Minocqua

I went with a friend to Helen Broomell’s place- she was made of the stuff of legends

she made every thing there magical

and will always be part of the Northwoods

I’ve been here almost every summer of my life! I’m from around chicago so its about a 5 to 6 hour trip and so worth it!! I’m gong in 3 weeks again, cant wait.

My family has had a cabin between the cities of Minocqua and Tomohawk for about 20 years now so I feel more like a local than a tourist when it comes to these cities. I love them dearly, especially in the off-season.

Minocqua is very tourist oriented. Over the last ten years there has been a dramatic overhaul on this island city to make visiting it a little easier. The main street is a one-way circle, so if you miss your turn or a parking spot just keep to the inside lane, you can circle around and get back to it.

If you’re into shopping be sure to go during the day as a lot of shops do tend to close up early, especially if you are from a larger city and expect everything to be open until at least 9PM.

Minocqua fudge is delicious and a hit with all the tourists. So much so that locals have been referring to visitors as “fudgies” for years. I recommend stopping by the Root Cellar, just south of the Dairy Queen on the main street. I am always finding some oddities and delicious smelling incense there.

If visiting over Independance day, I’d recommend arriving early for the fireworks display. It never fails to deliver!

If you have the chance, visit Holiday Karts and Settlers Mill for some mini-golf and go-karting action. They’re located just south of Minocqua on HWY 51. Horse riding is also available and the place is always expanding. I do believe a third go-kart track will be added soon, but that is still a rumor I have yet to confirm.

If you’re camping and forgot some items, there is a WalMart located just north of the city on HWY 70. Very handy if you need a swimsuit or forgot your sleeping bag ;)

It was very tourist oriented. I stayed there for a couple of days with my girlfriend at the time visiting her family who had lived there. “Jenny” grew up here in Minocqua. Jenny was, how should I say a little unbalanced, and freaked out most of the time there so I got to see only a small portion of the area but what I saw I liked. So there is a certain pizza place on the main road that starts with an “M” when there ask for the owner and tell them Jeff from Carbondale says hello.

I was 6 the first time I went to Minocqua. I have made an annual trip ever since with my family, and year 20 is coming up this summer. The northwoods is beautiful and everyone is friendly! It does seem like a popular tourist spot for northern Illinoisans, but this doesn’t detract from the atmosphere. Lots and lots of cute little shops and restaurants, small lakes, beaches, etc. My home away from home.