Minocqua
Minocqua is a classic Northwoods lake town built around the Minocqua Chain and dozens of nearby lakes, drawing boaters, anglers, and paddlers all summer long. There is more to do in Minocqua than any other town in the Northwoods—it's a very popular tourist destination and thus there are a lot of local businesses that cater to the tourist crowd. Downtown sits on an island lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions, with many great spots to eat in and around town. Minocqua has a lot of national chain stores and fast food places that you don't find in the other towns in Northern Wisconsin, giving it more of a full-service feel. The Minocqua Chain of Lakes is a really nice, clean chain, though if you're the type who wants it really quiet, it is probably the wrong chain for you as there is always some level of activity. That said, a lot of the non-chain lakes in the area are really nice and a lot more quiet than the chain. Quieter forests, backroads, and smaller lakes spread out in every direction from downtown, giving buyers a mix of energy and escape in one place. Below, you will find the most recent lakefront homes, lots and condos (with links to view all Minocqua listings) as well as some featured lakes around Minocqua (also with a link to all Minocqua lakes). Below that you will find information on events, attractions and places to eat in Minocqua.
Recent Homes for Sale:
Immaculate Minocqua Chain home offering panoramic views of Kawaguesaga Lake and Big Ripley Island through a dramatic wall of windows. A gentle slope leads to pristine sand and stone swim frontage, enhanced by new rip rap and curated landscaping. This 3BR/3BA qu…
This beautifully maintained 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is nestled on peaceful Little Bass Lake, offering the perfect blend of privacy, comfort, and year-round enjoyment. Wake up to serene water views, enjoy quiet mornings on the deck or dock, and spend your days …
Classic Northwoods cabin tucked away on quiet Hideaway Lane with 100 feet of lake frontage on Lake Seventeen in Hazelhurst. This 2-bedroom, 1-bath retreat delivers authentic 1970s cabin charm, featuring a cozy interior and a freestanding wood stove. The cabin i…
View All Minocqua Homes >>
Recent Lots for Sale:
Amazing opportunity to build your dream lakefront getaway on the ripple sand shores of Plummer Lake! This is a heavily wooded 2 acre parcel has 215 feet of frontage of prime frontage. With a gentle slope to the water you will be sure to find this a perfect Nort…
Truly one of the most exceptional, and most private lake properties you will see in the Northwoods.. Corner Lake is a 28 acre lake with depths to 65 feet. The two lake lots offer an incredible building site, 397' of lake frontage, a spectacular view, wonderful …
Build your dream home or vacation cabin on this beautiful, wooded lot, and enjoy the gentle slope to the edge of the water and 105’ of frtg on Windpudding Lk (a 196-acre, 35-ft-deep lake) with good fishing (Bluegill, Northern, Bass and Panfish) and is located s…
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Recent Condos for Sale:
Prime boat slip!- Enjoy premier Lake Minocqua living in this beautifully appointed 3-bedroom, 3-bath corner condo overlooking downtown Minocqua. This upper-level residence offers an open layout with vaulted ceilings, a gas fireplace, and expansive windows that …
Beacons of Minocqua 3BR/2BA unit w/panoramic lake views! Rare opportunity to own one of the three 3BR units! Situated on 13 acres and 876' of shared ftg and featuring a fantastic open-concept design w/gas fireplace, 2 lakeside decks off the living room & primar…
Welcome to Wihega Condos on beautiful Little Spider Lake! This year-round home features a spacious kitchen that opens into a large living room with easy access to the brand-new deck. With 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, there’s plenty of room for family and guests. T…
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GoldBar Lakes in Minocqua:
| Lake Name | Access | Acres | Type | Distance | Avg Depth | Clarity | Chain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Two Lake | Public | 150 | Seepage | 21 min | 19 ft | 15.0 ft | -- |
| Bear Lake | Public | 295 | Spring | 18 min | 8 ft | 10.0 ft | -- |
| Big Carr Lake | Public | 209 | Seepage | 17 min | 40 ft | 8.0 ft | -- |
| Blue Lake | Semi-Private | 441 | Seepage | 10 min | 25 ft | 25.0 ft | -- |
| Yawkey Lake | Public | 92 | Seepage | 11 min | 40 ft | 15.0 ft | -- |
| Lee Lake | Public | 65 | Seepage | 10 min | 22 ft | 26.0 ft | -- |
| Franklin Lake | Public | 161 | Seepage | 15 min | 14 ft | 17.0 ft | -- |
| Hasbrook Lake | Public | 307 | Seepage | 18 min | 30 ft | 25.0 ft | -- |
| Katherine Lake | Public | 524 | Seepage | 6 min | 16 ft | 22.0 ft | -- |
| Kawaguesaga Lake | Public | 700 | Drainage | 9 min | 18 ft | 11.5 ft | Minocqua |
| Diamond Lake | Public | 115 | Seepage | 16 min | 20 ft | 18.0 ft | -- |
| Lake Seventeen | Semi-Private | 172 | Seepage | 12 min | 20 ft | 11.5 ft | -- |
| Lower Kaubashine Lake | Public | 198 | Drainage | 8 min | 16 ft | 13.0 ft | -- |
| Minocqua Lake | Public | 1339 | Drainage | 4 min | 23 ft | 18.0 ft | Minocqua |
| Hodstradt Lake | Public | 119 | Seepage | 17 min | 21 ft | 19.0 ft | -- |
| South Two Lake | Public | 221 | Seepage | 23 min | 26 ft | 15.0 ft | -- |
| Tomahawk Lake | Public | 3462 | Drainage | 11 min | 33 ft | 20.0 ft | Minocqua |
| Upper Kaubashine Lake | Semi-Private | 181 | Spring | 9 min | 26 ft | 15.5 ft | -- |
| Bird Lake | Public | 97 | Seepage | 15 min | 17 ft | 16.0 ft | -- |
| Plummer Lake | Semi-Private | 219 | Seepage | 20 min | 30 ft | 19.5 ft | -- |
View All Minocqua Lakes >>
The Minocqua Experience:
On The Water
Minocqua’s identity is tightly tied to the water, from the busy Minocqua Chain in town to clear stand‑alone lakes and big, wild flowages within a short drive. Cabin owners can spend one day boating to dinner downtown and the next exploring quieter lakes or the Willow Flowage, all without leaving the immediate area. Many of the area’s lakes offer a mix of clear water, varied structure, and different development levels, so buyers can choose between busy chain views, classic cottage lakes, or more secluded shorelines. Public landings, marinas, and rentals make it straightforward to get boats, kayaks, and pontoons on the water for visiting friends and family.
Trails
Off the water, Minocqua has an unusually deep trail network for a lake town, including the Bearskin State Trail and large systems at Minocqua Winter Park and nearby forests. That gives runners, hikers, and cyclists options ranging from short family walks to longer workouts that start close to town or just a short drive away. Because many trails connect to other communities and pass lakes, wetlands, and big forest blocks, it is easy to pair rides and hikes with swims, paddles, or in‑town stops, which appeals to active second‑home owners.
Winter
Winter is a full‑blown season here, with Minocqua Winter Park’s extensive groomed ski and snowshoe trails, tubing hill, and skating pond plus more than a thousand miles of regional snowmobile routes. Consistent snowfall, active local clubs, and detailed trail reports make it realistic to plan regular winter cabin trips built around skiing, sledding, and riding.
Family Fun
Families get a long list of kid‑pleasers: Torpy Park’s beach and playground, Wildwood Wildlife Park, mini golf, Northwoods Zip Line, waterparks, and easy bike rides on the Bearskin Trail. That variety makes it easy to keep different ages happy as kids grow, rotating between lake time, trails, and in‑town attractions so the area stays interesting over many seasons of cabin use.
Towns Near Minocqua:
Lac Du Flambeau
Twenty minutes west of Minocqua and the home of Lake of the Torches Casino and the Fence Lake Chain of Lakes. Small town feel and a fair amount of tribal land in the area.
St. Germain
Twenty minutes east of Minocqua. St. Germain has some great places to eat, a golf course, a weekly flea market in the summer and some nice lakes.
Boulder Junction
Twenty-four minutes north of Minocqua. Known as the "Musky Capital of the World", more muskies are caught per square mile than any other similar sized area in the world. When you step out of your car in Boulder Junction, you don't even feel right getting back in.
Manitowish Waters
Twenty-six minutes up Hwy 51 is Manitowish Waters. Another cozy small town with a lot of nice lakes and silent sport trails. Very artsy and laid back.
Trails around Minocqua:
Area 31 UTV Park
Area 31 UTV Park sits on about 4,000 acres southeast of Minocqua and uses a former Yamaha test facility as the backbone for a dense network of one-way UTV and ATV routes. Visitors ride a mix of wooded trails, hill climbs, manmade obstacles, and race-style features in a controlled environment that feels more like an off-road playground than a simple woods road, making it a good place for confident drivers to hone skills and enjoy a dedicated motorsports day.
Bearskin State Trail
The Bearskin State Trail is a compacted-granite rail trail that starts right in downtown Minocqua and runs roughly 27 miles south toward Heafford Junction, following an old railroad grade past lakes, marshes, and long forest corridors. Gentle grades and a mostly shaded tread make it friendly to walkers and casual cyclists, while the distance and occasional road gaps still give more serious riders room for longer workouts and day trips between communities like Minocqua, Hazlehurst, and Harshaw.
Cross Country Cruisers Snowmobile Trails
The Cross Country Cruisers snowmobile club grooms and maintains more than 90 miles of snowmobile trails in the Minocqua, Arbor Vitae, and Woodruff area, forming a key hub in the larger Northwoods network. Riders can follow well-marked corridors through mixed forest, connect to neighboring county systems, or take signed lake routes on Minocqua, Tomahawk, and Katherine when conditions permit, with club maps and trail reports helping visitors time their trips around the best snow and grooming.
Downtown Minocqua Bearskin & Lake Loop
This informal loop strings together the Bearskin State Trail trestle bridge, short stretches of compacted-granite rail trail, and a few blocks of sidewalks and low-speed streets to create an easy lakeview walk or bike ride starting in downtown Minocqua. It is nearly flat, close to parking, shops, and restaurants, and can be shortened or lengthened as needed, making it a simple “first outing” for visitors who want Northwoods scenery without a long drive or serious route-finding.
Minocqua Winter Park – Ski Trails
Minocqua Winter Park is a major Nordic skiing hub southwest of Minocqua, with roughly 75 kilometers (about 46 miles) of groomed trails ranging from gentle family loops to long, hilly routes for experienced skiers. A heated chalet with café, rentals, lessons, and waxing space makes it easy for visitors to treat the park as a one-stop winter destination, whether they are sneaking in a quick skate after work or planning a full weekend of classic skiing.
Minocqua Winter Park – Snowshoe Trails
Minocqua Winter Park’s snowshoe network totals roughly 10 miles of signed, winter-only routes that leave from the main trailhead and wander into quieter pockets of spruce, hardwoods, and rolling glacial terrain. Short loops close to the chalet give beginners and families an easy taste of winter woods, while longer options let more ambitious visitors piece together several hours of low-impact exploring away from the groomed ski deck.
Minocqua Winter Park – Summer Bike & Hike Trails
In summer and fall, Minocqua Winter Park becomes a low-traffic home base for mountain biking and hiking on a mix of mowed ski trails, select singletrack, and nearby gravel routes that can be stitched into 10–15 mile outings. Families and newer riders gravitate to the wide, mowed corridors, while more experienced users mix in tighter dirt segments and longer gravel-road links like Manhardt Road and Camp 9 Road for bigger Northwoods loops.
Minocqua Winter Park – Wilderness Multi-Use Trails
The Wilderness Multi-Use Trail system at Minocqua Winter Park offers about 15 kilometers of narrower, classic-style routes that are groomed for a mix of fat biking, classic skiing, and carefully managed dog use. These trails feel more intimate and winding than the wider ski boulevards, with smoother corners and leveled tread after recent upgrades, giving intermediate users a fun mix of twisty woods riding and skiing without committing to big climbs.
Powell Trail
The Powell Trail offers about 8.5 miles of easy loops through upland forest and low hills, passing Spring Pond and Sherman Lake in the Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest. With gentle grades, a natural surface, and no trail pass requirement, it works well for beginner hikers and low-key classic skiers who want a quiet, uncrowded half-day outing within a reasonable drive of Minocqua.
Raven Trail
The Raven Trail, in the Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest a short drive from Minocqua, offers about 11 miles of looping singletrack and doubletrack through classic Northwoods forest and lakes country. Several stacked loops let visitors choose between shorter, easier circuits and longer intermediate or expert options with steeper hills and tighter turns, making Raven a go-to spot for locals who want a quiet hike or bike ride without driving deep into the backcountry.
Minocqua Attractions & Viewpoints:
Big Arbor Vitae Beach (Attraction)
Big Arbor Vitae Beach is a designated public swimming area on Big Arbor Vitae Lake with a sandy shoreline, clear water, and space for families to spread out. It offers an easy way for cabin owners and visitors staying off‑water to get a true lake‑swim experience without needing their own frontage or boat.
Buffalo Lake Beach (Attraction)
Buffalo Lake Beach near Woodruff offers a public swimming area and sand shoreline on Buffalo Lake, a short drive from Minocqua. It’s one of several small, family-friendly beaches that make it easy for off‑water visitors to swim in natural lakes without resort access.
Clear Lake Beach (Attraction)
Clear Lake Beach sits off Highway J north of Minocqua and offers a sand beach and clear, spring-fed water surrounded by Northern Highland–American Legion State Forest land. It feels quieter and more woodsy than in-town parks, appealing to visitors who want a simple swim and picnic away from the island’s bustle.
Downtown Minocqua (Attraction)
Downtown Minocqua wraps around the shore of Lake Minocqua, giving visitors and cabin owners a compact, walkable district filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and seasonal attractions. Boardwalks, trestle bridges, and lakeside parks keep the water constantly in view, and it’s common to see boats tied up while their owners grab dinner or ice cream. Compared to quieter towns, downtown Minocqua feels more like a small resort city, which appeals to buyers who want amenities and energy close at hand.
Holiday Acres Riding Stables & Fun Park (Attraction)
Holiday Acres on the edge of Minocqua offers guided horseback rides, pony rides for younger kids, mini-golf, and go-karts, all tucked into a wooded property away from highway noise. It’s a classic “Northwoods afternoon” choice for families who want something different from another day on the boat or bike trail, and it pairs easily with dinner in town or a stop at Torpy Park.
Lake Katherine Beach (Attraction)
Lake Katherine Beach lies just south of Minocqua in Hazelhurst, providing a designated swimming area, shoreline picnicking, and easy road access. It gives south-side cabin owners and travelers another nearby option for sand and swimming without driving back into downtown Minocqua.
Min-Aqua Bats Water Ski Shows (Attraction)
The Min-Aqua Bats water ski team performs free shows on Lake Minocqua in summer, putting on stunts, pyramids, and jumps from a lakeside grandstand just off downtown. Locals and visitors treat show nights as an event—grabbing ice cream or drinks, then watching the performance as the sun sets behind the lake.
Northwoods Zip Line Adventure Tours (Attraction)
Northwoods Zip Line offers one of Wisconsin’s largest zip line experiences just outside Minocqua, with multi-line canopy tours, adventure courses, and guided experiences for a wide range of ages. Guests can soar through the trees on dozens of lines, ride aerial bridges, and combine zip tours with other activities like ATV or boat tours, depending on the season. It’s a popular choice for families and groups looking for an adrenaline-style outing to complement quieter lake days.
The Waters of Minocqua Waterpark (Attraction)
The Waters of Minocqua features an indoor-outdoor waterpark with multiple waterslides, activity pools, a kiddie splash area, and large hot tubs that operate year-round. Families and reviewers like it as a rainy-day or shoulder-season option when lake swimming is cold but kids still want slides and pool time close to town.
Torpy Park & Beach (Attraction)
Torpy Park sits on the shore of Lake Minocqua, offering a sandy swimming beach, playground, picnic areas, tennis courts, and a lakefront lawn just steps from downtown. In summer it’s a hub for families, live music, and festivals, and in winter the park hosts ice skating and seasonal activities when conditions allow. For cabin owners, it functions as an easy in-town spot to swim, let kids play, or catch an event without needing a boat or long drive.
Wildwood Wildlife Park & Nature Center (Attraction)
Wildwood Wildlife Park & Nature Center houses hundreds of animals—from small mammals and birds to large exotic species—and offers walk-through habitats, feeding areas, and educational exhibits. It’s one of the most popular family attractions in Minocqua, providing a full- or half-day alternative to time on the water, especially on cooler or windy days. For cabin owners, it becomes a go-to outing when hosting kids or grandkids who want to see animals up close.
Wildwood Wildlife Park & Nature Center (Attraction)
Wildwood Wildlife Park on the north side of Minocqua combines a zoo, walk-through animal exhibits, and hands-on experiences like feeding deer and parakeets, making it one of the area’s most popular family attractions. Paths wind past big cats, bears, and smaller critters, and the mix of interactive exhibits and shady walking routes makes it an easy half-day outing when you need a break from the lake or trails.
World’s Largest Penny – Woodruff (Attraction)
A short drive from Minocqua, Woodruff’s World’s Largest Penny commemorates Dr. Kate Pelham Newcomb’s 1950s fund-raising drive to build a local hospital, when children collected more than a million pennies. The oversized roadside penny and interpretive signs make for a quick, quirky photo stop that’s especially fun with kids or history buffs.
Bearskin Trestle Bridge – Lake Minocqua (Viewpoint)
Just south of downtown, the Bearskin State Trail crosses a 375-foot trestle bridge over a channel of Lake Minocqua, creating one of the most photographed views in the area. Walkers and cyclists get water on both sides, chances to spot loons and eagles, and an easy place to pause for golden-hour pictures before heading farther down the Bearskin.
Cedar Park (Viewpoint)
Cedar Park is a half‑acre wooded shoreline park east of the Schoolhouse Bay landing, with a short walkway down to Lake Minocqua, a fishing and docking pier, picnic table, and grill. It’s a quiet spot to sit by the water, fish, or enjoy a simple lakeside picnic without the bustle of Torpy Park or downtown.
Downtown Minocqua Boardwalk & Lakeside Walk (Viewpoint)
Downtown Minocqua’s lakeside boardwalk and short connecting sidewalks provide a simple walking route with near-continuous water views, docks, and classic resort-town storefronts. It’s an easy way to stretch your legs after dinner, grab photos of neon signs reflecting on the lake, or show first-time visitors the “feel” of town without committing to a longer outing.
Lake Minocqua Rustic Road 58 Pullouts (Viewpoint)
Rustic Road 58, just outside Minocqua, is a scenic drive that passes lakes, wetlands, and cedar lowlands, with several informal pullouts where drivers can stop for photos or a short stretch. In fall the route becomes a tunnel of color, and even in summer it’s an easy way to get “Northwoods postcard” views without leaving the car or planning a long hike.
Min-Aqua Bats Ski Show – Aqua Bowl (Viewpoint)
The Min-Aqua Bats put on the world’s longest-running amateur water ski show at the Aqua Bowl on Lake Minocqua, with free performances three nights a week all summer. Bleacher seating along the shoreline gives families front-row views of pyramids, jumps, and barefoot acts, all framed by downtown and lake scenery. For vacation‑home owners, the show becomes a staple summer outing and one of the signature “only here” experiences that guests remember.
Minocqua Area Mural Trail (Viewpoint)
The Minocqua Area Mural Trail links several outdoor murals and public-art pieces on buildings in and around downtown, from historic scenes to Northwoods wildlife. Visitors can follow an informal loop between shops, cafés, and the lakefront, stopping for photos at each mural and getting a sense of the community’s creative side along the way.
Old Highway 51 Fishing & Photo Pier (Viewpoint)
Along an older alignment of Highway 51 near Minocqua, a small roadside pier offers easy access for fishing and lake photography without needing a boat launch or big park. Locals recommend it as a low-key place to cast a line, watch the light change on the water, or take quick “we’re really up north” photos away from the busiest parks.
Rustic Roads 58 & 59 Scenic Drive (Viewpoint)
Rustic Roads 58 and 59 near Minocqua offer winding, low-traffic drives past lakes, wetlands, and thick pine and hardwood stands, with occasional informal pullouts for photos. In fall, both routes turn into tunnels of color, and even in summer they’re an easy way to get “postcard” water and forest vistas without planning a longer hike.
Torpy Park & Beach (Viewpoint)
Torpy Park is Minocqua’s main in-town lakefront park, with a sandy swimming beach, playground, picnic shelters, and open lawn looking out across Lake Minocqua. It’s one of the easiest spots to catch a Northwoods sunset, watch ski shows or boat traffic, and grab family photos with docks, water, and the downtown strip in the background.
Events in Minocqua:
After Loon Delight Art & Craft Show
After Loon Delight is a one-day art and craft show in early August that follows Mercer’s Loon Day, filling Torpy Park with exhibitors and shoppers. Many Northwoods visitors pair both events in one trip, and Minocqua cabin owners get another chance to browse local and regional artisans without leaving town.
American Pond Hockey Invitational
The American Pond Hockey Invitational brings teams to the frozen Aqua Bowl on Lake Minocqua for a two-day outdoor hockey tournament usually held on the first Friday and Saturday of February. Families and spectators watch games from the ice and shore while enjoying music, food, saunas, and other winter attractions that turn the event into a midwinter social weekend.
Minocqua Winter Park Candlelight Ski & Snowshoe
On select winter evenings, Minocqua Winter Park sets out hundreds of candles along portions of its ski and snowshoe trail network, inviting visitors to enjoy quiet, illuminated loops followed by hot drinks at the chalet. Cabin owners who aren’t focused on racing can build a whole weekend around these calm, social nights, mixing daylight skiing or tubing with a candlelight outing.
Wolf Tracks Rendezvous Ski Race (Minocqua Winter Park)
Wolf Tracks Rendezvous is a cross-country ski marathon at Minocqua Winter Park held in late January or early February, featuring multiple distances on groomed classic and skate trails. It draws regional skiers and gives cabin owners a marquee winter endurance event close to town, combining racing with the park’s tubing, snowshoeing, and chalet scene for families.
Minocqua 4th of July Celebration
Minocqua’s Fourth of July celebration packs the island with a kiddie parade, full downtown parade, live music, and an evening Min-Aqua Bats ski show at the Aqua Bowl. The day wraps up with fireworks launched over Lake Minocqua, visible from parks, shorelines, and boats across the chain, turning the holiday into a major gathering for locals and second‑home owners alike.
Downtown Minocqua Sidewalk Sales
Downtown Minocqua sidewalk sale days see island shops move racks and tables outside, often with added food vendors and music, turning regular shopping into a small street‑festival experience. For cabin owners, these sales are an easy add‑on to a lake day or rainy‑day plan and a good time to pick up gear, clothing, or décor at seasonal discounts.
June Bloom Art & Craft Show
June Bloom is a one-day art and craft show held in early June in Torpy Park, featuring more than 50 exhibitors selling handmade goods in a lakefront setting. It gives early-season visitors and cabin owners a chance to stroll the park, listen to music, and shop for Northwoods-style decor, jewelry, and gifts before peak summer crowds arrive.
Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show
The Minocqua Antique & Classic Boat Show is a 30+ year Father’s Day weekend event that brings 40–60 vintage wooden and classic fiberglass boats to Torpy Park and the Minocqua Chain. Spectators can view in‑water and on‑land displays, vote for People’s Choice awards, and watch the boats cruise the chain, making it a natural fit for lakefront and boat-enthusiast cabin owners.
Solstice Festival at Minocqua Winter Park
Minocqua Winter Park’s Solstice Festival is a summer event that brings live music, food, games, and family activities to the park as a warm‑weather counterpart to its ski season. Cabin owners can use it as a reason to see the trail system in a different season, pairing the festival with hikes, paddles, or bike rides in the surrounding forest.
Downtown Live Music Nights
Beyond Party in the Park’s Sunday series, downtown Minocqua hosts additional live‑music nights at bars, patios, and Torpy Park, creating a casual, walkable music scene on peak summer evenings. Cabin owners can dock, walk, or drive into town for a few sets of music and then cap the night with ice cream or a late dinner on the island.
Min-Aqua Bats Summer Ski Shows
The Min-Aqua Bats put on the world’s longest-running amateur water ski show at the Aqua Bowl on Lake Minocqua, with free performances every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 p.m. all summer. Crowds fill the bleachers and surrounding shoreline to watch pyramids, jumps, and barefoot skiing set against a downtown and lake backdrop, making it one of the most distinctive recurring events for cabin owners and visitors.
Party in the Park Summer Concert Series
Party in the Park is a free summer concert series held on select Sunday afternoons in Torpy Park, featuring regional bands, food, and drinks. It gives cabin owners and visitors an easy, low-key way to enjoy live music by the lake without leaving town, and pairs naturally with downtown dining and ice cream stops.
Torpy Park Farmers & Vendors Market
A seasonal market at Torpy Park brings together local growers, artisans, and food vendors for a laid‑back morning or midday outing on the lakefront. Cabin owners can stroll the park, pick up produce and treats, and combine the stop with playground time, a swim, or a downtown lunch.
Community Christmas Kickoff
Minocqua’s Community Christmas Kickoff launches the holiday season with downtown lights, family activities, and seasonal treats, typically in late November. For second‑home owners who come up outside of summer, it provides a festive reason to visit when shops are decorated and winter recreation is just starting to ramp up.
Beef-A-Rama™
Beef-A-Rama™ is Minocqua’s signature fall festival, filling downtown with cow-themed costumes, beef roasts, cook-offs, races, and live music on the last weekend of September. The streets close to traffic and thousands of people wander between vendors, Torpy Park concerts, and the Rump Roast Run, making it one of the busiest and most memorable weekends of the year.
Prime Choice Craft Show
The Prime Choice Craft Show takes place during Beef-A-Rama, bringing roughly 75 exhibitors to downtown Minocqua and Torpy Park for a full day of shopping. It adds a big arts-and-crafts component to the festival weekend, giving non-runners and non-racers plenty to do while the beef events and music are underway.
Minocqua Food Scene:
Boardwalk Ice Cream, Fudge & Gelato
Boardwalk Ice Cream, Fudge & Gelato sits at the Olde Minocqua Boardwalk Shops, serving Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and house-made fudge near the lakeshore. It’s often recommended as a fun stop after shopping or walking the boardwalk, with enough variety to keep both kids and adults happy.
Briq’s Soft Serve
Briq’s Soft Serve sits along US 51 south of Minocqua and focuses on classic soft-serve cones, sundaes, and flurries at reasonable prices. Visitors praise the generous serving sizes, quick-moving lines, friendly staff, and the fact that it’s an easy, kid-pleasing stop a short drive from downtown.
Dan’s Minocqua Fudge
Dan’s Minocqua Fudge is a long-running downtown candy shop and ice cream parlor dating back to the 1960s, known for small-batch fudge, handmade chocolates, and house-made ice cream. Reviews describe huge scoops, creative flavors, and an old-fashioned soda-fountain feel, making it a repeat-stop tradition for many families visiting Minocqua.
Domino’s Pizza Minocqua
Domino’s in Minocqua offers delivery and carryout of pizzas, wings, pasta, sandwiches, and desserts from its Highway 51 location. Guests call it a dependable late‑night option with online ordering, tracking, and consistent delivery for cabins and hotels in the area.
Great Northern Coffee Traders
Great Northern Coffee Traders is a beloved downtown Minocqua coffee shop serving organic coffee and tea, light breakfasts, baked goods, and simple sandwiches in a cozy cabin-like space. Reviews highlight friendly owners, a welcoming atmosphere, local art on the walls, and a mix of quiche, oatmeal, pastries, and breakfast sandwiches that make it a natural morning stop or remote-work spot.
Hoggie Doggie’s Snack Shack
Hoggie Doggie’s Snack Shack is a seasonal northwoods stand known for Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, sandwiches, soft-serve ice cream, and craft French fries made from scratch. Reviews describe generous portions, very good soft serve, picnic-table seating, and a fun, dog-friendly atmosphere that makes it a popular stop for families on warm days.
Island Café
Island Café is a popular breakfast and lunch restaurant in downtown Minocqua, known for hearty egg plates, pancakes, sandwiches, and friendly, efficient service. It is a go‑to morning stop before hitting the lake or the Bearskin Trail, and a reliable midday option for families looking for straightforward comfort food.
Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream
Kilwins in downtown Minocqua operates as a high-energy confectionery and ice cream shop, offering 30+ flavors of original-recipe ice cream alongside handmade fudge and fine chocolates. Visitors highlight rich flavors like sea-salt caramel and toasted coconut, the smell of fresh waffle cones, and a classic candy-shop atmosphere right in the heart of the island.
Lakeside Grill
Lakeside Grill sits right on the water with a casual menu of burgers, sandwiches, and baskets, plus outdoor seating overlooking the Minocqua Chain. It is especially popular in summer for boat‑in lunches and relaxed drinks on the deck after a day of swimming or skiing.
Lida’s Breakfast & Lunch
Lida’s Breakfast & Lunch offers a full lineup of breakfast and lunch comfort dishes, from omelets and pancakes to burgers and sandwiches, in a bright, welcoming dining room on the edge of Minocqua. Visitors describe it as a friendly, well-run spot with generous portions and consistent food, often calling it a favorite for relaxed brunch-style meals after busy weekends or lake days.
Minocqua Pizza Company
Minocqua Pizza Company offers a wide range of pizzas, pastas, and Italian‑American comfort dishes, filling the niche for easy takeout and family dinners at the cabin. Reviews frequently call out the generous toppings and reliability for feeding larger groups after a day on the lakes or trails.
Minocqua Pizza Company
Minocqua Pizza Company serves tavern-style pizzas, pasta, and other Italian‑American comfort dishes for dine‑in and takeout on the island. Reviews highlight crispy thin-crust pies with generous toppings, friendly service, and reliability for feeding families and groups after days on the lakes or trails.
Minocqua Prime Steakhouse
Minocqua Prime operates as a steakhouse and supper club‑style restaurant, offering hand‑cut steaks, prime rib, seafood, and classic cocktails in a Northwoods lodge setting just east of town. It attracts both locals and visitors for Friday fish fry, date nights, and family dinners, pairing hearty portions with a warm, wood‑accented dining room and bar.
Minocqua Yacht Club
Minocqua Yacht Club is a casual lakeside bar and grill on the Minocqua Chain, popular with boaters looking for burgers, baskets, and drinks with a view. Outdoor seating and docks make it easy to pull up by boat on summer evenings, and the laid‑back atmosphere fits well after a day on the water.
Norwood Pines Supper Club
Norwood Pines is one of northern Wisconsin’s oldest and best‑known supper clubs, set among tall red pines with views of Patricia Lake and deer often wandering through the property. Inside, guests find a cozy Northwoods dining room, fireplace, and screened porch, plus a menu built around steaks, seafood, prime rib, and traditional Friday fish fry with a relaxed, special-occasion feel.
Otto’s Beer & Brat Garden
Otto’s Beer & Brat Garden serves brats, sausages, burgers, and casual pub fare in a lively beer‑garden setting right in downtown Minocqua. Outdoor seating, a good beer lineup, and a straightforward menu make it a natural choice for warm‑weather evenings and casual meetups after time on the water.
Our Place Cafe
Our Place Cafe is a low-key breakfast and lunch cafe a bit away from the most touristy part of town, serving eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, and daily specials. Reviews mention that it feels like a simple, friendly local stop with reasonable prices and solid portions, attracting both residents and visitors looking to avoid the busiest downtown spots.
Papa Murphy’s Take ’N’ Bake Pizza
Papa Murphy’s in Minocqua builds made‑to‑order take‑and‑bake pizzas, sides, and desserts that customers bake at home, with consistent daily hours and online ordering. Reviewers like the fresh dough, ability to customize, and value for feeding larger groups, noting that it’s an easy option for cabin renters who have an oven but don’t want to cook from scratch.
Settlers Mill Adventure Golf & Frozen Custard
Settlers Mill combines a well-maintained adventure mini-golf course with a frozen custard stand offering cones, sundaes, flurries, and floats. Reviews highlight the fun, well-kept course for kids and adults and repeatedly call out the custard as especially creamy and delicious, making it a full-evening outing for families.
Sheri’s Pub n Grub
Sheri’s Pub n Grub is a low‑key bar and grill that draws a mix of locals and visitors with burgers, sandwiches, and nightly specials at approachable prices. The setting is more roadside than resort, but it’s frequently mentioned as a reliable, casual spot for families and groups who want a break from the busiest downtown decks.
Slo’s Pub
Slo’s Pub sits along key road and trail routes west of Minocqua, functioning as a classic Northwoods bar and grill with burgers, pizza, and drinks. It is especially busy with snowmobilers in winter and lake visitors in summer, making it a natural stop for cabin owners looping through the western side of the Minocqua area.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse is an iconic restaurant overlooking Lake Minocqua, combining a historic back bar with a mix of fine dining upstairs and a more casual bar-and-grill atmosphere downstairs. Large windows and decks provide classic island views, and the menu ranges from fish fry and steaks to seafood and pastas, making it a popular choice for both special occasions and casual family meals by boat or by car.
Thirsty Whale
Thirsty Whale is a longtime bar and grill built over the water on Lake Minocqua, known for char‑grilled burgers, Friday fish fry, and a busy lakefront deck. Guests can arrive by land or tie up at the dock, watch the Min-Aqua Bats or boat traffic, and enjoy a casual, family-friendly atmosphere just steps from downtown and the Bearskin Trail.
