Car Rental Wausau

Parking in Wausau

• Downtown Wausau has on-street parking meters. The first two hours of parking is free, and it’s always free on weekends and certain national holidays.
• 3^rd and Grant Street Lot (54403) is close to the Museum of Contemporary Art. It’s open from 6.00AM-2.30AM daily, and the first two hours of parking are free.
• Granite Peak (54401) at Rib Mountain State Park is the place for skiing. It has a sizeable parking lot, with parking attendants on duty at weekends.

Key roads in Wausau

• Interstate 39 (I-39) is the closest interstate and begins six miles south of Wausau near Rib Mountain. From there, it runs south through Wisconsin to Madison.
• US Route 51 (US 51) runs concurrently for long stretches with I-39 from where it enters Wisconsin from Illinois. However, whereas the I-39 ends just south of Wausau, the US 51 continues through it and then proceeds north up towards Lake Superior.
• US Route 29 (US 29) runs east to west through Wausau. West, it leads to Eau Claire, while following it east and then southeast takes you to Green Bay.

How to get from Wausau to Green Bay

Green Bay is just under 100 miles from Wausau, following the quickest route, with the journey taking between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on traffic. Simply follow the signs for WI 29 E and continue on it all the way to Green Bay.

How to get from Central Wisconsin Airport to Wausau

The airport is about 15 miles south of Wausau:

1. Leave the airport on CWA Dr and take a left for WI-153 W.
2. Turn right and merge on to I-39 N, which runs with US 51 N.
3. I-39 ends, so continue on to US-51 N.
4. Take Exit 192 for Stewart Ave, then join WI-52 E.

Best hotels in Wausau

Courtyard by Marriott Wausau

1000 S 22^nd Ave, WI, 54401

Perhaps slightly geared more towards business travelers than vacationers, the Courtyard is nevertheless a sleek, modern hotel, set in the Corporate Cove business park. If you’re here for the great outdoors, you’re not fare from Sylvan Hill, Rib Mountain and the Whitewater Park. Rooms are spacious and comfortably furnished, while there’s a pool and fitness center to use at your leisure.

Jefferson Street Inn

201 Jefferson St, WI, 54403

This independent hotel offers both a warm welcome and a superb location. You’re in the historic River District, in easy reach of the 400 Block, filled with restaurants and stores. The hotel has boutique charm but is full service, with a day spa, indoor pool and a pet-friendly policy.

Stewart Inn

521 Grant St, WI, 54403

In a beautifully maintained 1906 mansion, the Stewart Inn delights with both its design and service. Rooms come with carved timber touches, vintage bathrooms with steam showers and even stained glass windows, along with working fireplaces. They pride themselves on their gourmet multi-course breakfasts, another touch that has you cocooned in the perfect stay.

Best restaurants in Wausau

Thrive Foodery

2105 N 2^nd St, WI, 54403

This popular spot on 2^nd Street has a lively, community feel and an eclectic menu that’s ideal for tables of friends or family to share. Mediterranean nachos come piled high, salads are fresh, sizeable and imaginative, while the maple-glazed chop might be pick of the main plates.

Back When Café

606 N 3^rd Street, WI, 54403

Outside a handsome 100-year-old building, tables line the sidewalk, simply dressed with gingham cloths and adorned with tempting farm-to-table dishes. The wide-ranging menu invites you to try scallops wrapped in bacon, crab cakes and a large pasta menu. Steaks, seafood, veal and chicken dishes are all spot-on, while specials draw on what is seasonal and local.

2510 Restaurant

2510 Stewart Ave, WI, 54401

Whether you come for breakfast, lunch or dinner, chances are you’ll leave 2510 Restaurant loosening your belt. Start your day with their take on eggs benedict or the addictive apple fritter French toast. At dinner, the local specialty of cheese curds are perfectly made here, burgers come stacked and local fish is simply fried - and all the better for it.

What to do in Wausau

Rib Mountain State Park

4200 Park Rd, WI, 54401

Wausau’s famous hill is over a billion years old and a prime location for hiking and picnicking. Rising almost 600 meters above sea level, it’s regarded as one of the Earth’s oldest geological formulations. Locals and visitors both love the 13 miles of trails, and the amphitheater that hosts concerts in summer.

Granite Peak Ski Area

227200 Snowbird Ave, WI, 54401

Granite Peak is part of Rib Mountain’s north face, a hugely popular resort with both snowboarding and skiing. There’s a tall vertical ski drop, 75 runs spanning all difficulty levels, and trails for both snowshoeing and snowmobiles. For a different kind of winter fun, head to Sylvan Hill for the state’s longest tubing run.

400 Block

401 N 3^rd Street, WI, 54403

Instead of your typical Main Street, Wausau has the wonderful 400 Block, a large open space in Downtown that acts as the focal point for the city’s culture and so much more. Surrounded by great local independent stores, it hosts events and festivals throughout the year. Look out for Winterfest, Balloon and Ribfest, and even the Wisconsin Ginseng Festival.