Car Rental Wausau
Hertz car rental in Wausau
Rent a car in Wausau and you’ll be entering a small city that feels more like your local neighborhood than a bustling metropolis. Cut in half by the Wisconsin River, and centered around a lovely Downtown known locally as the 400 Block, it is surrounded by sensational landscapes, peppered with parks and ideal for a ski trip.
Our Hertz rental office is conveniently located at Central Wisconsin Airport, about 15 miles south of the heart of Wausau. Pick up your reserved vehicle and you’ll be in the city in around 20 minutes.
Take your pick from family-friendly SUVs, sedans and sportier numbers – we have a car for every kind of trip, whether you’re on vacation or business. With it, you can explore the local area and or enjoy day trips to Green Bay, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Madison and even Minneapolis.
Reserve your rental car in Wausau today, and explore the wilder side of Wisconsin.
Driving in and around 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.
- 3rd 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:
- Leave the airport on CWA Dr and take a left for WI-153 W.
- Turn right and merge on to I-39 N, which runs with US 51 N.
- I-39 ends, so continue on to US-51 N.
- Take Exit 192 for Stewart Ave, then join WI-52 E.
A quick guide to Wausau
Best hotels in Wausau
Courtyard by Marriott Wausau
1000 S 22nd 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 2nd St, WI, 54403
This popular spot on 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd 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.
