Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Wausau (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Grand Theater, and Marathon County Historical Museum. Also, be sure to include UW-Marathon County in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Wausau (Wisconsin).
Table of Contents
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum is located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It is best known for its annual "Birds in Art" exhibition, which exhibits contemporary artistic representations of birds. The annual exhibition has been held beginning the week after Labor Day since the museum's founding in 1976. The museum stands on a 4-acre estate in a 1931 English Tudor style house previously owned by Alice Woodson Forester and John E. Forester. The Foresters donated their home in 1973 and the museum opened in September 1976.[1]
Address: 700 N 12th St, 54403-5007 Wausau
Grand Theater
Theater in Wausau, Wisconsin. The Grand Theater is a historic theater and performing arts center in Wausau, Wisconsin, offering a variety of musical and artistic performances.
The Grand Theater traces its origins back to the Grand Opera House, which was originally built on the same location in 1899. The 890-seat opera house was a popular venue for musical and theatrical acts. The block where it stood has been considered an "arts block" ever since. When the opera house was demolished in the spring of 1927, construction began on the current Grand Theater, a movie palace built in the classic revival architectural style. Today, the Grand Theater stands as a regional performing arts center for the Wausau area, and the greater region of central Wisconsin.
In 1987, a $2.2 million project was undertaken to restore the theater back to its original glory. The technical systems were updated, allowing for the sound and lights required by touring shows. Since that time the Performing Arts Foundation has managed the Grand Theater and has brought a wide variety of entertainment acts to the stage.
In 2002 the community once again stepped up to expand the walls of the Grand Theater to become Artsblock. The $13.2 million project rededicated the facility to the glory of performance and energized not just the city of Wausau, but also the entire region.
The original Theatre Organ remains in the building, and is used for concerts, and to accompany silent films. The organ was built by the Kilgen Organ Company, and is one of only two Kilgen theatre organs to remain installed in its original theater.
Today, the Grand Theater is a regional destination for the performing arts, and maintains its opulent historic architecture. The theater contains classic examples of Colonnades, marble statues and the original solid Bedford limestone facade.[2]
Address: Wausau, 401 North 4th Street
Marathon County Historical Museum
Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. The Marathon County Historical Museum is museum located in Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located in the Cyrus Carpenter Yawkey House, a house listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The house is a significant example of Classical Revival architecture.[3]
Address: 410 Mcindoe St, 54403-4745 Wausau
UW-Marathon County
University in Wausau, Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point at Wausau, is a two-year campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It is located near downtown Wausau, Wisconsin, United States, and adjacent to 78-acre Marathon Park.
UW–Stevens Point at Wausau's campus consists of six buildings: the main building, the fieldhouse, the ceramics/pottery building, the art building, Marathon Hall (residence hall) and the Center for Civic Engagement.
UW–Stevens Point at Wausau had an enrollment of 1,262 students in fall 2014 and an average class size of 23.3 students. UWMC is the site of the Wisconsin Public Radio Wausau Regional Studio. The campus executive is Ann Herda-Rapp.
In 2018, the college became a satellite campus of the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and changed its name to the current one.[4]
Address: 518 S 7th Ave, Wausau
Athletic Park
Stadium in Wausau, Wisconsin. Athletic Park is a baseball stadium located in Wausau, Wisconsin. It is the home field of the Wausau Woodchucks baseball team of the summer collegiate Northwoods League. It hosted Wausau Minor League teams during 36 seasons between 1936-1990.[5]
Address: 324 E Wausau Ave, 54403-3388 Wausau
Marathon County Public Library
Public library. The Marathon County Public Library is a consolidated county library with nine locations in Marathon County, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Its headquarters are in Wausau. The library has its origins in the Wausau Free Public Library, which was founded in April 1907.[6]
Address: 300 1st Street, Wausau
Water Walkers - The Central WI Water Ski Show Team
Concerts and shows, Watersports, Water ski
Address: 1800 South 3rd Ave, 54401 Wausau
Monk Botanical Gardens
Relax in park, Park, Garden
Address: 1800 N 1st Ave, 54401-1922 Wausau
Hiram C. Stewart House
The Hiram C. Stewart House is a historic Prairie School house designed by George W. Maher located at 521 Grant Street in Wausau, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 30, 1974.[7]
C. H. Wegner House
The C. H. Wegner House is located in Wausau, Wisconsin.[8]
C. F. Dunbar House
The C. F. Dunbar House is a Tudor Revival house built in 1926 in Wausau, Wisconsin, United States. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[9]