 PM. It should be noted that the administrative officers are open in the winter months, Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (being closed between Christmas and New Years), even though the Hall of Fame isn’t. Admission is a “nominal gate fee” with groups of fifteen or more enjoying a discount. Children under ten years old are not admitted unless they are accompanied by an adult.

Hayward’s answer to Canton, Ohio’s Football Hall of Fame offers up just enough on fishing to fill a few hours of your time. If you’re looking for something unique to do during your stay in the Hayward area, the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum certainly provides this. It will leave you remembering the relaxation of stealing away for a few hours every day to get in a few hours of fishing solitude.

Chances are if you have ever been flipping through the channels on the television, and come upon a lumberjack competition, it was filmed in the area of Hayward, Wisconsin used for Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows, and if not filmed there, then one of the Fred Scheer’s other Lumberjack Show arenas. It’s hard to keep flipping the channel after you stumble across it, as it’s so unique and interesting, the skills these lumberjacks possess.

These Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Shows highlight this unique sport known to lumberjacks, utilizing skills such as sawing wood, climbing polls, and log rolling. Just watching the log rolling itself, you begin to wonder how they manage to compete in this, let alone stay on the logs, yet they make it look so easy. During the show, the performers provide enough entertainment and competition to lead to a very engaging afternoon or evening for the entire family. The competitions have been featured often on ABC’s Wide World of Sports, and on ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games.

Fred Scheer is both the founder of the Lumberjack Shows, and also a performer in the shows. Scheer has been in the lumberjack entertainment business for more than twenty years, so he truly understands the business well, knowing how to keep his customers on the edges of their seat. He has been competing himself for more than thirty years. So accomplished in the lumberjack skills, he has won nine World Championships.

The lumberjack events seen in the shows, while being very entertaining, also require much skill. What they seem most well-known for is their logrolling, or birling as it is called. It’s amazing how adept the performers are at this. The lumberjacks also compete in power sawing and cross-cut saws, going through thick sections of wood in mere seconds. Even more amazing is how they compete in springboard chopping, a way of notching a pole or tree, inserting a platform to stand on, and climbing up in this manner. For strictly pure entertainment value, lumberjacks also compete in speed carving with chain saws, and jousting on logs. During matinee performances, kids are invited down to cross cut with the lumberjacks.

Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show is located one mile south of Hayward, Wisconsin on Highway B. The show is performed from Tuesday through Sunday, from late May through early September. After the show, be sure to check in at the specialty shops in the Lumberjack Village, or come earlier in the day for breakfast or lunch at the Lake Cafe, with food served in the lumberjack style. Fred Scheer provides a unique day of fun for the whole family, and next time you see the lumberjacks on television when you’re flipping channels, you’ll know the special skills it takes.

Ticket Prices:
Children 3 and under are Free
Ages 4 – 11 @ $7,.95
Ages 12 and older @ $9.95
Seniors @ $8.95
10% DISCOUNT TO GROUPS LARGER THAN 20

Location: 15642 County Hwy B.
Hayward, WI 54843

Phone: 715-634-6923

Email: info@scheerslumberjackshow.com

You can also take a trip to the Apostle Islands, which is a group of over 20 islands located in Lake Superior. The Apostle Islands can be reached all year round, and in the winter, they become something of a winter wonderland! The islands freeze over, covering them in beautiful icicles. The Apostle Islands are also famous for their historic lighthouses. The islands host a total of eight lighthouses.

If the water isn’t really your thing, there are plenty of things to keep occupied on land! You can take scenic nature walks or bike along the trails, and if the time is right, you’ll be able to pick fresh berries. Wilderness Haven Resort is a birdwatcher’s dream come true, as various species can be observed around the resort. If you’re a fan of hunting, you can look forward to hunting bear, deer, grouse, woodcock, snowshoe rabbit, and waterfowl. In the winter, you can participate is such activities as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skijoring, and even dog sledding.

Needless to say, there are plenty of things to enjoy at Wilderness Haven Resort. So next time you’re looking to get away from it all, Wilderness Haven Resort might just be the place. The cabins and rates are as follows:
The Loon’s Nest offers one bedroom with a double bed and a hide-a-bed for $450 per week for 2 people. Extra people are $70 per person, per week. The Loon’s Nest holds four people max.

The Wolves’ Den offers two bedrooms with two double beds and a futon for $499 per week for 4 people. Extra people are $70 per person, per week. The Wolves’ Den holds six people max.

The Fish Shanty offers two bedrooms with two double beds and a futon for $499 per week for 4 people. Extra people are $70 per person, per week. The Fish Shanty holds six people max.

The Moose Shack offers two bedrooms with one double bed, one set of bunks beds, and a futon for $560 per week for 6 people. Extra people are $70 per person, per week. The Moose Shack holds eight people max.