16 Best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids (With holiday activities!)

Let me introduce you to the best of Wisconsin Rapids. This charming small town, nestled in the heart of Wisconsin, makes for a great weekend getaway from nearby urban areas like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis-St. Paul. 

So get ready for a Midwest road trip and read on for a few of the best things to do in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Throughout the post, you’ll see special sections about things to do in Wisconsin Rapids during the holidays. The town was incredibly festive during our December visit!

Wisconsin Rapids is located on the the Wisconsin River. As you may have guessed, there was a rapids involved. It provided the water power to fuel the town’s booming lumber industry.

These days, Wisconsin Rapids is an important location for cranberry production; in fact, it’s considered the cranberry capital of Wisconsin!

But first of all, where should you stay?

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1. Le Chateau-The Manor Bed and Breakfast: Spectacular Stay in Wisconsin Rapids

During the lumber boom in Wisconsin, lumber barons built some incredible homes. One such was John Arpin, who built Le Chateau in 1889 for his wife Clarice. It was one of the few homes at the time to have electricity, running water and a telephone, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

In later days this showpiece home was neglected and turned into several apartments. Lucky for us, it was refurbished between 2004 and 2008 and eventually made into a bed and breakfast.

It’s now one of the top places to stay in Wisconsin Rapids, and my personal favorite. Even if you don’t stay here, you can visit for one of the historical tours the Manor offers year round, which also makes it one of the best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids!

Our stay at Le Chateau-The Manor Bread and Breakfast was one of the highlights of our trip. The fabulous Queen Anne-style home is furnished with antiques and reproductions from the Victorian period when it was built.

Overlooking the Wisconsin River, its convenient location puts you close to downtown Wisconsin Rapids. You’ll receive a warm welcome and be treated like a member of the family by your hosts, Rachael and Mike Stormoens.

The Manor is a great place to relax; there are several common areas where you can hang out in addition to your room. You’ll find a Keurig and a huge selection of coffees and teas in the butler’s pantry. You might luck out and find some of the house specialty, cranberry-white chocolate cookies, there as well.

Our suite of rooms was so amazing we never wanted to leave. One of the rooms was in the turret, which I loved! (We stayed in The Manor’s Retreat.)

Be sure to ask Rachael for a historical tour of the Manor during your stay. She’s done a great deal of research, and there’s a display board in the kitchen where you can learn more about the Arpin family who originally lived here and about the couple who lovingly restored the home.

When you see the Manor, you won’t be able to believe it was once dilapidated and cut up into numerous small apartments.

In the morning, you’ll get a fabulous hot breakfast in the Manor’s stunning dining room. Leave yourself time for a leisurely breakfast. You’ll likely have other guests to chat with!

2. best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids during the Holidays: Manor Christmas Tree Tour

If you’re lucky enough to be there during the holiday season, as I was, be sure to take the Christmas Tree tour. Throughout the holiday season, the Manor is full of beautifully-decorated Christmas trees (over 65!), and despite there being so many, each one is truly unique. And the decorations don’t stop there; absolutely everything in this historic home is wonderfully decorated for the holidays, from the fireplace mantels (one in every room!) to the staircase banister.

Getting together with a group of family or friends and taking the Christmas Tree Tour is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. It’s also a delicious opportunity to see the jaw-dropping interior of this meticulously restored historic landmark. The gorgeous wood, details, and furnishings of this Victorian home will dazzle you as much as the trees!

Tours last about an hour, and refreshments are included.

3. Get some cheese, please!

Wisconsin is known as the dairy state and is especially famous for cheese. That’s why a fond nickname for Wisconsinites is “cheeseheads.” A visit to the Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese Company in Rudolph is a must-do when you’re in the area.

Wisconsin Cheese wins more awards than any other state, and Wisconsin leads the nation in the number of cheese plants. The Cheese Company carries over 200 varieties of cheese and is a great place to get a unique gift, plus a few yummy treats for yourself.

Their cheese curds are best sellers; be sure to try some. They have a ton of different flavors, from spicy cajun to dill, as well as traditional curds.

Aside from every kind of traditional cheese, specialty cheese, and cheese spread, you can find sausages and other items to complete your cheese board. Many locally made and harvested food products, such as honey, maple syrup, and cranberries, are available here.

Once you explore the retail store, check out the observation window to the cheese factory. You can see cheese-making in process.

Last but certainly not least, have an ice cream cone at “Here’s the Scoop,” a little shop to the side of the retail store. When I visited in December, they had a special seasonal flavor, eggnog. Yum!

4. Have dinner at a Supper Club

When in Wisconsin, you must go to a supper club. Supper club dining is definitely one of my favorite things to do in Wisconsin Rapids. And some of the best food in Wisconsin Rapids can be found in the area’s supper clubs.

I did some research, and discovered that the Lake Aire Supper Club just outside of town has been in business for over 60 years. It’s longevity made me suspect it was one of the best Wisconsin Rapids restaurants. And I was right!

Supper clubs are a Wisconsin tradition, and there are some traditional supper club staples.

Follow tradition by having an Old-fashioned (the name of a cocktail). An Old-fashioned at the Lake Aire can be had sweet or sour, with whiskey or with rum. I had a mocktail Old-fashioned, and it was great!

Cheese curds for an appetizer are traditional supper club fare, and they are delicious besides. The Lake Aire cheese curds were especially good, and I know that the cheese factory in Rudolph is famous for its cheese curds, so perhaps there’s a connection.

Supper clubs offer a casual fine dining experience. Entrées tend to focus on high-end proteins like steak and seafood.

I had scallops, and they were every bit as good as the scallops I had on the East coast, where I was right by the ocean. They were huge, the quality was stellar, and the preparation was perfect. So tender they melted in my mouth.

The memory of those scallops is making me tear up a bit right now. Bee had one of the specials, ribeye steak, which was excellent.

We were offered the choice of potato, macaroni and cheese, or rice, with some very nice vegetables served on the side. The ribeye came with asparagus (and was also garnished with shrimp), and the scallops came with peapods and baby carrots. We both had the macaroni and cheese, of course!

The Lake Aire is a popular place, so be sure to make a reservation. The staff are extremely welcoming and attentive. It’s definitely one of the best Wisconsin Rapids restaurants. All in all, we could not have had a better experience. I would go back in a flash!

For more great Wisconsin restaurants, check out Kenosha Food is Fabulous. Into fine dining? You might enjoy the stops in this Oklahoma City foodie post.

5. Visit the South Wood County Historical Museum

Housed in a stunning historic home, the South Wood County Historical Museum would be worth visiting to see the home alone. But it’s also filled with incredibly interesting and informative history displays. The museum offers changing exhibits as well. It’s certainly one of the best things to do in the Wisconsin Rapids area for history and architecture lovers.

Did you know Grim Natwick, who animated the motion picture character “Betty Boop,” was from Wisconsin Rapids? He also helped create “Snow White,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” “Woody Woodpecker,” and “Mr. Magoo”. Part of the museum is dedicated to his early work and cartoon sketches.

The 1907 neoclassical-style mansion has 23 rooms. Some of our favorite exhibits were a general store and country kitchen, a school room reminiscent of the one-room schoolhouses that used to operate through the South Wood County area, and a Doctor’s office with medical tools and equipment that doctors from the region used.

6. best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids during the Holidays: South Wood Christmas Tree Walk

We visited during the holidays when the annual Christmas Tree Walk was in full swing. During the Walk, the mansion is decked out with all kinds of fabulous Christmas trees designed and decorated by members of the community. Holiday-themed exhibits are on display as well. We loved the Santa Claus exhibits.

They also had complimentary Christmas cookies, so you know I had one. The museum has no admission fee, but I’d suggest making a donation to show your appreciation for this cultural and historical resource. And in my case, also for the delicious cookies!

7. Go crazy for cranberries

Wisconsin Rapids is located in the heart of cranberry country, which makes it the perfect place for a specialty food market featuring cranberries. Rubi Reds highlights the area’s cranberry industry in a retail setting. A variety of cranberry products can be found here, as well as other items that complement Wisconsin’s number one fruit crop. A wide range of gourmet and everyday Wisconsin-made food products and gifts is sure to delight both your senses and your taste buds!

The cranberries at RubiReds are grown, processed, and packaged in Central Wisconsin. This one-of-a-kind specialty store was one of my favorite stops! We picked up some cranberry wine—who knew there were so many vineyards in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Rapids is the Cranberry Capital!

Wisconsin is the nation’s largest cranberry producer, and you might call Wisconsin Rapids the cranberry capital. Wisconsin Rapids is home to some of the largest cranberry marshes in the U.S., the 50-mile Cranberry Highway scenic drive, and the Cranberry Blossom Festival.

You can drive the Cranberry Highway year-round. We could see the marshes even in December. During the summer months, wind past family farms and century-old cranberry beds along with scenic woodlands. During the fall harvest season, you might see harvesting from the roadside.

8. Hit a Friday Fish Fry in Wisconsin Rapids

Friday Fish Fry is a Wisconsin tradition, so if you’re in Wisconsin on a Friday, you know what to do for dinner. Fish fry is a favorite food in Wisconsin Rapids.

Anchor Bay Bar and Grill is a great place to indulge, and is one of the best Wisconsin Rapids restaurants for fish fry. Did you know fish fry is traditionally served with rye bread and cole slaw, as well as your choice of potato? It was news to me, and explained why we each got a big slice of rye bread on our plates.

You may be here for the fish fry, but Anchor Bay is also justly famous for their fried shrimp, which are served fish-fry style. Please try the shrimp, it is delicious.

I recommend having the locally-grown Okray baked potato too. And by the way, you don’t have to have your fish fried—you can get it baked or sautéed instead.

Built right beside the water, Anchor Bay has huge windows facing the Wisconsin River. The dining room and the bar are on either side of the enormous fireplace. Stop and visit Captain Morgan for me!

For more great Wisconsin restaurants, head over to Kenosha Food is Fabulous.

9. Check out the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center

Key to the creative heart of the community is the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center.

The Cultural Center holds art classes and offers live music and rotating exhibits. The Center’s galleries and showcases feature local and regional artists. Admission is free.

The Cultural Center advocates for the arts and fosters creative experiences of all kinds, recognizing that creativity is vital to the wellbeing of people and their communities. Classes include a pottery studio (they have a kiln!), mosaic windows, and music lessons.

The Center serves as home to several area arts organizations, including the Central Wisconsin Choristers and the Arts for All Wisconsin Rapids Choir.

Year-round, the Cultural Center’s gift shop carries items from local and regional artists that are available to purchase.

10. best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids during the Holidays: Holiday Gifts and Art Fair

Do you love to be able to do your gift shopping and support local artists at the same time? Well, I’ve found you the perfect place to do just that! During the Holiday Gifts and Art Fair at the Cultural Center, you’ll find hundreds of handmade items on display in the gallery and gift shop, all available for purchase.

There was an incredible variety on offer, from small ornaments to large framed paintings and substantial pieces of pottery. There’s really something for everyone!

11. Take a trip back in time at Beaver’s Dime Store outside Wisconsin Rapids

For a fun trip down memory lane, be sure to visit Beaver’s, the Dime Store in nearby Nekoosa.

I must confess to being a notorious sweet tooth. I heard Beaver’s had an old-fashioned candy counter, so this place was high on my agenda. And it did not disappoint!

Right when you walk in, you’ll see the candy counter with a whole lot of choices of candies sold in bulk. Front and center on the candy counter is a beautiful vintage scale, which is still used to weigh your candy purchases.

I got some cherry sours, gumdrops, sourballs, malted milk balls, lemon drops, salt water taffy, caramels . . . wait, is that a lot?

I heard that Beaver’s still offered penny candy till fairly recently. They have lots of two-cent candy and some others for 10 or 15 cents, all of which make a dollar bill go pretty far!

Beaver’s is also chock-full of a little bit of everything you might need, from flannel shirts to ribbons for your packages. During the Holidays, It’s holiday central, too, with great ornaments and even holiday-themed hats.

12. Another unique Wisconsin Rapids shopping spot: The Trading Post

We really had fun visiting the Trading Post. The antique and consignment store has been doing business in downtown Wisconsin Rapids for over 10 years.

You can easily spend a couple hours exploring all the aisles and little rooms. (In fact, this place is a bit of a maze, try to have a game plan so you don’t miss anything!)

There is something for every taste and budget here. In addition to antiques and collectibles, you’ll find clothing, home goods, sporting goods, and lots of vintage treasures. New items arrive on a daily basis, so dedicated shoppers like to check back to see what’s new.

The Trading Post is located in the glorious historic Mead-Witter building, or block, as it takes up a whole city block!

13. Quirky Wisconsin Rapids Coffee shop stop

Wondering where to get some good lunch food in Wisconsin Rapids? Try Out of the Box, a unique local coffee shop. The quirky coffee house and café is literally “Out of the Box,” having been created from two large metal shipping containers.

A selection of great pastries, a breakfast and lunch menu as well as delicious coffee drinks help to make this one of the best places to eat in the Wisconsin Rapids area.

Their chai is divine, and so are their snickerdoodle cookies! They have a $10 Choose Two special where you can pick two from a half sandwich, a salad, or a mac-n-cheese.

The mac-n-cheese is popular; it sold out right before I tried to order some! But the half sandwich I had with salad instead was delicious (salad and macaroni cheese was my intended order; it’s all about balance, they say). Their bread was great, and their salad was fresh and tasty.

OOTB is a family-owned business featuring foods using local and fresh ingredients. For the health-conscious, their line of gluten-free, fair trade syrups is free of trans fats. Their coffee beans are eco-friendly as well.

14. See a play at the Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre

Seeing a show at the community theater is a must-do one of the evenings you are there.

Unlike most community theaters, Wisconsin Rapids Community Theatre owns its own theater. After performing in the theater of the community library for more than 30 years, they renovated an old downtown warehouse into a theater with the help of Wisconsin Rapids businesses and community members. What a feat! I was impressed with what a beautiful theater this is.

You can get drinks and snacks at intermission, and be sure to check out the wall of old theater posters. They have some goodies!

15. During the Holidays: See a seasonal play and visit the lights displays along the river

We were in Wisconsin Rapids during the holidays, and the Theatre was playing “The Miracle on 34th Street.” It looked like a sold-out show, and a wide variety of folks attended. Parents with kids, senior citizens, and everyone in between enjoyed the performance. Be sure to check what’s playing when you’re going to be in town.

While you’re downtown in the evening, check out the holiday lights along the river. There’s quite a display!

16. Wisconsin Fire and EMS Memorial

The Wisconsin Fire and EMS Memorial in Ben Hanson Park is an important site in Wisconsin Rapids. It’s a moving tribute to all Wisconsin firefighters, especially those who have fallen in the line of duty.

Wisconsin Rapids was chosen as venue for this extraordinary memorial because of its central location in the state. I was impressed by the scale of the memorial and the beauty of the setting along the Wisconsin River.

The park covers 7.5 acres, and the tall trees and rolling terrain add to the location’s tranquility.

The centerpiece of the park is a life-sized bronze statue depicting two firefighters coming the aid of a fallen crew member. The statue is flanked by the Memorial Wall, engraved with the names of Wisconsin firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Currently, 268 names are engraved on the wall.

The Visitor Center is near the south entrance of the Park. It’s a very striking building, similar in design to an early 1900s firehouse. There you’ll find informative displays, restrooms, and a water fountain.

In summary: The best things to do in Wisconsin Rapids

The Wisconsin Rapids area makes for a great weekend getaway, especially from nearby urban areas like Minneapolis-St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago. Stay in the beautiful Manor B&B, and you’ll enjoy sleeping in a slice of area history. Take an historical tour of the house to learn about its past and admire the gorgeous Victorian architectural details. 

Wisconsin Rapids is the perfect place to enjoy some wonderful Wisconsin traditions, such as dinner at a supper club and Friday fish fry. My recommendations are the Lake Aire Supper Club for a special dinner and Anchor Bay Bar and Grill for fish fry. I also loved the quirky coffee shop Out of the Box, fabulous for coffee and pastries or for lunch.

To sample the arts and culture of the area, be sure to visit the Cultural Center and attend a play at the community theatre. And don’t miss the Southwood County Historical Society, housed in a stunning 1907 neoclassical-style home. Another must-see is the Wisconsin State Firefighter Memorial.

Hit some fun shopping spots unique to the dairy state and cranberry country. Don’t miss the cheese factory, with so many kinds of cheese; the dime store, with so many kinds of candy; the cranberry store, where you’ll find cranberry products you never imagined existed; and the antique store where you’re likely to find a bunch of things you didn’t know you needed.

Visiting over the holidays? Wisconsin Rapids is fabulous during the holiday season. See spectacular Christmas trees at the Manor and at the historical society. Shop for handmade gifts at the Cultural Center and enjoy the holiday lights around town. 

For more information about the Wisconsin Rapids area, check out the Convention and Visitor’s  Bureau website.
Disclosure: I was a guest of the CVB as part of a collaboration with Shrpa.com. All recommendations and opinions are my own.

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