Menomonie

Around Menomonie

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Town and around · Wisconsin · 46k people

Menomonie

Locals say Chippewa Valley · “City of Lakes”

Lakeside charm, midwestern heart.

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Welcome to the Chippewa Valley! Whether you're here for the trails, the lakes, or the Friday fish fry, you'll find a friendly small-town vibe. Grab a brat and enjoy the scenery.

Clubs for Menomonie

No clubs for Menomonie yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Menomonie. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Menomonie. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Mabel Tainter Memorial Theater Historic 1889 theater, a local icon.
  • Red Cedar State Trail Rail-to-trail along the Red Cedar River.
  • Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area Rolling hills, prairie, and a fire tower.
  • Lake Menomin City lake with a beach and walking paths.
  • University of Wisconsin–Stout Public university known for polytechnic programs.
  • Devil's Punchbowl Sandstone rock amphitheater, a natural curiosity.
  • Outdoors Hiking at Devil's Punchbowl
  • Outdoors Biking on Red Cedar State Trail
  • With kids Wakanda Park
  • With kids Red Cedar State Trail
  • Evenings Friday fish fry at supper clubs
  • Evenings Live music at the Mabel Tainter
  • Locals love Supper clubs
  • Locals love Lakeside beaches

Through the year

  • Dunn County Fair July Annual fair with rides, livestock, and local food.
  • Music on Main Summer Summer concert series in downtown Menomonie.
  • Menomonie Farmers Market June–October Weekly market with local produce and crafts.
  • Hoffman Hills Trail Run September Trail race through the state recreation area.
  • Colfax Railroad Days June Celebration of the town's railroad heritage with parades and events.

Humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, sometimes stormy summers. The best time to be out is from May to October. Best: Late spring through early fall, when the lakes and trails are most inviting.

Talk like a local

“Supper club”
A classic Wisconsin restaurant serving fish fry, steaks, and brandy old fashioneds.
“Chippewa Valley”
The region around Menomonie, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Falls.
“Bubbler”
A drinking fountain.
“Cheesehead”
A Wisconsinite, often a Packers fan.

Getaways

  • Eau Claire Riverfront parks, music scene, and the Confluence Center.
  • Red Wing Scenic Mississippi River town with pottery and hiking.
  • Rice Lake Lake recreation and small-town charm.
  • Winona River town with bluffs, art galleries, and the Great River Shakespeare Festival.

Local flavour

Rooting for Green Bay Packers (NFL), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB), Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Wisconsin Badgers (NCAA Division I)

Eat and drink

  • Cheese curds Fresh, squeaky curds are a Wisconsin staple, often served breaded and fried.
  • Bratwurst Grilled brats with beer and onions are a summer cookout classic.
  • Friday fish fry A weekly tradition at supper clubs and taverns, usually cod or perch with fries and coleslaw.
  • Craft beer Local breweries and taprooms are common, with a focus on lagers and ales.

Where people go

  • Lakes and rivers Lake Menomin, Lake Tainter, and the Red Cedar River define the landscape.
  • Supper clubs Classic Wisconsin dining spots with relish trays, old-fashioneds, and prime rib.
  • State trails The Red Cedar State Trail offers rail-to-trail biking and hiking through woods and wetlands.
  • Small-town main streets Historic downtowns with local shops, cafes, and a slower pace.
  • Forests and farmland Rolling hills, dairy farms, and dense woodlands surround the area.

Heritage and traditions

Menomonie is proud of its lumber-era heritage, the stunning Mabel Tainter Theater, and the tight-knit community life along the Red Cedar River.

This time of year in Menomonie

  • Deer hunting opener Fall A major fall event.

Say it like a local: “Bubbler” — Drinking fountain.

Festivals

  • Caddie Woodlawn Days September Celebrates the local literary connection with pioneer-era activities and a pageant.
  • Menomonie Winter Festival January Outdoor winter games, ice skating, and hot cocoa in the park.

Landmarks with a story

  • Wilson Place Museum A Victorian mansion that was home to the Tainter family.
  • Dunn County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse with a distinctive clock tower.
  • St. Joseph's Catholic Church Historic parish church in Menomonie, listed on the National Register.
  • Caddie Woodlawn Historic Site A farmstead in nearby Downsville that inspired the children's book.

Food traditions

  • Booyah A thick Belgian-inspired stew often served at community fundraisers and church picnics.
  • Brandy Old Fashioned The classic Wisconsin cocktail, sweet and garnished with fruit, a staple at supper clubs.
  • Maple syrup season Families tap sugar maples in late winter and boil sap into syrup, a spring ritual.
  • Supper club tradition A night out for prime rib, fish fry, and old fashioneds at a local supper club.

Music and arts

  • Mabel Tainter Theater Hosts classical concerts, plays, and community performances in an ornate setting.
  • UW–Stout art and design programs Foster local creativity and host student exhibitions.
  • Folk and bluegrass jams Informal gatherings at community events and local venues.

A little history

  • Late 1800s Lumber boom
  • 1891 Founding of UW–Stout
  • 1889 Construction of Mabel Tainter Theater
  • Late 1800s Railroad era in Colfax
  • Before European settlement Native American presence

Rivalries

  • UW-Stout vs. UW-Eau Claire Blue Devils vs. Blugolds in football and basketball.
  • Game day Friday night lights
  • Game day Ice fishing tournaments
  • Outdoors Ice fishing on Tainter Lake
  • Outdoors Snowmobiling on local trails
  • With kids Wakanda Park
  • With kids Mabel Tainter Theater

People speak with a mild Upper Midwestern accent, often using Norwegian and German loanwords. Common habits include the 'happy' vowel shift and a friendly, polite tone.

Only here

  • The Mabel Tainter Theater is one of the most ornate theaters in the country, with hand-carved woodwork and a working pipe organ.
  • The Devil's Punchbowl is a unique geological bowl carved by glacial meltwater.
  • The Red Cedar River was once used for log drives, and Tainter Lake was created to store logs.
  • The Caddie Woodlawn book, a classic of children's literature, is set in the surrounding countryside.
New here? A few tips
  • Pronounce 'Menomonie' as 'muh-NOH-muh-nee' – locals will appreciate the effort.
  • Embrace the cold: invest in a good winter coat, boots, and learn to love ice fishing.
  • Try a Friday fish fry at a local supper club – it's a weekly tradition.
  • Visit the Mabel Tainter Theater for a show; it's a local treasure.
  • Get fresh cheese curds from a local creamery – squeak when fresh.

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Part of Eau Claire area

Nearby

Every area
Eau ClaireWisconsinWhere the rivers hum and the hops flow.Polk CountyWisconsinWhere the northwoods meet the river.Red WingMinnesotaRiver town pride, bluff country soul.Rice LakeWisconsinWhere every lake has a story.ArcadiaWisconsinWhere the Mississippi winds through bluffs and farms.WinonaMinnesotaWhere the bluffs meet the riverRochesterMinnesotaWhere healing and heartland meetTwin CitiesMinnesotaWhere the lakes never end and the welcome never stops.

Menomonie, WI. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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