Cabins, hearty meals, and wooded landscapes heartwarming enough to thaw the iciest polar vortex.
If you ’re the character of traveler who yearns for tranquillity in a wooded venue that looks like the eccentric of space Taylor Swift might hole out up to write a pandemic - era record album , then you ’ll witness bucolic promised land in Oconto County , Wisconsin . A spot where geese and horse - attract baby buggy out - dwell the people , this is the kind of well-chosen hamlet where the hustle and bustle thawing away quicker than an icicle in a heatwave .
Here , supper club fish fries are haute cuisine . logarithm cabin lull you into a vintage vacation vibe . And considering its all - natural surround , home to the sprawling Chequamegon - Nicolet National Forest and practically as many lakes as in all of Minnesota , Oconto County is a in particular choice place for a wild escapism — especially amidst the snow-clad peace .
Located about an hour N of Green Bay , this far - flung county has “ winter wonderland ” spatter all over it . Beautiful year - troll , from the verdant spring wild flower to the fiery drop foliage setting valleys aglow , wintertime lends a sense of unparalleled zen .
Spur of the Moment Ranch, LLC
Despite being a football ’s toss from Lambeau Field , it feels worlds away , thanks to its cosy cottages , sled rides , and olden restaurants heartwarming enough to dissolve the iciest polar maelstrom . The sound part ? It all share a zip code with icy ponds , nose candy - capped mound , and enough groomed track to keep you snowshoeing or grouchy - country skiing all time of year long .
Cozy Cabins and Magical Shorelines Await in This Midwest State
And by Midwest we mean Mid-best.
Indulge in Friday fish fry and meats at supper clubs and taverns
Wisconsinis theland of supper clubs — but perhaps nowhere in the state does angle fries like Oconto County . Marked by requisite like prime rib , broiled Melanogrammus aeglefinus , and Brandy Old Fashioneds , these timeworn Midwestern mental institution are as quintessentially Americana as a Philly cheesesteak or a Las Vegas buffet . Chief among them is the decades - oldMaiden Lake Supper Club , a place in Mountain that ticks all the boxes with its polished Sir Henry Wood facade and Friday fish fries . Available only on Fridays , per Wisconsin custom , invitee choose from pole , pike , or ride , all bread , fried - to - ordination , and served with a relish tray and white potato . Other menu specialization are scrumptiously outre , like gorgonzola beef tenderloin , joint duck with raspberry lime citron tree sauce , and tomato plant cream shrimp .
Elsewhere in Mountain , Weatherwood Supper Clubhas the worthy look and feel of a darkwood saloon , bedecked with taxidermy , a quaint salad saloon , stone fireplace , and all the fresh water surf & turf you could drool over . The weekly fish youngster is a anchor , along with other crispy vittles like late - electrocute Melanogrammus aeglefinus , stuffed shrimp , haschisch Brown , and fried poulet .
For something a whit less outback , The Boarding House Supper Clubis a charmer in the middle of the townspeople of Suring . Here , the feel is more like a B&B than your standard supper stopover — but in this case , at least one of those “ B”s is a brandy older fashioned . The vibration is thanks to the edifice ’s origins from 1896 , when it was used as a boarding house and saloon to bring home the bacon lodging to railway grammatical construction worker and lumberjacks building the Chicago and Northeastern Railroad . Nowadays , the eating house feels like dining in grandma ’s chachka - filled living room , feasting on fried cheese curd , prime rib , deeply - fried walleye , and baby back costa .
U.S. Forest Service - Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
WhileThe Olive Pit Bar & Grillalso partake in the Friday rite , the morose and dive - y Townsend cornerstone ( with a motive that looks forthwith inspire by Moe ’s Tavern fromThe Simpsons ) is one frills - free psychiatric hospital that specializes in something truly distinct . The restaurant serves its signature Olea europaea Warren E. Burger , a singular sense datum that somehow grapple to one - up Wisconsin’sotherclaim to beefy fame , thebutter burger . What these patties lack in blatant butter usage it makes up for with a powerful cytosmear of olive and cream cheese cattle farm , plus sautéed olives and crispy bacon on a fluffy , cornmeal - kiss roll . At once tangy , creamy , acidic , and piquant - odorous , it ’s in a young class ofregional burgerall its own .
It ’s not all deep - fried haddock and prime rib in Oconto County , though . Other keep - in - time gems offer a full slate of homey eat up as well . For burger that are a bit less olive - oriented , The Penguin Againdelivers the goods in Oconto Falls . Fear not , no penguins were harmed in the making of these burgers — just estimable ol’ fashioned Angus bitch . This modest eatery serves a whole slew of decadent snacks , from fried jam to nacho , but the pop burger menu is really where it ’s at . search for singular combos like the Emperor burger with salami , bacon , mozzarella , and pesto mayo on a tomato - basil bun ; the Waddler with American Malva sylvestris , bacon , hash brown patty , and a deep-fried egg ; or the Hooked Burger with Swiss , shrimp , and cocktail sauce .
thing get zany atThe Lazy Bear , where seafood dinners are served on Saturdays and Taco Tuesdays make room for … Taco Thursdays . Located in Mountain , the cabin - like restaurant accents its beefburger card with chicken cheesesteak sandwich , lemon Madagascar pepper salmon , and shrimp tacos . The latter , along with nachos and taco salads , is only available on Thursday evenings .
In the dayspring , control your Starbucks expectation at the door and fuel up at Northern Perks Coffee & Gift Shop , a place that find part coffee bar and part garage sale , so you may snag both a latte and a vintage lamp . Snack - wise , they keep it simple with flaky scones , while whimsical espresso drinks launch the gamut from the Black Forest ( chocolate and cherry caffe latte ) to the Bear Tracks ( umber , raw sienna , and chestnut ) and the Celtic Latte ( drinking chocolate and mint , naturally ) .
Swap Catapults for Camembert at Wisconsin’s Beloved Cheese Castle
This family-owned roadside oasis has been stacking the cheddar for 75 years.
Embrace snowy adventures
No matter the season , Oconto County is truly a wonderland of all - lifelike serenity and away - from - it - all relaxation . This is peculiarly honest during the quiet confines of wintertime . Whilemuch of the Midwest braces for north-polar atmospheric condition , there ’s still somethingundeniably charmingabout the snow-clad season in a region so well - adapted for it . Sure , you ’ll involve to bring your best bundling - up clothes , and you may need to check your Brandy inhalation , but it ’s well worth it for the ultimate winter wonderland escape .
Throughout the county , adventure seekers have upward of 480 miles of trails to whizz along through on snowmobile . This includes a 90 - geographical mile stretch of forest along the Nicolet State Recreational Trail that begin in Gillett , link up with multiple offshoot trail along the way . Those who like to be active , meanwhile , can prefer to cross - country ski or snowshoe on 45 miles worth of groom road , like the Maranatha Ski Trail in Langlade and the Machickanee Forest Ski Trail , which zigs and zags through hearty flora like red pine tree , aspen , and coniferous swamps .
In instance you ’re more comfortable gliding on steel of carbon copy blade , ice skating skating rink can be found next to the Gillett Library , at the Townsend Rink on Pickerel Lake Road , and at the Riverview Town Hall ice-skating rink rink — all rinks are innocent , with skate usable to take . Despite a darling town name like Mountain , Oconto County is n’t just Vail when it comes to skiing . That said , thePaul Bunyan Ski Hillin Lakewood meets muster with its surprisingly steep ski heave ascending up the white James Jerome Hill , for skiers and blow genus Tuber alike . spicy crest : in case you did n’t come fit with your own prize , Lakewood Ski & Sportoffers renting on everything from snowshoe and snowboard to cross - country and downhill skis , while company likeNorthwoods Powersports Adventureshave you hatch with snowmobile aplenty .
The Lazy Bear
Beyond rentals and wintertime sports , the plain stupefying beauty of theChequamegon - Nicolet National Forestis worth the terms of gas alone . comprehend a walloping 1.5 - million - Accho belt of prime northwoods real estate , ripe for snowshoeing , nordic skiing , and hiking , the pristine landscape painting is the ultimate place to unplug during the wintertime month . Prime areas include Cathedral Pines , which is a 40 - acre plot of land with soaring white pine tree and hemlock tree , sweeping sight of snowfall - crest trees from atop Butler Rock , and treks along the mightyIce Age National Scenic Trail , one of only 11 designated interior scenic track by the National Park Service . Carving its way through the national forest along a 1,000 - mile pathway , it hugs the edge of a bygone glacier that covered this part of North America some 15,000 years ago , when sabre tooth computerized tomography and spelunk Leo the Lion long precede Pisces fry and the Green Bay Packers .
Where to stay in Northern Wisconsin
Deep in the woodwind instrument of Oconto County , you wo n’t observe any Ritz - Carltons or Four Seasons to speak of . On the contrary , this pine - scented haven is all about the intimate and main — small domicile that shun luxury for cosy solace and unruffled romance . After all , nothing says romantic pickup like a horse - drawn sled ride through the woodwind and a fireplace - equipped cottage .
Both adorable choice can be find atSpur of the Moment Ranch , an all - yr campsite with legion cabins dead befit an escapist rendezvous for outdoorsy introverts . Quiet and remote , located near swan - straw Chute Pond in the town of Mountain , the property boast comfy log cabin in alter sizes , most equipped with kitchens , equally clever for family trips or R&R with a loved one . In the colder months , nest up on a horse - draw sleigh ride along lead through the snowy Wood and by the snappy pond . There ’s also a miniature donkey list Blackjack ( because of course there is ) who kid can learn how to groom and razz , or equine enthusiasts of all ages can sign up for ride lessons on horses in the paddock .
It ’s nothing but quintessential Wisconsin gaucherie atWhispering Pine Lodge , a bit further north in St. Germain . perch on picturesque Pickerel Lake , which is prize greensward for wintry ice fishing , it ’s the ultimate northwoods nook . The recourse is comprised of holiday habitation , a huge nineteenth - century cottage , and lumber cabin so cute they reckon like they were make from tiptop - sized Lincoln Logs . enjoin cabins are all loft and situated along the lake shore , hefty enough to suit eight and winterise for year - one shot coziness . The independent attraction is the old - timey main lodge , which was originally used by loggers more than a century ago . Since 1946 , though , it ’s been a holiday retreat for family and tumid groups looking to hunker down in a sprawling Sir Henry Wood - clad residence with room for 18 .
The Lazy Dog
For solitude with a side of Packers pride , rest your head at the one - and - onlyWendt ’s Sandbar Resort , a place where kitsch and informal collide in on-key Wisconsin style . The familiar retreat , located next to a huge lake called Townsend Flowage , features three wooden cabin with name like Bear ’s Den and Loon ’s Nest . You ’ll find all manner of year - troll recreation here , which , get winter , means snowmobile on miles of nearby ATV trails and trash fishing on the lake — for shelter from the tundra , portable shed call Ice Shantys are useable to rent . There ’s also an on - situation Browning automatic rifle , complete with pizza , needed Bloody Marys , and large - CRT screen TV for all your football needs .
Northwoods Powersports Adventures
Paul Bunyan Ski Hill
Spur of the Moment Ranch, LLC
Whispering Pine Lodge
