Why Rhinelander Deserves a Full Day
Rhinelander is the largest city in the Northwoods and one of the few places in Wisconsin where a hoax from 1893 still drives tourism, names the high school mascot, and shows up on half the storefronts downtown. Beyond the legend, there's a genuine day here -- a logging museum complex on the river, a craft brewery with a 140-year history, a downtown worth walking slowly, and over 1,100 lakes within easy reach when you want to get out of town.
Start With the Legend
The Hodag
Outside the Chamber of Commerce | rhinelanderchamber.com
The Hodag statue is the logical first stop -- not because it's obligatory, but because it sets the tone for everything else. The creature traces back to Eugene Shepard's famous 1893 hoax, when newspapers reported the discovery of a terrifying woodland beast. The story stuck, the town leaned into it, and the Hodag became Rhinelander's official symbol. The larger-than-life statue outside the Chamber is open 24 hours and draws a steady stream of photo-seekers year-round. Bring the kids, take the photo, and then start looking for Hodag appearances everywhere else -- they're on murals, storefronts, and park benches throughout downtown Rhinelander.
Pioneer Park Historical Complex
Martin Lynch Drive | rhinelanderpphc.com | May through October
Pioneer Park is where the history of the Northwoods gets a proper telling. The complex includes what is described as the oldest logging museum in the country, plus a railroad museum, schoolhouse museum, and a CCC museum. The PPHC Railroad Museum features an authentic Soo Line Depot, the narrow gauge logging train known as the "5 Spot," and a detailed 1950s Rhinelander model railroad layout -- the kind of thing that holds kids and adults equally well. The Hodag exhibit is also here. Check hours before you go; the complex runs Tuesday through Sunday during its operating season, with the railroad museum closing Sundays at 4 PM.
Eat and Drink Downtown
R&T's "not so" Dinky Diner
130 North Brown Street | (715) 420-0503 | $
Open at 6 AM and one of the better breakfast options in town. Everything is made from scratch -- the sausage gravy, the corned beef hash, the biscuits. On Fridays they run a fish fry until 8 PM, which is rarer for a diner format. It's family-owned and fills up, so go early or expect a short wait on weekends.
Tilly's
69 North Brown Street | tillys-rhinelander.com
Organic and locally sourced, with a scratch-made seasonal menu and Ruby Coffee Roasters espresso. Open daily 7 AM to 3 PM, which makes it a reliable anchor for breakfast or lunch. Vegetarian options available, outdoor seating in season, and a crowd that tends to lean local.
Crimson Cafe
108 East Davenport Street | crimsoncurrycafe.com | $
East Indian and Asian-inspired dishes alongside specialty coffees, boba drinks, paninis, and craft cocktails. One of the more distinctive menus in town -- not what you expect to find in a Northwoods city of 8,000. Dog-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, and serves brunch. Open 10 AM to 2 PM every day.
Big Daddy's
21 West Davenport Street | bigdaddysbar.com | $
The self-described "Burger Happiness Emporium, Air Conditioned Cocktail Lounge, and Pizzeria" is not kidding about any of those categories. The signature Jack Burger and made-to-order pizza are the reasons to come. Food runs until last call, which makes this a solid late-night option on Fridays and Saturdays when they're open until 12:45 AM. Live music on select nights.
Almond & Berry
310a North Brown Street | almondandberry.square.site
A mother-daughter-owned gluten-free bakery on Brown Street. The signature cinnamon rolls and Hodag muffins are the obvious order. Open Monday through Friday until 4 PM, Saturdays until 2 PM. Takeout only -- plan accordingly.
Brown Street 151
151 North Brown Street | brownstreet151.com | $$$
Rhinelander's upscale option, open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner by reservation. Steaks, pork schnitzel, brick oven pizzas, an extensive wine list, and specialty cocktails. The price point is higher than most downtown spots, but it's the place to go for a proper dinner occasion.
Coffee Stops Worth Knowing
The coffee scene in Rhinelander has more options than you'd expect for a town this size.
The Briar House
634 South Keenan Street | briarhousecoffee.com
Described as Rhinelander's longest-running coffee shop, housed in a 100-year-old building that also operates as a boutique. Espresso, bakery items, women's apparel, and gifts. Opens at 6:30 AM on weekdays, 8 AM on Saturdays, and 9 AM on Sundays.
The Morgue Coffee Co.
44 Brown Street | themorguecoffeeco.square.site | $
Inside Northland Music Center in a building originally constructed in 1925 as the Hildebrand Furniture and Undertaking Store -- hence the name. Specialty coffee, energy drinks, and teas. Open weekdays from 7:30 AM and Saturdays from 10 AM.
Northern Grounds
1022 Lincoln Street | northerngroundsrhinelander.com
Drive-through coffeehouse with hand-crafted espresso, cold brew, frappes, Lotus Energy fusions, and locally baked pastries. Opens at 6:30 AM Monday through Friday. Good for getting caffeinated on your way somewhere else.
Cool Beans Froyo Cafe
191 South Anderson Street | coolbeansfroyocafe.com
Opened in 2025. Stone Creek coffee, self-serve frozen yogurt with a toppings bar, Lotus drinks, and pizza. Open until 10 PM on most nights, which makes it a useful post-dinner dessert stop.
Supper Clubs and Dinner
The Northwoods supper club tradition is alive in Rhinelander. Several options are worth planning an evening around.
Wally's South 17 Supper Club
3220 Boyce Drive | (715) 420-0939
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 9 PM. Prime rib, chicken parmesan, and a Friday fish fry are the anchors. The appetizers -- ahi tuna, baked spinach artichoke dip -- have their own following. Good for groups.
Fireside Supper Club
6012 County K | firesidesupperclub.com | $$
A lakefront supper club with a cabin-like feel, serving steaks, seafood, and ribs. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner, closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations available and worth it on weekends.
Rhinelander Pub
33 North Brown Street | rhinelanderpub.com | $$
Described as Rhinelander's oldest establishment, operating since 1911. Now running as a supper club and taproom with rotating craft brews, handcrafted cocktails, a Friday fish fry, and Tuesday trivia nights. Open Tuesday through Saturday for dinner.
Drink Local
Rhinelander Brewing Company
43 S Brown Street | rhinelanderbrewery.com
The brewery traces its history back to 1882 and was revived in 2009 with a downtown taproom. Up to 14 rotating taps, including microbrewed craft beers and the famous "Shorty" 7-ounce bottles. Open Monday through Saturday, closing at 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. If you want to read more about the local beer scene, the Northwoods Craft Beer Guide has the full picture.
Bucketheads Sports Bar & Grill
46 North Brown Street | bucketheadsbar.com | $$
A downtown anchor bar with pool, darts, draft beer, live music, and pub food. Open daily at 11 AM and running until 2 or 2:30 AM depending on the night. One of the higher review counts in town -- over 1,000 Google ratings -- which usually means people keep coming back.
Play by Play
16 North Brown Street | (715) 369-8894
Sports bar on Brown Street. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 5 PM until late. Good for groups watching games.
Arts and Galleries
ArtStart Rhinelander
68 South Stevens Street | artstartrhinelander.org
Housed in the historic Federal Building in downtown Rhinelander. Two gallery spaces with rotating exhibitions, art classes, kids activities, and community events year-round. Open Thursday through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM.
Tom's Drawing Board
52 North Brown Street | tomsdrawingboard.com
Interactive art studio and gallery offering public and private art lessons, handmade merchandise, and a QR-based interactive exhibit. Certified autism-friendly. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
Get Outside
Hodag Park
509 Hodag Park Drive | explorerhinelander.com
The largest park in Rhinelander, on the shores of Boom Lake. Public beach, boat landing, baseball diamonds, an amphitheater, tennis court, playground, and pavilions. Home to the Hodag Water Ski Shows in summer and Fourth of July fireworks. Dog-friendly and open daily from 6 AM to 10 PM.
Rhinelander Riverwalk Trailhead
The starting point for the Riverwalk trail system along the Wisconsin River. Dog-friendly, open 6 AM to 10 PM daily. Good for an easy walk before or after a meal downtown.
Northwood Golf Club
3131 Golf Course Road | northwoodgolfclub.com
An 18-hole, par-72 municipal course that also offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The Northwood Golf Club Bar and Grill is open to the public and serves lunch and dinner on course days.
Hodag Dome
863 Hodag Dome Drive | rhinelander.k12.wi.us/hodag-dome/
Described as the largest air-supported high school dome in the country at over 128,000 square feet. Turf field, tennis and pickleball courts, batting cages, golf simulators, and a 100-meter track. Day passes are available for five dollars. Check the dome's website for current public hours before visiting.
A Side Trip Worth Making
Highland Cottage Cafe
6704 Wisconsin 17, Sugar Camp | highlandcottagecafe.com
A short drive from Rhinelander proper, this cafe in Sugar Camp serves organic, scratch-made brunch items and artisan espresso. The real draw is the patio, where you can meet the resident miniature Highland cows named Latte and Macchiato. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 7 AM to 2 PM. Dog-friendly.
Moondance Bar & Grill
6869 Wisconsin 17, Sugar Camp | (715) 272-2001 | $$
Also on Highway 17 in Sugar Camp. Lake views, historical photos of Sugar Camp on the walls, prime rib served every night, and a traditional Wisconsin fish fry. Open Wednesday through Sunday -- worth timing dinner around if you're already out that direction.
Practical Tips
On downtown parking: The Brown Street corridor is walkable once you're parked, so find a spot and do the whole stretch on foot -- Rhinelander Brewing, Bucketheads, Tom's Drawing Board, The Morgue Coffee, Almond & Berry, and Big Daddy's are all within a few blocks of each other.
On timing Pioneer Park: The complex runs May through October, and the railroad museum is closed Mondays. If history is a priority, build your trip around a Tuesday through Saturday visit.
On Friday fish fry: Multiple spots do it well. Wally's South 17 Supper Club, Rhinelander Pub, R&T's Dinky Diner, and Beachcomber Lounge all offer versions worth trying. The Beachcomber at Clear Lake Inn does theirs grilled over open flame on Thursdays and Fridays, which is less common in the area.
On getting out on the water: With over 1,100 lakes in the area, the Rhinelander chain is the most accessible from town. Blind Pig NW on Highway 47 sits right on the chain and is accessible by boat via Boom Lake. Birchwood Bar & Lodge on Moen Lake is another option reachable by boat, with made-to-order pizza and live entertainment.
On year-round visits: The Hodag Dome and indoor attractions make Rhinelander workable in any season. For winter-specific ideas, the Winter Northwoods Bucket List covers what else is possible in the region.
For families: Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe on North Brown Street is open daily through early afternoon and has earned consistent reviews. Pair it with Pioneer Park and Hodag Park for a solid family day. The Things to Do With Kids in the Northwoods guide has more ideas if you need them.
If you're building a longer trip through the region, A Day in Eagle River and The Cabin Renter's Guide to the Northwoods are good companions to this one.
Know a spot we missed? Let us know.
