Follow this three-day itinerary to start planning your Marshfield winter getaway today.

Day 1

Arrive in Marshfield and check into your hotel. You’ll find welcoming lodging properties throughout the city, which is a perfect place to set up a home base for your adventures in Wood County, Marathon County, and central Wisconsin. In addition to well-appointed rooms, Marshfield’s hotels and motels offer outstanding amenities like indoor pools and on-site restaurants.

See a full listing of hotels and motels here.

Put your bags away and head out to grab a bite to eat. If you’re staying at Hotel Marshfield or Woodfield Inn & Suites and don’t feel like heading far, you’ll find great restaurants right on the property (Libby McNeill’s Food and Drink and Lumberyard Bar & Grill, respectively). Otherwise, head out into downtown Marshfield to discover delicious food from a wide variety of cuisines, from American (Nutz Deep II) to Asian (Royal Tokyo) to Mexican (Casa Amigos Mexican Restaurant 2).

See more Marshfield, Wood County, and Marathon County restaurants here.

Day 2

Start your day with breakfast at The Kitchen Table, which dishes up homemade delights like omelets and buttermilk pancakes. (They also serve lunch starting at 11am if you get a late start on the day.)

Spend the afternoon exploring downtown Marshfield’s shops and stores—you’ll find everything from bookstores to music shops to antique stores as you stroll through the city’s historic downtown district. You’ll also find fun places to stop in the downtown attractions district where you can go axe throwing or try your luck at an escape room.

If you’re interested in history, check out interesting attractions like Upham Mansion or the Chestnut Center for the Arts, which is housed in a former church. Also, keep your eyes peeled for the unique sculptures that are part of the Downtown Jurustic Trail.

Next, get the full Wisconsin supper club experience by visiting Belvedere Supper Club on State Highway 97 just outside of downtown or Buck-a-Neer Supper Club in Rozellville, a 10-minute drive from Marshfield. Enjoy classic cocktails and supper club favorites like prime rib or fish fry (if it’s Friday).

Day 3

Grab a cup of coffee at The Daily Grind or Uptown Coffee Company to start your last day in town off right (and don’t forget to order a pastry while you’re at it).

If you’re up for an outdoor adventure, head to Powers Bluff County Park, which is home to a tubing hill, downhill skiing and snowboarding routes, and trails that are open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat-tire biking. It’s located in Arpin in Wood County, about 20 minutes from Marshfield.

Looking for a calmer experience? Head to Wildwood Park & Zoo, which is open year-round and is home to a wide variety of North American animals, including cougars, bison, elk, and more. Plus, the park is home to several miles of popular trails that are an easy, scenic hike in the winter.

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Family Fun

Looking for something the whole family can enjoy on your next trip to Marshfield? Bring the kids to Wildwood Park & Zoo, which is home to twin Kodiak bears Boda and Munsey, as well as cougars, bison, wolves, turtles, snakes, lizards, and more. Plus, the zoo is home to great walking trails if you want to take a stroll. Wenzel Family Plaza in downtown Marshfield has a splash pad where you can cool down on those hot summer days and hosts fun events and live music throughout the summer. You can also cool off inside and have some fun at local businesses like Melody Gardens Restaurant & Skateland, Board & Brush Marshfield, and Escape Room Marshfield.

History & Architecture

Take a trip through the past as you explore Marshfield’s museums and historical attractions. Upham Mansion (formally known as the Governor William H. Upham House), was the home of Wisconsin’s third governor and an important figure in the establishment of Marshfield, and the Roddis House on 4th Street (now a private residence) was the city’s first Dutch Colonial Revival-style home. Another unique historical attraction is the World’s Largest Round Barn at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Visitors can also learn more about the city’s history at the Marshfield Heritage Museum and see historical military items at the War Room Museum.

Outdoor Recreation

Get out and play in Marshfield this summer! Take a dip at Vandehey Waters Outdoor Aquatic Center, which boasts multiple waterslides, diving boards, a current channel, and more. Hit the tees at RiverEdge Golf Course or walk the trails at Wildwood Park. Take a short drive to find walking paths and beautiful floral gardens at the Rudolph Grotto Gardens and Wonder Cave.

Arts & Theater

Arts aficionados will find charming galleries, unique folk art, live music venues, and more throughout Marshfield. Free art galleries like Gallery 450 on the campus of UW-Stevens Point at Marshfield and the New Visions Gallery at the Marshfield Clinic Health System are home to engaging exhibits by local, regional, and international artists. Jurustic Park and the Downtown Jurustic Trail feature playful metal sculptures by local artist Clyde Wynia, and the Chestnut Center for the Arts in downtown Marshfield and the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts (in nearby Spencer) are important venues for visual and performing arts.

Find more Marshfield attractions here.

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The Marshfield Heritage Museum is located on the lower level of the Second Street Community Center, 211 E. 2^nd St., and is open from 1 to 4pm Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Admission is free. Highlights of the museum include:

• A log-cabin recreation of the city’s first hotel
• Photos and other artifacts from the Great Marshfield Fire of 1887
• Historical items from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing (including an iron lung) and the origin of Marshfield Clinic in the 1910s
• Info about historical figures like William Upham, Wisconsin’s 18^th governor and a three-term mayor of Marshfield (the historic Upham Mansion is still open for tours today)
• The “Lest We Forget” history exhibit, which features wartime artifacts from the Civil War to today and tells the story of Marshfield’s veterans

Learn more about the Marshfield Heritage Museum here.

Discover more Marshfield Made New attractions here.

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World’s Largest Round Barn

Head to the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds on East 17th Street to see this impressive structure, which was completed in 1916 for the Central Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association. The barn is 150 feet in diameter and still hosts many livestock events and auctions—its original purpose—to this day. Ripley’s Believe It or Not has recognized the structure as the world’s largest round barn.

Upham Mansion

The Governor William H. Upham House, also known as the Upham Mansion, was the home of William H. Upham, a prominent Marshfield businessman who also served as Wisconsin’s third governor. The home, located at 212 W. Third Street, was built in 1880 and is listed on the local, state, and national register of historic places. Learn more about the Upham Mansion here.

City Hall (Tower Hall)

Constructed in 1901 as Marshfield’s City Hall, the building currently known as Tower Hall originally included a library, an engine house for the fire department, and the police department. It is now home to historic residential apartments and houses commercial business offices. The Romanesque-style building, located at 110 E. Second St., is made of locally kilned Marshfield bricks.

Roddis House

The Roddis House, 1108 E. 4th St., was built in 1914 and is a classic example of the Dutch Colonial revival style, a style that did not exist in Marshfield until the construction of this home. The Roddis House was built by Hamilton Roddis, president of Marshfield’s Roddis Lumber and Veneer Company, which was vital to the city’s economic success during the Great Depression and through World War I and World War II. During his lifetime, Hamilton Roddis donated more than $50 million to fund Marshfield schools and churches. The home is now a private residence and can only be viewed from the sidewalk.

Soo Line Steam Locomotive 2442

This locomotive, located under a roofed enclosure at Wildwood Park, is the only remaining example of the Class F-22 locomotives operated by the Wisconsin Central and Soo Line Railroad Companies in the late 18th and early 19th century. Fully loaded with coal and water, the locomotive weighed nearly 350,000 pounds and generated 43,000 pounds of haul power.

Learn more about Marshfield’s historic sites here.

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Upham Mansion, also known as the Gov. William H. Upham House, is the home of former Wisconsin Governor William H. Upham, was constructed in 1880 and currently serves as the headquarters for the North Wood County Historical Society.

Where is the Upham Mansion located?

The Upham Mansion is located at 212 W. 3rd St. in downtown Marshfield.

What makes Upham Mansion so notable?

The Upham Mansion is listed in the Local, State, and National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized as a classic example of mid-Victorian Italianate architecture. The house, built in the late 19th century, survived the Marshfield fire of 1887. Furnishings date from the late 1880s to the 1920s and include several pieces from Marshfield’s Upham Manufacturing Company.

Outside the home, the Heritage Rose Garden boasts more than 30 varieties of roses that include popular breeds dating back to time of the Roman empire.

The mansion also tells the story of one of Marshfield’s most important residents. In addition to being the third governor of Wisconsin, William H. Upham served in the Second Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War and was injured and captured during the first Battle of Bull Run before graduating with honors from West Point in 1866. He moved to northern Wisconsin in 1869 and established several business ventures in the city, including a sawmill, a furniture factory, a grain elevator, a railroad, a power plant, a waterworks, a general store, and more. Upham played a large role in rebuilding Marshfield after the 1887 fire and served as city alderman, mayor, and clerk of the School Board. He served one term as governor (1895-97) before returning to Marshfield, where he continued to contribute to civic life.

Is Upham Mansion open to the public?

Upham Mansion is open for tours from 1:30 to 4pm Wednesdays and Saturdays. Admission is $2.

Tours are also available by appointment.

The Upham Mansion is also part of the city of Marshfield’s Upham Mansion Historic District walking tour, which includes the old First Presbyterian Church, the Marony Wheeler House, the J.B. Borden House, the C.J. Sparr House, the Burns House, Elsworth House II, and the Frank Upham House.

Learn more about Marshfield’s historic walking tours here.

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Start your trip though time with a walk through a log cabin, a modeled recreation of what served as they city’s first hotel.

What Can I See – Featured Exhibits:

• Great Marshfield Fire – Get a glimpse into the total devastation caused by the 1887, and see how it shaped Marshfield’s future
• St. Joseph’s School of Nursing – Detailed medical history of Marshfield’s St. Joseph’s Hospital, designed by the school’s former students (check out the iron lung display!)
• Roddis Clothing Collection – A fine display of clothing of its time, modeled beautifully on mannequins for optimal viewing

The exhibition also features segments on agriculture, theater history, hobos (yes, hobos!), and much more.

Where is the Museum?
The Marshfield Heritage Museum is conveniently located in the lower level of the 2nd Street Community Center, 211 E. Second Street in Marshfield (Map it). Check museum hours here.

Interested in Marshfield Military History?

• Check out the Lest We Forget military exhibition in the Marshfield Heritage Museum
• Drive to nearby Neillsville and spend time at the The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, a 155-acre staffed park includes pays tribute to the fallen and survivors for their service and their sacrifices.

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Upham Mansion

Take a trip back into the 1800s with a stop at the Governor William H. Upham House. The beautifully restored Italianate house is a showpiece. It’s filled with Victorian-era furnishings, including some items manufactured right in Marshfield. In warmer months, take a stroll through the Heritage Rose Garden.

Central Avenue

For more than a century, Central Avenue has served as the commercial center of Marshfield. Visitors will find a nice collection of historic buildings in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of South Central Avenue–a segment of the street that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now you can explore a lively mix of retailers and restaurants throughout our historic downtown. Learn more about the district here.

Chestnut Center for the Arts

A church has stood on the corner of Chestnut and Third Streets in Marshfield since the 1880s. The current structure, built in 1925, has been renovated into a vibrant performing arts center. It houses concerts, educational classes, workshops and special events. You’ll also find individual artists’ and musicians’ studios, recording and video services, and much more!

Blue Heron Brewpub

All this history might make you thirsty. Ponder the past and present at the Blue Heron Brewpub, a spot that serves up house pints and delicious meals. You’ll also find some interesting dairy industry memorabilia – the building once housed the Parkin Place Ice Cream Company.

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About the Central Avenue Historic District

This district comprises the commercial center of Marshfield. The collection of buildings in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of S. Central Avenue are important to the area’s retail and commercial history. They include a variety of architecture, including Italianate, classical revival, art deco, and early twentieth century commercial styles.

What you’ll find

Every building on this street has a story and they are fascinating to uncover. Step inside 2 ½ Cups Cupcakery & Bakeshop at 126 S. Central Ave, and you’ll find yourself in a building that was constructed at the turn of the century. It first served as a saloon and store before becoming the Majestic Hotel around 1912. The building later became a restaurant and today it’s a charming bakery that produces delicious custom cakes, brownies, candies and of course, cupcakes. Most of the buildings on Central Avenue are open to the public, so it’s possible to step inside and take in a bit of the history—and perhaps a cupcake.

Other businesses in and around the district include restaurants like China Chef and Daily Grind and stores like, Endless Designs, Merle Norman Cosmetics & The Day Spa Boutique and Thimbleberry Books.

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