 Menomonie
is nestled along the beautiful shores of Lake Menomin and the banks
of the scenic Red Cedar River in northwest Wisconsin. Steeped in logging
history and once dubbed "Queen of the Pinery," today local
livelihoods are in the diverse fields of agriculture, education, manufacturing
and service businesses, and recreation and tourism. This community of
15,000 supplements its business, social and recreational activities
with those of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., 60 miles west, and Eau Claire,
25 miles east. Anchored by the stunning architecture of the Mabel Tainter
Memorial, Menomonie's Main Street has been designated a national Downtown
Historic District, with a restoration and revitalization program currently
under way. When it comes time to relax, local citizens choose from a tremendous variety of seasonal activities. With beautiful Lake Menomin in the heart of the city and outlying lakes and rivers, Menomonie offers every kind of water recreation. Families might spend a cool summer night in a park listening to a concert, a pleasant stroll or a ride through the woods along the river, or a picnic and visit to the wild game park. Those seeking to burn up extra energy can ski the hills and trails, swim at the waterpark or fieldhouse, hunt, fish, golf, snowmobile, windsurf, play volleyball, basketball, softball or tennis, work out at the racquetball and fitness center, and much, much more. Many cultural events are sponsored by the university, and the local theater guild productions are performed in a restored 1890s theater. A community library, museums, parks and restaurants add to the high quality of life in Menomonie. Excellent city and regional medical clinics and hospitals serve local residents. Churches of many denominations support the community's spiritual needs and a leisure center sponsors programs for the elderly. Whether you spend a week or a weekend in Menomonie, you'll enjoy a visit rich in scenic beauty, countless recreation activities and genuine Wisconsin hospitality. 
The wish has been more than fulfilled. This beautifully restored building is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, is a charter member of the League of Historic American Theatres, and is a designated Wisconsin historical marker site. Its Victorian architecture features intricate handstenciled walls, carved woodwork, gleaming brass fixtures, marble staircase, ornate fireplaces, leaded glass windows, and a rare Steere and Turner Tracker pipe organ. The intimate 313-seat theater offers a full season of professional performing arts events featuring nationally recognized artists as well as outstanding local theatrical and musical talent. The building houses an authentic 19th century public Reading Room, with a collection of local and Wisconsin historical photos and articles, historic American theater books, a selection of current newspapers and periodicals, and a quiet area for reading and study. The Gallery showcases artistic displays and workshops, and a unique Gift Shop, featuring Victorian souvenirs, dolls, doll house furniture, toys, music tapes and much more, which is open daily. The Theater and meeting rooms are available for rental by the public.
A guided tour of the home provides visitors with a more detailed history of the home and its three generations of Wilsons. "Taste of Menomonie," a celebration of the area restaurant specialties, fall produce, and the apple harvest festival is held on the grounds each autumn. Victorian Christmas is celebrated every year from mid-November until the end of December. A gift shop carries quality Victorian reproductions and a unique variety of unusual gifts from around the world and hand-crafted items by local artists.
Dunn
County Historical Society
Red Cedar State Trail Hikers, cross-country skiers, bicyclists, joggers and snowshoers are invited to experience the four seasons of scenic river beauty and rural Wisconsin farmland. Bring along a picnic and a camera any time of the year, as there will always be time to relax and capture the beauty of the Red Cedar State Park Trail.
Hoffman
Hills State Recreation Area
City Parks and Beaches Sanna Park: picnic spot overlooking Wilson Creek in North Menomonie. Located on North Broadway, across from the Parkside Motel. Phalen Park: Softball, football, soccer, tennis courts, playground. Located east of 9th Street and 21st Avenue. Elmwood Park: Softball, football, soccer, playground. Crescent Park Located on 11th Street E., just north of Highway 12/29. Fowler Court: Softball, football, soccer and playground. Located on 14th Avenue W.
Cedarama Park: Gardens, benches and a beautiful view of Lake Menomin. Located along Lake Menomin on Highways 12/29. Point Comfort (Butch's Bay): Located on the east side of Menomonie. Swimming beach, boating and fishing playground. Located on the north end of 21st Street E.
County
Parks Menomin Park: Located on the northeast shore of Lake Menomin, the park has a picnic area and nature trails. Snowmobile
Trails Getting
Here Menomonie is located about 60 miles east of Minneapolis-St. Paul and about 260 miles northwest of Milwaukee on Interstate 94 (exit Highway 25 south). Air Service: Menomonie is 75 miles from the Minneapolis/St.Paul International Airport and 30 miles from the Chippewa Valley Regional Airport in Eau Claire which handle jet traffic. Locally, Score Field serves single and twin-engine planes. A facility for waiting pilots is available. For
more information, please contact: Greater
Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce
Revised: May 2007 |
UW-Stout, Wisconsin's Polytechnic University, is a vital part of the community, preparing students for
productive careers in business, industry, technology, human development,
education, and art and design. The Stout Technology Park offers an
exciting opportunity to share and blend the expertise of the university
with the community in its economic development. Chippewa Valley Technical
College provides students with occupational education, training and
retraining. Burger King, 3M Company, Philipps Plastics and others
have established operations in Menomonie in part because of the university's
research and development assistance.
This
picturesque building was erected in 1889 and presented to the City
of Menomonie by Captain and Mrs. Andrew Tainter in memory of their
daughter Mabel. "In erecting the Mabel Tainter Memorial Building
it was our aim to accomplish that which would be of permanent value
to the citizens of Menomonie, to contribute something toward the intellectual,
social and moral advancement and well being of the community now and
in the years to come."
Wilson Place Museum
Empire in Pine Museum:
Relive the logging camp and sandstone quarry eras of Dunn County's
early days. Visitors will be treated to displays depicting Knapp,
Stout & Company Co. operations, then the largest white pine milling
corporation in the world. Also on the premises are a village jail
and the 1865 Louisville Post Office. Nearby is the Knapp, Stout Pay
Station. Located in Downsville, about 4 miles south of Menomonie on
Hwy 25. Operated by the Dunn County Historical Society.
Caddie
Woodlawn Historical Park: The site of the
original Woodlawn home made known in the Carol Ryrie Brink's children's
books Caddie Woodlawn and Magical Melons. The books
describe in the adventures of a young girl who grew up in Western
Wisconsin in the days of steamboats, covered wagons, log cabins, real
Indians and the frontier country surrounding the present park. Located
about nine miles south of Menomonie on State Highway 25, this area
has been restored and dedicated by the Dunn County Historical Society.
The home and park are an official state historical site.
When
the wealth of the land was lumber, the Red Cedar River was one of
the great water highways that carried logs to a growing nation. This
14.5-mile biking and hiking trail follows the banks of the river from
Menomonie through the historic lumber town of Downsville, to the great
Chippewa River Valley where it connects with the Chippewa River State
Trail in the Dunnville Wildlife Area. The trail passes through a panorama
of woodlands, prairies and soaring sandstone cliffs. In winter, the
trail is groomed for cross-country skiing. Fishing and canoeing are
enjoyed on the river as bald eagles soar overhead.
Hoffman
Hills is located ten miles northeast of Menomonie, off Hwys. 12 and
29. Ideal for quiet relaxation, Hoffman Hills offers youth group camping,
a two-mile self-guided nature trail, hiking, picnicking, and challenging
cross-country skiing in season. A 60-foot observation tower offers
picturesque views of the rugged hill country.
Wakanda
Park: Located in north Menomonie. Boating
and fishing, picnic area, water park, softball and baseball diamonds.
Visit the Lions Club Game Park with native Wisconsin animals, including
deer, elk, buffalo, pheasant, ducks and geese. A nature trail is also
located in the same area. Located on the east end of Pine Street on
Lake Menomin.
Lakeside Park: Boating, fishing and playground. Located north
of the Public Library on Wolske Bay Road.
Wilson Park: The 50-piece Ludington Guard Band performs each
Tuesday evening throughout the summer months in the bandshell located
in Wilson Park near downtown Menomonie. Your chances are great to
enjoy this unique attraction and take part in an old fashioned cake
or pie and ice cream social at intermission time.
Riverside Park: Picnic tables and playground. Most tubers start
their Red Cedar trip at Riverside Park, located on the west side of
Menomonie. Tubes can be pulled out after about two hours (depending
on the current) in Irvington or after four hours in Downsville.
Tubes can be rented in Menomonie at various commercial outlets. Canoes
can be rented across from the park. Located west of the Red Cedar
River on Highway 29. 
The
Red Cedar Valley is known throughout the state for the high quality
of its snowmobile trails. A network of trails consists of state trails
and county trails that connect. Weather permitting, the trails are
groomed on a regular basis by volunteers from county snowmobile clubs.
Menomonie
is easily accessible from the east or west on Highways 12 and 29 and
from the north or south on Highway 25. Downtown Menomonie is located
just two miles south of Interstate 94 on Highway 25.
