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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Hub City Days

Head to historic downtown Marshfield for three days of family fun at Hub City Days, an annual festival organized by Main Street Marshfield that features live music, kids’ activities, a massive car show, and much more.

This year’s event will be held from July 25-27. Here are some highlights:

Thursday, July 25

• Movie in the Plaza, Wenzel Family Plaza, dusk – Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets for a free screening of the 2023 movie “Wonka”

Friday, July 26

• Hot Wheel Hunt, downtown Marshfield, 5-6pm – Kids can look for toy cars hidden throughout downtown in anticipation of the Hub City Days car show on Sunday
• Shop Hop, downtown Marshfield, 5-7pm – Enjoy shopping and dining at downtown Marshfield’s stores and restaurants (a section of Central Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic)
• Hub City Concert Series featuring The Verve Pipe, Wenzel Family Plaza – 7-10pm

Saturday, July 27

• Car Show, downtown Marshfield, 10am-3pm – This massive car show spans 10 city blocks and features more than 500 classic cars and bikes
• Hub City Brew Fest, Wenzel Family Plaza, noon-3pm – Sample beer from breweries across the region and the state at this fun event (tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door)

Find more details and a full schedule for this year’s Hub City Days here.

Farmers’ Markets

Downtown Marshfield is home to two weekly farmers’ markets featuring fresh produce, baked goods, and much more. The Main Street Marshfield Farmers’ Market is held from 8am to 1pm every Tuesday in the parking lot of Pick ’n Save, 641 S. Central Ave., and the Festival Foods Farmers’ Market runs from 7am to noon on Saturdays and Sundsays at Festival Foods, 1613 N. Central Ave.

Live @ Libby’s

Libby McNeill’s restaurant at Hotel Marshfield, 2700 S. Central Ave., hosts live acoustic music from 5:30 to 8:30pm every Wednesday. Come in for a drink and enjoy the show!  

Central Wisconsin State Fair

The Central Wisconsin State Fair returns to Marshfield’s Fairgrounds Park on August 20-25. The celebration features midway rides and games, 4-H and open-class exhibits, exciting grandstand acts, and much more.

Learn more about the Central Wisconsin State Fair and find the schedule here. 

Find more Marshfield events here.

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Get outside

One of Marshfield’s top family attractions is Wildwood Park & Zoo, which has been welcoming visitors since the 1930s and is home to twin Kodiak bears, cougars, bison, wolves, and a menagerie of other animals. (The park is also home to some great wooded walking trails.) The outdoor Wenzel Family Plaza hosts fun events like concerts (see below), but it’s also a great place to go and play in the splash pad in the summer. And while we’re talking about summer fun, Vandehey Waters Outdoor Aquatic Center is a great place to spend a sunny day, as it’s home to multiple waterslides, diving boards, a climbing wall, a current channel, and a lap pool.

Find fun indoors

There’s plenty to see and do inside on your trip to Marshfield, too. Melody Gardens Restaurant & Skateland not only serves delicious food—and ice cream—but it is also home to a skating rink and arcade. The Grey Dog Axe Throwing is open to kids ages 8 and up (kids 8-13 must be accompanied by a parent) and has arcade games and a pool table on site. Escape Room Marshfield is a fun family activity designed for two to eight players, and Board & Brush Marshfield lets you and your kids explore your creative sides with engaging art projects.

Mark your calendar

Wenzel Family Plaza hosts the Hub City Concert Series on Friday nights throughout the summer, and this year’s calendar includes acts like Newski and The Verve Pipe. Every July, Hub City Days brings the celebration to historic downtown Marshfield with a classic car & bike show, kids’ games, live music, and more. In September, the fun continues at Maple Fall Fest, which welcomes more than 150 arts & crafts vendors, kids’ games, art activities, and much more to Wildwood Park.

Find more attractions in Marshfield, Wood County, and Marathon County here.

The post 3 ways to find family-friendly adventures in Marshfield appeared first on Marshfield Made New.