The Wausau Allure
After spending time in larger cities, the small town feel of Wausau is attractive.
About the author: Sydney is a millennial guest blogger and UW-Madison student originally from Wausau. After spending a few years in Madison, she reflects on the opportunities this small city offers.
Check out the mushroom (called Chicken of the Woods) I found while on a hike on the Sylvan Hill trails!
As a longtime native to the Wausau community since the late 90’s, I’d consider myself one of the lucky ones to have grown up in a city that could always fuel my call for adventure with an assortment of activities at the disposal for whatever my mood may have been. I’ve proven that this town can keep even the most thrill-seeking kids preoccupied and am pleasantly surprised to be affirming this as truth even as I’ve grown up. I find myself making my way back to town for outdoor fun all the time: even though my 20’s have taken me to larger cities and allowed me to navigate bigger scenes. When you find yourself in Wausau—whether it’s in the heart of downtown or enveloped under the canopy of one of its parks—you’ll come to realize that the town is big enough to lose yourself in a new hobby that seems so detached from what a city in the Midwest could possibly provide, yet small enough to offer the feeling of safety and familiarity with the people you see when you’re out and about.
Wausau is not a city to mischaracterize as a small town with little to do or pique the interest; to overlook it would be a geological shortcoming full of missed opportunity. Long ago when the glaciers receded, the land we’ve since made home to Wausau was an untouched landscape of lakes and rivers far and wide, rolling hills, wooded forests, and valleys as far as the eye can see. Underneath it all lay the richest soils and the reddest granite. It only makes sense that Wausau offers so much to do in such a small stretch of the world. This city is a hidden gem for the outdoor enthusiast who can appreciate a starlit night sky clear of light pollution, fresh air from trees not burdened by overpopulated exhaust pipes, and surrounding habitat rich in biodiversity.
I’ve enjoyed using the trendy/comforting/feel good place at the study loft at Downtown Grocery.
I’ve called the Eastside of Wausau my home since forever and in all the places I’ve lived since then, I can’t think of another place where a 15 minute drive can bring you to the foot of a 68 run ski hill; the wooded entrance to miles of bike, hike, and cross country ski trails; the icy slopes of a downhill tubing track with the less intimidating snowshoe trails out back; the looping tracks of mountain bike courses; the rolling backroads of endless running paths; the premier skate parks; the front gates to splash pads and water slides; the family-owned archery and shooting ranges; the headwaters of a world-class kayaking course; or the many shorelines teeming with competitive fishermen. There’s truly an attraction for everyone to find an interest in, and the broad range of local involvement brings the feeling of comradery right to center.
When in town, I challenge you to find a new corner of the city you haven’t yet explored. Take your dogs or your first-time visitors with you as you delve into a new activity. Wausau’s sure to win you over—with its endless captivation to younger audiences, a breadth of activities for young adults wanting to stay active or start a family, and leisurely pursuits sure to keep those baby boomer’s fresh and on their feet. There’s a certain appeal to the city that can’t be matched to places like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Chicago or beyond. It surely is an unknown treasure worth the hype.
Reflect a moment and share what makes Wausau special to you below!