Family Fun Up North
My family has been vacationing in Sayner, Wisconsin for as long as I can remember. Located in Northern Wisconsin, many affectionately refer to this area as Up North.
I can remember countless trips with my grandparents to their cabin on Plum Lake.
While my grandparents have passed on, the legacy they started lives on.
Now my own children are creating special memories with their grandparents in the Northwoods.
(Learn how our family started enjoying this area of the Northwoods many decades ago in a guest post by my dad!)
This week we spent 3 fun-filled days of fall break with my parents at their second home in Sayner.
If you haven’t heard of Sayner, and I’m guessing you haven’t, it is a tiny town of just 207 residents (as of the 2010 census). It covers just over 1.8 square miles at the very northernmost part of Wisconsin, about 20 miles from the Michigan border. Bet you didn’t know that Sayner, Wisconsin was the birthplace of the snowmobile!
There is a sense of peace and tranquility in this part of the country…perfect for vacation.
Deer can be spotted daily in our wooded yard or along the many trails and tree-lined streets. Be careful driving at night on these winding roads as deer notoriously don’t use the crosswalks!
Fishing, canoeing, and swimming are fun lake activities our family enjoys during the warmer months. This trip was a bit cold for any of that so we simply gazed at the beautiful lake views and colorful fall palate.
Inside the cabin, we spend quality family time playing games (Uno, Monopoly, and Triominos are some family favorites) or doing a puzzle by the fire. The fireplace is also a nice setting to read a book, do a puzzle, roast marshmallows, or just take a nap. For some reason, even naps are better Up North!
While Sayner is a small town, it still boasts some unique shopping, lodging, and restaurants. A few of our favorite stores include Pastimes, Traditions, and the Eliason Lumber and Hardware store. A trip to the Northwoods isn’t complete without visiting the Sayner Pub for pizza and an adult beverage or two. We also like to head up the road to the neighboring town of St. Germain to dine at Whitetail Inn or head to the 19th Hole Sports Bar for a more casual meal.
We always have family to stay with, but for travelers in need of lodging, I recommend a Sayner staple, Froelich’s Sayner Lodge. The lodge and several lakeside cabins are available for rent from the end of May through September each year and provide a genuine Northwoods experience.
Many Northwoods’ attractions are limited in the late fall and winter as this is their offseason, but we still found plenty of activities and shopping available. And it always reminds us that we need to make a return trip in the summer when the Northwoods is in full swing.
With 2 teenage girls on this trip, shopping was high on our priority list! So in addition to fun at the cabin, we spent a portion of each day visiting 3 of our favorite Northwoods towns.
Boulder Junction
Quaint and upscale best describes the small Northwoods town of Boulder Junction. We love to browse through the unique shops including the Blueberry Patch, Alder Lake Cranberry Gift Shop, and Boulder Junction Trading Company.
When in Boulder Junction I love to stock up on Wisconsin wine! Three Lakes and Door County are two of my favorites. You must try some cranberry wine or some kind of tasty cranberry treat when in Wisconsin. Over 60% of all cranberries in the U.S. are harvested in Wisconsin and a trip to a cranberry bog is another fun outing.
When the weather is nice, Mad Dog Jakes is where we stop for a scoop of ice cream…or two!
On this trip, we decided to forgo ice cream and instead had a delightful lunch at Headwaters Restaurant and Tavern. The atmosphere has a cozy cabin feel and the Buck Skins (deep-fried potato skins with sour cream) were the highlight at our table.
Minocqua
Since eating is one of our favorite activities, we started our afternoon in Minocqua with lunch at The Boathouse. We enjoyed a tasty meal overlooking Minocqua Lake. My dad especially loved their mushroom soup. We made a note to come back again in warmer weather to enjoy cocktails on the outside deck.
One of our must-see shopping areas is Gaslight Square, a quaint indoor shopping gallery with a variety of stores. You can find “punny” signs, local wines, home décor, antiques, and fine fashions. Other favorite shops along the main strip include Imaginuity for unique toys and games, Monkey Business for clothes, A Step Up for Northwoods decor, and Ruby’s Chef Shop for any kitchen gadget imaginable.
The girls had fun shopping for the perfect sweatshirt to fit their unique tastes. I indulged my penchant for home décor that features a red truck, and there was no shortage of options to choose from!
No trip to Minocqua is complete without a trip to the Olde Minocqua Boardwalk Shoppes. The Cheese Board is my favorite as I love sampling their varieties of Wisconsin cheese, and we always go home with an assortment of yummy snacks.
When in Wisconsin…we also have to get ice cream, usually on a daily basis. So we visited the lady at the Boardwalk Ice Cream and Fudge Shop to check out her latest array of fudge and indulge in some ice cream.
One staple in Minocqua that we didn’t get to enjoy on this trip was the Paul Bunyan Cook Shanty as it had just closed for the season. We will be sure to put this on our list for our next trip Up North so we can get our fill of pancakes and other home cooking specialties served family-style.
Eagle River
On our last day in Wisconsin we ventured into Eagle River and enjoyed warm beverages and gigantic cinnamon rolls at our favorite café, Blend. And since we were on vacation, I just couldn’t resist partaking in a cranberry mimosa.
Of course, more shopping was in order, and we found plenty of unique stores to browse. A few of our favorites include Grandma’s Toybox for toys, puzzles, and brain teasers, Eagle Craft & Hobby for all things crafty, Glik’s for clothing, and Eagle Baking Company for tasty baked goods.
Friendship House Family Restaurant was the perfect spot for lunch and to ensure our diets included something besides sugar! The menu was extensive and everyone found something to please their palate…from cream of broccoli soup to cheeseburgers to chicken wraps to liver and onions. With our bellies full, we had renewed energy for more shopping!
We also made a stop at the two ice cream and candy stores on the strip to continue indulging our sweet tooth. We were on vacation, after all!
If you are looking for a quiet retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life…look no further than the Northwoods of Wisconsin!
We had a fabulous time on this trip to Sayner and the neighboring towns, and we look forward to returning next year. If you have never been Up North, be sure to add it to your travel wish list!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
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